geomann1

I'n not into numbers, so I am particular. First, I check the map for caches in an area that I am visiting to see what is available. Second, I check the map to try to figure out where they are, parks and open areas are good, if they are in highly developed areas (parking lots, strip malls, businesses, etc.) I give them a pass. Third, I check the cache page, to see if it has been found recently, as opposed to a chain of dnfs indicating that it is likely not there. Comments by others are often a good indicator as to whether it is worth the effort. My preference is fo caches that involve a nice walk in a pleasant or interesting area, and I am content just to find the cache as a sort of icing on the cake. I've reached the point, where the numbers mean nothing to me, so if I see that a cache that is likely a LPC or magnetic key holder, I will not bother even getting out of the car. That is my preference, and to each his own.

IMHO - You had every right to be there and look for the cache. Hunting season does not mean public land is off limit to other users. If one wants privacy one needs to find a spot in which no one would likely go near, where is certainly not the vicinity of a cemetery. That being said, if I came upon a hunter in a stand I would quietly and quickly leave the area, as it is simply good manners. He was there first.

I tried it a few times myself, and determined that I would rather pursue photography, hiking, or spending more time with my family, then molesting lamp post skirts, and fondling guardrails all day. Amen to that!!!!! I've given up the numbers game and am happy to go after one or two good caches that take me to some place pleasant or interesting. Best of all involves a nice hike. I'll go after some local caches (usually with my son), but about half the time we even don't bother getting out of car.

I am very surprised to hear you say that. Why would a forum thread stop anyone from posting their online logs? Why would hiders stating that getting copy & paste or acronym-only logs bother them stop anyone from posting their logs online? Are you saying that anyone that gets called on being rude can not be blamed for becoming ruder? That statement does not sound like one that I would expect to hear from MM, to be frank. Ok, it's not the thread per se, but what happened to the OP and what others are saying about it being "rude" to only post "this" or "that" in one's log that makes some people stop posting their logs online at all. I don't mind people saying that it "bothers" them as everyone is certainly entitled to their opinion and their feelings. But the same should apply to the the person logging. To me, it's completely rude and inappropriate for ANYONE to contact anyone else stating that their log "wasn't good enough" for whatever random reason. I do not consider TFTC to be a "rude" log in any way shape or form. To each his own is my philosophy. And contacting someone to tell them them that their log didn't me my (or someone else's) particular nuance of what is an acceptable log is completely inappropriate in my opinion. Again, this is why some people no longer log their finds online. It all comes down to basic manners, which many people lack. If someone does something for you, like going to the considerable effort of putting together an imaginative or otherwise especially enjoyable cache, then it is appropriate to properly thank that person. TFTC doesn't hack it, just as TFTD is adequate for someone who cooked you a nice Thanksgiving dinner. Faint praise is an insult. However, I agree that no violation of basic manners is as bad as correcting someone else for their bad manners. One has to just accept the fact that some people just have bad manners and that it is ultimately their problem, not yours, and there is no reason to get worked up over it.

In my humble opinion, the length of posted comments should be related to the quality of the cache/experience and the effort put into it. If I really enjoyed the cache, I will take the time to write why. If the cache is unimaginative, for example, a magnetic keyholder on a guardrail, I will simply say 'thanks for the cache". Frankly, there isn't much more to say.

Geocaching to me should bring me to new and interesting places, which I would not otherwise visit. I also enjoy a good hike, so I like caches that draw me to good trails. Plus I enjoy the hunt for a good cache in an interesting place. I am content to find one good cache in a weekend rather than a 100 dull ones. In fact, I have taken a break for geocaching for a while (about a year), because I found most of the really interesting caches in my area and most of ones left just did not appeal to me - such as looking for magnetic key holders under things. Just plain boring and no enjoyment. I'm just starting to go out more and am planning to place some new caches

Sprinklers heads are a real bad idea. I can upon a site once where three real sprinkler heads were vandalized by a cacher(s) who presumably thought they were the container.

If there is any ALR I always ignore. No exceptions.

