krisandmel

This picture is just begging to be the subject of a caption contest! "Now let's see, was that in WGS 84 or NAD 27?" ~K

If a cache like that is resulting in a bunch of micros, I would suggest that there are many cachers in the area who like micros. A good point! And I hope this thread doesn't become an anti-micro thread; my original post was kind of an observation & a question rolled together. I actually thought about the whole ratio thing as a way to limit my number of hides, but as others pointed out, if I/we got up into the upper hundreds or thousands of finds a 10:1 ratio would encourage spew rather than limit it. Anyway, I guess about micros and breeder-caches, if they are popular, meaning lots of people are finding them, then there really is no problem. If they are just the only ones being placed, and few people are bothering to find them, then maybe those particular ones are spew. Hard to tell though, could be the location or other factors making it unpopular, not just the fact it's a micro. Probably hard to prove that a seldom-found 35mm can is preventing a larger and more popular cache from existing in the same location. I dunno, just making observations as I'm learning. ~K

Huh, I've never heard of a breeder-cache like that. Granted I'm pretty new to this whole thing, but I don't think I would go and find a breeder-cache. Seems lame. Of course, I could just TNLNSL! ~K

Powell Butte! See, I knew I was close on the name! Anyway, good luck, those are great areas to explore. ~K

My brother used to live around there. We walked around Mt. Tabor in Portland, and not too far a drive north of the city is Something-Bluff, or Butte, or something. Anyway, a park area. Yeah, I know that doesn't narrow it down much, I should really just ask him the name of the place. Powell, Howell? Or L-something? Anyway, I could see cool caches, and night-caches, both places. ~K

I can't believe people use gladware. If I can't step on it without breaking it, I don't think it's very suitable as a container. Sure, there are exceptions of course; but it's pretty hard to accidentally damage an ammo can. Lots of plastic containers either get brittle due to the ever changing temps, or they get UV rot, or both. I've said before that I like the Lock 'n' Locks, and they are vulnerable to that as well, but with proper camo you shouldn't have much exposed bare plastic anyway. That's another thing, I don't like seeing completely plain containers of any type out in the woods. Even if an ammo can or LnL can be completely concealed in a hollow of a downed tree it is a shame to see it without any paint or camo or geocaching-labelling. Clear tupperware/rubbermaids with colorful tops, or all-clear LnL's, c'mon. The worst are the ammo cans that are as-issued, complete with yellow ordnance markings - why not just save a step and call the bomb squad yourself. Someone is bound to eventually. Sheesh! In addition to a nice location or clever hiding spot or something, I like to see a little thought put into the container. Sorry to sound rantish, just making an observation. ~K

We found a $15 Chipotle gift card in one as a FTF prize, and recently placed a new cache and left a Caribou Coffee gift card for the FTF. ~K

Thanks for those links! Great to read all the differing viewpoints in this thread. Interesting that I've been thinking that 10:1 will help me avoid spewing worthless caches into the woods. But as many have pointed out, if I really went nuts and went on a finding spree and got to the hundreds or a thousand finds, that would mean 50-100 hides that I would be responsible for maintaining. So, in that case, I'm pretty sure this 10:1 thing will only last up to a hundred finds or so. ~K

That seems to be the best type of container. Yes, although they're getting spendier than they used to be. Still worth it though, considering they'll still be around with the cockroaches after we're all gone. I also like the Lock 'n' Lock's, especially the smaller ones, where ammo cans wouldn't fit. ~K

Another great point. Our first cache container was a cheap replica of tupperware. The plastic was brittle and never was quite watertight. After only two months in a relatively protected area the lid and bowl were cracked. So, I replaced the container with a camo-painted .30 cal ammo can; like upgrading from a Daewoo to a HMMWV! ~K

Woodlit, great points, especially about the matching camo. I saw a great spot the other day, but the only two containers I have at home are already painted in colors that wouldn't make it camoflage at all for the spot I found. (Think dark swampy colors versus red pine needles.) So, I grabbed a bit of the debris from the area and will use it to match paint for the container. Interesting hearing all the responses, keep 'em coming! ~K

