Macduff

When I placed the Gem Lake cache, Geocaching was still relatively new, and the USFS had not yet articulated policies concerning their placement. As several posters pointed out, the USFS seems to allow some leeway on caches, but this is on a forest-by-forest basis. It is my understanding that the USFS generally prohibits geocaches in designated Wilderness areas. I left Gem Lake in place since it was hidden before these policies were clarified, and because it was so seldom visited. (The cache was also placed on a rocky slope that could not be easily impacted by foot traffic). I am not sure why the BNF ranger did not contact me to request removal, but I would have done so myself if given the opportunity. However, I feel that the ranger explained herself cordially and rationally in her post, and I feel that she was just doing her job (and got paid to hike into that beautiful area to boot ). Hopefully folks from the Geocaching community will not barrage the ranger with inflammatory emails since such behavior would be counterproductive.

Vermont: Geocaching.com - 534 Terracaching.com - 0 (at least I couldn't see any on the map after I zoomed in.) I guess it depends on where you are. For example, in Montana we have 1071 Geocaches and 147 Terracaches. I think that once 'critical mass' is met in regards to TC hides, more people will be interested, and the growth then becomes more exponential.

Speaking of enormous prices..... http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...=ADME:B:SS:US:1 I am truly amazed at the winning bid for this Moun10Bike v.2 coin. Yikes!

I was hunting this cache http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?ID=33283 in the Rattlesnake Recreation Area last night when I ran into two women who had just set up a barbed wire hair trap for collecting bear hair samples for DNA analysis. The trap was placed within 400 feet of the cache. As I was preparing for the return trip, I heard a loud crashing noise from the vicinity of the trap Needless to say I had the pepper spray ready to fly in record time! Had to take an 'alternate route' around the trap area to avoid a possible twilight encounter with Smokey.

Here in Montana, there are only 140 caches in the entire state. Of course it will be many years before we run out of excellent places to hide caches! On a related note, I did find some quality caches when I visited NJ / NY this summer...just wish I had more time. []

This is part of privatization of the public 'Commons'. Corporate sponsored politicians will enact tax breaks for large Corporations, and then they will balance the budget on the backs of taxpayers (ie: cut funding for the State park system and instituting access fees). Eventually it will be 'decided' that the 'Private Sector' can do a better job of managing the 'Public' resources. There is much information on the Web about the 'Demo fee program' in the Northwest. See also: http://opentopic.Groundspeak.com/0/OpenTopic?a=tpc&s=1750973553&f=3000973683&m=5180924915

http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.asp?ID=28634 So far, the 12-Step has been the most challanging cache I have yet attempted. I hope to finish it before the snow covers the higher elevations.

Missoula Organization Of Geocachers http://www.smartgroups.com/groups/moog Missoula is The hub of geocaching activity in Western Montana. We have placed some QUALITY caches in some of the most beautiful places in the lower 48. Check out the selection of caches from zip code 59801.

I am going to be escorting several travel bugs to NY or NJ from Montana next week, and I was wondering if anyone could point me to a good cache to drop them in. (Somewhere in the greater NY metro area would be great). I just want to make sure the bugs end up in a cache that is 'secure' and frequently visited. Thanks for any suggestions!

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The USFS and BLM are funded with our tax dollars. Since the "Fee Demo Program" has been in effect, the amount of money allocated to each National Forest has been reduced in proportion to the amount of money collected by the "Program". Politicians beholden to special interests seem to be creating a "funding crisis" that only "privatization" can solve. This appears to be about allowing corporations (concessionaires)to profit from our common heritage at the expense of the public. I personally think it is ridiculous to fund the USFS with my tax dollars, and than have to "pay to play" every time I want to hike on a "public" trail. The "Fee Demo Program" has not yet been implemented here in Montana becase people here are so poor that they would raise a huge stink about it. Even a $35 annual permit could discourage lower income folks from enjoying what rightfully belongs to all. I do, however, agree with the Sno-pass program, and fees at National Parks. As far as paying to camp, I try to avoid that if at all possible (although I would be willing to pay *something* if facilities are provided....paying $8 - $12 for a tent site just doesn't cut it.) There are many interesting links available on the subject.

There is already a cache hidden in the Great Swamp. I am going to travel to NJ in a couple of weeks, and it is at the top of my list. http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.asp?ID=10167

With the Attorney General attempting to turn us into a nation of snoops, perhaps there is a danger of geocachers being turned in for 'suspicious activity'. for more info, see: https://www.citizencorps.gov/tips.html VERY scary!

I am thinking about leaving a set of coordinates in the cache for a 'first-finder bonus cache' It would most likely be hidden as to be retrieved on the return trip.

Montana....I am in the Missoula area and work with Skydiver and another geocacher. There does not seem to be too many other cachers in the area, though. I think some of the other folks who were geocaching in this area earlier in the spring were students, and they have probably gone elsewhere for the summer. Hopefully other players will come to Missoula for the summer.