The Navigatorz

Just a FYI, you didn't state anything about not counting hikes prior to July 8th in the "Challenge Rules" section on the cache page. You will probably have someone logging a FTF today by counting prior hikes! Challenge Rule #1 read "Add up the miles hiked on future hikes..." But to make it clearer, I will revise it to show a July 8, 2010 start date.

Do you like a Challenge? Do you like to hike? Do you like to find geocaches? If you answered yes to all 3 questions, you might be interested in a new challenge cache, the Hike 100 Miles Challenge. In a nutshell, starting now, hike to existing geocaches that are at least 5 miles round trip with elevation gains of 500 feet or more. When your hike distances total 100 miles, write a note describing the hike information to qualify for finding the final cache. There is no deadline for completing the challenge, but hikes must be started after July 8. Caches must be those listed in Washington state, but there's no requirement to travel all over the state. All hikes may be right in your own home area. Official rules are on the cache page.

Spotted this while caching near New Orleans last month.

I didn't read all of the above comments so I may be repeating another thought, but it seems odd to me that you need permission to list an earthcache on public land, and not to hide a regular cache (except for parks, etc). So if you get denied to list an earthcache on public land, you can go out the next day and hide a container to bring visitors there, but without permission? Don't get it.

Congratulations on your 500th and 600th milestones in advance.

Did they quit after searching for one of your evil caches?

In regards to your statement: "I am always surprised when I see you archive bunches of caches and start fresh". I don't archive caches just to put another new one in the same place (except for a puzzle cache once, but the experience was the new puzzle, not the location). I archive caches so I don't have so many out there that it becomes a maintenance headache for me to maintain them all. I try to keep my total "active" caches to a manageable level. So before hiding some new ones, I archive a few older ones. I guess I could just keep all my older caches and not hide any new ones. But most seem to appreciate the new hides. There are many caches out there that need maintenance, or need to be removed if the owner no longer cares to maintain them. Those are the ones I think need to be archived. But I guess you're right, there are different philosophies. But the archiving of my caches was a personal decision on my part. You brought it to the forums. You're quote "And btw, Nav - you're going archiving crazy! Keep some around, for us poor cachers!" I'm just trying to explain why I archived a few.

If a cache is confirmed missing and the owner isn't responding, you should post a Needs Archived log; the reviewer gets those notifications in addition to the CO, and will follow up appropriately. (Reviewers don't see Needs Maintenance logs.) I don't like the Needs Archived log. It's kind of rude. Needs Maintenance puts the responsibility on the cache owner. I did write an email to the cache reviewer about that cache back in November though.

Wenatchee is super saturated with caches as far as I'm concerned. This is true. But you make some good ones. Place some more, sometime. Ok, I hid one today. But speaking of archiving caches, I would like to get something off my chest. Not wanting to offend anyone, but after years of tying up prime real estate, I'd like to see some of the older caches in the area archived, so that new caches can take their place. Geocaches in the Wenatchee area are in the hundreds, and after finding them, and after a few years have passed, they become less valuable to the majority. They just take up space. True they are good for the occasional cachers, or the new cachers, or the occasional out of town visitors, but to me, their just annoyances that take up space. Not everyone seems to like to hide caches, but there are a few of us who do. Lately we've been having to hide them miles and miles away because its difficult to find a place locally anymore, because of the old, worn out, caches that need maintenance and don't get it, or are missing entirely (need examples, I can give you a list of many that have recent purple frowny logs because the caches are missing). I know of caches that are gone, I have logged the "Needs Maintenance" log, and nothing happens. Take this cache for example. Read the last two logs. Again, a cache location, unavailable because a cache isn't maintained. What about this one? This one? Hidden in 2005, no finders in over a year. Is it there? Has the owner checked on it? No one knows. Or hmmmm Anyway. Our playground is saturated with old caches. I think its time to get out there and clean up the area, do a little purging, so that new local caches can replace them. It will be a good thing for everyone. Does anyone else share the same thoughts on that, or am I all alone. If so, I'll just continue archiving my caches. I have no pride in keeping a big count of active hides. I archived one today, World Traveler, so I could hide a new one today nearby. I don't think anyone will mind the new hide.

Wenatchee is super saturated with caches as far as I'm concerned.

A container is a good weapon in a pinch, but it depends on the cache you find. If its an ammo can, a whack on the head with it will stop a creepy from doing you harm. If its a micro, well then you're out of luck.

Congratulations to Barnabirdy(s) for recently achieving 7000 finds. They are the Geocaching Champions of Eastern Washington.

I'd like to thank the local geocachers who contribute to this fun and exciting game by hiding caches. It appears on average, geocachers in our area hid about 10 geocaches per person last year. We all know that you can't find geocaches unless someone else hides them. So a big thank you to ALL who contributed to our enjoyment by hiding caches last year, no matter how many you hid. And Special recognition and thanks to the following geocachers who hid more than their share of caches last year (met or exceeded the average of 10 hides per person): medicrncen hid 29 caches last year (WOW!) Patudles hid 21 mmauvil hid 19 g-people hid 18 (side note: Koolz hid 9 which means g-people (family) hid 27 last year). Awesome! P-38 hid 10. My intention is not to toot my own horn, so I won't. We're always congratulating the FINDERS on their FTFs and for reaching milestones, but we also need to especially thank the HIDERS, especially the active hiders, who contribute more than their fair share. It takes a little more planning, some personal expense, and more time involvement (submitting a cache, shopping for materials, and maintaining the cache). I see the Fearless and Feisty Mountain Mamas hid a few new ones yesterday. Way to go gals. 2010 is going to be another fun year. Thanks again to ALL who contribute.

Congrats to g-people for milestone #1700

Congtats to mmauvil for milestone #1100

Congrats to the milestone achievers. The multiples of 500 are great, and every 100 is worth celebrating as well. Thanks Mr. Gadget for the recognition on the hides. It's much appreciated.

Great event tonight. Having it at El Abuelo was a good idea. We should get together like that on a monthly basis. Thanks Patudles for making the reservation, and for providing the gifts/candy. The Cache-cadians are awesome!

Well ruck just took care of that one. It's no longer an unfound cache. Congrats ruck on FTF.

Ooops, I guess that one is in Idaho.

here's another, not found since published in September 2005 Delta Mist

There's probably several unfound caches without a FTF much older than that one. Here's one I located that was published September 1, 2007 and so far hasn't been found. King Lake Geocache

Congratulations koolz on finding your 200th cache. Way to go!

Yawn.

Rock chuck posing for a picture at Palouse Falls St. Park.

Yay to mmauvil for find #800 today!!