Keelmann And Cici

First, it's fairly counterproductive to give your opinion and attack those hearing your opinion at the same time. As for permissions, are you arguing that permission shouldn't be needed, or that premium member status shouldn't affect it? I don't know the specific details, but I could see a case where telling a land manager that it would be a premium only cache might make getting permission smoother, but just a guess. As far as I know, premium members don't have a problem with non-premium members. The most common reasons I've seen for making them premium only is first, to avoid being muggled, and second, to support the site that makes the hobby possible. Both of those seem like valid reasons to me. I've got two caches so far (still a noob), neither is premium. I'd only consider making a premium one if I had a location that was repeatedly muggled. That said, I have no issues with the concept of premium-only caches.

I think if that were the case, you would see a dramatic decline in the audience, and a fairly rapid rise of a competing site that continued with the traditional model.

I believe you're overthinking it. Unless you are challenging someone to go onto land they aren't allowed to be on in the first place (in which case, I'd expect the challenge to be archived), the person following the challenge is using the public land in exactly the way it was meant to be used. Think of it this way. I could create my own website called www.bigparkchallenges.com, and post challenges to parks across the country. No prior permission would be needed, as I'm challenging people to do exactly what the park already says they can do.

Possibly, yes. And you could be banned from the site, which is more likely. Edit: although "charged" is probably the wrong word, you could likely be sued.

Agreed. If I choose not to participate, my numbers are unchanged, and I'm unaffected. I think you're taking this much too seriously.

Seems ok to me, but perhaps they just don't like the challenge for some reason.

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As far as I know, all land is owned and managed. If you mean a park, different parks have different policies about geocaching.

Very true, although harder to find.

Sure. If you check the guidelines for hiding a cache (essential reading if you haven't read them), they spell out the requirements in some detail. For the closest cache, for the two I've hidden, I just went to the spot, then pulled up caches nearby, and checked the distance. Give it a little margin instead of trying to be right on the line, and you should be good. Keep in mind, only 2 hidden here, so more experienced people may have a better answer.

Perhaps people just have different opinions about what caches they like? It's been known to happen.

If you know anyone who geocaches, going with them will be a big boost. Also, avoid small caches at the start, go for bigger ones, and watch that difficulty raiding. However, there are times when you just can't make the find. I'm still fairly new, so I understand the feeling. But from the way you phrase it, it may be that geocaching in general just isn't for you. Sure, DNF's can be frustrating, but even on a bad day, I still enjoy the search. If you feel it's a waste of time, then I'm not sure making the finds will change that feeling significantly, as there's no real reward other than the search itself. Good luck to you though, I hope it works out.

I believe it's largely to protect the cache, as a curious non-cacher seeing what you do may take or damage the cache, and in part to protect you, to avoid suspicion or anger over your behavior.

For my first two, I left gift cards to the movie theater chain. They seem well received.

Good luck to you, wilddav. So far, I'm liking the new site.

Generally when I've seen it discussed, the general wisdom is that premium only caches are less likely to fall prey to people who specifically hunt for and destroy caches, and less likely to be damaged for caches that are at high muggle risk.

I think I agree with that decision, actually.

I'd definitely remove the copy of the travel bug, maybe replace with a geocaching emblem. However, in general, very cool log! I'd sign, and definitely comment on the log when I recorded it online.

If by "themed institution" you mean theme park, the first problem I suspect you'd run into is permission. All theme parks I'm aware of deny geocaching placement. The hide sounds cool however.

Where I live, you'd wind up in jail for that.

I'd say barring the owner of the tent being willing to move, the cache should be moved.

I'm sorry you feel that way. However, please don't take the advice of "find a few more before you place" as a negative comment. It's one of the best pieces of advice I received. I recently placed my first two after finding about 90, and the ones I placed were much better caches as a result. People really are trying to help you here, not insult you.

1. When they violate the stated placement rules, which were designed to conform to basic safety guidelines, and to prevent violation of local laws. 2. The common sense of the reviewer.

Although I like C:geo, based on that post from the developer, Groundspeak has pretty much every right in the world to kill it. Sadly, I shall let it go.

I stay away from the term "game" because most people expect a winner and loser. I describe it as a high tech scavenger hunt (not exact, but it gets people thinking along the right line, in my opinion), that's a great, low-cost outdoor activity. It's great for family and friends to do together, and gets you out to see places you may not have seen before. At that point, if they're interested, and many have been, I go into specifics of what's hidden, and how, and I usually talk about some of the specific places I've been as a result in the area. Several have picked it up as a result. I mention loot in the cache only in passing, and downplay it, as for me, it's really not very important. I try to put decent things in caches, but I've never pulled anything out to keep.