Logging Finds

[+BigBadger & Li'l SG]

Is it proper procedure to always leave some words of wisdom, thanks, etc when logging a find of a traditional cache or other type?

 

I ask only as a course of brevity. I notice so many of you very experienced cachers with numbers in the hundreds (or even thousands, wow). And at least one other I know of who never logs a find online or in logbooks. Is there any middle ground here (online speaking) such as just a check mark and date?

 

As a note, I have logged all of mine both in the log book and online and note the appreciation of others who have also logged finds.

[+AuntieWeasel]

Logging is one of my favorite parts of the exercise. It's the social part. You don't have to leave an extensive log, on paper or electrons, but if you do, it's a 'thank you' to the hider and an interaction with all the cachers that come before and after you to that cache.

 

Oh, and....MORE PHOTOS! People don't post enough of them! I love photos -- even the dull, boring ones help me share your experience.

[+WolfTrekker]

Logging is one of my favorite parts of the exercise. It's the social part. You don't have to leave an extensive log, on paper or electrons, but if you do, it's a 'thank you' to the hider and an interaction with all the cachers that come before and after you to that cache.

 

Oh, and....MORE PHOTOS! People don't post enough of them! I love photos -- even the dull, boring ones help me share your experience.

 

Totally agree. Even when I'm not much in the mood for writing a long log, i try real hard to post a photo of something durning the hunt. It really brings it life for you.

[+Team Neos]

As a cache owner, I like to get some feedback. Anything at all, really. I like to hear if you have enjoyed it, I need to know if there was a concern.

 

As a cacher, I like to read about the cache to see if I want to go do it, too. Good stories will take me to a cache faster than any rating system ever could.

 

Logs don't have to be elaborate. A simple "Thanks for placing this cache" is polite.

 

I carry a small notebook with me when I am doing lots of caches and may not be able to log for several days, so I can remember a few details about each cache. I make note if the log was damp, or I added more paper, etc. And if I really liked the cache for some reason I write that down, too,

[+gof1]

As a cache owner I enjoy the logs. Lets me know I haven't wasted my time.

I like to get interesting or appreciative logs, but I also want to hear the negative ones.

I have learned a lot about hiding caches from a few honest logs. If no one says that they don't like it I can't fix it. So if you see GOF1 listed as the hider feel free to tell the truth, I may not agree but as long as you have a valid point I wont delete the log. If it is just about style I may ignore you. If you pay me enough I might let you log it twice.

[+briansnat]

Is there any middle ground here (online speaking) such as just a check mark and date?

 

Though as a cache owner I appreciate the longer and more interesting logs, they are not required. Some people just aren't into writing. The middle ground wold be to simply write "Found it. Thanks!" in your log, though I'm sure an outstanding cache hunt would move most people to write a bit more than that.

[+Adrenalynn]

I tend to leave logs that are longer based on how much effort the cache owner and/or I had to put into it. If the cache owner clearly spent a lot of time and effort, my logs will go multiple pages. If they were just driving around town tossing film canisters out the window - well, it's a bit less.

 

Out in the field, I can go pages, or I can go TFTC (thanks for the cache). It depends on my schedule and/or the weather. Most of my TFTC are when it's pouring rain and I don't want to ruin the log, so I'm signing it in a plastic bag, blind. So you'll see a scrawled "found in the pouring rain. thanks for the hunt! - adrenalynn"

 

It's all about personal style...

[+BigBadger & Li'l SG]

Well, these replies make total sense. I just wasn't sure about the etiquette. I will definitely continue to keep writing in the logbooks and posting logs with my finds. Obviously the cache owners DO read the posts etc.

 

Thanks for the replies ! !

[+briansnat]

I tend to leave logs that are longer based on how much effort the cache owner and/or I had to put into it. If the cache owner clearly spent a lot of time and effort, my logs will go multiple pages. If they were just driving around town tossing film canisters out the window - well, it's a bit less.

 

It seems many people do this. Really, how much can you write about a guardrail or dog poop park hide anyways?

 

Its a good way to tell about the quality of a cache. A quick glance at the logs will tell you all you need to know about it. If all you see are one or two sentence logs, you can be pretty sure the cache is a stinker. If you see numerous, multi-paragraph logs, you can be certain its a great one.

[+AuntieWeasel]

It seems many people do this. Really, how much can you write about a guardrail or dog poop park hide anyways?

Is that a dare?

 

Here is my latest adventure at the guardrail of a Walmart parking lot. If pressed, I'll sing the theme song for you.

[+emb021]

I find it depends on the cache, and the cacher.

 

Some cachers seem to only do 'TFTC' and pretty much nothing else.

 

Others write more. I do so, if I think it would be interesting. I do stuff like what happened when I tried to find it (annoying muggles, difficulty finding it, interesting things I saw, etc).

 

Now, some caches seem hard to write much about. If its an urban parkinglot cache, how interesting can you make it (unless you're trying to avoid muggles)

[+limp and saw mill]

Well I for one am not into much writing or expresion for that matter but I atleast leave a note both online and in the log, just to say thanks atleast.

[+Boot Group]

I always try to write a sentence or two about my cache experience. Now that I cache with friends most of the time, I usually have something funny to say about our caching adventures. As a cache owner myself, I know I like to read what people say when they log my caches. It doesn't have to be anything fancy or poetic, but a few sentences is nice. Sometimes, I'll even write a few paragraphs, depending on what I feel like doing.

[+Sugar Glider Sweatshop]

Adding just a few words, or more, to your logs makes geocaching a more enjoyable experience for everyone. It gets pretty dull reading through logs that say nothing but "TFTH." I also agree that writing something about your experience helps the cache owner with maintaining the quality of the cache.

 

The same goes for DNF logs, too. We once had a cacher log a DNF for one of our puzzle caches. The log mentioned that they had searched by some houseboats, but couldn't find the cache. I contacted the cacher right away because the cache wasn't near any body of water. They had solved the puzzle wrong, and I helped them get back on the right track.

[+wandererrob]

Oh, and....MORE PHOTOS! People don't post enough of them! I love photos -- even the dull, boring ones help me share your experience.

 

I agree whole-heartedly.

 

I've taken to trying to post more pics in my logs. Both for caches, and especially for TBs. The few TBs I've found have mostly had logs that said little more than "picked up here. Dropped there." I've started to try and take them on some side trips of some sort. Or at the very least, take a picture of them in the area of the cache I leave them at.

 

I just feel like the logs could use a bit more life. So, I'm making an effort to make my logs more interesting for the owners. Besides, I'm having fun doing it. Therefor I will continue on this new path.

[+wandererrob]

 

Is that a dare?

 

Here is my latest adventure at the guardrail of a Walmart parking lot. If pressed, I'll sing the theme song for you.

 

"Fish in Snot."