Do Cache Owners Really Read The Logbooks?

[+michigansnorkelers]

I was wondering about this.

 

I get a kick out of seeing the comments in some of the logs. But am always amazed that some of the logbooks I've found go back two or three years.

 

If three years of logs are sitting in a cache, does the owner ever read them?

 

Just curious.

[Luckless]

I'll sometimes flip through the log when I go to check on cache. The logs are there for the next finders to see who came before them and how they fared at finding the cache as much as they are there for the owners.

[+Snake & Rooster]

I was wondering about this.

 

I get a kick out of seeing the comments in some of the logs. But am always amazed that some of the logbooks I've found go back two or three years.

 

If three years of logs are sitting in a cache, does the owner ever read them?

 

Just curious.

 

 

 

We also read them when we do maintenance or when we archive a cache. It's fun to go back and look at what people wrote at the time.

[+New England n00b]

I read them (and photograph the pages (digital, cheap)) when I go to do maintenance. I photo the pages just in case the cache gets muggled, I can till go back and read the good and bad.

[bogleman]

I've nosed through a few of mine when I check on them. One thing that I have started is to scan the log's and post them to the listing when I archive the listing or replace the log book.

[+Cedar Grove Seekers]

We find that most of the logs in the log-books are just the cachers name, and date. The GC.com log is where most of the writing is.

[+Torry]

We find that most of the logs in the log-books are just the cachers name, and date. The GC.com log is where most of the writing is.

 

However there are other cachers who do not use the gc.com service that may find your cache... or folks who don't log online .. or folks who find it by accident.

 

I like reading through to see who's been by and what they had to say at the time. Some of the stamps and stickers can be fun, too.

[+OzGuff]

I've nosed through a few of mine when I check on them. One thing that I have started is to scan the log's and post them to the listing when I archive the listing or replace the log book.

I have been doing this for some time now.

[+BlueDeuce]

I'll sometimes flip through the log when I go to check on cache. The logs are there for the next finders to see who came before them and how they fared at finding the cache as much as they are there for the owners.

 

Same here.

[+Sioneva]

I like rereading the logbooks in my caches. Makes me feel oddly vindicated.

 

Or evil. Haven't decided which.

[+michigansnorkelers]

I was wondering if the long logs that I and others sometimes leave ever get read, or are just an exercise in futility.

 

OK, looks like these do get read!

 

[+Rick618]

Sure, some don't post much on the GC online log but do write more in the logbook.

I have a log that is signed by the local bridge inspectors that they didn't log on line

I like to take a moment a flip back through the logs to see if I recognize any names.

[+briansnat]

As an owner I do read the logbooks. Also, as a finder I enjoy reading the logbooks. I find it interesting when I'm at the cache sweating and swatting mosquitos, to read logs where previous finders are mentioning the bitter cold or snow, or rain while they were visiting the cache.

[+durtieshoes]

I sometimes wonder if the cache owners read the online logs also. I have seen caches that have had several DNF's, and reports of caches being in bad shape or missing, and the owners do nothing. I know it is a responsibility to take care of and maintain a cache, but it is also pretty disappointing to trek out to an area and find the cache gone. I reported one such missing cache to the owner recently, but nothing appears to have been done about it.

[+briansnat]

I sometimes wonder if the cache owners read the online logs also. I have seen caches that have had several DNF's, and reports of caches being in bad shape or missing, and the owners do nothing. I know it is a responsibility to take care of and maintain a cache, but it is also pretty disappointing to trek out to an area and find the cache gone. I reported one such missing cache to the owner recently, but nothing appears to have been done about it.

 

I think in those cases they do read them, but simply don't care.

[+Kealia]

Add me the list of owners that reads the logbook. Some people write more there than online, or just something different that may be crossing thier minds at the time of the find.

[+Keruso]

i read both my logbook and online logs. heck i even read ALL the online logs of ANY cache that i find. i even read some (and put them in my watchlist) of a cache i will never get to, like a cache out in Nevada thats Harry Potter themed and im out here in PA

[CoyoteRed]

I was wondering about this.

 

We like reading ours. Every log gets read when we do maintenance.

[+SwampYankee]

I read when them when I go in to do maintence and cleanup. Nice to read someone is enjoying the hobby and your helping to promote it. Also, if I see something written of a dislike I try to fix the problem.

 

SwampYankee

[+Renegade Knight]

Heck yes. Some people don't have a lot to say online and save it all for the log book. Some are vice versa. If you only read the online logs you are only getting half the picture as a cache owner.

