Gaddiel

While it's true that the guidelines do not stipulate that the container cannot be glass, I've always been one to err on the side of sensibility. A little common sense goes a long way here. If you really think that getting your privates caught in an ammo can lid (for example) is as big a risk as a glass jar getting broken, I'd respectfully disagree. Hey, Criminal! $.02.

13.3 miles

I think it's clear that TPTB (creators of this directive) were/are unclear on exactly what a virtual cache is and why they are created in the first place. I remain confident that this directive is a very good starting point and I'm encouraged that the Arkansas State Park system has recognized "our" side (for the most part) and have been willing to listen. Is it perfect? Far from it. Is it a good start? Definitely! I'm sure that the directive will evolve over time, as the sport gains popularity and legitimacy. All that said, you are absolutely correct on your point that virtual caches should be allowed in these specific areas.

I finally got the directive and permit form for geocaching in Arkansas State Parks. See this link for the text of the directive.

Got the directive and permit for Arkansas State Parks in my email yesterday. Here is the directive. If anybody wants a copy of the permit form, let me know. GEOCACHING - ARKANSAS STATE PARKS AND MUSEUMS Geocaching, also known as GPS Stash Hunt or GeoStash, involves “hiding” items, usually containers holding various “treasures” and then providing specific Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) coordinates for each “cache” on a website. Visitors to these websites can choose which “cache” they would like to locate using their own personal GPS device. Cache searchers typically bring along their own “treasures” and make an exchange once the cache has been located. Virtual Caching involves locating not a cache, but a specific landmark, feature, park sign, etc. These should be encouraged at State Parks and Museums in lieu of physical caches. However, neither geocaching or virtual caching will be permitted at Conway Cemetery, the Herman Davis Memorial, Jenkins’ Ferry, Lake Fort Smith while under construction, the Louisiana Purchase, Mark’s Mill, Parkin, Poison Springs, Prairie Grove Battlefield, the South Arkansas Arboretum, or Toltec Mounds State Parks. Procedures concerning geocaching in Arkansas State Parks and Museums are as follows: I. CACHE PERMITS A. Placement of a cache on Department property must be secured with a permit. Any cache located on park / museum property that does not exhibit the required affixed permit number is unauthorized and is subject to removal from its location and the owner subject to fines. B. The person applying for a permit must provide a valid address, telephone number, email address, driver’s license number, and the website address on which the cache will be posted. C. The exact location of the cache must be pre-approved by the Park Superintendent / Museum Director, whose main concern will be public safety and the prevention of undesirable impacts to natural, historical, and cultural resources. D. The exact cache location, including GPS coordinates, must be stated on the permit. E. All permits will be in effect for a period of twelve (12) months. The exact starting and ending dates will be recorded on the permit. Upon expiration of the initial permit, at the permit holder’s request, a cache permit may be extended for up to twelve (12) months. NOTE: If, during the effective period of a permit, a permit holder wants to change the location of the cache, a new permit must be issued and the effective permit cancelled. F. Upon expiration of a permit, the permit holder is responsible for removing the cache and for removing the cache location from all websites and any information source. G. If the permit holder fails to remove the cache, it will be removed by park staff and held for ten (10) days, after which staff will dispose of the cache. Confiscation and disposal by park staff will be recorded in an incident report. H. If it is determined that a cache has been the cause of adverse environmental damage, the cache may be removed by the Park Superintendent / Museum Director or designee, and the permit cancelled. II. CACHE CONTAINERS AND CONTENTS A. Cache containers must be non-breakable, have some form of latch or other closing mechanism to prohibit content exposure to wildlife, and must be approved by the Park Superintendent / Museum Director or designee. B. Each cache container must have an identification label affixed to the outside identifying it as an approved cache and containing the permit number and expiration date. C. Caches may not contain inappropriate or dangerous items. Such items include, but are not limited to, food, medications, personal/hygiene products, pornography, weapons of any type, etc. Log books are encouraged in Arkansas State Parks / Museums, over exchange items. D. All caches are subject to random inspection by Park Superintendents and Museum Directors. Park staff has the authority to immediately remove any item held in a cache deemed unacceptable or that is violation of this policy. III. CACHE LOCATIONS: A. Physical caches are prohibited inside any state park / museum facility or structure. B. The location of a cache must be pre-approved by the Park Superintendent / Museum Director or designee. C. Caches may not be placed in locations that may lead to the creation of spur trails. D. Caches may not be buried, nor may vegetation or stones be disturbed to place a cache. F. Caches may not be placed in dangerous, inappropriate, or protected areas and habitats, on cliffs, underground, or underwater. G. Metal detectors may not be used in cache searches. IV. COMPLIANCE A. Failure to comply with this policy directive will result in the revocation of effective geocaching permits. Continued failure to comply with these guidelines will prevent the issuance of any further geocaching permits to the non-compliant group or individual. B. If geocaching activities as a whole are found to have a negative impact on park resources or if safety becomes an issue in geocache searches, the Park Superintendent / Museum Director may ban geocaching from certain areas or from the entire park / museum. Related PD: 3170 - Unlawful Occupancy APPROVED BY: ______________________________ GREG BUTTS, DIRECTOR Arkansas State Parks