An interesting interpretation, which I assume works well for you. On a related note, there are probably 2 dozen+ caches out there with my name in the log, and no corresponding online log. Those caches sucked so bad, when I got to my computer, I figured "Why Bother?" The owner used no effort to create it. I'll use the same amount of effort to log it. (I have since learned to simply walk away without leaving any trace that I was ever at those most crappiest of hides. BTW, if you really want a topic to go away, posting to it is counter productive. I would have nothing else to do on conference calls

I think the general issue is worth considering. Many caches are not particularly pleasant experiences. If the first cache you choose to look for with the kids involves searching around a dumpster, garbage strewn woods, or an LPC, then many would have what they would consider a bad time and have a bad impression of the activity and give up. Most caches, other than number junkies, recognize that there is a huge variation in quality of caches and that many are junk that should never have been placed. Whether one wants to acknowledge it or not, there are no quality standards in the sport. I was lucky in that the first caches I looked for with the kids were in parks and involved an enjoyable hunt.

I haven't put too many caches out, but about half have been archived. These were put in what I thought were good/fun locations but knew they would eventually be muggled within a year. People had some fun with them, which is what is important and rather than replace them I have/will put out caches at new locations which will give the locals some new caches to find. Personally, I view all caches as being disposable, although I am sentimental about keeping my first active. I could be wrong, but I think Harry Dolphin's point was that for some people it seems like the plan for maintaining the cache was to not do any. The cache is planned out with the cheapest no worries if it gets lost materials, and when it gets reported missing they archive it without it really getting check out by the owner and/or people that have in the past actually found the cache. While its never possiable to be 100% certain there isn't a lost cache (or parts of a damaged one) left out there, the lack of attempting to track down our toys doesn't seem to mesh well with good stewardship practices like CITO. I agree. Way too many caches are orphaned after they are placed, which is why I would like to see some process whereby caches expire or are required to be "recertified". Personally, I check on caches after a couple of dnfs and then make the decision as to whether to replace or archive if they are MIA.

This is the topic that just won't go away. Challenge and fun is the hunt, logging either on line or in log book is just a mere social gesture. I log only to thank owner for his/her efforts.

I haven't put too many caches out, but about half have been archived. These were put in what I thought were good/fun locations but knew they would eventually be muggled within a year. People had some fun with them, which is what is important and rather than replace them I have/will put out caches at new locations which will give the locals some new caches to find. Personally, I view all caches as being disposable, although I am sentimental about keeping my first active.

WOAH! That's a seriously twisted interpretation of the law! The Florida law is a self-defense, self-protection law. It has four key components: * It establishes that law-abiding residents and visitors may legally presume the threat of bodily harm or death from anyone who breaks into a residence or occupied vehicle and may use defensive force, including deadly force, against the intruder. * In any other place where a person “has a right to be,” that person has “no duty to retreat” if attacked and may “meet force with force, including deadly force if he or she reasonably believes it is necessary to do so to prevent death or great bodily harm to himself or herself or another to prevent the commission of a forcible felony.” * In either case, a person using any force permitted by the law is immune from criminal prosecution or civil action and cannot be arrested unless a law enforcement agency determines there is probable cause that the force used was unlawful. * If a civil action is brought and the court finds the defendant to be immune based on the parameters of the law, the defendant will be awarded all costs of defense. To download Florida’s new law in its four-page entirety, click here (.pdf). The Florida law is not a gun law. Period. It contains zero references to guns or shooting, unless you feel propagandistically compelled to count one of those ubiquitous legislative “Whereases” that references the Florida Constitution’s “right of the people to bear arms…” Critics such as the Violence Policy Center and the Brady Campaign denounce "Stand-Your-Ground" clauses as "Shoot First" laws (as in "shoot first, ask questions later"), asserting that the presumptions and other protections afforded to gun owners allow them virtual carte blanche to shoot anyone who is perceived to be trespassing. They also state it will lead to cases of mistaken identity, so-called "shooting the milkman" scenarios. Proponents like the National Rifle Association state that such scenarios are unlikely and are not protected under most Castle laws; the shooter is only justified if the assailant broke into the home or attempted to commit some other property crime such as arson, and simple trespass is neither. For a fuller explanation and how it applies to other states see Castle Doctrine on Wikipedia. Geocachers have no reason to fear this law. You are Totally Wrong! You are correct about the intent of the law, but the way the law has in fact been interpreted gives very broad leeway in terms of " if he or she reasonably believes it is necessary to do so to prevent death or great bodily harm to himself or herself or another to prevent the commission of a forcible felony.” There was a case a year or so ago in North Fort Myers, where someone shot and killed an unarmed neighbor who was just on their property (near the boundary) who was performing pranks and no charges were filed because of the law. A state legislator made the comment that not filing charges was consistent with how the law was written, but it was not the intent of the law as he voted for it. If someone is snooping in my backyard, I could very easily make the case that I reasonably believe that my life or that of my family is danger and that use of deadly force was justified. I'm not saying this as anti-gun person (which I am not) nor am I saying that I believe the law is bad (I actually support it). Heck, if I caught someone snooping near kids bedroom window, I will assume he is a sexual predator and will act accordingly. There would be enough reasonable doubt that no charges would ever be filed, particularly if the person in question is dead. So yes, one does put ones life at risk if you are caught snooping near someone's home under the stand your ground law, which is why I would not do so just to bag another smiley.