I've been on internet discussion forums since back when they were called BBS's and our modem was 1200 baud. From computer forums to target-shooting forums to motorcycle, photography, sculpture and now geocaching forums, I've racked up thousands and thousands of posts... If I've learned one only thing, it would be that conversing in type is much like the telephone-game. You try to make a joke, or sarcasm, or just a clever phrase and it can very easily be interpreted as a personal attack by the reader(s). So, I choose my words carefully, proof it before hitting submit, and I check on the following posts to make sure my intended statement or opinion was interpreted the way I intended, and if I see that what I typed is being read as insulting or something I will edit my post and apologize for the misunderstanding. Likewise, if I read something that rubs me the wrong way, I'll either ignore it, or if particularily invested in the topic, I might type a response and ask for clarification. There's a saying about arguing on the internet, and although not PC, it does ring pretty true. There are some folks that get really torqued up when others don't use proper syntax or punctuation or have poor-spelling. I can't see why that's something to get the blood pressure up about; if something is typed so poorly as to make it incomprehensible (sp?), I just skip reading it. I've made some really good face-to-face friends through some forums over the years, and sure, I've probably ticked some people off, and I've been ticked off by stuff I've read, but overall, people are pretty decent and it's a waste of your own time arguing with those you don't share agreement. $.02, ~K

Good point! Our first hiding spot was somewhat limited by the container we brought with us. Ended up not being the greatest spot, got muggled and wet, so went back with a better container after a few weeks and relocated the cache to a more secure hide. Our second cache was only placed a couple days ago and with that one we had to turn down a couple cool hiding spots due to the container size. But, having learned from the first one, we took some time and searched the area pretty well until finding a spot that would accomodate the container well. Time will tell if we picked a good spot or not. Yes, that's another consideration, I just don't have the time to adequately maintain dozens or, gulp, hundreds of caches. That reminds me..... I should probably go check on Hide #1 soon, it's been a month or two since I've been onsite, and although the logs look good, I do like to visit periodically and read the additional things people write down in pencil but don't necessarily type into the website log. That's exactly what I'm talking about! ~K

My wife and I are kind of in the same boat. When we signed up last June we didn't use a whole heckuva lot of imagination, and signed up as KRISANDMEL. Descriptive, yes. Creative, uh, not so much. Plus, I get out there a lot more than my wife does, so some might see it as deceptive if I'm signing paper and computer logs as KRISANDMEL if it's only me. But we've decided, who cares? We're not competing against other cachers, or each other, so we don't need two accounts or anything like that. Plus, we're not both gonna pay $30 a year, so one account would be premium and one not. Sure, still kinda wish we had a flashy name, but again, not gonna worry about it. Too much else to worry about in this world, and in the little spare time there is available I/we would rather get out and do some 'caching than fret about how we're logging things. To each his/her own. Just sharing what we did, or rather, didn't do. ~K

Hey everyone, what a nice January day here in southern Minnesota! Set out to find 4 today, found them all and chalked up a overall grand total of 30 finds since we started this great game/recreation/sport/diversion last June. Thirty isn't many compared to just about everyone here it seems, but we're proud of it, and look forward to finding and hiding many more in the future. Which brings me to the point: We've decided, at least for the time being, to try to have a 10:1 ratio of finds to hides. Figuring that we don't just want to spew trash around the land, this ratio helps to pace us and ensure that we learn from each one that we find and place new caches that are entertaining, or clever, or somehow worth the effort, even if a 1/1, we don't just want to do the same old thing. Plus, it gives me an additional little goal to shoot for, with each ten found, our/my prize is "getting to" hide another one. Haven't put out #3 just yet, but have already had a lot of fun planning it and working on camo and such. As we continue caching, maybe our ratio will change one way or another, and I'm not saying anyone else should have any set ratio; play your own game. I'm just curious if other people have set a ratio for themselves, or what makes you decide "hey, I'm gonna hide another one soon"! Do you waypoint in your GPSr places you think would be good, and come back later to hide something? Or, get a whole cache together at home and then head out to find somewhere to hide it? Anyway, what fun! Still haven't bumped into any other cachers afield, maybe that's why I'm bugging y'all here! ~K

"I'm looking for the Tardis." -K

My wife and I started 'caching in June, and out of sheer luck, our first find was also the cache's first finding. (GCWJ1Y) Got hooked right away, even upgraded GPSr's from the yellow eTrex to the Vista Cx pretty quickly. I go on alot of motorcycle rides, so the mapping feature is very useful there as well. Anyway, love the sport/hobby/recreation/addiction/what-have-you! I'm glad to see so many more playing all the time! -K

