SkyTrek

Whenever I decide to go caching with a friend it takes a lot of effort to sort out our individual finds so we can choose a list to go after together. Would you consider providing a sort option of "Alpha" or "Chronological" to the listing of caches on "My Page" and the "Caches found by page". This would make comparing lists much easier. Thank you

I'd like to see Groundspeak take the lead on this and petition the Parks & Rec Departments in each state to allow geocaching. With success stories like Michigan and a few others it should be relatively easy to assemble a document to show them that geocaching is no more intrusive than picnicing, fishing or hiking. With statistics, news stories, and thousands of participants a letter from Jeremy may get more attention than one from a single geocacher trying to hide tupperware in the woods. A side benefit would be to show that those charter membership dollars are working hard for the betterment of the sport in general.

I had an idea that addresses the issue of how to create a high difficulty cache without locking out all the cachers that either don't have the time or inclination to spend an hour looking for your cache. On my multi-cache sites I'm going to hide 2 or 3 first site caches that all provide coordinates to the actual cache. These will be within walking distance of each other and will be at different "star" ratings up to 5. If someone wants to find them all or just go for the easy one it's up to them. I've been struggling with this problem for a while and I've tried putting various level clues in the description but when the skeeters are biting and it's 95 and humid, even the best of us sneak a peak at the cheat sheet. However, doing it this way allows the cacher to decide which level to try and if he fails he can either drop back to an easier level or not. He can find the coords to the actual cache and go for it then or not. He can log the find if he finds the second cache or he can wait until he comes back an finds the more difficult first site. It's up to the geocacher and his own degree of challenge. Any comments would be appreciated.

My Travel Bug just got home from it's first mission which was to climb to the top of Mt Washington, NH and return home safely. Now I'm wondering how to start a new mission. Do I set it up as a whole new Travel Bug with a new Goal. What will the log page look like? Will it continue from where I picked it up or will it start over. What will the map page do? Can I use this number again or is just a one trip thing? Any advice will be appreciated.

How do unarchive my cache? I've tried but it always comes up with the red 'Archived" message. I've even tried redoing the whole thing as a new cache but if I use the same coordinates as the old one it redirects to the old cache page. Any Suggestions? SkyTrek

I'm looking for a high quality, light weight, breathable rain suit that I can pack on my bike or leave in the car for those afternoon rain storms that sneak up on us. I want gore-tex or some other fabric that allows persperation to escape but is water-proof. Price is a consideration but I want the quality. I'll pay $100 to $200 but I'd much prefer <$100. I read a little about Frogg Toggs for under $70. Does anyone have any experience with this brand? Can anyone reccomend any other brands?

I already did what you suggested but I didn't know that by suggesting the cache should be archived, it would initiate a process. Thanks, SkyTrek

I recently visited a cache site on Block Island, RI. It hadn't been logged since September, 2001 but it was the only one on the island so I gave it a try. There are pictures and hints that make it pretty clear where the cache should be and the search area between the trail and the pond is only about 15 feet across. My question is: since this is an probably a lost, plundered or stolen cache, how do we get it archived without the owners permission. I've emailed the owner but have not gotten a response. Another cacher that tried to find it after I was there also indicated that he thought the cache was missing.

I'm going on a business trip to Munich, Germany in a few weeks and I'd like to find a cache or two while I'm there. How do you find the descriptions of caches in specific cities in other countries? I only seem to get the whole country and don't know where to start. Thanks. Skytrek

What is it with damp caches and low hit rates. I have two new canoe (required) caches and no hits. one is a few weeks old and the other one is brand new. I have another cache that requires you to hop rocks in little verticle walled canyon stream or get your feet wet and again it's been a month since the last try. I know I should be more patient but I look for caches like these and can't wait to get out and find them. I guess I shouldn't project my obsessions on others but I'm a little disappointed in the crowd reaction.

How much money do you typically spend on a cache that you set up (1 and 2)? And the second part is what is that same cache worth (stuff inside plus container) after 3 months (3, 4, and 5)

How much money do you typically spend on a cache that you set up (1 and 2)? And the second part is what is that same cache worth (stuff inside plus container) after 3 months (3, 4, and 5)

Here are two more for Connecticut: Skytrek CIBC Skytrek BPCC

I agree that it would be nice to collect some kind of memento from each cache that you could put in a book. Business Cards are pretty cheap to buy or even less expensive to crank out yourself on your own printer. True a coin or wooden nickle with impressions would be better but they would fit in a plastic business card slot also. I think a neat card with your geo-name, city, state, cache name and whatever other creative things you can add might be fun to leave in your caches and find in others.