I stay away from them unless it is obvious where the cache is. In Florida we have a "stand your ground law", which basically gives people the right to shoot anyone they feel is a threat to them, which would include a tresspasser snooping around your house. I've been known to type in a wrong number on my GPS, which could have very bad consequences.

I screen by just looking at where they are located, which is what I have just been doing. My preference is for caches in parks and natural areas. For my weekend mini-vacation with the family, it was quite easy using the mapping function and cache descriptions to pick out several caches we could probably enjoy doing and ignored many that probably would not. If you are not into the numbers game, its easy to screen out what are likely the best caches in an area (for my tastes of course!).

Are there any cachers left after that list?!?! Great idea, I don't fall on that list, but then again I never trade because as an adult over 30 with a job, there is little in any cache that I need or want. My kids and others love to trade, but then I don't think most want to discourage families from caching to protect swag. Yes many cachers are irresponsible and trade down or just take, but many cache owners are irresponsible by not taking care of their caches and getting rid of the junk and replishing.

To address this part of your question: Yes, I think the game is devolving toward the P&G mentality. Regionally, the percentage of micros is dang near 50%. My personal experience is that, almost every hide around here whose size is not listed is also a micro, sending the 50% mark even higher. In a game with 6 possible choices, (micro, small, medium, regular, large and not listed), a mathematically perfect proportion would be about 15% micros. The percentage of hides lower than a 2/2 is even larger. There are literally a butt load of hides around here custom tailored for those folks who are either unwilling or unable to walk more than 50' from their vehicles. So, is this a bad thing? Is it a good thing? I'd say it's no more than the end result of personal preference. While this gives me lots & lots of hides that don't appeal to me, the overall number of new caches that do appeal to me is still increasing faster than I can find them, so I'm not likely to run out of fun hides any time in the near future. Also, as a premium member, Groundspeak gives me some tools that really help weed out those caches which don't appeal to me, so from a PQ perspective, all I see are gobs of fun hides for me to find. No worries here. The P&Gs are on the rise, but they aren't that big an issue for me. Agreed, not an issue because you can screen out (ignore) most of the P&Gs. For many Geocaching has become a numbers game, but personally I'd rather find one or two worthwhile caches in a weekend, than a 200 guardrail or LPCs.

"Yesterday we had the opportunity to clean wet and dirty swag out of a cache. A previous finder had replaced the log. Their priority I guess. We added some nice swag for the next finders. I find this is more of a owner cache maintenance issue than a problem with the finders." Previous posted is dead one. The quality of swag will deteriorate over time, this regrettably is inevitable. It should therefore be part of on owner's maintenance responsibility to periodically refresh their caches. I know that this subject has been beat to death before, but geocaching could be improved in caches had a finite life and are automatically archived after say 2 years. There are way too many zombie caches out their that have been essentially abandoned by their owners, but are still shown as active. My caching this past year was way down (I stopped for about 7 months) because there were no new caches in my area that I could find any enthusiasm to look for.

