I Give Up, I Quit!

[+golfdiva]

Right? There isn't really any caches out there!

 

Ok, I found the first one by accident, that's how I got started, so I really do believe in caches, but I'm about to give up too!

 

I tried a couple near my home yesterday. I realized I needed to search around as the coordinates aren't totally accurate. It was in a field where there wasn't many places to hide. I search for an hour...no luck.

 

I tried another one nearby, searched for an hour... no luck.

 

The next day I brought hubby along to the second one, still no luck.

 

We both tried a nearby third one, but there was no way we were going to crawl through those brambles! ( We tried approaching from a couple of different directions.)

 

We went home frustrated and dissillusioned. Guess we just aren't cut out for this hobby. (anyone want to buy a slightly used gps?)

[+webscouter.]

I would guess that you have the wrong datum set on your GPS. Don't give up on caching just yet. Ask around your local forums to see if you can get a mentor.

 

What kind of GPS do you have. I might be able to help if I know that.

[+TeamAO]

Right? There isn't really any caches out there!

 

Ok, I found the first one by accident, that's how I got started, so I really do believe in caches, but I'm about to give up too!

 

I tried a couple near my home yesterday. I realized I needed to search around as the coordinates aren't totally accurate. It was in a field where there wasn't many places to hide. I search for an hour...no luck.

 

I tried another one nearby, searched for an hour... no luck.

 

The next day I brought hubby along to the second one, still no luck.

 

We both tried a nearby third one, but there was no way we were going to crawl through those brambles! ( We tried approaching from a couple of different directions.)

 

We went home frustrated and dissillusioned. Guess we just aren't cut out for this hobby. (anyone want to buy a slightly used gps?)

My first couple caches I went to hell and back trying to find without luck. Sometimes you need a local veteran to take you under their wing and show you the "basics of finding a cache once you get to the destination".

[+Prime Suspect]

Darn it! They're on to us! They've found out that there actually aren't any caches, and it's all a big hoax.

 

Okay. Just look straight into the red light. This won't hurt a bit....

 

[+Team Cotati]

Bowling.

[+EraSeek]

Darn right it's a snipe hunt! I once flushed a Wilson's Snipe while hunting a cache! Way cool!

[nobby.nobbs]

if you really wanted to quit you'd not have bothered with this thread.

 

keep at it, check the datum on gps. find some local experience to help you. take a walking stick and or gardening gloves with you for the brambles. keep at it. you'll see the benefits.

[+geckoboy49]

Hey, I'm new to this game too. Found my first cache on the first attempt and felt pretty proud of myself until I failed to locate the next three. Read the logs on caches you couldn't locate for more hints and go back. Often, the perspective changes and voila! there it is. Also (and I'm hardly experienced at this point) the more you do it, the better you get at spotting likely hides. Trust the hints, most of them are clever and quite useful but seem a bit opaque at first.

 

Cheers,

[+IV_Warrior]

I saw on your profile that you're from Michigan. Give these guys a yell, and I'll bet someone would be willing to come along caching with you and give you some pointers.

 

Michigan Geocaching Organization

[+Bear Paughs]

I'm still very new at this, and I can tell you that as a beginner the hardest thing is often figuring out what exactly it is you're looking for. The containers can be very tricky! I suggest picking out those with the lowest difficulty rating at first, and preferably those that are regular and large sized caches to get a feel for navigating to the cache and searching. Look for UPS -- Unusual Pile of Sticks/Stones and carefully examine the bases of trees and in bushes. You may just have to go into the brambles.

 

As others have mentioned, make sure you have the correct datum and other settings on your GPSr. If you don't have the latest version of software on it (you can check on the manufacturer's website) then downloading the most current to your receiver may also improve accuracy.

 

I love the idea of asking for someone to show you the ropes. When I started I think I would have been mortified at the thought of asking someone to help like this, but now that I've had some interaction with the community I can tell you there would definitely be some wonderful people who wouldn't blink an eye before offering their assistance. The cachers I've met through these boards and the locals with whom I've exchanged emails have all been wonderful and very helpful.

 

Good luck! (And don't forget to let us know how it goes!)

[+hidegoseek]

It's not as frustrating as golf. And often I can't find my tee shot with or without a GPSr.

[+Robespierre]

Oooh, Grand Rapids. I used to live in Hastings and shop in GR, and shopping for books for my Pastor's Library is greaat in GR. So since I've been to your place alreaady, you come on down and cache in Crawford County and I'll guarantee you some finds!! (there was no such thing as geocaching in those days, so I didn't up there)

[+bigdog999]

Word of advice, start with difficulty #1 caches until you build up your confidence. Those are usually the easiest to find. Stay away from micros until you're ready, they can be real frustrating.

[+LiveStrong]

Hey, don't worry my first couple of time out there was not fun at all. After you find a couple geocaching becomes a lot more easier. Keep at it, it is a lot of fun.

