CoronaKid

Hey, Boz....errr, ummm, clearpath, I think he meant reading the online logs. Yes, I was referring to the online cache logs. I rarely read all the actual logs in a logbook because usually they aren't very interesting. I might skim the logbook and read one that grabs my attention.

My signature item is a labeled and numbered bottle opener. On one side the label reads "Change Your Latitude" and on the side it reads "CoronaKid S.I. #??/WWW.GEOCACHING.COM. I thought long and hard when deciding on my signature item and I think I succeeded because it passed my four criteria: 1. It's fairly cheap to mass produce. I found 100 bottle openers on eBay for $10. 2. The item uniquely represents my username (Corona beer/bottle opener) 3. It's just the right size to fit in most micros. 4. I can label and number them easily. Well, this is what works for me. I hope you find something interesting to represent yourself. Cheers!

While I was reading some logs for a locationless cache, I suddenly realized that I had 'crossed the line' into the realm of addiction. I find myself getting sucked into reading cache logs for absurdly long periods of time. To make matters worse, I also tend to sometimes read a lot of the logs for a cacher that I have met or become friends with. I guess I'm just curious about the experiences of other cachers. I think my addiction initially started with the watch list. At first I would merely read the new logs that popped up on caches that were on my watch list. Now if I visit a cache that I liked, I'll read ALL the logs from day one. So my question is this: Do you consider yourself to be addicted to cache logs? What type of cache logs do you find most addicting?

Do I have one? Yes. Do I ever use it? No. For me, this is one of those 'just in case' items that remains in my pack but is never used unless there is an emergency. In my experience, most caches do not really require the use of a compass. If I start making a lot of twists and turns during my cache hunt, I find that marking waypoints is the best way to backtrack and you won't get lost. However, I cache in areas with little or no tree coverage. I can definitely appreciate the importance of a compass in wilderness areas. BTW, make sure you actually know how to use a compass. It does you no good just to have it in your backpack if you don't have a clue as to how to use it. You'd be amazed as to how many people carry compasses even though they have no idea how it works.

LOL...I love all these what if scenarios! A quick check of his logs and you'll see that CodeSlapper is definitely not handicapped. Again, I'm not judging CodeSlapper, I just found it interesting that there are those that log finds without physically being there. It's an aspect of the game that I hadn't seen before and it intrigued me.

I think it is quite obvious that CodeSlapper didn't actually find the cache himself. If you read his first log, he states that he has no hope of getting to the cache site and that he is the brains while Pacholik is the brawn. His second log was the "Found it" log and it was written on the same day. I suppose if CodeSlapper reads this he can let us know either way. I could truly care less if he did log it as a find even though he physically did not find the cache. I just think it brings into question what actually defines the ability to claim a legitimate find. To each his own.

I know this has probably been discussed at length before, but I just ran across a log that intrigued me enough to start this discussion. http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_detai...af-0427be5eb53e Look specifically at CodeSlapper's logs and you will note that he never did really find the cache. He only did the math to find the coordinates. He then gave the coordinates to Pacholik and he found the cache. Nevertheless, it was still logged as a find by CodeSlapper. Do you think it should be logged as a find by CodeSlapper? I'm on the fence, but I do think it brings up some interesting questions about what really constitutes a find. I know that some teams are a couple or a group of friends that all log finds under the same username, but I thought that this one was a little different since in this case each is a separate cacher that just teamed up on this cache. I'm just curious as to what some other cachers think.

I nominate Regenade Knight for post of the month award. Never have I enjoyed reading a post as much as I enjoyed reading yours. My personal favorite 'type' is the Cache Slut. Bravo.

Using Lep's qualifications, my best streak is 22. However, even Lep's definition leaves some room for interpretation. For example, let's say that the person that hid the cache posted the wrong coordinates and you got a DNF because of it. Does that really count if you are keeping track of personal stats? I say it doesn't because you really didn't have a fair shot to find the cache. Another DNF could have been the result of the cache disappearing. While it's still a DNF, I wouldn't really count it if I was keeping track of my longest streak without a DNF. Good god, after re-reading what I wrote above I think that I have officially become a Geocaching Nerd. I wonder how much of my brain is now occupied by geocaching thoughts.

In theory this sounds like a great idea. In reality it wouldn't work because people would just lie about what they left. Who would actually check the cache right after they logged to make sure they weren't lying? Besides, what real purpose would the rating serve anyways besides bragging rights? If anything, the people that trade down would probably just keep track of all the people that trade up and go raid the cache after they log. I say keep it just the way it is.

JTI 112303: Joined the Insanity 11/23/03 You will always remember this date as the day you joined the insanity. Your life will never be the same. Soon you'll be tromping through mud, scaling cliffs, pulling out ticks, etc...all in the name of that elusive cache. Fare thee well!

LOL...good one! That will get anyone to hightail it out of there fast. When I first started caching, I was really paranoid about how I was perceived in public. As my skills for locationg caches has improved, I usually find the cache quickly and exit the area before anyone is the wiser. I find that having patience is often the key to success with highly populated areas. Once I have an clear opening, I go gung ho and find and log the cache quickly. If I ever feel uncomfortable in a certain area, I just leave. No cache is worth putting yourself in danger.

