GPS-Hermit

That's the thing. Without an active owner, this cache can never "get back to proper procedure". No matter how much a "good samaritan" wants to maintain a cache, they can never make any changes to the cache listing. The cache in question is a perfect example. The cache listing says it's an ammo can, but it isn't anymore. Also, while it isn't a problem at this time, if someone logs a Needs Maintenance in the future, that attribute will forever be present and can't be cleared. When a cache no longer has the correct ratings, hint, description, coordinates, etc., it becomes far less fun. Then there's bogus logs that need to be deleted, missing trackables... Basically, good samaritans for caches owned by an inactive cache owner are powerless. And the samaritan's comment about "this old cache can actually be found"? Sorry, it's age really isn't notable. Just within 50 miles of that cache, there are 600 active caches that are older. While they may not want to admit it, or have convinced themselves otherwise, they replaced it so they could log a find. I think they had invested so much time looking for the missing container, they felt they deserved a smiley for their effort and came up with ways to justify making that happen, whether it was conscious or not. It looks like a throwdown to me. I may be completely wrong, but that's how it appears to me. So that is why the reviewer could be involved in allowing the adoption rather than the cache owner only. If the approver is convinced it is a good cache people enjoy then he could be the one to allow the adoption. Much better to keep the cache going than to worry about the listing or the same container. The approver can remove the Need maintenance indicator quite easily if needed. A new cache just starts it all over again and you lose the logs and stories that were fun to read - I say keep it out there. It is a history of that spot being a cache since whenever. Someone needs to take it over and the replacement cache is not the right solution but alot better than deleting it and no one taking it over. Let it live if ya can. It buys time to find a new owner but there needs to be a way to adopt an abandon cache rather than delete it. No need for the logs to start over. Almost all of what is needed is there and mostly the listing will be correct rather needing to be changed. I agree that if there is huge differences deletion is needed. Mostly it will all be the same. Finding a lock-n-lock rather than an ammo is not a complete killer. As I see if the co-ords,parking and hint and description, attributes, are all the same as would be in MOST cases, replacement is a way to keep a good cache going for now.

I almost always cache alone and enjoy it very much. I only cache on short notice because of my other more organizised activities. I enjoy bushwacking and prefer to do that alone since it may not be the way other want to do it. I sometimes bring other floks back to the location for addittional and alternative enjoyment of the area. Exploring trail the caches area has to offer is a good place to bring friend that enjoy the outdoors. Don't if your friend don't take interest in the game, they make take interest in the area the cache brought you too! That is what Geo-Caching is all about for me - finding new and different interesting places. As a newbie you have to put safety right up front and don't be fooled by the terrain. Get good with your GPS and learn to respect it. Feel free to return to a cache area and get the most out it you can. Read the logs of cache page - they can be informative as well as entertaining as folks share their good ,bad, or funny experiences. You are in a community of folks you may never meet but you are not alone. Asking people who know is a smart move even if they don't all agree. Given good advice noone would give you advice to go into the woods alone. You are going to do it anyway - just go easy at first till you get the hang of it. Things can go wrong - but you have a brain and a gut. Use them both. Learn all you can and listen to all advice and actually take some of it. Ha! HA! There is alot of fun ahead of you! Now get out there!

CO's will by opportunity check their caches when it is convenient for them to do. Unless of course someone has told them they need to do it soon. Cache should be cleaned and sanitized and broken or otherwise useless, or inappropriate trade item should be removed. Log can be examined for fullness, Pen replaced and some new stuff added. Having a day designated for that will probably not wake many of them up. Sometimes I am just curious about what is in there and what people are leaving and I like to read the logs.

The one I have trouble with is sticking my hands inside a tree hole or rock cavity where I can see the cache but not what is around it. Snakes and spiders and animals might take offense. Poke another with a stick and see what jumps out at you! I lifted up a blanket of moss one time and a small bird flew up in my face. Just use good sense and try to be very cautious - when you see a sign near a water fall that says 20 people have died here, you need to believe they were not stupid but they didn't believe the danger was really there. Deceiving steep terrain or racks faces can really fool ya! Who ever said better safe than sorry is probably still alive! It is your judgement that keeps you safe and this thread you created is a good one -keep reading and learn all you can! Look before ya leap! Think first act later! Hey! YA'll watch this!

