Luckless

So it used to be I'd just fill in the blanks for a cache page. It was all there, I'd just fill everything in. Now that's all changed. I have to take it step by step. They wanted the coordinates for the first stage and I typed them in. They said they didn't understand the coordinates. So what am I supposed to do? This puzzle has several stages. I'm still working out the details and don't quite have all the coordinates for every stage. I used to put them on a cache page because I was told that might help to hold that area while I work on the cache. Nothing worse than having someone toss a cache out near where you are trying to get permission for all the locations for a multi cache with puzzles, especially since the location is essential to the cache placement. It ruins a lot of hard work, but I'm not even sure I can type up a cache I'm working on anymore.

Thanx all

If I am correct, when you make a multi without any physical caches I believe the distance between the caches doesn’t apply. (For instance if the coordinates take you to a sign and you get the information you need off of that sign rather than look for a container.) Therefore assuming I am correct, what about a cache with both cache containers and signs? Would I have to worry about the distance between the nearest caches for those stages of the multi where I use a sign that I want other cachers to get information from ? Am I totally wrong about the signs?

I didn't wait. I'd done a few caches previously. My first cache was pretty bad. It was in a small snow bank that collapsed after winter was over. I don't think you really need to wait. You can be just as bad waiting as not. I did obsess about my coordinates and did my best to see they were spot on. People did find it. I got better creating more interesting caches and have received many compliments on caches I have done since. The things to remember is to be creative, be sure the coordinates are the best they can be and plan on maintaining it well.

Been there ...done that. I found a cache, but didn't see any log book so I put a piece of paper in the container with my name on it. I later wrote in my log online that I wasn't sure about doing that. Turns out the log was in the pen in the container. So the next time I was out that way I removed my piece of paper (which had several other peoples names on there as well) and put them in the pen. I guess you should expect it to be confusing to try to do something tricky like this and that some people will do it wrong. Guilty as charged. I will usually do maintenance on a cache when I find it. That usually consists of cleaning the dirt out of the container, removing junk and rotted swag and putting more swag in container- which will probably also become rotted with time. I never know what to do with the mushy log book. Used to put them back in cache with new one, but now just get rid of them because they soil the newly cleaned cache. I have replaced some completely ruined, soggy or busted up caches. People are happy to find a nice container with things inside all neat- just doing the best I can to keep things enjoyable.

Thanks, I'll give this a try.

My understanding is that nonvalidated members are smartphone users using the app without signing up for membership. Someone asked me for a hint for one of my caches. When I tried to respond to them in an email it said they were a nonvalidated member. I left a note on the webpage that said I couldn't reach them by email because they were not validated members.(they have not registered a valid email address) I doubt they'll see my note This is the second time someone asked a question and I couldn't respond because they were not a validated member. Wonder if they are aware of that.

At this moment, the old URLs still work. I've used the "old default" web address for a while, and saved it as a Favorite called "Geocaching". One way to get that familiar grid is to copy the URL I posted, change a couple of coords, and save it as a Favorite (a web Bookmark). True, things are changing fast around here lately. Thanks for responding. I found and bookmarked(firefox) this page which seems to work-for now. http://www.geocaching.com/seek/nearest.aspx

I have an "old search result" as my start page, showing a list of nearby caches, the compact tables of the old search. It all changed this morning on my Android. Then it changed back. It's still the same on my PC at this time. Here's my default page: http://www.geocaching.com/seek/nearest.aspx?lat_ns=1&lat_h=33&lat_mmss=26.610&long_ew=-1&long_h=084&long_mmss=26.842&dist=30 I changed the default "Distance" (dist) to 30 miles, it's adjustable. You can plug in a chosen "home location" pretty easily. For example, at the part where you see "lat_ns=1&lat_h=33&lat_mmss=26.610", that's the coordinates N 33° 26.610, and "long_ew=-1&long_h=084&long_mmss=26.842" is W 084° 26.842. Customize it as you wish, then save it as a favorite. It is still the default format when you click "www.geocaching.com" and enter coords, and the whole "old search" is still there. Depending on what your definition of "is" is. It works right now (11:33am EST 4/24/2015) on my PC. But changes are happening while we speak. How do you get the default settings? I had the default settings, now I've got something different with no way that I can see to change it back.

