TofuKat
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Posts posted by TofuKat
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States as well--not that there will be any new states added, but it is fun to see those pop up when you cache in a new state.
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Pup Patrol-- good point. I'll wait it out on the cache he still owns. Kind of goes back to "enabling" geotrash and all the various elements that go along with that. Not that I'm implying it's geotrash, but at some point it will need a NA and someone can hopefully take over the site since it's pretty cool. Sounds like it's just limping along based on people really liking the location and the slight twist to your usual "tree armpit" hide. Years ago when I tried to make the find (and actually sign the log versus just seeing the cache) there were huge issues (PI, ants, iffy branches). I'll watch it for now (and go out with my brother to make the find) and see how things go, but gut instinct is that this one needs a NA fairly soon.
Since getting back into geocaching after a few years off and taking a newbie with me, my impression has been sort of mixed on the NA. I'm being a bit more tolerant since we're in transitional weather, caches take a hit in winter, and I'm a new cacher (100-150 finds; didn't log many of my int'l ones), but the NM/NA doesn't seem to be used often enough at times!
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Thanks PupPatrol for the links--I'm scouring them now to make sure I'm up to date on all of the nuances of hiding since I haven't done this before. The owner also has the cache nearby (same parking lot) that is still active, but just barely based on the reviews. It involves some maneuvering and a tree (don't want to totally spoil it even though it's obvious from the logs what you have to do). I was going to have my brother go with me to make the "official" find on that one because frankly it's slightly dangerous.
Since I'm planning on taking over the first spot that was archived, maybe I can just maintain the second one as well. Both are in "good" locations in terms of safe parking and having an actual reason to go to the places. The second one that is technically still a live geocache is a bit on the iffy side though. It's perfect location wise (historical site in our town), but the tree location of the cache is iffy.
If the original cache owner doesn't reply to a message asking if I can adopt the live cache, then do I report a "needs archived" (container appears to be broken/no log book supposedly) and then just take the spot?
I didn't exactly intend to hide 2 caches, but they're both great places in the town and easy to maintain both (financially and time wise). This gives me a new appreciation for the really good hides that I find and the commitment it takes. I think the first one that was archived I might turn into a Premium only TB hotel and if the second one works out leave that as a regular cache.
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Keep at it--eventually you'll start to notice patterns and some of the easy caches will become too easy! For example, when I started I didn't know about magnetic micros and magnetic key holders on skirt lifts. There's a cache that I marked as DNF years ago that if I went back today I could most likely find it in 5 minutes.
Another thing that I've found more satisfying is to really look at the map of your local area and find places to geocache that will be satisfying even if you don't earn a smiley. If you like to hike, maybe expand your radius to find a new park or preserve. That way you'll have had a nice walk/hike/view at least and maybe will have discovered a new favorite area. Also, if it's a DNF in a nice area (however you define it) come back later--the weather might have caused a cache to have drifted a bit, so perhaps watch the cache page and when someone has made a find, then circle back and look again.
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You don't have to "give back" by placing a cache. Some areas that don't even have a high saturation on the map are still "saturated" in the sense that you might not be putting up quality/safe/fun caches. This is always up for debate of course.
Also, think about how much you can handle. Are you ok with driving around to replace logs, containers, etc. just because you can put a cache in a spot?
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Thanks HarryDolphin for the quick reply. I typed in the GC code a different way and it came up straight away. Duh!
I'm going to read up on hiding a cache and see if I can use the existing location, etc (or very near by). It's a great family friendly cache area and a safe location. Seems like a shame to not use it. Might be just a hair close to an existing cache, though. Maybe that's why it was a multi originally? I'm just getting back into caching, so I have to relearn the specifics on hiding.
I've been wanting to hide a cache for ages and just haven't been able to find a good enough spot that has any wow factor or reason to go to the area, but this is one that I could maintain and keep up nicely.
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I'm in the same situation. Found a cache hidden in December while out on a walk and went back today to sign the log. Turns out I can't find it by the code and it hasn't been signed in quite a while (maybe a year?). It was getting dark, so I jotted down the GC code to log my find when I got home and didn't take note of the owner.