[+badlands]

My first find was a large ammo can next to a log. I had to accidentally step on it to find it. Now I actually see spider webs across the trail before I accidentally eat the ugly arachnids. A little experience helps.

 

It’s always fun going out with a new cacher and watching them circle endlessly [or as long as they want to look before giving them a clue] looking for something you’ve seen a hundred feet off.

 

On the flip side, I’ve got one albatross that I’ve hunted seven times (and counting), took a newbie there and the newb’ found it in 20 minutes and then sat back and had a good chuckle as I continued to stumble around. (I didn’t want any hints so I still haven’t found that one – but I will )

 

It gets easier……start with a few 1/1 type caches until you get used to it and find an experienced cacher to go with (try posting in the regional forum).

 

Good luck.

[+TotemLake]

Six weeks to find. So don't feel bad about a couple of hours.

[+badlands]

My albatross Roselawn Micro

 

Seven visits and counting

[+treasure_hunter]

Dont give up so easily. It too great of a sport to give up so quick. You need to contact one of the local cachers in your area and ask them to go out on a few trips with you to help you get started, me and my father have offered this experience to a few new local cachers. Dont give in, keep trying.

[+deimos444]

Spider webs! I dodged two of them just today.

I also had to forgo a cache because as near as I could determine it was in the middle of a bunch of new growth poison oak.

I was barely able to keep Ghost Dog out of it.

The other day or days I went back to the coordinates listed three times before I found the cache literally within 3 or 4 feet of where it should have been.

Don't give up.

Are you using the goto function on your GPSr?

If not, start.

This was one of my initial mistakes.

[+hikemeister]

Do you mean there really aren't snipes?

[+webscouter.]

Of course there are snipes.

 

http://www.mbr-pwrc.usgs.gov/id/framlst/i2300id.html

[+werethehekowie]

Just remember that many caches bring you to places that you would not ever find alone. Sometimes historic, or just beautifull places. To help with your frustration you might like to check out "Buxleys" site. Many virtual caches that can be done spontaneously.

[+FourRiverRatz]

gave up after an hour?? oh man..I am new but must be stubborn. last week it took me two and a half hours to find a difficulty 2...but I wasn't leaving until I tracked it down. The week before I worked on a 3 and a half one for three and a half hours, and ended up going and picking my husband up from work and making him come with me to help. He narrowed it down within 45 mintues and we got it!! Hand in there and give it time to click.

[+ZingerHead]

Of course, the flipside of getting "better" at caching is that you will then try harder and harder caches to push yourself. I spent two long Saturdays hunting this monster. And in a strange and inexplicable way, it was a lot of fun.

[+Allen_L]

Do you mean there really aren't snipes?

Of course there are snipes.

 

Here is a picture of one.

[+WhatsRNutts]

I have found all of 38 since June 15 and I can garuntee that I have searched for a LOT more 45 so far... sometimes they are just a little better hid than I thought. I still try to stick to the easier finds and everynow dabble into the harder ones only to be shot down. one of these days they won't out smart me!

[+Miragee]

I take my Palm with me and often use the hint, and many times review the Past Logs to get the tip that will send me in the right direction.

 

Yesterday I forgot my Palm when I left my house.

 

That was an interesting experience. I had quite a few DNFs, but was pleasantly pleased to find some that were very small and deviously-hidden.

 

I don't recommend that method. Use whatever you can so you can find the cache. With the price of gas, I don't want to have to revisit an area again.

[+ohgrl]

Golfdiva...check your private messages...Kalamazoo cachere here, I would be willing to head out on a couple with you

[+CompuCash]

gave up after an hour?? oh man..I am new but must be stubborn. last week it took me two and a half hours to find a difficulty 2...but I wasn't leaving until I tracked it down. The week before I worked on a 3 and a half one for three and a half hours, and ended up going and picking my husband up from work and making him come with me to help. He narrowed it down within 45 mintues and we got it!! Hand in there and give it time to click.

 

Man! you got more persistance that I do!

 

I have been know to stick to one for 30-40 minutes.

 

I have been at it for over a year and some 220 caches found.

 

Got to hand it to you - you have some kind of record there I think.

 

cc\

[+blindleader]

I had a snipe once. It was a lot bigger than the ones in this thread so far.

 

Like this:

 

[+golfdiva]

Thanks for all the replies! (Lmao about the snipes!)

 

I have a brand new Garmin etrek Legend. The datum is correct

 

One of the caches I looked for twice was found the next day! (so it was there, it was just me!)

 

I will try finding someone to take me along and teach me some ropes. Maybe that will help.

 

(Team Cotati - I do bowling too! lol)

[+Team Cotati]

Thanks for all the replies! (Lmao about the snipes!)

 

I have a brand new Garmin etrek Legend. The datum is correct

 

One of the caches I looked for twice was found the next day! (so it was there, it was just me!)

 

I will try finding someone to take me along and teach me some ropes. Maybe that will help.

 

(Team Cotati - I do bowling too! lol)

What kind of ropes do you think that they will be teaching you?

