New To Benchmarking

[+Arrow One]

Hello all!

I've just started benchmark hunting, and so far I have found 6. There are several I have'nt found. 3 are in a "downtown" setting, like a courthouse area. Any tips for hunting in areas like these?

[Bill93]

1. Read the FAQ

2. Read some of the discussions here

3. Learn the distinction between marks with ADJUSTED horizontal coordinates that are more accurate than your handheld, versus SCALED coordinates that may be off 100's of feet or worse.

4. Read the "to reach" description on the data sheet several times and draw a sketch map if that might help

5. Always check the latest NGS Data Sheet for logs that are more recent than seen on the Groundspeak site.

5. Ask permission if there is any question someone wouldn't want you there

[+seventhings]

Ditto what Bill93 said, plus:

7. Respect private property, especially residential private property,

8. Be very very cautious about going on to railroad and interstate highway rights-of-way. Aside from the obvious reasons (trains and trucks), no benchmark is worth the hassle of being escorted to a law enforcement facility to explain yourself (not to mention the public safety and law enforcement assets that you divert in the process), and finally,

9. Hold yourself to a very high standard about ensuring that the thing you found is, in fact, the thing that is the benchmark. The current NGS datasheets usually have a lot more detail (and a lot more information that is simply stated) than the Geocaching versions of the datasheet. An NGS datasheet will usually tell you, for example, that you are looking for a:

National Ocean Survey,

gaging station,

disk,

stamped 123 4567 X Tidal.

If the thing you find does not conform to ALL FOUR of those criteria, thyen you may not have found the thing with the PID. And, really finally,

10. A thorough search ending with DIDN'T FIND IT and some observations in the comments section of the log is just as good as a FOUND IT.

 

Happy hunting,

Will

 

p.s. Stay in and around Toms River for another month or so - I've got one more trip through Ocean City (NJ) planned. Thanks.,

w

[+lyonden_ut]

Okay, I'm a cacheaholic and thought I would try to do benchmarks while out caching in several towns around the county. I am trying my first try, and have loaded just the bench marks into my GPS and though GSAK, have them in my palm, at least the location for finding the nearest so I can plan a walk though a town I don't know.

 

I tried to follow the information on how to cross create a pocket quiere, but got lost in the programs to use. The one I followed instuctions to get, came up with text on the page, something I think is code... okay, I'm not computer savie, but would like to get started. Can someone help. I am willing to call someone if they can help walk me though sometime when I'm on line.

 

I am a truck driver, and thus not always on line, but can try to work something out. Any help is greatful.

 

Also, with the changes to GS, do these still count towards the total cache count, or do I get to start a new count on benchmarks?

 

Thanks all

dave aka Lyonden_ut

Caching in a Kenworth

[+BuckBrooke]

Benchmarks are distinct from Geocaches. So, the counts are different as well.

Edited April 10, 2006 by BuckBrooke