IGJoe

I've got 97 smilies and 13 frownies. 2 of the DNF's were because the cache was not there, it had been removed before I arrived. Still logged the DNF though. Either way that makes my DNF rate over 10% and places me in the category of respectable DNF reporter. I'll repeat what many other have said - DNFs are a service to the cache owner and other hunters, it is not a reflection of your caching ability. 'Geo-thugs' did kinda make me look bad recently. My cousin and I found a cache in a park with no problem, we practically went straight to the cache. The next day another cacher reports ' looked like wild boars had been looking for stage 4. Remember, folx - "leave the area as you found" it.' Of course, noboby had logged a DNF so the logs looked like we were the jerks tearing stuff up. In the mean time another easier cache in that same park had several finds that day, these same people didn't attempt another cache in the same park? ...... yeah right!

3.4 miles and I DNF'd it just yesterday

Meth labs in rural and wooded areas is, unfortunately, nothing new for rural law enforcement, game wardens, park rangers and other type of law enformcement far removed from the 'urban' drug scene. Some states have gone as far to include meth lab education in thier hunter safety courses. As Keruso mentions, there was a thread that talked about this in the hunt/unusual that linked to a really informative article. Sadly, I'm too lazy to find it and link ya to it.

I did a little searching to see if this had been discussed before. I didn't see it unless it was buried in another thread or way way down the list. Note I said a 'little' searching. Considering the reverance that many hold for the Origional Stash and the desire many hold for unique cach icons shouldn't the Origional Stash deserve a unique icon? Something special to show you've been to the spot that got it all started. Opinions?

Also if you and a non-premium cacher are at a cache it gives you first choice 'dibbs' on its content ahead of the non-PM scoundrel .... uh, I mean valued cacher person. There's also a ride in the PM-only helicopter and secret handshake. Seriously though, I did it for the ability to make bookmark lists, access to PM only caches and pocket queries.

In the short time I've been caching (and spending time on the forums) I've heard .... um, read .... a lot of angst about the contest (Why can't we participate, Can you believe those hoarders, half those JeepTB's will never make into a cache, I cant get this to work) and I think some people simply get fed up with the angst that always seems associated with the contest. Its the same complaints that would happen with any type of large scale contest but since Jeep is the only regular corporately sponsered contest it all gets heaped on them. Personally Ive heard more 'anti' sentiment driven by the above angst angle but some people do rail against the corporate part. Personally I don't understand that at all since they are helping the hobby at absolutely no cost to us.

For me it seems like I get blindspot on some caches. When that happens you could dangle the cache from a string and not only would I not see it but I'd probably push it out of my way while looking in the wrong direction. I can go there multiple times and look and look but not find it. Then when I finally do I think 'Holy Cow! How did I miss that 3 times!'. All the while people are finding it between my attempts and saying similar things like 'easy find'. I even had one cache that it took me 3 attempts to locate when another guy found it on his 1st try without his GPS, he just zoomed in using Googlemaps. Fortunately I've noticed other people get a similar blindspot so I know its not just me. Don't sweat your DNF's, they'll actually become some of your most memorable hunts.

Not trying to hijack your topic but I've wondering about a related issue: Does a large difference in difficulty/terrain ratings allow you to fudge the proximity rule? Here's a few more dtails about what I had in mind I was thinking of doing a multicache that requires you to go into several tunnels, large drainage pipes, culverts and similar dark and creepy areas. It would have a high difficulty rating (4 or 5) based on the fact it would be little dangerous and may require some special equipment (all this would be in the description). HOWEVER, two of the intended stages are very near easy (1 & 2 star) caches. Would 'most' reviewers let me run with this or should I keep on looking?

I know what WAAS is and I knew my GPSr was WAAS capable HOWEVER I've been using for the last 8 months with the WAAS disabled. Needless to say I never really read the instruction manual (insert typical guy comment here) and last weekend, while playing around with the main menu, I discoverd ' Hey, my WAAS is disabled.' The question 'Is there a downside to using WAAS'. I'm surprised something that optimizes performance was not turned on as a default.

Well OK then ..... why are you asking for our opinions then Captain Decision Maker? Who put all these great caches in your area if you're the only one. You? Maybe there would be more cachers if there was a better diversity of cache types 'in YOUR area'. Oh sorry, YOUR county. In that case how on earth did it even get approved without your consultation by the local reviewer. I tried to give a reasonable reply to a highly elitist and concieted question. Guess I should have stuck with 'Get over yourself.'