txoilgas, thank you for your service. -Kris

Thanks for the definition, but I disagree that it fits this situation. Ummm, you might want to take another quick read of this thread. The 'geocaching purple heart' already exists. I haven't seen a bunch of threads pop up regarding seeking out this item or bragging about receiving it. No one desires either one because it means that he/she was injured. First, let me state that the behavior of 'Hell's Angels' is not something that I base my actions on. Also, your inference that veterans would be expected to behave in a manner similar to Hell's Angels is insulting to all veterans. Finally, I think it is damaging to the Country to insist on so much separation from military-related issues. Take a look at our current situation, for example. We are in a war that has taken thousands of our military men and women and injured tens of thousands. Strangely, most people aren't affected by the war in the least. For me, calling this item the 'geocaching purple heart' does a service because it requires most of us to think about the 'real' one for just a second. The fact that some have gotten upset bears this out. If we have a few things in our lives that serve as a reminder of the work that our military does and the price that is paid, I'm all for it. That is true even if it is a silly, little thing in a silly, little game. sbell, I did not mean to offend you, and I certainly am not drawing a correlation between the Hell's Angels' actions and that of most vets. I was trying to point out another group that has a very strong view of themselves and doesn't take kindly to things they feel are in disrespect. My choice of using the Hell's Angels may not have been the best. Additionally, when I posted to this topic I was 10 hours into my night shift and slightly distracted; this does not excuse any of what I wrote, I just mention it to point out that I didn't necessarily think it all through before I posted. I believe you when you state you don't base your actions on those of the Hell's Angels, I take you at your word because I don't know you and cannot make any assumptions about you or your character, other than what little any of us can glean from the postings of another. I guess all I should have stated in the first place was that I personally find the connection between the Purple Heart and geocaching as distasteful, and that I would not accept nor award one. This is a game/sport/recreation. The other is far from it. But that is my choice, and if other cachers think it's a good idea, that's okay. Again, I did not intend to offend or inflame. -K

No one has suggested mocking the real Purple Heart or any member of the military. From M-W online dictionary: Main Entry: MOCK Pronunciation: 'mäk, 'mok Function: verb Etymology: Middle English, from moker transitive verb 1 : to treat with contempt or ridicule : DERIDE 2 : to disappoint the hopes of 3 : DEFY, CHALLENGE 4 a : to imitate (as a mannerism) closely : MIMIC b : to mimic in sport or derision Some folks here seem to interpret the Geocaching PH by definition #4a, as a playful variation on a widely recognized device. Others, including both veterans and non-vets see any 'play' on the Purple Heart as a mockery by definition #1. Since it is so obvious that there are strong feelings both ways, why fuel any discord here or in the GC family by pursuing the idea of a "playful" Purple Heart? That seems dumb. Most cachers are proud of their trinkets and coins and bugs and sig cards and such; of the few veterans I've met that have been awarded THE REAL Purple Heart they don't really want to talk about it, they may be (rightly so) proud of their actions/service that was involved in the awarding of the PH, but they sure as heck don't flash around their PH or brag about it. Just look at some of the topics here: What's your worst GC scar?, Who's been hurt worst while caching?, What's the worst fill-in-the-blank you've encountered while caching...... Mark my words: If a Geocaching PH is created, people are gonna seek it out and brag about it. And that is where I see the mockery of one of the highest honors one can be awarded (formal recognition that they gave blood for me and you and everyone's freedom and safety), it is shameful that anyone would desire a real or "play" PH. Call this 'toy' medal a Stubbed Toe or a Squished Frog or Skinned Knee; but for goodness sake keep the words 'purple' and 'heart' out of it. What some suggest as a fun addition to a sport/activity could have consequences they cannot even conceive. Similarily, you don't want to wear something that could be mistaken for a Hells Angels vest if you are not a Hells Angel. They won't see the humor. -K

Maps are a great help. On one trip, we guesstimated where to park, then got out and had the etrex navigate the rest. We were pumped, according to the GPSr, we were only about 800 feet from the cache, as the bird flies. Unfortunately for us, we are not birds and could not fly. So, we bushwacked through buckthorn briars, crossed a stream (but just barely), had to scale a limestone cliff, and waded through gobs of ivy to finally get to the cache. Of course, AFTER we found the cache we discovered a nearby path that led directly to a different parking area. Figures. -K

You beat me to it. As I understand it, the FTF can take any item without making a trade, or can take a designated FTF prize. TB's can be taken or left without leaving or taking anything else. Other than that, trade means trade, period. (TNLNSL is just fine too.) -K

I've not tried it myself, but on most of the iPods you can load iPodLINUX, and I suppose you could set up some sort of database or something that you could browse. Slightly OT, I put Wikipodia on my 4G and it's pretty cool. Text only, but nice to have all that info in your pocket. -K

Not a find of mine, but I've left those chemical handwarmers in a cache or two. Y'know, you rip open the bag or squish a little thing inside the packet and in moments the thing is toasty. Up here in MN I figure they'd be well received this time of year! ~K

I don't know if they're still available, but I requested one today. My mother-in-law is a diabetic, not too well controlled, but better now that she has the pump. In addition, I am an RN working a surgical unit and see on a DAILY basis the problems caused by diabetes. Neuropathies, retinopathies, BKA/AKA's, gangrene, non-healing wounds, etc etc. This is a great cause to rally behind! Thanks to everyone who's shown interest thus far!!! ~K