Well Mr. (or Ms.) Zuckerruebensyrup, under the current rules people that find your three multi-cache sites will not have them counted as traditional caches. I said "correctly" because that's the way it is. I would rather tell people in the description that it's a multi-cache and have it counted as "traditional" than to have it become one of questionable (locationless) type. We all know Jeremy reads threads like this to stay in touch with what people are thinking. I would say he's getting the message that some of us think locationless caches are fine for people that like them but for the rest of us that enjoy the physical hunt and discovery, we would rather not see them totaled up as equals. In my opinion, they require different skill sets and should be totaled up separately.

I just changed my Multi-Cache types to Traditional so any future finds will be counted correctly. I also added a comment to the description that says -- For technical reasons this cache is not listed as a Multi-Cache. I agree with most of the replys above. All traditional caches (we need a clear definition) should be counted together and all virtual or locationless caches should be separated out of the count. Personally, I'd like to see a list of cache categories to choose from when you first place the cache and have an Icon for each type appear in the listing (hike, bike, wheel chair, canoe, mtn. climb, drive by, metro, etc.). However, for the cachers profile I would only show counts for traditional or locationless. SkyTrek

Is it just me or does everyone find that printing state maps of geocache locations always produces copies that are too dark or too light or sometimes monocolor other times not well defined? It seems that whether I use a color printer or simply B&W I never get a good clear copy. Maybe if they eliminated the color from the maps they would come out better. Any Comments?

Has anyone checked out heavy duty plastic zip-lock bags. Why are we so hung up on metal boxes or hard plastic. Does anyone know of a place to buy 6mil or 8mil plastic bags, about 9" x 12". They would surely be tough enough and dry enough. Most caches that I've found are in a secondary plastic bag anyway. I know you can buy great waterproof bags but most are too expensive. There has got to be a higher quality zip-lock out there that sells for less than a buck a bag.

This was certainly not an abuse of the no advertising policy. The person took the time to find your cache and left a great item. Just because he mentions his other life is no reason to come down on him. Figuring out what to leave in caches is always a problem for me and I often leave samples that I get from the company that I work for. I don't consider that advertising and they are certainly worth more than the McToys that clutter most caches. As for Macro's question, I think it's a great idea to put coupons in caches, the're light,the're flat, only people that can use them will take them and as long as we don't start seeing "20 cents off a box of Tide coupons", they too will be worth more that the McToys.

This was certainly not an abuse of the no advertising policy. The person took the time to find your cache and left a great item. Just because he mentions his other life is no reason to come down on him. Figuring out what to leave in caches is always a problem for me and I often leave samples that I get from the company that I work for. I don't consider that advertising and they are certainly worth more than the McToys that clutter most caches. As for Macro's question, I think it's a great idea to put coupons in caches, the're light,the're flat, only people that can use them will take them and as long as we don't start seeing "20 cents off a box of Tide coupons", they too will be worth more that the McToys.

Who are these guys!! I just placed my first cache and I'm waiting for the "mystery validator" to okay the package. Does JI have an army of 'Cache Cops" scattered all over the globe waiting with engines running for the location to come across their wrist radios so they can spring into action? I can't imagine how they can get to virtually every new cache within a couple days. How are new "CC" recruited? Do you sign up somewhere, are you choosen by JI, is there a boot camp with hidden caches? What's the story? SkyTrek

Thanks "Bigdoggie", I did read Groundspeak's disclaimer and it sounds great for them but doesn't seem to cover me "the cache owner". I hate to think that someone may sue based on reading the coordinates that I provided but not everyone has the same value system. The statement below is what I plan to put in small type at the bottom of future cache directions. Thanks for your input and I checked out the GGA site and it's great, I hope to get down in your area this year. Skytrek Waiver of Responsibility and Disclaimer Hiking, like any outdoor sport and carries the risk of various and unforseen hazards. We do not knowingly include coordinates that will create undue risk to the hiker. However, as conditions may vary, it is the responsibility of the hiker to become thoroughly familiar with the conditions in the area to be hiked, to adequately prepare for those conditions, and to conduct oneself safely and responsibly with respect to those conditions and with respect to his or her personal abilities and limitations. We assume no liability for events which may occur related directly or indirectly to this hike. Do not let children hike unsupervised. By reading and utilizing this hiking trail, you acknowledge the above conditions, and accept responsibility for your own actions, and agree to hold non-liable the sponser of these coordinates, and further, agree to provide this disclaimer to any person with whom you share these coordinates.

I asked this question because I'm in the process of listing a 20 coordinate (10 mi) hike in the area around a cache that I'm setting up. After reading a little about "Letterboxing" from one of the Groundspeak links, I became concerned when I saw the lengths that they go to with "Waivers and Disclaimers". However, taking all your input to heart, I intend to plagiarize a few words and stick them at the bottom of all my future cache directions. Thanks again, SkyTrek

Does anybody know the legal implications of liablity if someone gets hurt trying to find your cache? If I hide a cache on the side of a cliff and someone falls trying to get it, can they sue me? If I provide coordinates for a great hike and someone slips into a bottomless pit on the way, do I start paying his alimony payments? SkyTrek