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Here's something I thought I'd never see: An EarthCache Power Trail! I was checking the maps for new caches to hunt this weekend, and I came across a series of ten EarthCaches in one park. The distance between the two furthest is .5 mile. Two are at the exact same coordinates. One of my caching companions loves EarthCaches, so we'll probably hit these ths weekend. (Unless I can talk my caching companions into a series of regulars that I want to find soon...) Ten geologically interesting, and different, lessons in less than a mile? I know the area, and I'm a bit sceptical. Stay tuned for an update after the weekend (if I manage to talk my Geocaching companions into this one...)

In my (limited) experience, younger kids are not excited as much by finding something sneaky as by riffling through "treasure." On the other hand, once the local kids find out about the box of toys in the park, it's doomed. Besides counting, you could use colors. Or multiple choice. "If the bench is green, keep going straight ahead. If it is brown, turn left." You could put a simple jigsaw puzzle in the first or second stage. Put the puzzle together to see the coordinates. Or a photo of the final location. Treasure map? Maybe you could make it spy-themed. Talk about spy gadgets and tell them they are looking for something small that is a disguise, and what it can hold (the logbook).

Where did I say they are ONLY in it for that +1? You're reading things that aren't there. I said it makes it more interesting for people wanting a +1 to go caching in groups. Good for you! My experience comes from reading logs and THIS THREAD (and other threads). Yes, people are probably as friendly as anywhere else but as far as geocaching goes we're keeping to ourselves (a plus in these times ). We avoid events and avoid the new caches placed for events. Standing in line to write in the log is not my idea of fun. The few friends we have in geocaching we know a lot longer, they are radio amateurs that we see during club meetings and "on air" but geocaching is almost never a topic of conversation. No problem to have a talk when (and if) we come across other geocachers but we wouldn't call them "friends".

I've done a nerd nite talk before, but not on geocaching - though I was thinking about doing that. I'd say it would depend on your slant. You can do a 101-style teaching talk, focusing how it works and how to get started, or you could focus on the fun and adventures you can have while geocaching (sharing your love for it) such that you could inspire more people to look into it themselves But yeah, I'd start off broad - share your best or most talk-worthy experience to grab their attention, then move into why, then how. If you have info about high tech geocaches, I'd definitely include some of those (some German caches, night caching, UV/LED/IR/Beacon types, etc). Attempt a brief technical description of how GPS works, what devices have GPS, and why some brands are better than others. I'd end off tongue in cheek showing samples of the run-of-the-mill stuff that most people hate Good to end on a light note, so you could joke about LPCs perhaps That's how I'd structure it at least. I wouldn't come at it from an 'intro course' slant - in the NN atmosphere it may be apt to focus on entertaining more than educating (because geocaching!), while providing enough info to get started (and definitely inform that you'd be glad to help people get started if they want more info or to try it out themselves!) I only recommend entertain over educate because I see the NN environment as about sharing your passion, what it is you love about what you're talking about But ultimately, it's up to you!

When I log a find on a cache that involves climbing, be it a tree or on rocks, I'm not claiming to have climbed the thing, all I'm claiming is that I signed the cache's logbook. In fact I'll state quite clearly in my log that I used a ladder instead of picking my way up through the branches, or rope, a grabbing tool, an agile friend or a borrowed child. For the latter, there's a cache near here where the CO says on the cache page, "In order to find this cache you will have to be agile and non-claustrophobic. Or just talk one of the youngin's into doing the dirty work for you." After trying to squeeze into the narrow space and fearing I might become stuck, I instead took the CO's advice and used the services of a youngin.