I can always go back again and get the name of the owner and try to reach out to them, but what would you all do?
If it's not "active" and the previous owner doesn't want to maintain it, can you contact the local reviewer to see about adopting it? It's in good shape, in a nice place and easy enough for me to keep going (pass by it everyday).
In case you all have better luck finding it through another channel, it is GC2F1WP "Goshen Trail Finish".
Thanks!
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Hmmm.
If anyone clicked on this because they were interested in purchasing a chirp at a discount, I found them discounted online at a popular outdoor outfitter. Don't want to name names, since maybe that's not allowed... but if I had to buy hiking boots and a tent and wanted a yearly dividend for membership, then I'd go to this website.
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I went to find GC2HGQ4 (Prick or Treat?) on foot, then came back to ride the same trails with my horse. The whole time I walked it the first time I kept cursing myself for not noticing the horse icon first!
When I came back to the area I stopped at the cache and dropped off a few pieces of swag just for good karma--I'd have given it a favorite point if I had a premium membership.
One thing that I would make sure of before finding caches on horseback is that your horse ground ties. Luckily mine does, so I wasn't too worried that I'd be off in the bushes while he decided to roam. Alternatively you could just bring a lead rope and tie up to a tree, but I never seem to be able to find a skinny enough tree for that when I need it.
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I definitely agree that if you're not up for maintaining your cache's quality that you should just stick to seeking. It's a bummer to get to a broken cache that's moldy and bogged down with water.
From a new geocacher's perspective, I think it might be intimidating to hide a cache for the first time. I understand why there is a review process of course, but actually getting your first cache published seems like an ordeal. It just seems easier to not place any caches than deal with all of the potential problems.
I'd love to hide a TB Hotel cache nearby so that I can check it frequently, but at least in my experience it's been very hard to find a location. I live in a very built up suburban area where I can't find anywhere meaningful to place a cache. I'd rather place one quality cache with a sturdy container (and a backup at home in case it's stolen) than to just plop a cache down in some bushes. Between finding a "good" location and getting permission from the land owners, it's a lot of work. Perhaps people who have high numbers would rather keep things low key and just cache totally for pure hobby.
I think it may be like any hobby where once you take the commitment to the next level, it can become more of a chore than a joy. For example, going from renting an RV to owning one; taking horseback riding lessons to owning a horse; having a time share versus buying the property. You sort of lose the sense that you can just walk away at anytime. Once you place that first cache, you have people relying on you for maintenance and for a fun experience.
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Granddaughter of a Mason here. Also worked for 3 years at one of the Masonic Villages in Pa. Hoping to get involved one day in O.E.S.
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I just bought mine from REI online. It was slightly less costly to buy via Amazon Prime (with 2 day shipping), but I wanted to use up my yearly dividend.
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28 and "GeoJack" the geo dog is 6.5.
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I like 'em all. I never tire of a dry log and a secure container.
The only ones I don't care for are the front yard caches...creepy! I just keep driving when they're in someone's lawn. Oh, and I'm not sticking my hands in electrical areas. Those seem like dangerous hides to me. Otherwise, I just enjoy my leisure time and like to take it easy.
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I have the Groundspeak app and c:geo on my tmobile mytouch. The Groundspeak app doesn't work at all--it just crashes. c:geo is good enough though. For right now that's what I'm using until I figure out which gpsr to buy. I didn't want to shell out money for a gpsr until I knew if I would stick with caching...so for now c:geo is decent. I've had a fair amount of DNFs due to it being a phone, though.
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Uh oh. Hope they're not getting moved downstairs to Storage Room B!
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Makes me hesitant to purchase the premium membership... The site was hiccuping for me earlier in the week. I've already shelled out ten bucks for the android app that absolutely doesn't work; why would I fork out for the membership at this point?
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I have an old bookbag that is working for me for now. Nothing too fancy at the moment since most of my caches are just suburban. Even the ones in the "woods" are not terribly far from homes or shops.
