CachingWithCanines

Interesting topic. I personally tend not to cache alone, but not because I am self-conscience or because I don't feel good without other people there. On the contrary, I rather enjoy caching with just me and the dog more but I am a 16-year-old female. I am basically the perfect target. The area I live in isn't a bad area by any means, but things happen EVERYWHERE now, even fairly populated or frequented areas. Heck, Stoney Creek Metropark, one of the big parks in the area, was where Steven Grant hid his wife's body parts after he murdered her. And this is a VERY populated park! The populated trail system by my house has been home to several rapes. You just never know theses days. My mom is also a rape victim so she is even more paranoid about me caching alone. She doesn't mind if it is in an urban area, but she is definately uncomforatable with me soloing most of the time. And with her past, I understand and respect that. I guess it just depends on your comfort level and the chance you are willing to take. Just remember to let someone know where you are going if you do solo cache, even if it is "just a drive up". I have a dog, a BIG dog, but he is a lab/golden mix. All he'll do is lick someone to death, so a dog isn't nessassarily a safety net, although I do think he would defend me if needed. So solo cache when it is safe, but don't take a risk. That cache, despite what some may think, is NOT worth your life.

Snow definately increases the difficulty level for most caches but it doesn't make them impossible. If i am going caching in snow I usually try for easier caches, or bigger ones. Since i am in Michigan in the winter snow is rather common. The first time I went caching insnow, and this was also only my second day ever of caching, I found both caches in a foot of snow. So it is possible, just harder, but all the more rewarding.

I only cache with my geopup, Quincy! He is a 10 month old yellow lab/golden retriever mix and is in training to become an assistance dog with PAWS With A Cause. I am a volunteer puppy raiser for the organization. I get the puppies when they are about 8 weeks old and keep them until they are between 14 and 18 months. During that time I train and socialize them. Quincy goes nearly everywhere with me including stores, malls, movie theaters, restaurants, church, after-school activities, concerts, sporting events, and just about anywhere else you can imagine. For us, there are no "dog-free" caches He has really enjoyed caching and getting the extra time in the woods and anywhere else. Normally while caching he is "off duty" and can sniff and doesn't have to heel or anything like that. I haven't encountered a canine cache yet, so maybe I'll just have to create one

I got a Garmin eTrex Legend for Christmas and am really liking it. The model was recommended from a pretty intense cacher that sells GPSr and is a really good strter GPS. Mine came with maps, which have been helpful but not nessaccary. It is definately doing a great job so far and I have really enjoyed caching with it. The one thing I can recommend from one new cacher to the other is to check the Google Map satallite image before you go caching. It has been helpful more than once. Good luck, and happy caching!

I am quite new with only 11 finds but I can tell you that I have already had a few DNF's to report, although I usually have been able to go back and find them. As others have said, think like a person hiding a cache. Some are very hard, and others are pretty easy. I have definately found that I will have more success if there is another set of eyes looking with me. Also, I have learned not to rely completely on the GPS. It has been pretty good so far but has been misleading sometimes due to heavy cloud coverage. Start with easy caches, although I am working on a cache listed as level 1 difficulty and I am going out on my third try this week. The GPS can be off by up to 60 feet, but that is quite rare. My GPS is usually pretty accurate and more often than not will bring me within 20 feet of the cache, and it is a fairly basic model. Remember not to get discouraged just because of one DNF. Once you find your first one it will all be worth it. Good luck, and happy caching!

I am quite new to this as well, I've only found 6 caches as I got my GPS for Christmas, but have also noticed the same thing as you have in the "quality" of swag. Even though I only started a couple of days ago it already isn't so much about the swag as it is the find. I have gotten some relative junk but I am keeping a little "cache stash" of all of the things I've found. I figure it will be fun to look back on and see what we have found, even if it isn't really "treasure". We have also really enjoyed finding and leaving swag. It isn't really "good" stuff but I think they are fun items. Right now we are using some of our old small plush toys but have also left some other stuff. In a cache at a park near us called "Dinosaur Hill" we left a toy triceritops just for fun. It is also fun to look in dollar stores and see what you can find. It doesn't have to be good stuff, I just like things that will make people smile

I am a real newbie, too, but I am also putting my kit together. This is the list so far, and keep in mind all this is for emergency reasons. I also Geocache with my dog so I have stuff for that, too, but here is the list thus far! GPS unit pens extra log books 5-10 trade items of various sizes extra batteries digital camera flashlight cell phone notebook for cache info water a lighter pocket knife whistle food(depending on length of hunt) extra socks(at least 2 pairs) mirror first aid kit hand warmers bandanas spare plastic bags extra leash and collar 2 days worth of dog food dog bowl list of emergency contacts and veterinary information, also dog's vaccine record So there you go, there's my list. I am sure it will take a little while to build up thius whole list as I am going out for my first finds tomorrow but this is the stuff I am planning for. Hope this helps! Happy hunting! ~miinganharmony~

THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!! I am very new to Geocaching and have been trying to figure out all of these acronyms! Thanks again!