Congratulations to Alfouine for determining the extraction point of CONTROL's top agents. Your hard work is much appreciated. You have been declared CONTROL's #4 Agent! The Chief would like to again thank Agent 72, CONTROL's #3 Agent for all his work in decoding the secret message from Max and 99. Outstanding job! For everyone else, here is the solution: Max and 99's profile; News Articles Posted. Use first letter of waymark title. Code uses what3words (geocaching toolbox can help) This is a secret message from CONTROL's top agents Max and Ninety Nine. KAOS is close. Tell the Chief we need extraction from Frogs Brain Water. End of message. Toyota accidentally hits bridal shop - OKC, OK Hearing aid company closes, owing customers money - OKC, OK In-crisis youth have safe place to ask for help with community partners - OKC, OK Seniors served by Mobile Meals - Edmond, OK In-and-Out Burger receives Excellent rating from health inspection - Tucson, AZ State google design finalist at Carl Albert Middle School - MWC, OK Angry Crab has new owner - Tucson, AZ Sheriff announces Logan County a 2nd Amendment Sanctuary County - Guthrie, OK Emergency childcare offered by YMCA to health care workers and first responders - Edmond, OK Christian Heritage Academy has a superfan! - Del City, OK Relatives fight to bury loved one at Ft. Lowell Cemetery - Tucson, AZ El Reno Cemetery graves damaged - El Reno, OK. Tiger Time helps students get ready for learning - OKC, OK Midwest City to temporarily close Senior Center to protect against Coronavirus - MWC, OK EPS provides free meals to kids during closure - Edmond, OK Spanish teacher at Carl Albert High School named teacher of the Month - Midwest City, OK Signs outside churches display different views on guns - OKC, OK Animal welfare accused of poor treatment of a dog in their care - OKC, OK Greek restaurant the target of theft - OKC, OK Everyone asked to leave 21c Museum Hotel for cleaning - OKC, OK Finance taught at Apollo Elementary - Bethany, OK Restaurants brace for economic impact of Coronavirus - OKC, OK OKC church holds college and career fair - OKC, OK Maker's Mark dinner raises money for The Center of Family Love - OKC, OK College counselor allegedly gave AP tests early - OKC, OK Old Paris Flea Market the site of a drive-by shooting - OKC, OK No one injured in car fire at On Cue - OKC, OK Thousands of dollars of product stolen from dispensary - Bethany, OK Restaurants you can support with takeout during the pandemic - Edmond, OK OKC Police talk man down from cell tower - OKC, OK Loved Bishop Moreno buried at Holy Hope Cemetery - Tucson, AZ Sale of GFF Foods in Moore - Moore, OK The story behind Goldie the Robot - Tuscaloosa, AL One dead at SW OKC gun range - OKC, OK Piedmont girl asks for donations to hospital instead of birthday gifts - Bethany, OK All SWOSU classes to be held online - Weatherford, OK Group voices concerns over 5G technology - OKC, OK Elementary students who will run to remember receive a gift - OKC, OK New medical treatment helps woman with breast cancer illness - OKC, OK Truck and chains used in attempted theft of ATM - OKC, OK Soldier surprises daughter at Mustang school - Mustang, OK Medical Center needs volunteers to sew face masks - Stillwater, OK A Kerr Middle teacher is back in the classroom after using a racial slur - Del City, OK Xrays and other non emergency imaging postponed at Mercy Clinics - OKC, OK Authorities need help identifying man who stole from a metro pharmacy - OKC, OK New indoor play area in OKC - Oklahoma City, OK DHS urging daycares to remain open - OKC, OK No membership fees at Spontaneity Kid Care for First Responders - OKC, OK Investigators need help identifying suspect in credit union robbery - OKC, OK Nature Center at Martin Park and OKC Rec Centers to close during pandemic - OKC, OK Employees of Love's getting raises and bonuses - OKC, OK Those who served honored at Dorset Memory Care - OKC, OK Youth offered free day camp during teacher walkout - Edmond, OK New carpet and renovation for Woods Memorial Library - Tucson, AZ Investigation into Dove Charter Schools - OKC, OK News 9 practicing social distancing - OKC, OK Exercise workouts offered online amid Coronavirus - Edmond, OK KOCO names Coyle math teacher "Teacher of the Month" - Coyle, OK Alleged fight over parking