Appropriate For A Cache Container?

[+HugoBear]

Lately everything I see is an opportunity for a cache container. The latest thing I have considered is an empty pill bottle. Plastic, excellent weather seal, small... but would someone get bothered finding this in a cache location? Assume that it will get unlabeled and camo'ed.

 

Is this an OK idea or no?

[+brodiebunch]

I think we have found three pill bottle caches. Two were hidden in dry locations but the third's contents had definitely seen better days. Perhaps you should place the bottle in the sink in water to see how water proof it will be. Personally we don't have a problem finding a pill bottle cache so long as we don't to pull the cotton out too

 

Others may have differing opinions though.

[+Miragee]

I have used those in areas where a larger container wouldn't work.

 

I've used old rusted cans I've found on the trails as "cammo" over the pill bottles in some cases. Those will probably make the container more "weatherproof," just in case the lid doesn't seal perfectly.

[+Team Perks]

I've used pill bottles before (in fact, I have quite a few of them sitting in my "cache box" at home) and have seen many other cachers use pill bottles too.

 

They seem to keep the water out fairly well if hidden upright in an area not likely to get too wet, but they are certainly not waterproof. For that reason, I do prefer using waterproof matchstick holders when I need a cache of approximately pill-bottle size. Those seem to hold up better against the elements and can be purchased quite cheaply.

[+sept1c_tank]

Just please don't use one that has one of those dqmned child-proof lids.

[darwinmay]

Yes, my first (and only) cache, GCPEBN, uses one. I put some teflon tape on it for a seal.

[+unicyclist]

I have a skateboard bearing metal container.....its the same thing as a altoid tin container. I have some ideas about making a cache that would use the bearing idea. But ive read nothing good about altoid finds. What do you think about Altoid containers?

[+Team Perks]

I see no problem with Altoids containers as long as the contents are in a baggy and the owner replaces the container when it starts getting rusty. Most cachers, including myself, will be quick to complain if they find a nasty wet log in a container that's practically rusted shut.

[+HugoBear]

The best "Altoid" caches I ever saw were stuck to the bottom of a metal step/drain culvert/picnic table... They're out of the elements and slim enough to blend into the background.

 

BTW, thanks for the positive feedback on the pill bottles. I'll defenitely sink test them before I go out and bury... er... hide the buggers.

[+RockyRaab]

Vile, vicious cache: Use a brace and bit to bore a 1" hole in a dead limb. Insert pill bottle with bark glued to cap.

 

Await DNFs and curses.

 

[SCP-173]

Vile, vicious cache: Use a brace and bit to bore a 1" hole in a dead limb. Insert pill bottle with bark glued to cap.

 

Await DNFs and curses.

 

I had to check to make sure you weren't from Kentucky... A friend of mine and I went there for a caching trip and found a cache just like that. It was called "Micro in the Woods", and was just that. It took us 2 trips and a hint from the owner, but we finally found it. It was even my 500th find milestone. Oh, did I mention you had to climb up the tree a few feet to get it?

[+briansnat]

The pill bottle caches I've found were without exception, wet inside. They also crack easily in extremely cold temps.

[+HugoBear]

The pill bottles I'm talking about are round plastic 2" x 4". More like a vitamin bottle than a regular pill bottle. I have mail order pharmacy coverage so everything shows up in a bigger container than it really needs to have. So far the sink testing has shown them to be water resistant, if not waterproof. I don't know how to test if humidity can foul them... any ideas?

[+wandererrob]

The pill bottles I'm talking about are round plastic 2" x 4". More like a vitamin bottle than a regular pill bottle. I have mail order pharmacy coverage so everything shows up in a bigger container than it really needs to have. So far the sink testing has shown them to be water resistant, if not waterproof. I don't know how to test if humidity can foul them... any ideas?

Hmmm... you could always save the pill bottle silica gel packs

 

But seriously, no idea on testing them in humid conditions. Well... know anybody that keep reptiles? You could have them pop it in the vivarium for a few weeks

[+HugoBear]

Oddly enough, there are no silica packs. They're assuming (I assume) that the product will be used immediately. No need to protect for shipping time only.

 

I suppose I can always change the container down the road if humidity becomes a problem.

[+jtd18801]

Ive used a pill container in my caches. It was my first cache.

[+Harry Dolphin]

I have one pill bottle cache, but it's well protected from the elements, and the log is in a plastic bag. (I just hope the muggles forgot where it is.) I would not use one without a ziplock inside. It did survive last winter well.

[GeoVet]

Real cachers use AMMO CANS.

[ImpalaBob]

Pill bottles and lots of other "sealed" containers get wet inside. It's called condensation and it happens when the container gets a different temp than it's surroundings..... like when the sun shines on it. Waterproof paper and a pencil work the absolute best under these conditions. If it's hanging then go ahead and drill a small drain hole in the bottom to let the water out.

 

I recently retrieved an underwater cache only to find it filled with water .... but it had waterproof paper and a pencil .... so it was no problem to sign the log and replace the container.

 

ANY container that can hold a log sheet is appropriate .... the more unusual, the better! ImpalaBob

[+HugoBear]

Thanks for the feedback, folks. I'll try to keep it as unusual as possible.

 

I guess I can always aspire to being a "real cacher" someday. Maybe after I get around to growing up, acting my age and worrying about what other people think of me.