[Zoptrop]

One of mine had a whole "Vote Kerry" vs. "Vote Bush" poll going on that I wasn't aware of online. It was only in the paper log. I thought it was great. You also find out if any muggles have signed your logbook by reading the paper cache as well.

[+tomfuller & Quill]

I responded to a request from TPTB to retrieve possibly Oregon's last moveable cache. "Hide & Seek".

The owner sadly left the game and would not go get his ammocan. The logbook, I decided was too good to keep to myself so I attached a TB tag to it and sent it to Portland with Dasin. If you want some great reading, find the cache that has the TB "Hide & Seek Lives On" The original ammocan is now in the hands of Pablo Mac. Expect to see it again in the Lebanon Oregon area.

Tom Fuller Crescent, Oregon

[+Indotguy]

I never pay much attention to what is written in the log books. I always felt like those comments were more for the finders. I enjoy reading the online log comments.

[+budd-rdc]

I read through the log books, even though most people save their thoughts for online logs these days.

 

What's really fun is reading the log book for an old cache that's been around a while, like 3, 4, and 5 letter waypoint ones (GCx, GCxx, GCxxx). Most early entries often fill up the entire page.

[+Lee-2]

We read both on line and the logbook.

[+Renegade Knight]

I tend to collect the log book when the cache is archived.

[The_Brownies]

Yepp!!

[+Airmapper]

When I do maintenance I record the logs with my digital camera.

[+Ed & Julie]

We find that most of the logs in the log-books are just the cachers name, and date. The GC.com log is where most of the writing is.

 

A few years ago, cachers had to actually hike to find a remote cache. The cache was typically larger, often with a big notebook (I always preferred the spiral notebooks) in a unique location. Getting to, and finding the cache was a challange, and it was reflected in longer, thoughful phycical logbook entries.

 

Lately, caching has devolved to 'hiking' to a bush in the walmart parking lot. The logbooks are usually too small to write anything more than your name and date. If the logbook is big enough for an entry, the expierence is usually not unique enough to warrant a long physical long.

 

Ed

[+halffast]

I do read some of the logs if I have to visit a cache for maint.I have found that most cachers put more info on their adventure on the cache page rather than in the logbook.I look forward to reading the logs on the cache page.

[dutchmaster]

I check my logbooks regularly to see if the logs match the ones online, my attempt to weed out the SLACKERS that only virtually visit caches.

 

My logbooks are a great collection of personnalized stamps and slicker/photos that seem to be popular with the older and/or legendary cachers around. The well written logs are so much more personal and are valued more than those generic online logs. There's something special about a written log mentioning how bad the bugs were and then finding the squished body of a 'sqeeter between the pages!!

 

Granted there are those who do regularly post multiple digital pics of their adventures in the online logs and are tied in first place with the hardcopy.

 

dutchmaster

[+MountainMudbug]

I collect all old/full logbooks from my caches and keep them in a huge ziplock bag at home.

It is very nice to flip through them while I'm curled up on my sofa and watching tv.

 

I find that most logs these days are simply cachers' names and the date of the find. The older logs from years ago usually had much more written. I must admit I myself used to write more in the logbooks but don't really do that anymore, but then again when I started caching most I found were in areas that weren't so exposed to the public and I had time to casually sift thru and enjoy the cache. Today so many caches are micros with little room for comments, or ones that involve a higher degree of urban exposure and I just want to get out of there quick without jeopardizing the hiding spot. Guess I've gotten out of the habit of sharing my thoughts on paper, so I do try to write a little more in my online logs than "TNLNSL, TFTC"

 

Maybe I'll try to get back in the habit of writing more in the physical logbooks....

 

edit to add: referring to the physical logs is handy when trying to determine what happened to travel bugs that are MIA from my caches. I wish more people would write down what they took and left, it'd sure make it easier to figure out..... wishful thinking

Edited November 6, 2006 by MountainMudbug

[winston24]

We plan on reading all of ours when the logs are full. After all that's why we put them out there isn't it? I have recently placed 6 caches in our area, have 4 more ammo boxes to fill with goodies. Then find hiding spots for them. We can't wait for the logs to fill up so we can show our friends, and I find myself rereading the online logs, cause they are just fun to read. I too can't see how anybody can just put a cache out there and just forget about it. They are just way too fun. I hate those all that are mildewy and full of water for who knows how long with out ever being checked on. But we still try to read those logs too.

[The Great Mizuti]

In the summer, my logs tend to be nothing more than the time/date, name, and Tx Lx TFTC, because of all the bugs and skeeters. But in the spring, fall and winter, I'll write a lot. (I even drew a picture in a logbook once.)