chemgrl08

So this is sort of funny. I contacted the reviewer and related the problem with the cache. I also mentioned a few of the quotes from the CO's email, and that I didn't want to make a "needs archived" log to avoid rustling feathers (although let's be serious, he was going to know it was me.) Well, turns out the reviewer must have agreed with me (I told him about the deleted picture from my "needs maintenance" log), and the next morning the cache was listed as temporarily disabled "Email sent to CO." So I was like, "OH! OK, so I wasn't completely wrong. There is some basis for my concern." I had the cache on my watch list since I was curious as to what would happen, and the CO wrote (after the disable) "Looks like chemgrl08 had a problem with my cache that the rest of you didn't have. I guess she's smarter than your average bear." Whoa! Calm down there, Yogi! Hahaha I thought that was so silly, getting upset over a cache like that! (It would be so easy to fix!) The reviewer then posted ANOTHER message, saying "CO has been emailed again." LOL I don't mean to make fun of people or anything, but I think this CO took himself a little too seriously. Judging from his comment about those of us with "only a few hundred finds", I think the CO may have been relying on street cred, so to speak. The cache was enabled after the CO changed the terrain all the way up to 5 and wrote, very sarcastically, "Put in a waypoint to drop off your CANOE so you can find my super easy cache." He also deleted the previous post mentioning my caching name. (I admit I didn't like that post- it had no context. I suspect the reviewer had a little email exchange with him.) But wow, sour grapes! To be honest, this could be a super cool cache! You can see the area where it is, but no trespassing! So you have to take the long way around. I think that's kind of cool, even if the CO doesn't think so. I've never gone after a cache like that before. Plus, now there's no risk of a person's car getting towed or a person getting questioned by police for trespassing (my main concern.) Seems like things worked out well... I mean, I don't like making "enemies" per se, but I just didn't feel like it was ok to put other cachers in that position. Thanks to all for the comments; I now know what to do if a cache issue like this comes up again. I also learned that reviewers can see deleted logs (and now I know why!) This forum has been very helpful. Happy caching, everyone!

So I went ahead and emailed the CO and politely asked why my log was deleted, and if s/he could clarify why the cache was ok. He was pretty rude (not unexpected, but whatever,) and said that "I see you only have a few hundred caches. New geocachers use the needs maintenance button way too much.You won't use it after you get more experience." Which I think is total bologna (if a cache is messed up, I should tell the CO about it!) He also confirmed that the lot, where the "no trespassing sign" was placed, WAS the correct way to get to the cache. He claimed that "Just because someone puts up a sign does not make it private." He also claimed that the parking lot area was public property where parents pick up their kids from day care... I'm a little dubious about that due to the presence of barbed wire, pallets, and dumpsters (I personally might find a different daycare, but that's just me. ) He also said [sic] "Also, other people reads those logs and maybe not want to go find my cache." To me, that right there is a terrible reason. Simply address the problem on the logs, so that everyone knows it is specifically NOT a problem. That seems more reasonable. He said that if the publisher posts it, that means its ok. But in my opinion, that doesn't mean things can't change. For example, context from his message seems to suggest the sign was put up AFTER the cache was placed. Perhaps the publisher didn't know it was private property. (If I simply tell a reviewer it's ok, or that I have permission, seems like there are limited things the reviewer can do to check it aside from an email from the property owner.) So in summary, I'm going to go ahead and contact the reviewer and show him the picture as well as the location of the cache. It's hard for me to believe that someone would post a no trespassing sign in an area that is not their property, and the CO couldn't give me a good reason not to report it. At least if it gets reviewed, something can be added such as, "Permission was secured from the land owner of the parking lot," or something to that effect. That way future cachers won't be nervous about trespassing like I was.

Thanks guys. I had thought maintenance logs got forwarded to reviewers. I'll try to politely ask the CO what's up with the cache; after all, I didn't like that he deleted my post without addressing the issue, so I ought to email him before I do anything like a "needs archived" flag. I agree that his post ought to have mentioned the trespassing issue (go around start here, has permission, etc.) I checked out the rules and you're not allowed to place a cache in a location that requires trespassing (kinda duh on that, I suppose. But I've been wrong plenty of times before.) I'll update if anything interesting happens or the issue gets resolved. Thank you everyone for your opinions! PS @palmetto LOL it might be you! You're reviewing one of my caches in the area atm! Hahaha!! (To other posters: don't worry, a good maintenance plan is in place. )

I was recently caching while on vacation (visiting relatives) and happened upon a cache that was on public property,but required you to pass through a clearly marked "no trespassing" area. This was in Florida- a lot of the canals are public property, but this cache required you to pass through the back lot of a store. There was a sign that clearly said no trespassing. I logged my dnf, and then also issued a maintenance log (including a pic of the clearly visible sign) saying the cache should be moved or archived. The CO deleted my maintenance log without any forewarning or attempt to solve the issue. I understand the CO is allowed to delete logs, but this just seemed like sour grapes. I was trying to get the attention of a reviewer so they could see the pic, but it was deleted. We should never trespass for geocaching. I think this cacher feels a bit more important than he is due to prominence in the area. Before anyone asks how I can be sure trespassing is required, let me assure you that the coords were well past the no trespassing zone, and we looked for alternate entries that could avoid it to no avail. How can I report this, should I politely contact the CO first, or should I just not bother with it? I just don't think trespassing is ok- especially when you can have so many other LEGAL spots to put a cache. Thoughts?