spot leads to shooting - OKC, OK Oro Valley Library now county run - Oro Valley, AZ Sioux City man is riding a new Harley around town - Sioux City, IA Importance of new Sunday liquor sales discussed - Moore, OK Stop signs near James L. Dennis Elementary to stay - OKC, OK Covid-19 testing could be expanded by private labs - OKC, OK Large fire at Fox Building Supply - OKC, OK OKC Memorial Marathon date change affects runners - Edmond, OK Shots fired at Buy for Less - OKC, OK Eight city manager of Bethany in three years to resign - Bethany, OK Teacher at Wellston School arrested - Wellston, OK Employee who was fired threatens nursing home - OKC, OK Loaded gun stolen from a customer's car - OKC, OK Last Frontier Council won't be affected by BSA bankruptcy filing - OKC, OK The Lodge at Brookline implementing sanitization stations for visitors - OKC, OK Himalayan restaurant to open - Stillwater, OK Employee refuses to speak native language so customer ransacks store - OKC, OK Crossings Community Church to close campuses amid coronavirus - OKC, OK Homes destroyed by Langston fire - Langston, OK Impersonating a cop at Tumbleweed gets man arrested - Stillwater, OK Early morning discovery of body at ULM - Monroe, Louisiana Fire at Summerfield Apartments - OKC, OK Washing facilities lacking at Putnam City High School - OKC, OK Earlywine parents receive email about possible exposure to coronavirus - Moore, OK No plans to close, says University of Alabama - Tuscaloosa, AL Education a focus at Lost Creek Safari - Stillwater, OK EMT dies from injuries received in motorcycle accident - OKC, OK Del Taco coming to Stillwater - Stillwater, OK Edmond school board approved Heritage expansion - Edmond, OK Xeriscape Garden created at Edmond park - Edmond, OK Tulsa University moves to online classes - Tulsa, OK Red Dog Saloon bouncer is stabbed - OKC, OK A stabbing victim was dumped at Guthrie Hospital - Guthrie, OK Coronavirus concerns has local pharmacies out of supplies - OKC, OK Thelma Parks Elementary students show their Black History Month projects - OKC, OK Igloo dining experience available at Dominion House - Guthrie, OK Oklahoma City Blvd. causing confusion for drivers - OKC, OK National championship earned by Southmoore Pom - Moore, OK Families of homicide victims applaud decision to resume executions - OKC, OK Robbery at Metro Family Dollar - OKC, OK Oldest Catholic School in Oklahoma might be closing - Guthrie, OK Major developments coming to the downtown area - Edmond, OK Freak accident takes the life of a Lexington student - Lexington, OK Recruiter for OC fired after activity at Harding Charter Preparatory High School - OKC, OK Officer of school PTA investigated - Norman, OK Gas powered saw used to break into Best Buy - Moore, OK School Principal leaving after 17 years at Jackson Elementary - Norman, OK Bill would allow the state to withhold funds from cities that don't follow federal immigration laws - Norman, OK Residents frustrated by Paycom traffic - OKC, OK Artwork installed at Little River Park - Moore, OK Instruments donated to OKC Middle School - OKC, OK NASA's Name the Rover contest finalist at Norman High School - Norman, OK Water tank repainting to cause temporary lane closure at Baumann and Ayers - Edmond, OK Alfredo's hosts fundraiser for Autism - Moore, OK There are many Little Free Libraries in Tucson! - Tucson, AZ Employee at Crest Foods wins over customers with his smile - Norman, OK Restaurant VZD to host Dr. Jill Biden's campaign stop for Joe Biden - OKC, OK Employees at Church's Chicken robbed at gunpoint - OKC, OK Norman Library uses brigade to transfer books - Norman, OK Drivers be aware of resurfacing on Lexington Bridge - Lexington, OK Oklahoma's Tulsa Race Massacre history to be presented at Downtown Library - OKC, OK First Field Office for Pete for America to open in OKC - Oklahoma City, OK Michael Bloomberg to hold campaign event in OKC - Oklahoma City, OK Elizabeth Warren supporter Ashley Judd holds a meet-and-greet at Classen Coffee Co. - OKC, OK School next to 5G Cell Tower raises concerns - Edmond, OK Scratch Kitchen asks customers to not open carry - Norman, OK Artist creates mural to honor Kobe Bryant - OKC, OK Get a Kolby Donut at Hurts Donut - OKC, OK Evergreen Cemetery holds annual memorial service for the homeless - Tucson, AZ

