Bill & Tammy

As of Feb 15th 04:16 PM there are 360068 active caches worldwide. In the last 7 days, there have been 175071 new logs written by 28038 account holders. No cool or interesting stories here to speak of other than generally always seeing something new when caching.

Yep, best advice in finding a cache is to think like the hider. If there is an indication on the cache page that it is an ammo can consider in the immediate area where a person might hide something that size (in a hollow tree, under a pile of sticks or rocks etc.). Micros can be a bit tougher, but you will see some common hiding techniques once you have done a few. Usually a cache is found in the most obvious hiding spot. If you are still having trouble take a step back, allow the GPSr to settle down in one spot, take a breath, be patient and look from a little different perspective.

I think most of who use ammo cans either repaint them like myself or otherwise re-label them or at least black out the contents markings. Guess I don't get what you are saying about tracing the numbers? They are no longer needed military surplus legally made available for sale to the public, why would anyone need or want to trace them?

I recently did this cache which is listed as a puzzle but is at its listed coordinates and there is nothing to solve. I think it is a rather creative conatiner however.

As I have probably said more than you a few times I am one that laments the end of creating new virtuals. I would like to see them come back but with an added, more intensive review process in the mold of Earthcaches. It is beyond my limited brain capacity to demonstrate just how it would work but I think a virtual submission would require a good and solid argument just why the proposed virtual would be of value to the caching community. I know this would create quite a bureaucracy and allegations of unfairness but at least it may hinder the "lameness factor" we saw in some virtuals (and a lot of Waymarks). Dang, where did I put my Nomex trousers again?

I usually say "Hi, how are you?" Unless I am being "questioned by a LEO or other authority, then I tell tham I am hunting geocache and hope they already know about it. I don't think we need to explain ourselves anymore than anyone else who is in public. I mean have you ever stopped a jogger and said "hey, what the heck are you doing?"

Alright, perhaps applying brake fluid to an ammo can seal isn't a good idea. I simply stated I heard it works. The guy at the surplus store I bought my cans at suggested it to revive the seal. And I am sure he meant only a thin layer, I doubt enough that it would be "oozing" fluid. Probably not more than found as other chemicals that are used as protective coatings on some newly manufactured things. If someone is so concerned about this little of chemical in the water, pobably better start banning boat motors right away. Yes, I understand clearly that protection of the envoroment is an important issue, but there are bigger battles to fight on this front.

Why stop at the container? The cappuccino or chocolate left inside would make a tasty treat for a wearied cacher. Might also want to add a package of marshmallows though. hey, I heard sbell111 was eaten by a troll earlier?

Mark the container clearly as a geocache, also probably not to have exposed wiring or place it in an urban setting.

Jumping in here regarding the discussion of re-using food packaging as cache containers (PB jars, ice cream tubs, etc. etc.). There are a number in my area and I simply just hate 'em. Why? On the most part they were never meant to be re-used especially in the manner of being in the outdoors where temperature and other environmental effects degrade them. Most food packaging lids will become brittle and break easily in the cold as pointed out earlier. I guess I can see where it might be inviting on one hand it might be a plus on the environmental side to keep one more thing from lining landfills but mostly I think it may be just the cache placer just not wanting to spend a little extra $ for a nice cache. I once used the analogy of a cache being like hosting a party for your friends. I guess I wouldn't like being served left-overs. I think it is generally understood that a host should do their best to make a good impression (OK, enough with the Martha Stewart stuff). Anyway, if you are going to put a cache out where maybe a hundred folks will visit it over its' lifespan why not make it something they will value and appreciate when finding? I get a pretty good screw top storage container form Dollar General that comes in a variety of sizes. They have held up well and the best part is they are just a buck! Lock & Locks can be had for around from 3-6 dollars from Wal-Mart. I have seen ammo cans sell for 2.50. Why go to all the trouble of bleaching and preparing a PB jar that probably won't survive anyway when these type of cache containers are available? I think cachers would far and away enjoy finding a nicely prepared ammo can rather than a cracked ice tub any day. Especially at the end of a complex multi or a lengthy hike on a hot summer day. It just seems to be a better pay-off and adds to being brought to a very cool place. I think cachers would far and away enjoy finding a nicley prepared ammo can rather than a cracked ice tub anyday. Especially at the end of a complex multi or a lenghy hike on a hot summer day. It just seems to be a better pay-off and adds to being brought to a very cool place.

That wasn't the reviewer. It was the OP going off half-cocked. The reviewer merely posted 'The cache is no longer there.' Thanks, I stand corrected.

Planning a overnight trek on a 5/5 this Spring. Seems to me such a cache is really in the true spirit of geocaching.

Wow, mbgasmd really got taken to the woodshed by the reviewer in his archival notification! If the hide was intended to look like a pipe bomb than it shouldn't be tolerated as it was very irresponsible to say the least. But, I am still not convinced it was nothing more than an ill considered attempt at making a cache container. Many of the early caches as pointed out were PVC tubes which are not dissimilar. I've seen alot of reactionary responses in the forums lately related to similiar topics, hoping cool heads will prevail.

With 357,304+ active caches published on this site alone there are bound to be a few bonehead caches, probably quite a few. The reviewers do a good job keeping a handle on things but just by sheer numbers not every cache is going to 100% strictly in accordance with guidelines, whatever is put into place. Besides, over-regulating would tend to squelch hide creativity and that is what keeps this hobby viable and interesting. A stupid and thoughtless hide combined with a reactionary and uninformed accidental discovery of a cache will lead to trouble every time. We can lessen the occurrence with education but we can't prevent it completely. I think on the whole as a hobby we are less of a threat to the public safety than the majority of outdoor activities.

Tried it on my 8125, all I am getting is a blank screen. What am I missing?

Keep one and trade the other perhaps.

I skype along with another cacher friend of mine. My handle is Quixote

Make sure the seals are in good shape, I have heard applying some brake fluid on them helps.

Although we do like Criminal's packin' heat sig and Lep's hamster in gladware we opted for a sig item related to where we live (Lake of the Ozarks). I usually sign them with an approriate comment as below, which was my DNF at Shelter II. Don't think I am going to run out soon either, I bought over 3,000 of them.

I found this in several caches I was second to find on, a friendly taunt from a fellow cacher: I have never left one though.

Been there, done that. ..add throwing myself through shoulder high dead brush.

I have one too! So we're up to 3 now. I have 5 so that makes 8 verified TBs in existence in the world, oh wait one of mine is missing!

Part of the fun of the game is coming up with an inexpensive sig item to leave, some do poker chips with their geonick, personally we leave a plastic trolling motor propeller.