Just a quick update- you guys were right! I managed to snag not just my first FTF today, but I got TWO FTFs! I couldn't believe it! The ones where I had been FDNF would have been more satisfying (they were more of a challenge... probably why I couldn't find them!) But so nice to finally get that goal accomplished! Not sure if I'll continue to be an FTF hound, but I feel great! Found a way to have alerts sent to my phone, and a 7AM double posting made me hop out of bed right quick, not even brushing my hair! No prizes to speak of, but the prize for me was the find. Wooo! Finally!

But that was my point- they did indeed get extra help from the CO. They had the coords wrong (just as I had) but asked the CO if they were right, and got additional info on it (which coord was wrong and that they were off by one digit.) I would consider "additional info" to be extra clues, or a more elaborate description. There's nothing additional about coordinates. It just happens that they helped to fix the erroneous coordinates, which is very much more important than making for a fair FTF race. Remember, the first finder is also the beta tester. The coords the other cachers had were incorrect due to their own error; the CO had placed it correctly. This was a letterbox where we had to follow directions to get the coords (find this sign, count the letters and subtract 1, etc.) The CO told them which digit was off by 1. (This is according to the cachers' own logs.) Very interesting to see the varied responses- everything from 'too bad so sad' to 'that's cheating.' Overall it is a nice cache and I'll go back to enjoy the walk, as I mentioned. But I'll stick with my way of playing for an FTF. Besides, I just moved to the area and don't know any cachers or COs, so as mentioned above, I couldn't call if I wanted to! (Need to get myself to some events!) I also liked the above comment that mentioned just letting it roll off my back, and then admitted that it's hard to stick to even when you know it in your head. I totally get it! I'm constantly guilty of that!

Hahaha! Thanks, that's how I'll think of it! A hard-earned DNF! (I need to buy that shirt that says something like "DNF and proud of it!")

But that was my point- they did indeed get extra help from the CO. They had the coords wrong (just as I had) but asked the CO if they were right, and got additional info on it (which coord was wrong and that they were off by one digit.) Thank you all for the input. I will personally play the way that I think is "right" (advice that I've read on a lot of the other threads) and be aware that others think the "right" way is different from mine. And wmpastor and 4wheelin_fool, thanks for the encouragement! I wasn't trying to be rude and was worrying they had interpreted it that way. Better luck next time, I guess!

Hi all, first time on the forum. Just need to mention something that has really been bothering me. I've recently made it my goal to get an FTF (only 150 finds to my name, but it's about time to start trying for one.) I have ended up at two caches FIRST, but wasn't able to find them! OK, so fair and square, I lost the caches- that's part of the reason FTFs are hard to get. Oh well! What rubs me the wrong way were the folks who claimed FTF on the last cache I missed. I had seen them go by, and having already gotten the coords for the letterbox cache, said jokingly, "You're too late!" After seeing on their faces that they maybe took that a little too seriously, I said, "Well, I mean, I have the coords, but that doesn't mean I'll find it, so you should probably keep going." (And sure enough, I didn't find it. Too much rushing! Lesson learned!) OK, so far so good. The two fellows got the FTF, but in their log, they stated that they had called the CO to confirm the coords! Does that strike anyone else as, well, cheating? Sure, I lost it fair and square: I wasn't going to get FTF for that one. But even if I could have, I wouldn't call the CO to get the coords right. Maybe if I had been struggling with it for a long time, and after several visits to search, but on an FTF? They also conspicuously left out my encouragement for them to keep going, but made sure to state that I was "taunting" them. I can see how it could be perceived that way, so ok (I don't agree, but ok.) But calling the CO? Isn't it clear that not everyone searching for the cache will know the CO, and that calling in order to confirm coords on a possible FTF is... dubious, to say the least? Ah, is there no honor in geocaching anymore? LOL. I jest, but I am wondering, would others of you do the same to get an FTF? I wouldn't feel like I earned it if I did it that way. Just have to keep trying- no one gets it the first time they try, right? And when I do, I'll get it in a way that seems fair to me, and it will be that much sweeter. I still consider myself relatively new, so there are plenty of other challenges I want to try (24 in a day, fill in the calendar, etc) and I'm having tons of fun. Even introduced my uncle to it this Thanksgiving! (He found the 4 star we were going after! Who would've guessed!? ) Thanks for any opinions. Not going to lie, I'm salty about it and want some commiseration. (Just being honest!) EDIT: And in retrospect, I'll mention that I probably should have stopped longer to say hi and introduce myself. I was just on such a high thinking I'd gotten there to work on it first, and that my first FTF was mere moments away! I didn't want anyone to pass me up!