When local cachers talk about completing the Fizzy Challenge, or the Jasmer Challenge, or the DeLorme Challenge, or any other challenge, they generally don't talk about finding the challenge cache. They talk about the last cache they found for the challenge itself: the remote cache with a rare difficulty-terrain combination, one of the last surviving caches hidden in a particular month almost 10 years ago, the lonely cache in a remote corner of the state, whatever. That's the finish line. They talk about finding the challenge cache too, but they talk about it as a celebration of competing the challenge. I think the "victory lap" or "awards banquet" analogies work very well. Maybe things are different in your area. Maybe the cachers in your area consider finding the challenge cache itself to be the completion of the challenge. But that isn't what I've observed.

A lot of talk about what people keep in their bags, but what is your bag? What to you makes a good bag for geocaching gear?

That's pretty unrealistic both for me personally and for new cachers (even if they are extrovert and dare to write such notes). In my case, I would not end up with going for the hike with the people I'd like to talk to. If the hike is the official event, then there is at least some effort at least for a while to adapt the pace to slower ones. If I asked for a group hike, certainly not those I'd like to talk to would make an offer as they are so much faster than myself. If the official part of the event is the sitting around at the hut (or somewhere else), the argument will be if someone wants to talk to them, this someone can do that there, but I simply do not enjoy such type of situations. I do not care at all about smileys. My frustration comes from an entirely different direction. Oh, you didn't? There is a big difference between disapproving something/someone and not warmly welcoming it/someone. Also my statement about lame attended logs is not based on disapproving and is a weaker statement. Being someone for whom attended and found it is somehow something of the type mission accomplished (that's why I have chosen to wrote a number of notes for caches where I signed the log book), I cannot help to regard attended logs for a 2 minute visit or a visit to a hiking event without hike as lame. I do not claim to speak for everyone (not even for anyone except myself) and I have often stressed that I belong to a minority. In some cases I wrote about my personal preferences and opinions (and mentioned so) and in some cases I wrote about opinions of others I got to know or felt the need to defend the German geocaching community (sometimes continental European community in other contexts) which consists of many individuals of which only a small number writes arm chair logs. Many of the attacks with respect to German cachers are unfair. I see it as a change and not as a clarification. Apparently you do not understand my point. I will give up.

My comment was not made at Rutson/Yorks, and I apologise if others took it the wrong way. My point is that isn't there enough caching forums already? IMHO It's defragmenting this forum and I for one have enough caching sites/forums to log into already. Can't these splinter groups be incorporated into separate topics here? We could end up with one for each area/county/city at this rate! Jon Like this maybe ? But as its been asked of the TPTB before i guess it will get as far as the counties request or the mega cache request or many other non USA centric requests on this site Great Plains Talk Geocaching in Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, and South Dakota. Forum Led by: Electric Mouse 592 2,964 Yesterday, 04:12 PM Midwest Talk Geocaching in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, and Wisconsin. Forum Led by: *gln, WGA, CYBret 1,648 15,905 Today, 11:10 AM New England Talk Geocaching in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. Forum Led by: NJ Admin 1,994 20,509 Today, 02:39 AM Northeast Talk Geocaching in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington, DC, and West Virginia. Forum Led by: Keystone, NJ Admin 3,643 41,642 Today, 05:02 AM Northwest Talk Geocaching in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming. Forum Led by: Moun10Bike, Team Misguided, MT Fellwalker 2,979 51,466 Today, 10:56 AM South and Southeast Talk Geocaching in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas. Forum Led by: Crow T Robot, KY Admin, Max Cacher 2,351 13,367 Today, 05:18 AM West and Southwest Talk Geocaching in Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah. Forum Led by: Hemlock, Moose Mob 2,150 53,541 Today, 06:32 AM

I don't judge COs for their reasons for planting a cache. Object if the cache is low quality, sure, but don't complain just because the CO's motives aren't pure enough for you. But, above all, talk to the CO. That will be much more fruitful in many ways than talking about it here.