drat

If you mean hint as in "it's at the base of the stile" then that would work but if you mean that Cache-1 has the co-ords for Cache-2, Cache-2 has the co-ords for Cache-3,etc... then that's called daisy-chaining and isn't allowed. If Cache-n goes missing then it becomes impossible to find ALL subsequent caches. You can do a series with a Bonus cache, whereby all caches in the series contain part of the co-ords for the bonus, which is slightly different in that the loss of a single cache only makes the Bonus impossible and not all other subsequent caches. Yes, I mean as in "it's at the base of the stile". So the co-ordinates for every cache in the series would be on their GPS, but the hints would be in each previous cache in the series. Interesting- have to give this more consideration for possibilities.

Much more difficult to look at and although it says that there were 198 listings found for my area I can't find a way to see more than the fifty listed on the returned page. Is there a way to get the old look back if I want it?

Sticks and stones, those have proven to be difficult to find, easily misplaced (they get tossed away while looking) or time consuming (for example the stone in a huge pile of stones). A multi that takes up a lot of time or has caches missing can cease to be fun and some people won't bother. If a multi seems too time consuming maybe have it so individual caches can be logged and include a number in each container that can be used to find a final cache.

If it were me I don't think I'd chance people trying to cross river. It always amazes me what they try to do. By turning it into a multi cache you could have another stage. Make the bridge a stage for finding the cache either by hiding a cache with coordinates near bridge or getting the info from signs by bridge then be sure to tell people to use bridge so there'd be no question how to get to final cache and avoid crossing river (I mean they're right there at the bridge so why not use it?). I'm thinking of hiding a cache in a place that you can usually walk to, but the high water from spring runoff makes it impossible to get to now- flooding going on all over. I may do it later in the year just for the summer when it should not be a problem.

Received a cryptic message from someone who found my cache. Wanted to email them to ask them for more information. Received a message that said they were not a valid member and did not have an email address.

Anyone else lost a travelbug or coin only to have it show up years later? I confess I have a couple I've been holding onto looking for that perfect cache to leave them in because having lost mine and seeing other coins go missing around here has made me overly cautious. (Oh all right, I forget to take them with me too sometimes.)

I have a cache with instructions at the first stage that people take with them to help them find the final cache. I ask that the instructions be returned- sometimes they do return them- sometimes they don't. To increase my chances of the instructions being returned after the final is found I hid the final cache near the place where they'd need to return the instructions. (but not too close so they happen on the final cache while looking for the other stage) I have about four copies of the instructions in the first stage of my cache so I have a little time before they disappear and I have to replace them.

I would think whether or not a city has the best urban core caching would have something to do with the safety of looking for caches. A city can have loads of caches, but I wouldn't bother with it if it didn't seem safe to walk around.

I know that I tend to appear more suspicious when I'm caching alone in a high muggle area than when I have a friend with me. Then we're just two people being crazy.

Well for events we don't usually use a container for the log. We've had all kinds of items to write our names on, as long as everyone signs it.

Interesting fact that the bomb squad says they blow up two to three geocaches a year. Some cities won't allow geocaches to be placed in anything but see through containers (able to see contents).

I don't see any response from the OP since the first few posts. Anyway whether he's still responding or not, from my experience the first option seems best. I've done a lot of puzzle caches and multis. Most cachers I've dealt with would want two smilies if they could get them and most don't want very involved puzzles if any at all and those who do like puzzles are usually few, at least around here. I do what I want.

Working now- for the moment.

No, I use geocaching.com Map They have been working right along.

Just wondering if I'm not getting maps because they are being worked on.