[+danewillow]

We also have a Garmin Etrek Legend. It jumps around a lot when we get close to the coordinates. When we get down to around 20 feet we stop, look around. Usually we spot a hollow or fallen tree, pile of something. We're pretty new too. Our first few finds, we were crashing through the brush more than we needed to. We learned to stay on the trail and we usually find a better spot to get to the cache. Notice I said usually. We still find some that leave us wondering why the hider had to put the cache that far into the brush. I realize you have to hide them so nobody just stumbles onto them but nobody is going to stumble that far!

[+WhatsRNutts]

I have had a legend for 2 weeks now I think...I can't say it is better than my magellan because they both have strengths and weaknesses... the magellans major weakness was that I couldn't connect it to the computer. So I sold it to my mom... it is now her first GPS

[wanda texas]

DONT GIVE UP....i consider myself new still...

 

try this...i had to do this fnally to see if the stupid thing was working....i went down the road ...turned....turned...turned...and pulled into a parking spot at the grocery store and wrote down the coordinates for it...then went back home....put in the waypoint and said GOTO and followed it back to te parking spot...it worked...

 

as everyone says do a level 1/1 to start with...and preferably one without trees or coverage..

 

i had found my first cache without a gps unit...so when i was getting frustrated i couldnt find anything i went back to that one but it had been washed away in the flooding and more frustration...

 

one i tried for was a 3..lots of trees....it took me about 5 tries to finally find it and lots of bloodshed....i was reading the gps wrong....i THOUGHT that .10 (point one zero) meant 10 FEET...but it wasnt that....so i learned what point one zero meant...and that the gps does go into feet eventually..hhehehehe

 

another one i tried for 3 times was in tree coverage and i got "lost" in the wooded area and went in circles and shed blood (you loose alot ot it doing this) and all logs after i was there said..easy find, quick grab, easy find etc so i gave it one last shot and i knew how to read the numbers now on the gps and i went right to it with no bloodshed and no getting lost....

 

so start easy and definitely use the hints...and pick ones with very little tree coverage....

 

i have been taken to some nice places i never knew existed around here..and without geocaching i would never have seen the areas...

 

happy hunting

wanda texas

[+El Diablo]

one i tried for was a 3..lots of trees....it took me about 5 tries to finally find it and lots of bloodshed....i was reading the gps wrong....i THOUGHT that .10 (point one zero) meant 10 FEET...but it wasnt that....so i learned what point one zero meant...and that the gps does go into feet eventually..hhehehehe

 

Too funny!!

 

El Diablo

[TexRN]

Im pretty new to this also, dont give up there are a few that i still cant find. I only have found 5 but it is just fun to try.

[+RockyRaab]

I'm closing in on 100 finds - probably hit that number in the next week. And I just asked a cacher for an extra hint this week. It's for a level 4 nano - probably about the size of a medicine capsule. When I can't find a cache, I just make a quick salute to the hider. Then I vow to get super devious with my next hide, HA HA HA!

 

As the others ssay, read the "Finding your first cache" hints on the main geocache.com page, try for a few level 1 hides first, and don't rush the GPS unit - let it settle down when you get within 50 feet or so. Look around while it does, and you'll soon be seeing them!

[+ohgrl]

Just for the record...she hasn't given up...she went to Michigan Geocaching web site and got numerous offers of help!! We will make sure she gets the hang of it

[TookDadAlong]

Don't be afraid to take a look at some of the maps! I found my first 5 caches without GPS, using the maps alone!

[+FourRiverRatz]

I did the thing with the .10 miles thinking it was 10 feet too!!

 

bwa ha ha..that was the one that took me 3 1/2 hours...I got frustrated and literally went and picked my husband up from work..told him the stupid gps was going nuts ..figured the signal was bouncing off the huge huge rocks in the area, cuz it would go from 10 to 540!!

 

he patiently explain that 10 was POINT ten miles, and then it would switch to 540 FEET....DUH!! he narrowed it down asap.

 

HEY..he'd better not get too cocky with me, or I wouldn't le him use my gps in hunting season!! lol

[+jim-co]

What ever you do don't give up. It is a great hobby. Here is the log from one of my first caches:

 

"I found this one about 13:30 this afternoon. New to caching and entered coordinates wrong. I stumbled around in the snow for while, becoming frustrated. I laid my jacket and day pack beside a rock. I stumbled around for another 30 minutes. I decided to go back to my “stuff” and look again at the coordinates. Moved my jacket and there it was!!! Oh well I'll get better. Took a picture towards the south of the snow."

 

The snow was deep too! The best piece of advice I've received is look for something that doesn't belong.

 

Good luck.

 

Jim

[+crazyone]

When i first started geocaching, i started on a multi,with the first being a micro and the second part a bucket in the woods. I searched for an hour on the first time and about the same for the second time,now realized that i needed to start with an larger (traditional cache) to see if i had the right coords and set up and then i started to get more hits and learned how people hid their caches. keep trying and ask fellows cachers for advice and i still ask advice all the time.