quote:Originally posted by Woodsters Outdoors:Won't be in Arkansas for sure, been there...scared the crap out of me... Hey! I resemble that remark!

See Jeremy's comments here.

Yeah, so what's your point? The person below me is keeping an enormous secret.

We just created a CD cache. I agree with BrianSnat, as long as it's not pirated, I'm ok with it. We put a note on our cache page that says something like, "Must be original, no burned or homemade CDs." As far as the dust/dirt/grime/grit goes, that's the beauty of a CD: just wash it off, let it dry completely, and you're good to go. Of course, I'd also check for any major scratches before I popped it in my player...

I've lost around 15 lbs. over the last couple of months, partially (but not mainly) due to geocaching.

Not exactly your usual suspect, am I? The person below me has never experienced fried okra.

I totally agree. We made the mistake of hiding one too early in our geocaching "career". Ended up making about five pretty major boo-boos on that one. Looking back, I'd say get at least 15-20 under your belt before you hide one. Yeah, it's hard to wait, but the quality of your hide will be much better after getting a feel for things to do and things not to do. Oh yeah, and WELCOME ABOARD!!!

Mine, too. I believe I saw a thread on this a while back that said that this happens the first time the picture is viewed after being uploaded. I've never noticed it happening on anything except the log page, though. Not really a problem, but I don't know why it happens...

Yep, the one's posted on geocaching.com are the best! The person below me feels more like they do now than they did a while ago...

...and (not to overlook the obvious), you must be logged in.

My email from Mr. Butts said basically the same thing as solohiker's. See this thread for other discussion on this topic.

We're having the exact same problem. As you can see, when we post, it says, "Gaddiel & OrangeDanish", but at the top, it says we're logged in as "Gaddiel" (my old username).

Not sure if I found it on Google or BookCrossing.com...

Ours is a little different situation, but is probably still applicable to this discussion: A cache near us went missing over a month ago, but has not been archived yet. We and at least one other local cacher have emailed the owner (who has 1 hide and 1 find over the last year). The owner emailed us back and seemed to take offense at our offers to help. Admittedly (sp?), there could be extenuating circumstances of which we are unaware, but the way we look at it, this is a nice spot for a cache being wasted on someone who *seems* to have little interest in maintaining his/her caches. It's frustrating, but we realize that there are many other areas to hide caches, so we're not losing sleep. We will simply move on to another spot.

We're pleased as punch with our Garmin eTrex Legend. Got it for around $150, after rebate (the curent rebate offer expires some time in July.) You can get the basic eTrex for around $100, but believe me, it's worth the extra $50 for the data cable (to connect to the PC) and the ability to load maps to it. We use ours for geocaching and travel.

I'll second the suggestion for IrfanView. Excellent software... and FREE!

Ok, now THAT is devious! I like it. Are the materials that you discussed fairly cheap?

I'd like to check it out, too!

We're having a difficult time generating interest. We've probably told 30-40 people about it, but none have started geocaching yet. Only about 3 or 4 seemed really interested (maybe we should take another look at our technique? )

LOL! Well, you wanted PC, didn't you?