maxx borchovski

Why does it matter if someone spuriously claims a find? It doesn't effect my game, it doesn't spoil my hides. They know its fake but who are they impressing? Having looked at some peoples caching history and all they have is hundreds of TFTC log entries, then how much fun did they have caching? This is a non-competitive game and as there is no winner, should anyone get annoyed because a few sad individuals think that their inflated numbers will impress other players? The people I have spoken to through this game all enjoy their caching and hiding and pretty much all have less than 2000 finds in a number of years playing. The type of player I aspire to emulate are the ones who leave good cache logs, place caches in good locations or inventive caches. Number hounds who spend a day on a 100+ power trail must need their head seeing to in my opinion. If I want to spend the day doing the same repetitive task, over and over and over again, I'll go to work. Caching is about the journey, the puzzle, the hunt and the find.

I think the best feedback for COs is the logs. If you have a good cache then people will leave praise in their log. The millions of urban micros normally get TFTC and not much else. The favorite points are also a fair indicator of a good cache. It is fair to say people give fave points for different reasons, but as they are few and far between, they are given for a reason. An arbitrary rating system would not give us accurate feedback as not everyone would be accurate or bother. The rating system might also lead to ego bruised COs contacting people after a poor star rating to berate the finder. After looking back at all the caches I have done and plan to do in the short term, the favorite points awarded to the caches have been a good indicator as to which caches either are worth a visit for the location, or the cache / puzzle made the cache worth doing.

Oops, I'm sorry. I'm so used to using the acronyms in the forum, they just slipped in. For a list of the acronyms used in geocaching see this glossary link.

But I like playing dress up...

Of course, you don't have a TB with 30+ pages of visit logs. I'd love for my TBs to get that much activity.

I've not been caching very long but am amazed on how many caches I must have walked past over the years without realising they were there. Nowadays however if I am going anywhere I tend to do a search of the area on the web site before I set out, so I know if there are any caches I'll be passing in advance, so surprise caches will be a rarity for me.

Have you posted this info on your DNF log to let the CO know the cache might be AWOL? Good luck on finding your first cache though, keep trying. It took me several attempts on a couple of different caches till I got my first. I had no idea what I was looking for and once I found my first I was hooked.

I'd be quite upset if someone interfered with my cache in that manner. I spent a fair amount of time setting up my caches and the micro is there on purpose to make the third stage of the puzzle difficult. Encouraging people to swap out containers, in my opinion would only lead to problems. Also the container that someone thought would be of a more appropriate size might not be suitable for caching. There are quite a few caches in my area that cannot keep the weather out. I think a better solution would be to contact the owner of a cache that could be improved with a larger container and working with them through discussion and education. In that way people learn what makes a good cache and no egos get dented.

Personally I think both this and the masons thread should be moved to OT. Neither thread is really about geocaching in all honesty. I mean if I were to start a thread entitled 'Is anyone here a geocacher from the UK?' the thread would be promptly moved to the UK & Ireland geographic threads.

Another abuse just occurred to me, with private caches, whats to stop people creating hundreds of private caches on a sock account, then driving up their numbers and stats then archiving the cache so the same location could be reused over and over. The best way to learn is find some nice easy 1/1 caches and get out there. Also you could find an experienced local geocacher and go out with them for the first couple of caches.

I found a fun game to play and I believe you get out what you put in.

I like the micros and nanos, but I also like the larger caches. I think there is place for all types of cache. In urban areas the nanos are excellent and allow for caches that you could not normally place. Don't forget that people play this game for different reasons, they don't have to play it the same way as everyone else. Also people have different levels of access to the traditional middle of beautiful countryside caches. As to the treasure in caches, I've got 60 something under my belt and have yet to find a cache with decent loot. Its always seems to be kinder egg toys, McToys or other rubbish or for some reason hairbands? I have however found no end of soggy logs and cracked or inappropriate containers. I admit that my first cache hide was mainly put out because I wanted to have my own caches, they are nothing special, in a fairly pretty location and hopefully form an interesting puzzle. I have learnt a lot from these caches and am working to improve them. My next set of caches are going to be well thought out and hopefully good enough to gather favorite points and great logs. I still might place a few micro or nanos, but I'll make sure there is a reason for visiting the place I take you to. This way I hope that other people who come to my caches will be inspired to place inventive caches, nano or 5 gallon drums. I am now wondering how big a cache I can hide in an urban area... hmmm

I have had an idea to set a TB free in Australia with the mission for it to return home to the UK via the Geocache express. Now the idea falls over with the cost of the airfare, this is where you could help. I'm looking for a geocacher in Australia who would give me an address I could post the TB to and then for them to release it into the wild. Thanks for reading this appeal Maxx

Yes, My idea was to buy a TB, fix it to something like a small rock and set it free from the other side of the world, with the mission to return home to one of my own caches. I am just thinking through what to attach it to. I've read a couple of times that people lose cute or good TB companions to 'collectors' who don't really understand the idea of TBs. Thinking a small stone gives it a bit more of a presence than a lone tag.

I was wondering if it is permitted / considered good etiquette to post a TB to a far off land to be released with the intention of it returning home to one of your own caches, via Geocache express? I was thinking of posting in the Oz forums to find a cacher willing to set it free for me. Thoughts and suggestions please.

I like that the TBs and cachers can visit every cache, it adds to the mileage on the TB and I like to look at the caches that my TBs visit. One of mine is currently visiting Lincolnshire, a beautiful county I spent a lot of time in 10 years ago. Seeing some interesting caches is making me think it might be time for a trip over there.

Nice site, thanks for posting it.

I'd have to agree with the the NO camp on this one. There is already enough friction between the number jockeys and the purists. We don't need to give either side more ammo. The basics of the game work well, it allows us to play how we want, by adding a competitive element GS would open up the game to abuse from people 'bending' rules, breaking laws and cheating just to get that elusive top spot. For example if you want to stir up a wasps nest of controversy on the same lines, then just mention the formal recognition of the FTF by GS.

Gloves, you never know what you might be rummaging through when u search.

Who's into S&M? Sausages and muffins. I like McDonald's ones before hitting the caches. Sausages and muffins, take out the overcooked egg and I'm with you...

The Firefox browser has a spell checker built in, it does not, however check grammar or grandmas.

Is going out to either Western Branch park or Bennetts creek park possible, they both have 5 or so caches in close proximity away from busy streets. I just had a look on the map close to where you got your first few caches and these were the first two patches of green. Caches in parks / countryside are easier to learn on (unless there is a lot of tree cover), but to be honest, the best way to learn is to find an area with quite a high saturation of caches, take some sandwiches and a drink and go for it. Good luck

There should be a 'decrypt' button next to the hint

Wasn't it a group of spies in WW2?

There is a Mystery / puzzle cache in a garden of remembrance attached to a cemetery close to where I live. I was a bit hesitant to do this one, but once I arrived at GZ I found a beautiful little garden, where people are encouraged to visit, sit or wander around. I have never had a problem with graves or graveyards, I think they are fascinating places to learn a little history of the area. But I was concerned about the 'game' aspect of geocaching. But on reflection it makes sense, as a player I take pleasure from where the CO has taken me. I don't charge around the location, tearing up the place searching for a little plastic box, I enjoy the location, sometimes learn from it. I'm afraid to say I haven't solved this one yet as the day I stopped by it was incredibly cold and think I got my sums wrong. I'm planning on going back in the spring once the garden starts to spring into life.