"When people start geocaching I will continue to give them a frank appraisal, I tell them that this activity will expose them to the underbelly of humankind." The issue is that geocaching attracts a a wide range of people that is fairly representative of society as a whole, and frankly the concept of honor and doing the right thing is in decline, and has been replaced with the notion that something is OK is one can get away with it. The swag content of caches decline because no one is looking when changes are made. This is inevitable, and the cache owner is responsible for replenishing his/her caches. As far as accusations of cheating, people have got to learn to just ignore unpleasant people, control freaks, amd self-styled purists, and play the game on your own terms so long as your are respectful of the caches of others. If someones plays by different personal rules, they can be ignored. The activity is all about getting outside and enjoying the adventure of the search. If you approach the activity with that perspective (and learn how to filter out junk caches) you will have fun.

A good cache should: 1) Show some creativity. 2) Lead cachers to an interesting or scenic location, ideally one that would otherwise be overlooked. 3) Looking for cache should be enjoyable experience, which to me involves pleasant surroundings.

But debris (including gasoline and oils) also gets swept into such systems and some of it begins to decay and then produce gases that are relitively "trapped" in a confined space. I grant you it is a longshot but the dangers of hazardous gas in a confined space is a very real threat. Speaking here as a scientist (please see my notes in my earlier post above for a brief overview of my professional experiences in these realms), I agree with you 100%. Al kinds of debris, and particularly plant matter such as leaves, grasses and twigs, gets washed into storm drains, and it often accumulates in low spots and undergoes anaerobic decay, which can release hydrogen sulfide (H2S) gas. And so, there are indeed some storm drain pipes which accumulate lethal levels of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) gas. Even far more importantly, in some parts of the world, including parts of the USA, hydrogen sulfide gas leaks into the enclosed confined spaces of storm drains from nearby coal seams, nearby abandoned coal mines, and, in areas with significant volcanic activity or magma movement, from underground fissures venting from underground magma hotspots. Due to these reasons, there are numerous instances in which lethal levels of H2S have been found even in storm drains, but the frequency of occurrence is way below that seen in sanitary sewer systems. However, the threat is real, and, to me, this is an important reason why any cacher contemplating hiding a cache or stage in a storm drain needs to consider the placement carefully, and particularly, must avoid placing a cache very deeply inside a storm drain tunnel, particularly if there is restricted or limited flow of fresh air in the deeper parts of the tunnel system. Much greater threat in any kind of confined space like storm drains that attract animals (rodents) is hantavirus. Personally, I would not consider a cache like this.

Of course the question becomes why place a cache in a storm drain even if it is legal? Are people expected to crawl into it to find the cache? I would pass on that one, along with seaching under dumpsters and in garbage piles.

That's nothing. I built a homemade rocket from spare cell phone parts and with some careful tinkering with the laws of physics, it could also travel backwards and forwards through time at will. So, I traveled to Neptune and discovered an unknown substance which I called Bullonium, brought it back to Earth and time-traveled back to the dawn of man. I planted a seed of Bullonium and it has blossomed beautifully throughout time and continues to this day. I could never take credit for this before because it all sounded implausible but now I see that I can finally reveal to the world the true originator of Bullonium...me! Good day, sir. Bruce You guys are loosers. I sit around the porch all day on a sofa with no legs drinking beer and chewing tobacco. I get the wife and 10 kids go out a find mine caches, and bring back some more beer and Cheetos. My big life accomplishment is having three letters published in Penthouse. I too started on a degree in quantum physics, but quit when I decided it would not be much use for hog hunting.

Are replacement caches being nabbed? I.e., is it someone who finds a cache then steals it to prevent others from finding, or is it someone who returns repeatedly to a site? Unfortunately there isn't too much that one can realistically and cost-effectively do; unfortunately there are human vermin out here who gets their kicks out of doing malicous acts. Even if you get their picture, a others have noted, then what?