NatureGuy360

One time I pulled into a parking lot near the trailhead, and as soon I as opened my door, the heavens opened up, and the rain poured down in buckets! “Just my luck!” I thought to myself. So after I patiently waited in my car for about 30 minutes the rain finally let up, and I was on my way. Surprisingly, despite the steady pouring of left over drizzle, the tree canopy provided just enough to coverage to keep me dry.

That may be practical advise, however, it is not always easy advise! It’s very challenging to "boldly" walk straight up to a lamppost in the middle of a busy parking lot, yank that skirt high into the air, and grab that suspicious looking plastic container. Perhaps I am not crafty enough, but is difficult for me to "look like I belong there" when I am messing with a lamppost in a busy parking lot to retrieve a geocache that probably wasn’t placed there with permission in the first place.

If I am understanding you correctly, you use the posted coordinates to navigate to the trailhead, and then once at the trail head you are given basic directions to locate the geocache without the use of a GPS unit? I think this falls into the category of "other." Based off of my interpretation of the guidelines, a multi-geocache is when the posted coordinates brings you to one location, where the second set of coordinates can be obtained. However, you could also argue that since a GPS unit is not needed to find the actual geocache, then this constitutes as a letterbox hybrid with the posted coordinates as your starting point. I wouldn’t consider this a mystery geocache since you do not have to solve a puzzle, or riddle to obtain the correct coordinates. However, I may be completely off base from what the topic starter was asking.

You can add my name to this list! I hate having to scroll a very long page for very little information. I enjoyed the old format where the same information was condensed together.

Yes, I opened this can of worms, and for that I apologize, but I need to get this off of my chest. According to the geocaching.com guidelines, it is requirement to get permission from the property owner to place a geocache on their property. However, secretly we all know that a large percentage of geocaches were placed without permission. Instead of verifying whether, or not permission had been granted, geocachers typically rely on the honor system that permission had been obtained. Sure, it is always easier to beg for forgiveness later rather than asking for permission now. However, these actions can result in soiling the reputation of geocaching. On two separate occasions I have encountered business owners who had no idea that a geocache was placed on their business property, and both of them were very upset about it. Then I was left to my own devices to quickly explain to them what geocaching was all about, and why I was snooping around their business. Many people have the idea that "since it’s a shopping center parking lot then that makes it public property." That could not be further from the truth! Just because a parking lot is open to business patrons does not make it public property. I am going to make a suggestion that is both drastic, and probably very unpopular. I suggest that each geocache listing should also include the name of the person who gave permission for that geocache to be placed, as well as a good form of contact for them such as a business telephone number, or e-mail address. Granted with my suggestion there won’t be a geocache at every shopping center, or convenience store in town, but maybe that’s not such a bad thing. The bottom line is that I really enjoy geocaching, and I do not want to see this activity get banned, or outlawed because of bomb scares, or angry business owners. Many of you have been getting permission to place your geocaches, and for that I applaud you! If we all do our part, together we can make this activity as enjoyable as possible for everyone! Oh, and by the way - I have hidden one geocache, and that geocache is placed in a public city park that has an established open policy to geocaching. Which basically means that anyone can place a geocache in that park without explicitly getting permission from the city, or park manager. However, that is not good enough for me. This next week I am going to personally obtain the contact information from a city, or park representative for my geocache. Have a great day geocaching!

You are definitely not alone in this experience. Once, I dropped a travel bug into a geocache, and before I could even get home that same afternoon to log it, someone else had found it, and “grabbed” it from me. So now that travel bug has no history of being in that geocache. It appears like I just handed the travel bug over to the other geocacher when in fact I had physically placed it into that geocache for however brief of time. Patience is just not something that comes easily to us geocachers.

Getting permission for lampskirts could prove to be a chore. One mall in our area is owned by the Ontario Teacher's Pension Plan. Good luck in finding a person to talk to about this. Another group of malls is owned by a huge company in Toronto. Others are owned by numbered companies. I wouldn't doubt that some have owners located overseas. I haven't hid a lampskirt yet, but I don't think I would seek written permission first if I did. Regardless if getting permission is a “chore,” or not you would still be violating the geocache placement requirements. However, that is a debate for another day. Granted, every situation is different even with or without permission being granted. Sure, the general public can call 911 for a possible bomb threat. However, if the geocache was placed with permission then your chances are greater that someone will speak up to let the authorities know that it is a geocache, and not a bomb. Of course permission will not always keep the bomb squad from responding, but I think these dramatic incidents could be significantly reduced if permission is granted.

Some geocachers seem to be taking this "bomb scare" thing lightly. Sure, to "us" it seems so silly to have the bomb squad called out time, and time again for a harmless plastic container. However, these events are really soiling the reputation of geocaching, and if it continues I could see this activity as becoming illegal in some areas. Here is a good article I found that talks about this issue. Intelligent Geocaching – Use Common Sense

Here is another example of a nono sized geocache. Nano Cache I found one of these magnetically attached to a screw head that was screwed into the hallow part of a tree. That was one tough find! Edit: "niraD" beat me to the punch by a couple of minutes.

When people stare at me, I just stare right back at them. Eventually someone will have to crack, and it’s not going to be me.

Why the push to place a micro sized geocache? You should at least consider placing a regular sized geocache that is stocked full of nice tradable items with plenty of room for travel bugs. That is much more exciting than a boring 35 millimeter film canister. If you insist on a micro sized geocache, then explore the many different containers that there are to chose from. Also don’t just jam it under the nearest lamp post. Be sure to put a little thought, and creativity into it. However what’s the rush? You have only found a little over ten geocaches. Take your time, and experience some more geocaches before placing your own. That way when you finally do place a geocache, it will be a quality geocache that others will enjoy finding!