Geocaching is now for me a game that I play when I have no plans to do organized activities, so I go on short notice. Hard to find a companion that way. Seldom if ever, meet another person in the woods. When I find a great location I bring others back to it as time permits. I love do more exploring the cache area or something I saw along the way. It is a learning thing and can be quite enjoyable. Don't worry about what other folks think of your game. If they like the outdoors they will understand otherwise they just lose out! Most people I tell about the game think it is pretty neat but never ask to go! Not everyone wants to bushwack (hiking off trail without cutting) but I sure do and it gets pretty interesting sometimes. I would not want to subject just anyone to it, so I do that alone. I love to share the day in the logs in hope others will come to the neat place I might have found. Since you are new make your hides interesting. Enjoy yourself and take a camera if you can. It helps create alot of memories. Now get out there and be safe while you are doing it.

Replacing the cache doesn't keep anyone from getting the cache back to proper procedure if they want to take the ball and run with it. It keeps the game going for a cache that SOMEONE thinks is worth it! Everyone is business as usually not perfect. Finders find, loggers log -stories are told, life is good - not perfect. The cache keeps going for years. Abandon caches live long after the abandonment takes place and all those folks had the intended fun. Whooppie! I'm excited about it! Thank you for caring.

A throw down cache is not the Proper way to do it - However! It is a very simple way to do it and continues the game right now! This is often done by someone who lives close to the cache or is often close to it and doesn't mind. While not a perfect solution you will find logs of enjoyment after the replacement with the replacer watching the cache. Game On! No work for the reveiwer, minimal for the replacer, great for finders. Replaced caches are usually one of value. I would rather see it done properly but would never say " Don't ever do a Throw down ". It is an act of kindness and I for one applaud it as a good thing for now! If someone wants that location the reviewer is right there to help and would be helpful. I would never kill a cache because of improper procedure. I think it would be proper for the reveiwer to have the ability to allow adoption of an abandon cache just to preserve the history of it. That way if the original CO wants it back it could be done quite easily. Keep a good cache going and let it live even if ya don't agree with how it happened. The solution is NOT that Bad!

I logged on in the forums (remember me checked)and choose GeoCaching topic, choose a thread and I am no longer logged on. I Sign in again from the thread and it logs me on but places me under a different thread. Sign Out does not sign me out!

Great contribution to publish! I also agree with D/T ratings, and attributes being taken seriously since that is important to me! I am a believer in interesting caches and support a having a good reason to place the cache there. Learn why some caches have great logs and others have TFTC. Great logs indicate great caches! Risk is up to the finder - but I support warning when risks is not obvious, planting caution is always a good thing! I also believe it is a negative thing to go to a great deal of trouble to reach the cache and can't do it for reasons that could have been explained in the description. Learning that lousy containers are a bad thing needs to happen first time out! Teeth Proof and Water Proof! A chewed up cache usually has something Tasty/Smelly inside. Trade items that people might want are a great contribution to the game. Be creative and think about it everywhere you go!

I am also seeing the same thing with my avatar in the forums showing on other post - also seeing the same avatar on multiple post of different folks. Really weird! Hope that can be fixed. Thought someone was stealing my avatar! That didn't make sense!

It is perfectly ok to just email the CO and hope for a response - I have done this and got a response every time. Could slow but maybe if you are really unsure worth the effort! I have put in wrong co-ords by accident and what a waste of time that was. Alot of puzzles leave you feeling pretty good about your answers once the light goes on!

Let the finder do what he is susposed to do to find the cache and don't help beyond what the CO has oftered. It is really neat to take pictures of other things of interest which might not be there when another cacher goes after the cache. Like an animal, a sunset, a view you found on your own. Other pics need to be something of interest! A warning sign. or infomation kios, a hazard, alternate parking, trail pics and trail features. Wildlife flowers bugs fish birds spiders, snakes, PI, funny growin trees. You get the idea. Just don't spoil the find itself and the game will be what it is susposed to be = a hunt for the cache! Hunt Hunt Hunt! You can take pictures of your trade items and travel bugs. Learn the macro part of your camera so we can see the inside of an ants ear! Hope you take as many pictures as I do - cause it is fun to do! Now go click on somethin! Yes I have asked folks to remove their pic of the hide itself or a give away pic and each did so with no complaint! Only happened twice!

It is really an issue if you want your caches to be found or not . You seriosly limit participants by increasing distance between cache legs. Most cachers want to complete the same day! Now distance cost money! I really enjoy reading all the logs people do, so distance would limit my fun as well.

It is a new cache but not a new find it - I would not bother - the numbers mean nothing. I see no point in finding the same location again. If you are just curious about the container or something that is fine. Yes, you can do it but a new cache at a new location is GeoCaching the way it was intended to be. Whatever floats your boat!