My vote for Cache of the Year is the "Chamber of Secrets" located in the San Gabriel mountains northeast of Los Angeles. I went with a large group and we had a blast. I'd challenge anyone to enter the 'chamber' without a flashlight.

That's a bummer Vacman! I wonder if the person that found it was all perplexed by the various contents. Who knows, perhaps they were really superstitious and thought that it dropped out of the sky for them and that each item was meant to represent something symbolic in their life. Nahhh....they probably pocketed the cash and trashed the rest.

LOL...I could just picture your log entry. Took McDonald crapola toy and left GPSr. Now that's trading UP! Thanks for the laugh.

I would put myself in the 'Lurker' category now. When I was first starting Geocaching, I was reading everything and posting like crazy. At some point, I realized that I now know enough to enjoy the sport and my visits to the forums decreased significantly. Now I usually scan the topics once a week and make a comment if anything catches my fancy. I'd much rather be figuring out my next cache hunt than discussing the best place to buy ammo cans.

I ended as a Life scout and was only a few merit badges away from Eagle. I regret not making the final push for Eagle, but at the time sports and girls seemed to take a higher priority. Scouts was considered 'geeky' (and probably still is) so I kept a low profile of my involvement. Peer pressure is a hell of a thing for a 16 year old teenager. I worked for a couple summers at the Camp Whitsett boyscout camp. Those were probably the two best summers of my life and I look back on it fondly. I'm even thinking about getting permission to place a cache atop Sentinel Peak which is a popular morning hike at the camp.

quote:Originally posted by Vacman:Just an update - the newly placed cache was stolen by thieves over this last weekend. Oh well, looks like the hill there isn't such a good place to hide stuff. I will re-release the cache in a different location but with data needed from the hill here. And of course I just placed a travel bug in the cache. Well, at least I get the distinction of being the last one to see the Jailhouse Cache before its untimely disappearance. For some reason, however, I don't think we've seen the last of this cache. It's defied the odds twice already! --CoronaKid

quote:Originally posted by geospotter:Great article, CoronaKid. Just one question. It says you are a "technical writer" for Corona. Just what is so technical? LOL...If I had a more realistic title, it would be more like What the Hell Else Do You Do With An English Degree Writer. Better? In all seriousness, I mainly write user guides, help files, quick start guides, etc. You get the picture. --CoronaKid

The link to this Geocaching article regarding Vacman's Jailhouse cache was kind of buried, so I thought I'd start a new message in case you missed it. Here's the link to the article: http://www.dailybreeze.com/content/news/nmgeocache6.html It made the front page and even included a couple nice color photos. Cheers! --CoronaKid

quote:Originally posted by Vacman:Also, my only real complaint about the article was the opening sentence. I've had several people tell me that I should demand a retraction/appology because the reporter makes it sound like I was the one involved in the sordid business up there. My wife wants to sue for def. of character..... <sigh> At this point, I just am tired... so tired..... Really? I disagree. IMHO, the reporter was just trying to grab the reader's attention and never claimed that you did any wrongdoing. And the fact of the matter is that you WERE swept up in a lurid scheme involving sex, drugs, and crime. I'll admit he took a little liberty in adding the sex part, but the headline sentence of any article has to be enticing. Besides, do you honestly think that anyone read that article and made the assumption that you did something wrong? I just think the reporter was doing what he does best, sell newspapers. No harm done. --CoronaKid

Here's the article: http://www.dailybreeze.com/content/news/nmgeocache6.html The printed article is the front page feature and even included two nice pictures (one of which was a arrow made of stones pointing to my "Heart of Torrance" cache. Too cool! It's a great story and I'm glad that I could be a tiny part of it. Thanks again Vacman! --CoronaKid

Thanks for the challenge Vacman! I stuck out on my first attempt but I'll be back shortly. I guess the fugitive cache is hiding out a little better this time. --CoronaKid

I was just interviewed by the reporter for the geocaching article. Vacman was kind enough to mention me as another cacher he could talk to. It was a very straightforward interview and focused mostly on my experience with geocaching. He did mention that the police confiscation angle was intriguing but I have a feeling he'll still put a positive spin on geocaching. We shall see! --CoronaKid

quote:Originally posted by drat19:I heard a story in NC of a multi-cache where the first stage was on the cache owner's front lawn, there were a few other stages, and the final stage was around 100 miles away. If the cache owner was home, he'd secretly snap your picture processing stage 1, then he'd outrun you to the final stage, and when you got there you'd find your picture in the cache. I thought that was the coolest thing! -Dave R. in Biloxi Cool?? Perhaps, but I have to question the mentality of someone who would place one of the stages in his front lawn and then drive 100 miles just to put a picture of you in his cache. Sounds to me like he is lonely and needs to take a step back from fantasy land and back into the real world. On the other hand, he could just be an average guy who enjoys surprising people. Who knows which one this guy is , but after I watched the movie "One Hour Photo" with Robin Williams, I tend to lean toward the first scenario. --CoronaKid