Well put. The terrain rating can mean whether someone takes an unnecessary risk or avoids the unnecessary risk, so it's important that the terrain is rated as accurately as possible. Some people get bogged down in arguing what does half a star matter. Exactly what does half a star mean, or on some lower rated caches even sometimes a star. If in doubt, rate it higher. In lower rated caches it can be subjective. But when the terrain gets to risky levels, it needs to be as accurate as possible. Not long ago I faced one of those ledge problems you mentioned below a cliff. This one marked rather low at only 2T. Alone as I was, it would have been possible suicide to try to lie down and lean over and reach it that way, if I could even reach it, as there was a high chance of me slipping off head first. From below, after getting down a steep (but doable) incline though scratchy bushes it was way beyond my reach. Fortunately for me (not the logs) the cache was temporally in a plastic bag as someone had nicked the cache container, and I was able to hook it down with a long stick. If it had been in its original ammunition tin I'm not sure how I would have been able to get it down. Likely not. It took two visits to find this cache, but it was a 2001 cache, so that increased my determination, as it is increasing many other people's determination. My logs. I attempted this twice. Didn't find it I really wanted to find this one. My first approach came to a place which I knew I could get down, but wasn't sure I could get up again. I was about to give up then, but I wandered on a bit further (I really wanted this one) and found a way I could get up as well as down. Then I searched on several levels, but frustratingly couldn't find it. I was also late for dinner, so I had to leave. (And I did arrive late for dinner.) I hope to get another opportunity to search here. DNF . Found it I returned to have another attempt at finding this old cache, and found it this attempt . But wow, hard work. I would rate this 3.5T, maybe even 4T. Definitely NOT a mere 2T. There is also the scramble about trying to find the cache that adds to the difficulty. I brought a stool to stand on, but ended up only using it to peer into the wrong ledges and holes, with my hand above me holding a mirror to look in those spaces. Finally I spotted the cache from above, but being by myself I would not attempt to retrieve it from there. I returned back below down the slope through scratchy bushes and I heaved myself onto a wet ledge giving me a wet behind and managed to retrieve the cache with a stick. I threw it back. Some very tall people apparently can reach (but would need to be extremely tall), but I'm only about average height. Sadly, someone has stolen the cache and left the log books in no more than a ripped plastic bag. One log in particular is very wet. I removed soaked leaflets and junk and took them away to dispose of. I supplied the only plastic bag I had with me. It doesn't seal though..... .....So pleased to change that to . The log following mine I thought a great log. It also demonstrates that people do judge a cache and what to expect on the rating given. Found it The closer you get to completing a challenge, the more determined you become in not only seeking out qualifiers but also the efforts you go to find them. Only recently realising this oldie was close-ish and a reasonable D/T, made the 80km roundtrip detour on my way home from a family function over the weekend to tick off my third last Ausmer month (or 7th last Jasmer). The walk from car to GZ matched the D/T expectations but the last few metres was where the “fun/insanity” of doing this solo kicked in. Had overheard a friend talk about “coming from the top/bottom” but only realised once onsite I was going to struggle with either option. Even with thunder now growing louder in the valley, I was determined not to leave without a find and cautiously positioned myself to confirm a likely spot with a mirror. Apparently the missing container was replaced the following day but today luck was on my side as the log books were still currently in a double zip lock bag and the Macgyver in me, worked out a way of hooking a stick into a torn section and gently manoeuvring them to within reach. Signing duties completed, I carefully balanced prostrate in the mud and loose leaf litter once more (following torrential rain last week) and returned the bagged logbooks to their shelter (and without the TBs I’d intended to drop). Caught my breath, checked for leeches, assessed scratches then made my way back to the car to wipe myself down, even considering changing clothes, just as the rain started to teem down. Again, timing was everything!

