junglehair

Ouch! I love EarthCaches, but I don't think I would pay $100 to set one up.

I'd thought about that too. Not sure if they would have it, but I can check. I was hoping to find out if it had the information I was looking for before I tried tracking down a copy.

I am with the majority here. It is fine to have an entrance fee for an EarthCache, but that should be clearly stated on the cache page. You can then make the decision if it is worth going for or not.

Email sent

I would like to develop an EarthCache from my recent trip to Hawaii, but I need to do more research first. The spot I picked is a scenic overlook along one of the highways to view an old lava flow. I thought maybe the Roadside Geology of Hawaii book might have more information about it. Before I order that book though, I'd like to confirm if it will have the information I need. If anyone has a copy, could you email me. I would really appreciate it. Thanks, Sandra (aka junglehair)

I don't have a problem with it personally. I'm not sure why someone would want to make an EarthCache for Premium Members only, but I figure it's the cache owner's decision.

I certainly do not want to see every glacial erratic turned into an EarthCache. I live in Canada where every boulder is likely a glacial erratic. By your logic, there could be hundreds of similar EarthCaches in my area. You'd have to really filter them out to come up with something new and interesting. Although two erratics may not be alike, the lesson on how they got there would be the same.

I wish the "Needs Maintenance" and "Needs Archive" log types were changed to "Alert Cache Owner" and "Alert Reviewer". If it's a minor issue (log is full, lid is cracked, etc.) then it's just a post note for the cache owner. If it's a major issue, (on private property, been missing for a long time, etc.) then the Reviewer should be notified so they can take action. Think of the "Needs Archive" button as just a way to alert the Reviewers of the situation. I try to word my NA logs to say that the cache needs some TLC, but failing that it should be archived. That way the cache owner knows I'm not just out to get them. Edit to add: By the way, when you do submit a NA log, the cache is not usually archived immediately (unless perhaps it was a major issue such as security asking for a cache to be removed). If it is a cache that just needs maintenance, the Reviewers typically disable the listing and give the cache owner x amount of days to correct the issue. If they still do not respond in that time, then the cache gets archived.

Another Canadian lady chiming in here. This will be my 10th winter of caching, although I guess I didn't actually do any caching the first winter after I started - long cache drought from November to March. I go caching quite a bit in the winter, so this is what works for me. I always go for good footwear and don't mind spending a bit extra - it saves my feet in the end. I prefer light-weight hikers and they have to fit comfortably. Most often I buy Columbia, Merrell or Timberlands - they seem to fit my feet the best. I typically have a pair of regular hiking/walking shoes for days when I am urban caching. If I am going to be out on rougher terrain, I prefer high-top boots that give a bit of ankle support as well. Waterproof is usually a good idea. You can find some great winter hiking boots. I recently picked up a pair of Columbia boots that were rated up -35°C (for the Americans, that's almost the same in °F as they are exacty the same at -40°). They are a bit higher than normal high top hiking boots, so it will be helpful in the deeper snow. If you're planning to cache in the winter, I recommend snowshoes - I am really glad I invested in a pair. Another item that can be really great to have is gortex socks. Yes - they make gortex socks! They are pricey though($65). You wear them over your regular socks and they will keep your feet dry which is essential for winter caching. This is best in the early and late part of winter when the snow is really wet and slushy. Happy caching. Keep warm (and dry)!

I agree Rim to Rim would be a true 5/5. The 5 difficulty being a result of the advance research and planning that would need to be done. Looks like an EC that should be added to the list of "1000 EarthCaches to see ..." I doubt that I will ever do it though. I have already hiked to the bottom of the canyon and back (nearly 10 years ago now), and it is unlikely that I will do it again.

I have seen a couple of EarthCaches that required two visits. Typically associated with the tides - you need to visit at high tide and again at low tide. I've never seen an EarthCache that required visits over a series of days or weeks, but that is an interesting concept. It would more closely resemble the research that a scientist may perform. I could see that being a D5 EC just for the time involved to complete it.

I respectfully disagree with this statement. The terrain rating should be a reflection of what it takes to get to a cache location. The difficulty rating should reflect how challenging it is to find the cache once you get there, or in the case of an EarthCache, how difficult it would be to perform the logging tasks. An EarthCache with easy logging tasks in a hard to reach location should therefore be a 1/5. Your quote of the definition of Difficulty 5 Rating from the Knowledge Books is interesting though. I'm surprised they have "physical" included in there.

I wouldn't be able to keep up with all the emails for that many EarthCaches.

As geoaware has already stated, the age 14 guideline is simply a way to avoid EarthCaches being written in technical jargon. When I set up my EarthCaches, I try to aim them at a junior high level. In Canada, junior high is grades 7 to 9 (age 12 - 14). Back to the original topic, after reading the comments here, I decided I should increase the difficulty level on one of my EarthCaches. I listed 5 sets of coordinates, 5 photographs of fossils and 5 fossil names. To log a find, visitors need to match the location to the photo and the name. Matching the photos to the location is done on site, but matching the names requires a bit of extra research. It's a bit like a challenging puzzle that is quite satisfying when you manage to complete it. It has received many favourite points and resulted in a few spin-off EarthCaches in other cities. Originally I had it rated with a difficulty of 2, but I changed that to a 3. I'm not sure what a difficulty 5 EarthCache would be, but I suppose it would be possible while still keeping it at a non-technical level. It would likely take more time and some very careful observations to be able to answer. I'd love to see a well done difficulty 5 EarthCache, but not one that was made difficult/impossible just for the sake of making it a D5.

