Keelmann And Cici

While I don't really have any objections to the return of virtual caches, I absolutely dislike posts called "open letters" that say they speak for some large group. It's far better to simply say what this is, a forum post with your opinion. Let others chime in and agree or disagree.

I used a natural eucalyptus spray for a while, and that works pretty well, but no good against certain things (chiggers come to mind), so now I use a deet spray. It's not perfect, but it's pretty good. Inspections are still a good idea after any bushwhacking, in my opinion.

Why email anyone? If I can't find a cache, I post a DNF and move on. Some should be very challenging, that's part of what makes this fun.

A nano, in my opinion, is anything small enough to hold a log and nothing else. So anything smaller, and no log, thus no geocache.

While I'm not a teacher, I think it would be a great idea. I'm fairly new, but love it when I get comments on my caches from teacher or cub scout leaders. I think the addition would be a good resource.

I'd say if you really feel they're dangerous, post a "needs archiving" log. Even if the owner deletes it, that notifies Groundspeak of the issue.

You say it's a puzzle cache. Have you solved the puzzle to see what the actual cache coordinates are?

I'd say go for it if he's willing to maintain it. Either that, or place it under his account, that would likely make review easier, and he would get the find notifications.

For me, that's way high. I own 5 caches, approaching 200 finds, been caching about a year. I drop swag in every cache big enough, and I'm at maybe 300 total I'd say. Never bought clothes for geocaching. Bought some for hiking, but generally not cache rich areas. Edit: whoops, didn't count the GPS, add 60, got a good eBay deal.

Well, you could do what this person did, and attach a travel bug: http://www.geocaching.com/track/details.aspx?id=71289

Nope, I wouldn't. I see private property, and no express permission granted, I leave it alone.

I think it goes to show you that the very best we as geocachers can craft will have a hard time competing against what good old mother nature can produce.

Geocaches are allowed on a military base??

As said above, neither is very accurate. Google earth tends to be highly inaccurate, so that's the worst choice. However, relying just on a smartphone can cause pretty significant errors in coordinates, and can lead to frustrated cachers, and the need to adjust coordinates after it's been found (or not found). Please realize no one here is trying to give you a hard time. The problem is that the smartphones introduce a level of risk and error in cache placement that people try to avoid whenever possible. If you know anyone with a dedicated handheld GPS, borrow that, and take several readings, and use the average of the readings for your placement. If you don't have access to one, and would like to place caches, you can find reasonably priced units on ebay, that's where I got mine, and it's served me well, 5 caches placed with no complaints on coordinates (knock on wood). Good luck!

I'm sorry about her condition. We did something similar for my mother, as she was a lifelong supporter of parks and rec, we were able to get permission to plant a tree with a plaque in her favorite park, and one she had a great deal to do with creating. I later created a cache near the spot when I got into geocaching. I'd say for now, find a spot, get permission (that's an important step), and plant the tree. As for geocaching, geocaches are never buried, and I'd suggest finding some before you consider creating one. That will help you understand not only the guidelines of placing a cache, but help you understand what makes a cache a good one. It's a great goal for the future, and I've had many very kind comments on the cache I created in honor of my mother's work with parks. Good luck!

Personally, I wouldn't post anything like that, part of the fun of this for many is the surprise of the hide, the container, the contents. Wouldn't bother me, but I know some are bothered by it.

"Alas Poor Yorick..."

I haven't had any issues with my caches so far (knock on wood), I do a routine maintenance visit about every 2 - 3 months for a general check and restocking. If I had a problem, I'd try to get out there the following weekend, unless I had a specific conflict. Basically, as soon as I could.

You've found enough that I'm confident you know what a geotrail is. They're not my cup of tea either, but I know some people like them, so I think they're fine. I just don't go for them myself. The sentence you quote from the guidelines is a good general statement, but these caches are placed the way they are for a specific reason, and it's a reason Groundspeak supports.

Yep, thread about it on Wednesday. I'm not laughing about it though, stories like this give a real black eye to geocaching, and risk new restrictions.

The great thing about geocaching is different people can enjoy it in different ways. That doesn't make one way right, and the rest wrong.

To me, there's a difference between a cache which CAN be maintained, but it neglected, and one that is placed from the start with no significant chance of being maintained. Groundspeak can only act in the former case by archiving caches which aren't maintained, but in the latter, can prevent it by now allowing placement. I also have been places that would be perfect for caches, and regretted being unable to place them, but I understand and agree with the reasoning. A cache that isn't maintained is a waste, and should be prevented. A local co-owner, when used honestly, is a viable option. Otherwise, I'd say pass on those placement opportunities.

Tefer, if I understand correctly, you want to place the cache, and have it be found, cachers to drop pins, and for you to revisit the cache to reveal the surprise trip, which is scheduled for 5 weeks from now? Aside from convincing cachers to drop pins or other Disney stuff, which I think a few might, the main problem is time. Construct, place, and publish the cache, then have it found enough that some number might have Disney merchandise is pretty unlikely. I love the idea, I like theme caches a lot, but seems unrealistic unfortunately. Hope you find a great way to reveal the surprise though!

I will point out that some of your list are opinions, about which you will find a huge variation of responses. A good example is 'sadistic' micros. I know people who love micros, the more difficult the better, that's their first cache to go for when they have the option. Yes, in any sufficiently large group of people, there are some you don't want to deal with. People who place generic caches without any thought, those who don't maintain, those who through either lack of knowledge or lack of care take travel bugs. However, in my relatively short time as a cacher, those negatives are far outweighed for me by the great people I've met, the places I've been as a result of caching, the great caches I've found, and the kind comments from people who have found my caches. Sure, you can focus on the negative, but to me, it's a waste of time. I try to do what I can to be a good, responsible cacher, and when I have the chance, I try to share those values with people who are interested. And that's about all I can do, really.

You've "left the area"? Do you not live near the cache?