Nobody said you could ask for the guidelines to be changed. They just said don't break the guidelines. Wait until the change. Why is that so hard for you to understand. Totem what is it you don't understand that rules never change unless someone brings it up or does something to get them changed I hear you saying that things don't change unless you talk about it, and I understand that. I even agree with you on that. I have been in agreement with you on that the whole time. You don't seem to be able to comprehend what I'm saying. Yes, it is good to talk about things like this. If the guidelines change I might hide one even. Who knows. What I'm trying to say, and you keep ignoring or avoiding it, is that UNTIL the guidelines change stakes are not proper caches. It's that simple. Please don't tell that I'm not willing to talk about this change or that I don't understand about rules changes. When you do you it just prove that you are not listening and that this is not a disscusion, but rather one person holding their breath and throwing a fit because they don't like the way things are now. I am avoiding it because it is a mote question and answer. How do we get the Guidelines changed? we talk about it? we discuss the merits of it. We get noticed by the rule Changers. We all know what you are saying that YES They are illegal now but it does not mean we have to keep mum until someone magically out of the blue, changes the rules. Changing rules is usually an uphill battle and we have to start somewhere and what better place to start then on Groundspeaks Forums. Best of luck, but please understand that you are never going to see this happen. Your efforts might be better utilized creating actual geocache containers. Groundspeak has spent the last six years getting out of the "container-less" cache business. With the exception of Events and Earthcaches, a cache has to have a container and the container has to contain a log. The Chances of Groundspeak doing a complete turn around because someone wants to leave random objects across the landscape and call them caches, and others want to drive around finding them and pretending that they are finding caches, is slim to none. I will take the slim chance as all rules have been known to change

Nobody said you could ask for the guidelines to be changed. They just said don't break the guidelines. Wait until the change. Why is that so hard for you to understand. Totem what is it you don't understand that rules never change unless someone brings it up or does something to get them changed I hear you saying that things don't change unless you talk about it, and I understand that. I even agree with you on that. I have been in agreement with you on that the whole time. You don't seem to be able to comprehend what I'm saying. Yes, it is good to talk about things like this. If the guidelines change I might hide one even. Who knows. What I'm trying to say, and you keep ignoring or avoiding it, is that UNTIL the guidelines change stakes are not proper caches. It's that simple. Please don't tell that I'm not willing to talk about this change or that I don't understand about rules changes. When you do you it just prove that you are not listening and that this is not a disscusion, but rather one person holding their breath and throwing a fit because they don't like the way things are now. I am avoiding it because it is a mote question and answer. How do we get the Guidelines changed? we talk about it? we discuss the merits of it. We get noticed by the rule Changers. We all know what you are saying that YES They are illegal now but it does not mean we have to keep mum until someone magically out of the blue, changes the rules. Changing rules is usually an uphill battle and we have to start somewhere and what better place to start then on Groundspeaks Forums. Best of luck, but please understand that you are never going to see this happen. Your efforts might be better utilized creating actual geocache containers. Groundspeak has spent the last six years getting out of the "container-less" cache business. With the exception of Events and Earthcaches, a cache has to have a container and the container has to contain a log. The Chances of Groundspeak doing a complete turn around because someone wants to leave random objects across the landscape and call them caches, and others want to drive around finding them and pretending that they are finding caches, is slim to none.