Only one on my 1st day - congrats on your load of finds. Mine was about 2002 and it was easy - I thought it was the neatest thing ever. Welcome to the game. I hope you make a commitment to hide real interesting caches in some really interesting places. Find about 15 more before hiding your 1st cache and make an effort that some of them will be 2 and 3 in difficulty. Learn that GPS and learn how to be sensible and not get lost. I recommend you get Delorme map TOPO 8 program and learn to use it well. Have fun, be safe and Cache On!

I like to be taken to interesting places and usually like a hike in place while doing so! If no hike I prefer it be something of interest! I also like at least some measure of hunt involved. Quality caching is what it is all about. I could care less about the numbers. Urban caches are out for me and any cache that says watch for muggles. I want muggle free caches. I avoid any cache that might upset muggles. An old baldhead man by his self is usually not welcome around a childrens playground. I absolutely love the GPS and track everything and download it on my Delorme maps. I have as much fun playing with the GPS as I do Geocaching. If I can get to the cache by harmless bushwacking I choose too very often. I usually clear the trails I hike on to keep the quality up! CITO as well! I almost always cache alone because of caching on short notice. Love to teach other to use the GPS and the Delorme map programs. I always take my camera and love the get great pictures of views, wildlife, bugs, flowers, or anything of interest. I take way to many pictures. I always want to go somewhere I have never been and if i see the comments in the logs that says - "If it weren't for Geo-Caching I would never have found this place" I get real excited! Take me there! Love anything outdoors - Hiking Biking camping paddling exploring, clearing trails and taking pictures and playing with the GPS!

I highly recommend you join a paddling club and get advice from those folks as well. There is a lot to consider and you may end up wanting more than one kind of boat. Lots to choose from in purpose skill lake or river, camping or not, weight, how often you use it, how to transport. Get involved with folks that do it -they will let you try their boats while out and you can see what they are like.

Will probably never give up caching! But now greatly reduced! I don't cache near as much now. It is something I do when not doing other things like biking canoeing or Hiking! I like to cache on short notice and now have a hard time finding caches I WANT to find. Cache that don't interest me are: any cache close to the parking coords any pointless location Caches no one brags on Almost any micro, any urban or high muggle area Cemetary caches Caches I do like: Caches that have a hike involved (Miles) Caches that lead me to a network of other trails Caches with Photo Opportunity Caches with bushwascking involved or available Caches with Streams, Lakes, Rock Formations Caches with Mountain biking Opportunities Caches with beautiful plants and bugs too! Wildlife! of all kinds Multi-caches especially if each legs has an interest. So I now spend way to much time weeding thru all the easy, pointless caches to find one I would enjoy! When I started all caches fit my desires!

I like the woodzy type caches with a hike so I dress like I belong in the woods. Usually muggle free places. I wear a back pack and clothes with alot of pockets, and boots. Always have my camera on board, and a pair of snips for the briars! I have taken so many pictures my friends and family run from me! I only cache with orange on sundays during hunting season. No one has ever asked me - why you dressed like that!

I have a cache that is over 7 miles in a WMA and it is intended for biking. However only a few have biked it - others did it all on foot and loved it. The folks who do it are really proud of the task and agree they need the exercise. It is an easy but long walk with lots of scenery, creeks, and wildlife. I restrict caching to Sundays during hunting season. Only get a handful of cachers a year but the logs are great! and favorites are posted. You need good boots for a long hike.

I really don't like the idea of a cache in or around a cemetary. The exception of course are the ones abandoned or highly remote and seldom visited. I would never approach a cemetary at all if someone was visiting a loved one. It is a disrepectfull place to be playing a game. It truely amazes me how curious alot of folks are about cememtarys. I feel like highly visable caches are a bother to the community who may want to call the police. If I see words like high muggle area, i will not go there at all. I personally found it a bother to have to come back later when no one is there. All of my comments are pure opinion - I like the caches with a hike and an interesting place to visit without bothering a sole.

I am missing something - the insert image buttom doesn't let me browse to an image on my hard drive?

Just as a thought - I don't put the actual location of my house in the home location field - usually an intersection a reasonable distance away and make it obvious that isn't my house. Don't want anyone showing up - un-invited.

They should record the minutes to the meeting that invented the concept. I really would love to hear the conversations that lead someone to be convinced to do this. How exactly would you say it all.

I would say if you are having trouble finding a place to put the cache - the cache location is not a good place to put the cache even if it is historically significant. GeoCaching is all about the location so just find a place that you are proud of, with many choices of hiding, and great opportunitys for folks to enjoy the outing. Don't be in a hurry to place a Cache - put lots of thought into it and if it doesn't gleam with tons of fun - simply find a better spot. Yes you can do it and it is fun seeking the location. Utility poles also need permission - yard sale signs will ruin your location. Ha! HA!