Water in Nalgenes (one for me, one for the dog)
repellent spray
repellant clip on fan thing for when I'm stationary
purple pen
old notebook with routes + print outs for some of the caches
small box of trade items, mostly for just adding some swag to empty caches
wet wipes
usually a food bar of some sort
hand held fan and flashlight combo
grocery bag for CITO
pencil
itty bitty swiss army knife (pink, so it's less likely to get "borrowed" at work)
glucose tablets
Soon I will also have a safety vest & cap, a whistle, and the dog will have a safety vest as well. Also when my concealed carry permit goes through I may pack when I go out by myself.
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I'm so sorry to hear about your loss. I was reading through the thread and hoping Max would pull through.
I lost my cat last autumn to cancer and it still hurts, but helping other cats in need was a way for me to heal. Thanks for sponsoring another kitty in need.
Max and Mouse (my cat) can be fur friends in heaven now and free of cancer pain.
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He's been out with me briefly, but doesn't like bugs, mud, dirt, ticks, etc. Our first cache was by a log with some branches and he wouldn't touch it...
You need to find a more manly boyfriend.
Maybe he's wealthy.
Nope--we met in college and it was the other way around, although you'd probably never know it.
I like my girly hobbies like makeup and whatnot, but it's so nice to get outside and do something active (even if it's just a walk or a short drive to take some photos). I don't make memories of shopping trips or sales at the mall!
Did you guys who have been caching for a while meet other cachers through events, local clubs, etc? My local club seems to be mostly defunct now.
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I always have to carry bags to pick up dog poo, so when I started caching it was natural for me to just reach in my pocket for a baggie. Now I roll up a baggie and place it in a diabetic test strip vial and put the whole thing into caches that are large enough.
Empty alcohol containers are a tough one, though. I'm hesitant to pick those up because I don't want to get pulled over by a cop and have roadies in my vehicle. I doubt that would happen....but still. If there isn't a trash can nearby the cache location, I leave the alcohol containers.
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I just got into geocaching recently after I googled "hobbies for men". I'm a lady, but I was looking for something that might interest my boyfriend. He likes electronics and tv, so I was hoping to find something for Christmas (like sports gear, fishing stuff, etc etc.) that I could get him.
He's been out with me briefly, but doesn't like bugs, mud, dirt, ticks, etc. Our first cache was by a log with some branches and he wouldn't touch it... I don't think he would like going to any events either. I go to terrier trials and he thinks "those people" are weird--they're just passionate.
Blergh. It's so frustrating, so until I find some local geo friends, it'll just be me and "GeoJack" (that's my jack russell's code name while out caching).
So if you see a girl with her terrier and a giant sun hat turning in circles (stupid droid) say hi--I need some geo friends!
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I found my first two nanos today. The first time was fun...the second time was much less amusing. Both were placed by the same person (which I didn't noticed until later), so for the second one it should have been easy, but the coords were off, wasps were nested there, and I thought I was looking for a micro.
I think the idea of nanos has its place, but what's the fun of them in the woods. Found another one in the woods today that wasn't the wee lil magnet type, but just barely larger than that. Why, when you can easily hide an ammo can or a lock n lock?...
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I just drove to the general location of a cache (looked it up online first while at home) and when I tried to get the official app to work, it kept crashing. I have a Tmobile MyTouch, btw. It's definitely a disappointment to get to your location and not be able to use your gps.
The app only cost $10.00, so no huge loss there. It's just the disappointment and bugs in the program that get me. Yesterday the program worked like a charm and I had a great time...today, ugh not so much.
At this point I'm just going to do the research for a dedicated unit since I like the hobby. I'm just so frustrated since I'm supposed to be going out this evening with a friend to grab some local caches.
Revisiting Caches
in General geocaching topics
Posted
I've gone back if I know it's a good cache for dropping TBs off or if I'm with someone who hasn't done the cache yet and it's a really solid one.
Often I've gone back to the area because I learned about it from the cache, but I don't necessarily find the cache itself again.