Nobody said you could ask for the guidelines to be changed. They just said don't break the guidelines. Wait until the change. Why is that so hard for you to understand. Totem what is it you don't understand that rules never change unless someone brings it up or does something to get them changed I hear you saying that things don't change unless you talk about it, and I understand that. I even agree with you on that. I have been in agreement with you on that the whole time. You don't seem to be able to comprehend what I'm saying. Yes, it is good to talk about things like this. If the guidelines change I might hide one even. Who knows. What I'm trying to say, and you keep ignoring or avoiding it, is that UNTIL the guidelines change stakes are not proper caches. It's that simple. Please don't tell that I'm not willing to talk about this change or that I don't understand about rules changes. When you do you it just prove that you are not listening and that this is not a disscusion, but rather one person holding their breath and throwing a fit because they don't like the way things are now. I am avoiding it because it is a mote question and answer. How do we get the Guidelines changed? we talk about it? we discuss the merits of it. We get noticed by the rule Changers. We all know what you are saying that YES They are illegal now but it does not mean we have to keep mum until someone magically out of the blue, changes the rules. Changing rules is usually an uphill battle and we have to start somewhere and what better place to start then on Groundspeaks Forums. Thank you for finnaly listing to me and agreeing with my original point instead of stupidly wasting your time and mine. I listened to you but I also ignored the obvious but to satisfy you I directly answered it.

Nobody said you could ask for the guidelines to be changed. They just said don't break the guidelines. Wait until the change. Why is that so hard for you to understand. Totem what is it you don't understand that rules never change unless someone brings it up or does something to get them changed I hear you saying that things don't change unless you talk about it, and I understand that. I even agree with you on that. I have been in agreement with you on that the whole time. You don't seem to be able to comprehend what I'm saying. Yes, it is good to talk about things like this. If the guidelines change I might hide one even. Who knows. What I'm trying to say, and you keep ignoring or avoiding it, is that UNTIL the guidelines change stakes are not proper caches. It's that simple. Please don't tell that I'm not willing to talk about this change or that I don't understand about rules changes. When you do you it just prove that you are not listening and that this is not a disscusion, but rather one person holding their breath and throwing a fit because they don't like the way things are now. I am avoiding it because it is a mote question and answer. How do we get the Guidelines changed? we talk about it? we discuss the merits of it. We get noticed by the rule Changers. We all know what you are saying that YES They are illegal now but it does not mean we have to keep mum until someone magically out of the blue, changes the rules. Changing rules is usually an uphill battle and we have to start somewhere and what better place to start then on Groundspeaks Forums. Thank you for finnaly listing to me and agreeing with my original point instead of stupidly wasting your time and mine.

Nobody said you could ask for the guidelines to be changed. They just said don't break the guidelines. Wait until the change. Why is that so hard for you to understand. Totem what is it you don't understand that rules never change unless someone brings it up or does something to get them changed I hear you saying that things don't change unless you talk about it, and I understand that. I even agree with you on that. I have been in agreement with you on that the whole time. You don't seem to be able to comprehend what I'm saying. Yes, it is good to talk about things like this. If the guidelines change I might hide one even. Who knows. What I'm trying to say, and you keep ignoring or avoiding it, is that UNTIL the guidelines change stakes are not proper caches. It's that simple. Please don't tell that I'm not willing to talk about this change or that I don't understand about rules changes. When you do you it just prove that you are not listening and that this is not a disscusion, but rather one person holding their breath and throwing a fit because they don't like the way things are now. I am avoiding it because it is a mote question and answer. How do we get the Guidelines changed? we talk about it? we discuss the merits of it. We get noticed by the rule Changers. We all know what you are saying that YES They are illegal now but it does not mean we have to keep mum until someone magically out of the blue, changes the rules. Changing rules is usually an uphill battle and we have to start somewhere and what better place to start then on Groundspeaks Forums.

I have set up three Geocaches to talk about Benchmarking. I even made benchmarks for containers (you can get a better look at what I did at this cache.. Let me know if there is anything you think I should add to any of the three. I will make some more containers and plant some Benchmark UnChallenges to continue the trail along that dirt road they are on. HtBMS 1: Benchmarking Basics - KCC PBCC HtBMS 2: Benchmarking Sites & Apps - KCC PBCC HtBMS 3: Benchmarking Advanced Tips - KCC PBCC

Sure, what do you want to talk about?

