What would you do?

[+Woodlit]

I searched some old topics, but peoples opinions change over time.

 

What would you do, if tomorrow you woke up and geocaching was no more. If for some reason we just had to stop. The website shut down, and so did the forums. (heaven forbid)

And there was nobody around to get answers from.

 

It really is awesome to see just how big a part of everybody's lives geocaching is. I find myself looking forward more and more to the weekends, to have enough time to get out there and do some caching. I'm sure other people do to, but I also find myself neglecting other things because i'm busy thinking about something caching-related.

 

Would everybody drift over to Waymarking? Or go out and buy bigger TV's? Or just take longer folding the laundry...

 

I don't know what i'd do. Work some overtime i guess, save for a nice house.

[Deego]

Somebody PLEASE tell me this couldnt happen !!!

[+Bud]

Wouldn't have any time to feel sorry for myself; I'd have to act as a grief couselor for my wife and friends.

 

Seriously though, it was similar interests that got me in to this. I love to hike and camp, and I'd still do those things, and I've met lots of great people through this sport that I share other interests with, so hopefully I'd still keep in touch with those great folks based on our other common interests. I'd probably not hold off having a glass of wine with lunch though, since I wouldn't have to worry about it throwing off my searching ability.

[+Woodlit]

I'd like to think i'd still go hiking, but it would be a difficult choice now. Cut the grass, or go hiking? In that case i think i'd cut the grass. But if the question was cut the grass or go caching? Caching would win by a long shot.

 

I know i'd still enjoy the outdoors, but i'm sure it would be a lot less often.

[+Moore9KSUcats]

Geocaching has brought me to a lot of great places in my area, and I would continue to go there and enjoy them. Yes, it would be sad, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. Geocaching has opened up a new world, and I would continue to find ways to enjoy it.

[ParentsofSAM]

I would got o my local geocaching forums and list all the coords to my caches there and then other people would see that and do the same and then we all could still find caches.

 

But I would be sad that gc.com would be gone....I might even

[+sbell111]

I would get back to working on my golf game and I would try out Wherigo.

Edited December 13, 2006 by sbell111

[CoyoteRed]

What would you do, if tomorrow you woke up and geocaching was no more. If for some reason we just had to stop. The website shut down, and so did the forums. (heaven forbid)

And there was nobody around to get answers from.

 

I'd simply continue on with the site I'm using to place my newest caches. I'd simply list the ones listed here on that site.

 

Besides, several new sites would pop up. These might be global ventures, but I suspect the most successful ones would be the regional ones. Really, how hard would it be to create a basic site to share cache data? I'd bet someone would create extensions to popular forum software in order to list caches and allow other sites to use it for free.

 

That's not to mention you can hide a cache and write it up directly in GSAK--then simply share your GSAK file with friends.

 

Oh, I'm sure there would be a huge contingent boo-hooing over the loss of massive numbers of easy, numbers-building caches. There would even be major "disagreements" on alternative sites as these folks try to invade communities that don't care for that sort of thing.

 

Regardless, I suspect Groundspeak failing would only weed out the less dedicated enthusiast in the long run. The rest would adjust and move on.

[+sbell111]

I took the OP's hypothetical to be asking what we would do if the game itself was forced to end, not just GC.com. This would negate some answers like 'I would hire Jeremy's guys and start a website called NewGC.com.'

 

Rather, I think the OP asks us what we would do instead of geocaching.

[CoyoteRed]

Kind of hard to understand how that could happen if Waymarking and Wherigo is still viable.

 

Let's not confuse Geocaching and geocaching.

[+BlueDeuce]

Wander aimlessly.

[+sbell111]

Kind of hard to understand how that could happen if Waymarking and Wherigo is still viable.

 

Let's not confuse Geocaching and geocaching.

Dude, it was hypothetical.

 

'What would you do if there was no geocaching?'

[+Tallahassee Lassie]

If, for instance, the satellites were no longer available for use from the general public and we could no longer get coordinates on our GPS's.

 

Then, I would probably end up doing letterboxing or its equivalent so that I could continue to search. You don't need a GPS to do a letterbox.

 

In any event, I would definitley have to find some way to do a hunt. It's the thrill of the chase.

[+DavidMac]

I took the OP's hypothetical to be asking what we would do if the game itself was forced to end, not just GC.com. This would negate some answers like 'I would hire Jeremy's guys and start a website called NewGC.com.'

 

Rather, I think the OP asks us what we would do instead of geocaching.