Ummm, these caches are bad by YOUR definition. Somebody likes to hunt them or else they would not have been hidden. Since YOU don't like these kinda caches is why YOU have an 'ignore listing' feature. A single cacher (or even a small group) making decisions on what types of caches are or are not acceptable for all cachers in an area is what should be banned, not the micros or park & grabs.

I have to agree with those that suggest moving the stage. Nature has a hard enough time dealing with us taking thier habitats for new exclusive luxury ammenity communities and new places to shop convienently located to said community. In the end geocaching is just a game but that tree is appearently important to the local wildlife. Let them have it and we can 'find' plenty of other places to play. Now, if the racoons had thier own GBPSr (Global Beetle Positioning System) I'd say they were on thier own.

There's da problem ... 'discovering' a bug is a way to record you saw a bug but did not take it. You get credit for it in your stats but it is never taken into your inventory. What you need to do is 'grab' the bug using its tracking number. That will put it in your inventory and then allow you to drop it somewhere........ I hope you wrote that number down before you left it in the cache

I also like to paper cache and for me the easiest thing to do is get the zipcode of your hotel and search for caches based on that. Keep in mind though it searches from the center of the zipcode which may be several miles from your hotel. Setting the co-ords of the hotel as your home co-ords would be better but could be a real hassle. One way to do it would be to put the co-ords of a nearby cache into googlemaps then adjust those coords until its over the general area of the hotel. Kind of a brute force technique but it gets it done.

If the GJTB is in your inventory then you should be able to drop it on the cache page when you log your visit. Look below the 'comments' window (when logging your visit to the cache) and you should see another window called 'dropped off any travel bugs?'. Highlight the bug(s) you left in the cache before clicking on submit. I don't believe you can edit your original log to add the bug so you may need to 'post a note' and drop the bug with that entry. I don't believe you even need the TB number when moving it out of your inventory this way.

I seems all of the heat is about co-ords being off, which personally I understand. The game can be challenging enough with the co-ords working against you. I wouldn't pull the caches but I would defiantly update them with better co-ordinates. Keep in mind the DNFers are frustrated which doesn't usually result in them being very diplomatic. You getting frustrated over the coments is also normal. Learn from it and correct the problem. Pulling the caches because of it would be 'thin skinned'.

Some but not all

I imagine the only people who get bent are those who got beat and personally I have no sympathy for sour grapes. I have few FTF's and I admit it is a little on the addictive side. Once I got the first one I was hot to get another and then another. After 3 in a row I checked myself into a rehab clinic for FTF Fever. MY facilitator says I might be allowed to try for another one in a few weeks.

Gotta say I'm kinda loving this idea. In fact, I think I'd be neat to create a Halloween cache with some type of cheap scare gag. The following year, disable the cache a month before Halloween to rig up a new gag and re-enable on Halloween again. Repeat this every year and you might have a lot of people coming back to it as a tradition.

15Tango, Check your PM inbox. Thanks, IGJoe

Lets say I log a GJTB tomorrow but don't submit it until until next month's photo contest (with next month's theme). That doesn't seem to be against the rules. As long as I only enter that bug once it doesn't seem to specify I have to enter it the same month I found it. Anyone interpret that differently? My personal reccomendation to everyone would be to hit your local Wal-Mart and get your own Green Jeep Rescue from the 'Kids Connection' 2 pack. That way you can have a photo double and take the pics at your liesure without keeping a GJTB out of circulation while you imagine,stage and execute your photo op.

I've emailed a few people about caches and have thanfully always gotten a response. Sometimes it was a little slow because it is summer and a lot of people are busy with kids out of school or on vacation. I'm totally cool with that because I appreciate them taking the time to help me at all. I'll have to 3rd what Nobby said. A couple of times I notified people via thier profile and I forgot to mention what cache I was asking about. Boy did I feel like a goob but they were still nice enough to respond so I could clarify. When I do contact other cachers I really go out of my way to be as polite and concise as possible.

How many pictures can one of these cameras take before the memory is full? It'd stink to have a bunch of photos of the same guy wandering back & forth trying to get his pointer to settle down.

What you do is cross your arms across your chest (funeral style). This is the international LARP (Live Action Role Play) symbol for 'invisible'. Other LARPers will recognize the signal and fail to see you. Everyone else will dismiss you because you're an incredible dork. Either way people will avert thier gaze. You could also carry a big rubber boot with spare change in it. Ordinarily attentive people will suddenly do anything to avoid eye contact.

Its been resolved. The A-team swooped in and 'rescused' 3 TB's, all at the owner's request. ParrotRob's TB (Lost Shaker of Salt) was picked up, took a photo op with it at Cheeseburger in Paradise and she's been sent on her way. No harm no foul .... lets let the healing begin.