If a wife or girlfriend has ever rolled her eyes when you talk about Benchmarking, you might be interested in this BBC-TV series from a few years back. It centers on a couple of quirky metal detecting hobbyists who take their activity oh so seriously as they roam the scenic countryside around their lovely village. Their search for a big treasure payday more likely turns up a modern one-pound coin or a beer can pull tab than a stash of Saxon gold, and not everyone gets their passionate involvement in detecting business. I'm finding it a refreshing change from nonstop pandemic news. Also, no one does quirky like the Brits. I've been watching on Acorn TV, but it may be available on other platforms, too. Cheers! ArtMan PS: fans of the wonderful 1960s British series The Avengers will want to know that Diana Rigg appears in some of the later shows, but not in the first season.

If you are unsure about the safety of geocachers and other traffic participants make contact to the owner and tell him (or her). It is possible that he (or she) hasn't thoguth about that and maybe will archive the cache or move it to a safer place. If the owner knows a good way to log the cache safely for everyone (!) you might ask him (or her) to write this into the listing. Perhaps adding some trailheads will help. And if the owner doesn't react at all or says "f.... u I don't care" you might log "needs archived" if you still think that it's a dangerous hide. Most geocaches will take the log (+1 point) and stay quiet. Looking away is no solution so get active! The owner is always the first person to talk to....

One done only a couple years after starting (and the other 2/3rds was a FTF monster), was supposed to be at a kid's "Grandma's house". - "She can't wait to talk to people! ". So apparently we're there for her amusement as well... Six in the morning, 2/3rds searching along a hedge at the sidewalk and finds it. A man comes out, asking her what the #$** is she doing, she tells him, and he directs her next door, where the kid's Grandma lives. The container was given to "Grandma", and now she really had to watch and talk to people, until the kid got outta school. Sheesh...

I was hoping that Groundspeak would talk about the Blue Switch Day souvenir in today's newsletter. But no newsletter! Edit: I just got the newsletter, almost 2 hours later than usual. Nothing new regarding the souvenir.

Not quite true. Groundspeak actively pushes the FTF prize on a very regular basis as one of the benefits of buying premium membership. They talk about it in mailings, sure. But they never talk about rules. They just say it's when you find "that clean, unsigned logbook...". And that's just external affairs/outreach talk--show me where Groundspeak outlines anything specific about a FTF "prize" (especially in the guidelines, or with an official mention or validity with, say, a statistic on your profile) beyond mention in some emails. Back to my popcorn. The terms of use indicate that while Groundspeak provides a service where individuals can exchange information about games and opportunities for location-based play, Groundspeak does not provide any games itself as part of its services. (I'm not sure the HQ cache or the Block Party event are?) Certainly Groundspeak can suggest games and ways to play. These are suggestions and a few requirements/guidelines that restrict certain games from being listed (or sometimes even mentioned) on their websites. Groundspeak is also free to provide premium services to support games and game play. FTF is clearly a game that can be mentioned on Groundspeak's sites. From time to time they may suggest ways to play this game and point out that their premium service can be useful for this style of play. But the actual 'rules' and game play are left to individuals to decide on. Threads like this one start because someone wants to apply their personal rules to how others play this game. They often degrade to where someone who don't want to play this game at all wants to make FTF simply a label to describe some other aspect of geocaching. While is is fun to debate what constitutes a find either for the purpose of deciding who is first or when to use 'Found' for your online log, Groundspeak's president has posted Even though there might be an FTF prize, or a cache owner may award a mention on the cache page to the FTF, there's still no reason to get your knickers in a twist about anyone else's definition of a find.

Not quite true. Groundspeak actively pushes the FTF prize on a very regular basis as one of the benefits of buying premium membership. They talk about it in mailings, sure. But they never talk about rules. They just say it's when you find "that clean, unsigned logbook...". And that's just external affairs/outreach talk--show me where Groundspeak outlines anything specific about a FTF "prize" (especially in the guidelines, or with an official mention or validity with, say, a statistic on your profile) beyond mention in some emails. Back to my popcorn.