Sorry if I sound like a prude, but this "bomb scare" thing is getting to be a regular occurrence. Sure, you are "supposed" to have permission, but lets not kid ourselves here. We all know that many of the geocaches hidden in business parking lots are placed WITHOUT permission. I think it should be mandatory that each geocache listing should include the name of the person who gave permission for that geocache, and a method of contact for them. That way there is verification that permission has been granted, and hopefully these incidents could be reduced.

I completely agree! Granted, the information written in the hint field is ultimately the responsibility of the person who placed the geocache. However, if some of the reviewers start discouraging geocachers from typing in a "useless hint" before the reviewer publishes the geocache, I think this issue could be reduced.

Although it is very difficult to geocache in the traditional sense on a moving object, I do like the idea of a scavenger type hunt on a ship. With the permission of the crew, or owners of course, maybe a letter box or, hybrid could be created where you have to follow directions from a start point to locate a hidden container somewhere on the ship? I would definitely take a cruise that offered such an activity!

Additionally, for many people such as myself, an ammo can is more than just a geocache. Finding one usually invokes sentimental feelings, because that is how this activity gained its roots. An ammo can was at one time the flagship container of geocaching. My very first geocache find in 2005 was an ammo can at the top of a bluff overlooking a lake. That ammo can was a significant part of my experience. On the other hand, I found an amazing micro sized geocache the other day! It was very challenging, and yet rewarding to finally locate it. However, it could never replace the warmth, and nostalgia that the ammo can brings to me.

An ammo can, or any regular sized geocache for that matter, does require at least a tiny bit of creativity in placing it, and also stocking it with tradable items. So as a general rule, they are usually not as “lame” as certain micro sized geocaches which only require a used film canister, and a lamp post skirt. I know I am going to get flak for this, but I believe everyone’s first hide should be a quality full sized geocache, and then you can hide a micro sized geocache afterwards.

It has been years since I got my first to find until just a few weeks ago. An e-mail notification popped up which stated that there was a brand new geocache just down the road from my house! “I have to go find it right now,” I thought to myself. However, it was already 10:00 PM at night, and although it was placed with the owner’s permission, it was still located on business property after dark. So I reluctantly went to bed knowing that a brand new geocache was literally blocks away from me. The next morning I woke up bright, and early. I ate some breakfast, took a shower, and got dressed. I then logged onto geocaching.com thinking surely a first to find hound has found it by now. To my surprise it was still up for the taking! I jumped into my car, put on my seatbelt (for safety of course), and drove to the geocache location. After I found the geocache, I opened up the crisp, clean pages of the logbook, and proudly signed my name. Well, actually it was so cold outside that I scribbled my name. However, after about 10 hours of patiently waiting I was still proud to be the first to find!

Whether, your children should be educated, or not in the use of a condom is NOT the purpose of this discussion. Save that for the parenting forums please. The bottom line is, unless you plan to have intercourse near a geocache, a condom is a completely inappropriate item for a family activity.

In southern Arkansas, camo clothing is simply a part of your every day wardrobe whether you are going hunting, or not. Wal-Mart (of course) is full of people wearing camo. Camo is even considered the popular thing to wear to school. I have a cousin who constantly wears camo so that he can be ready to go hunting at a moments notice. Thankfully, I live in central Arkansas where it is not so prevalent in the metro area. For me, a good pair of jeans, and a nice non-camoed shirt is all I need to go hunting for geocaches.

I felt that after I reached 100 finds that I would be competent enough to place a geocache of my own. I have introduced several people to geocaching, and I have requested that they wait until they reach 100 finds before placing their own geocache also. Both have found more than 100, and I feel they are capable of placing quality geocaches now. The thing that worries me about new geocachers placing geocaches is the questions in the back of my mind. "Did this person REALLY ask the property owner for permission?" Just because it is in a store parking lot does not automatically guarantee the store owner approves. “Did this person REALLY average a set of multiple waypoints over time for the posted coordinates, or did they simply place their GPS unit over the spot and press mark waypoint once?”

Have you tried your local outdoors, or camping supplies stores? Those types of venues might have some geocaching products if the owner is familiar with the activity. Remember too, that geocaching is a niche, and is not exactly a mainstream business opportunity. It would be very difficult for someone to open a geocaching store in the area unless there is a high demand for one. If you do not have such a store near you, then I would suggest that you get together with other geocachers who may have the items you are looking for. Then you can physically see them before you decide to make your own purchase either online, or wherever.

I absolutely love hunting for micros that are creative, challenging, and brings me to an interesting location. I also hate hunting for micros that have been placed without a purpose, or thought put behind it. “Hey look! It’s a random bush next to a Wal-Mart! Let’s put a geocache there.” My issue is, when I am traveling to a new town, it is hard to guess if a micro is placed in an awe inspiring location, or just tossed into some random weeds until I actually get on scene. I do not want to ignore ALL micros. I just want to magically ignore the worthless ones.

You may be more right than you know. I always dream about a perfect geocaching world, but someone always has to take it to the next level.

Wow, that geocache automatically gained a 5 star difficulty rating for needing specialized equipment to get to it! On the other hand, these kinds of news stories really irk me. Geocaching has a hard enough time surviving in a world where many people have a negative view of the activity. When something like this happens, it can turn an entire community against geocaching. I am all about a "park and grab," but sometimes it's the hike there that makes a geocache great!

Mine is fairly straight forward. My name is Jonathan, I like to be friendly with a “hey,” and my favorite number is 101.