I do believe that loophole has been fixed. It wasn't quite as easy as giving out the coords for the new cache though, it just said which direction and distance the TB moved. You had to do your own projection to figure out where the new cache likely was. Not that I ever did that Actually, FTFs have never been that important to me, so while I might have tried to deduce where a new cache was that way, I don't think I ever went out to actually try searching for one. As others have mentioned, it was likely a friend of the Cache Owner's who checked the coords for them. No problem with that. I had a friend do that for me once when the Reviewer told me my cache was appearing in the middle of a farmer's field. She logged in as First to Pre-Find the cache. Turns out Google Maps was wrong in this case and my coords were perfect You can still consider yourself the FTF of the cache after publication. There's no official stats or rules for FTF anyway.

Without much of he background details, it's difficult to say. I have had people email answers to me on my EarthCaches which were not the answers I was looking for. When I asked them about it, they admitted that they had to Google the answers. Either they'd lost their sheet, or were trying to log from a visit years ago, or whatever. My questions were based on information from the signs at the site. I can tell if someone read the signs or just did internet research to come up with their answers. For EarthCaches asking for an estimate of the dimentions of some features, they should be prepared to accept almost any answer. An esitmate is an esitmate - there is no right or wrong. Hopefully they have included a more concrete question which they could actually use to verify answers. EarthCaches are supposed to get visitors thinking about what they are seeing at the site and making some sort of analysis based on their observations. The important part is that they are thinking about what they are seeing. Whether or not they get the answers exactly right is not my biggest concern. That is why I try to respond to all emails with the answers to my EarthCache questions. If they get the answers wrong, I provide them with the correct ones and allow them to log their find. Did the cache owner say that you could not log a find, or just that your answers were wrong? If they told you that you cannot log a find, then that's something you should probably take up with TPTB if you legitimately visited the site and submitted your answers.

Wow, I am pretty lenient with my EarthCaches, but I would not hesitate to delete logs like that. You don't like the EarthCache program ... too bad. No smiley for you. NEXT!

Hmmm. Hadn't thought about that. I might have to get busy and write up a couple of EarthCache ideas I've had kicking around so that I can launch them during Earth Science Week. Thanks for the heads up.

Good old Colemans! I've sipped a pint or two there too.

I have been trying to find the right tree to be able to set up a cache like this. Mine would be a Huldafolk door though (Icelandic fairy tale folk). I've done that virtual in Minneapolis too - it was very cool.

I would try to work with the nature reserve to see if they would allow a geocache that would not be harmful to their area. It could be a good spot for a micro on a sign with good hints so people could find it easily. It would be a great way to show that geocaching and nature reserves can co-exist. We had someone from a local nature reserve attend one of our monthly geocaching meetings. You could tell he was geared up for a big fight. We were going around the room making introductions, and when we got to him he told us he wasn't a geocacher but was here with a complaint. He was immediately given the floor to express his concerns. He was very surprised by the reception he received. We all said it was no problem - the cache he was concerned about would be removed. One of our local reviewers was at the meeting and assured him that she would personally look after archiving the listing. She also met with them afterwards to determine the extents of the nature reserve so they could ensure future caches were not placed there. Part of the problem was that geocachers were being blamed for every bad thing that happened in that reserve. Someone tried to back their truck in there and got stuck - must have been a geocacher. People were building bonfires - must be geocachers. They have a hard time keeping people from going off the trails, and geocaching was blamed for all the damages. After meeting with us, I think they found out we weren't so bad, but it's still one small part of the problem which they could control. Best thing we can do is to work with the land managers to show that geocaching is not as bad as they think it is. We should also be careful about where we place our caches and how we search for others. If a cache appears to be damaging an area, we can let the cache owner know and hopefully they will remove it.

Fixed that for you.

Here is my overly simplistic view of the situation. Player 1 has a hissy fit and decides to take his ball and go home. What are the rest of the players supposed to do? Rather than trying to get the ball back from Player 1 - just go get a new ball. No more drama.

I never thought about it that way, but I guess I am Double Platinum. I own 6 EarthCaches and have found EarthCaches in something like 27 different States/Provinces/Countries. I have a few ideas for other EarthCaches. I guess I should get cracking and write them up so I can attain the Triple Platinum status.

I have no idea if this will help or not, but have you tried updating the firmware on your GPS? You never know, but they may have updated the software to accept the 7-digit GC codes on geocaching.com. Here is a link for the software updates for the eTrex H: https://buy.garmin.com/shop/store/downloadsUpdates.jsp?product=010-00631-00&cID=144&pID=8705 In any case, it's a good idea to update the software every once in a while. For information on how to check which version you are running, you should consult your owner's manual. If you didn't get one with the unit, they can be found online here: https://buy.garmin.com/support/manuals/manuals.htm?partNo=010-00631-00 Otherwise, you will need to use GSAK as others have mentioned. I'd suggest just dropping the "C" from the GC code. Good luck.