MacGyverUK

I haven't been caching too long but I,ve found my approach to work well for me. I take my camera with me at all time. Half of my bag is taken up with my camera and the other with my geocaching stuff. People think nothing of you being crouched down beside a statue, fence, bush if you have a camera in your hand. The odd time I've been asked I just I just lift the camera and tell them I'm taking a few photos for an art project. There are of course a few obvious places that a camera is not appropriate cover, I.e. near schools.( I work in a school and that's usually an instantaneous call to the local police station) On quick assessment of my questioner though i still find the best alternative is just telling the truth.

I've only logged 8 caches so far but a couple I've found that I'm having to flick through a log book to find a blank space. One Micro in particular had a fairly good sized log book with clearly numbered spaces with a place for name/date/comment. Some pages where full (mostly the first few) then there would be the odd blank space then towards the middle, some had maybe one log on a page or was blank entirely. (I think each one had space for 3 or 4 logs on either side) Now this seems a bit of a waste to me. My O.C.D. forced me to put my entry after the last to keep the dates in chronological order. What does everyone else do? Do you write in the first blank space (really this should be after the last entry:-) ) Do you write after the last entry regardless of spaces to be filled Do you just open the log book and write in the first place you come to?

I would imagine it would be dependent on the location of the cache. Mainly the iron content of the surface you're sticking it to and the how directly exposed to the elements it is. I have a few at home I'll be trying in different locations. Some of them came with 2 rare-earth magnets. One inside an one you could glue to another surface to but i imagine there is enough room to drop both of them inside to make it a little stronger. you could always stick it to a similar surface at home and use a hose to simulate the rain.

Well it seem I've touched on a rather opinionated topic. I'll shelve these caches for now and consult a reviewer at a later date.

Thanks for the quick replies. The plan initialy had been to fix something to the lid that would make it easy to find and identify for those looking for it and inconspicous enough that those who weren't would simply pass it by. But I do understand this issues this would raise. Consider the idea well and truly scrapped. I have plenty more creative ideas for placing my larger caches that dont enfringe on this or any of the other rules and guidelines. I've enjoyed the short time I've been geocaching and the last thing I want to do is spoil it for myself and others. Thanks again for your help and advice.

Now before anyone as a go and tells me to read the guidlines, I have. I fully understand that if placing/finding a cache requires an object such as a shovel to break the soil it is deemed unacceptable. I want to make it clear I do not intend to dig holes to bury a cache. I had planned to create a series of caches that would be difficult to find that blended with their surrounding by placing them underground. A tube/hole underground with a wooden lid that was flush with the terrain and camouflaged with a small marker, thus nothing looks out of place and the cache is shielded from the elements/muggles. Digging a hole aside would it be acceptable to use an existing hole? A places where core samples where taken or an old fence post had been removed for example, or where natural forces had created a space. Then filling in around it with loose rocks/soil. On the other hand, if permission was gained from the land owner (private/council/forestry) to dig a suitable hole for the cache would this be acceptable as long as there is no foreseeable knock on effects to the local environment. I'm new to Geocaching and have yet to place any caches but I would like to make them as interesting as possible. Although this would be a preferred method to stash several of my intended caches, they are not the only option and I wanted to be clear on these aspects before disgruntling fellow Geocachers and/or breaking any rules. Any clarification or advice is greatly appreciate. Thanks MacGyverUK

Hey guys, First post on the forum TheMullen an I are new to Geocaching but we love the outdoors and a good challenge. We're busy with work so most of the events we'll have to give a miss. We do however, time and finance permitting, intend to join you on the summit of Ben More. It's been a long time since I trekked up Ben More and I wish I knew about Geocaching back then. I would would have saught out 'Scotlands first'. We plan to start early as we will be shouldering our bikes, so it'll take us a little longer than most. Should make for some great photos and an exciting trip back down.