--They create a goal to accomplish. I am a very goal oriented person, and while I often set some of my own goals up, I really enjoy working on goals others set-up. I had to get creative and even drive 1.5 hours after work in order to find a birthday cache (for GC4FR2Y)and set up a streak of birthday caches to establish my own challenge (which I didn't get published in time). GC4DPY0 inspired me to spend time with my sister on a road trip across Kansas to visit Mingo (GC30). I have fond memories of visiting cemeteries on my way to a training in Kansas on October 31st--because I really wanted to accomplish the challenge for GC40EPP. Most of the feelings of accomplishment that I associate with Geocaching come from finishing and logging a challenge cache.
What do you not like about challenge caches?
--If they aren't maintained it gets very frustrating. I've worked hard to meet the criteria of the challenge only to get to a cache site and find out the container is missing. I refuse to log the cache if I didn't find it--even with CO permission. Additionally, I get really enthused by caches that have never been found--even if it's been years--but I would really appreciate an occasional update from the CO just to verify it's still there after 6-12 months...otherwise I start getting discouraged and upset.
What would you like to see changed about challenge caches?
--Maybe challenge caches can be more of a virtual cache--so while the challenge remains you could log it without relying on a CO to maintain a container--or perhaps you still have to visit a location, but you just have to get your picture there instead of finding the cache (I like this thought better than my first, because I can see some people sitting on their sofa and searching all challenges world-wide without even getting close to the location it was issued in).
If you could describe your favorite challenge cache type, what would it be?
--I'm not sure I've seen more than 1 type...? I'm only able to think of the caches that ask you to meet a criterion before logging a find (i.e. GC418HE, GC4F5W and GC4EHZV). Now that I think of it though, I imagine these also count (GC1Z7A7, GC4XBNY and GC3K990)? If I had to choose, I would choose the first group--but I like them both.
What types of challenge caches do you avoid?
--Ones that have been logged as missing or needs maintenance. I don't avoid ones that haven't been found in years, but I don't prioritize them--I think I would like to see a requirement for COs to have to log a check-up/check-in at least once a year (if their cache hasn't been found) in order to keep lost caches down--might not be a bad idea for all cache types. (I kind of feel like we as a community do a pretty bad job at holding cache owners accountable for all of the caches they create.)
Challenge Caches
in User Insights
Posted
What do you like most about challenge caches?
--They create a goal to accomplish. I am a very goal oriented person, and while I often set some of my own goals up, I really enjoy working on goals others set-up. I had to get creative and even drive 1.5 hours after work in order to find a birthday cache (for GC4FR2Y)and set up a streak of birthday caches to establish my own challenge (which I didn't get published in time). GC4DPY0 inspired me to spend time with my sister on a road trip across Kansas to visit Mingo (GC30). I have fond memories of visiting cemeteries on my way to a training in Kansas on October 31st--because I really wanted to accomplish the challenge for GC40EPP. Most of the feelings of accomplishment that I associate with Geocaching come from finishing and logging a challenge cache.
What do you not like about challenge caches?
--If they aren't maintained it gets very frustrating. I've worked hard to meet the criteria of the challenge only to get to a cache site and find out the container is missing. I refuse to log the cache if I didn't find it--even with CO permission. Additionally, I get really enthused by caches that have never been found--even if it's been years--but I would really appreciate an occasional update from the CO just to verify it's still there after 6-12 months...otherwise I start getting discouraged and upset.
What would you like to see changed about challenge caches?
--Maybe challenge caches can be more of a virtual cache--so while the challenge remains you could log it without relying on a CO to maintain a container--or perhaps you still have to visit a location, but you just have to get your picture there instead of finding the cache (I like this thought better than my first, because I can see some people sitting on their sofa and searching all challenges world-wide without even getting close to the location it was issued in).
If you could describe your favorite challenge cache type, what would it be?
--I'm not sure I've seen more than 1 type...? I'm only able to think of the caches that ask you to meet a criterion before logging a find (i.e. GC418HE, GC4F5W and GC4EHZV). Now that I think of it though, I imagine these also count (GC1Z7A7, GC4XBNY and GC3K990)? If I had to choose, I would choose the first group--but I like them both.
What types of challenge caches do you avoid?
--Ones that have been logged as missing or needs maintenance. I don't avoid ones that haven't been found in years, but I don't prioritize them--I think I would like to see a requirement for COs to have to log a check-up/check-in at least once a year (if their cache hasn't been found) in order to keep lost caches down--might not be a bad idea for all cache types. (I kind of feel like we as a community do a pretty bad job at holding cache owners accountable for all of the caches they create.)