rfair404

Thanks to everyone who's chimed in on this thread. I got an official answer back from the education coordinator who oversees geocaching and other activities in the park. My initial statement that the caches in question are indeed placed inside restricted areas is correct. It is obvious that the CO does not have permission to place caches in this area. For anyone thinking about putting caches on the mountain, or in the lake, please read:

Jeff, it isn't a vendetta against "the guy" so much as "the caches". He has several great caches in the park that I have very much enjoyed hunting myself. Some of the CO's caches are inspiration for some of my own hides. Why you ask? I guess I didn't spell it out clear enough. 1 - the caches violate the park rules, which violate the geocaching.com / Groundspeak rules. The game IS supposed to be fun, which is why the rules exist. Falling off a cliff and dying because the cache page incorrectly suggests that an area is safe, when it is in fact a restricted area is my first concern. 2 - the water cache has several statements and suggestions for how to find the cache. Someone who follows the instructions could be in violation of several ordinances. Getting arrested or a $500 fine because the CO put information that is not true is also not fun. I don't want to ruin anything for anyone. In fact I'm hoping to help preserve the awesome experience. If someone were to be killed or injured as a result of these caches, or if the park police were to notice that geocachers are violating the law (intentionally or otherwise) this could ultimately lead to the park taking action. I don't see how raising a stink on the cache page or this forum could do more damage than the actual hides themselves. I appreciate you voicing your opinion though and will do my best not to let this impact anyones' caching experience in or around the park.

You're right, being dangerous is subjective and not grounds enough for archival. The issue is that hunting the caches place geocachers at risk of being fined and / or arrested as these caches don't fully comply with the ordinances of the park. Is there anything short of calling the police that can be done? I've emailed the reviewer - is that my only recourse? "It's dangerous" is not a reason for archiving a cache. There appears to be a difference of opinion as to whether the caches are in "restricted" areas--restricted in what sense? If they are so bad, why doesn't the Park prohibit them? I think this is a matter that should be left to the Park, the CO and the Reviewers.

First of all, lets be clear of what "the rules" are. If you're interested in having this discourse, start by familiarizing yourself with these. Specifically the ones related to boats and restricted areas. http://www.stonemountainpark.org/3.%20Public%20Safety/text/Revised%20Selected%20Ordinances%20of%20SMMA%20for%20website%20-%2004142010.pdf

I really stirred the pudding regarding safety and restricted areas in Stone Mountain Park. There are several caches that I think should be archived because they violate one or more of the park regulations and policies. The CO refuses to archive the cache or move them to a more reasonable area. I've contacted our local reviewer, LZ33 and am awaiting a response. The CO has emailed me that I'm harassing him - I'd like to keep all the dialogue public for the benefit of other cachers. That said, here are the caches and my issues with them: http://www.geocaching.com/geocache/GC4ECD0_stone-mountain-parks-deadliest-catch The problem with this cache is that it requires seekers to use a watercraft to find it. Doing so requires people seeking this cache to obey certain regulations including the swimming, and age restrictions as well as fishing regulations. It is possible that someone seen hunting this cache could appear in violation of this. It is also in violation of the water pollution regulations. http://www.geocaching.com/geocache/GC3JHK5_find-fred-jr-before-wile-e-coyote-does-on-stn-mt?guid=622c31da-98e3-4939-a55f-979ea12a6c9a http://www.geocaching.com/geocache/GC254HZ_lifeline-to-t-o-m The issue that I take with these caches is that they're in restricted and dangerous areas. I've spoken with the police Captain about the areas and he has stated that they are indeed restricted areas. I have left several needs archive logs detailing these issues as well as emailed the CO but he refuses to correct the problems or relocate the containers to appropriate area. What should I do?