 

Here's a hypothetical situation I can think of: what if you were to wake up tomorrow and Selective Availability were turned back on, meaning our GPSrs were back to 300+ meter accuracy? Would I do anything different? Aside from no longer finding caches along the way, I'd probably be enjoying the same locations I was before, hiking the same trails, and taking vacations in most of the same spots. It would mean I'd have to find another way to keep track of my travels, maybe a blog, a journal, or a map and highlighter.

[+sbell111]

If, for instance, the satellites were no longer available for use from the general public and we could no longer get coordinates on our GPS's.

 

Then, I would probably end up doing letterboxing or its equivalent so that I could continue to search. You don't need a GPS to do a letterbox.

 

In any event, I would definitley have to find some way to do a hunt. It's the thrill of the chase.

I agree and I didn't think of letterboxing when I posted my response. I need to update mine to:

• golf
  
• Wherigo
  
• letterboxing
  

All three are about looking for something that I don't know where is.

[+briansnat]

I do most of my geocaching while involved in other activities, so I would just continue doing those activities.

 

I guess I'd have to pull all my caches and maybe I could start a side business as an ammo box salesman.

[CoyoteRed]

Kind of hard to understand how that could happen if Waymarking and Wherigo is still viable.

 

Let's not confuse Geocaching and geocaching.

Dude, it was hypothetical.

 

'What would you do if there was no geocaching?'

 

Terracaching? Navicaching? SissyCaching?

 

Also, "Let's not confuse Geocaching and geocaching."

 

That's not to mention letterboxing is not restrictive with its clues. There is nothing saying you can't post any clue you want to find the box, and that includes grid coordinates.

Edited December 13, 2006 by CoyoteRed

[+sbell111]

Kind of hard to understand how that could happen if Waymarking and Wherigo is still viable.

 

Let's not confuse Geocaching and geocaching.

Dude, it was hypothetical.

 

'What would you do if there was no geocaching?'

Terracaching? Navicaching? SissyCaching?

 

Also, "Let's not confuse Geocaching and geocaching."

 

That's not to mention letterboxing is not restrictive with its clues. There is nothing saying you can't post any clue you want to find the box, and that includes grid coordinates.

Why are you trying to suck the fun out of this thread?

 

The OP clearly stated 'geocaching'. This covers Terracaching, Navicaching, Sissycaching, Pepsicaching, Sortacaching, Alternacaching, etc.

Edited December 13, 2006 by sbell111

[CoyoteRed]

Why are you trying to suck the fun out of this thread?

 

Actually, I think my first post clearly indicated that, IMHO, geocaching could never die, in would live on in another form. I'm sorry if that is not fun for you. It's actually comforting to me.

[+9Key]

I would probably go back to golf and tennis.

[Mushtang]

If GEOcaching is looking for caches on the earth that someone else has hidden, what is SISSYcaching?

 

I hope there's no charge to play.

Edited December 13, 2006 by Mushtang

[CoyoteRed]

If GEOcaching is looking for caches on the earth that someone else has hidden, what is SISSYcaching?

 

I hope there's no charge to play.

 

Much to our embarrassment we recently discovered what "sissy" meant in a more adult, and a lot less family friendly, context. However, if one thinks of "sissy" in the context of the caches my wife likes to place and find, if you can't keep up...

 

For her, I don't think it's ever too deep, too high, too hard, too far, too wet, too dark, too late, too early, too hot, or too cold.

 

And, no, there's no charge, except for maybe being the subject of a bit of heckling.

[+mgbmusic]

I searched some old topics, but peoples opinions change over time.

 

What would you do, if tomorrow you woke up and geocaching was no more. If for some reason we just had to stop. The website shut down, and so did the forums. (heaven forbid)

And there was nobody around to get answers from.

 

It really is awesome to see just how big a part of everybody's lives geocaching is. I find myself looking forward more and more to the weekends, to have enough time to get out there and do some caching. I'm sure other people do to, but I also find myself neglecting other things because i'm busy thinking about something caching-related.

 

Would everybody drift over to Waymarking? Or go out and buy bigger TV's? Or just take longer folding the laundry...

 

I don't know what i'd do. Work some overtime i guess, save for a nice house.

 

In keeping with what I interpret the OP's intent - I'd prolly watch a whole lot more TV. The whole reason I started GC'ing was b/c it was hiking with a destination. If there's no longer a destination, I won't be hiking.

 

--MGb

[vagabond]

Well there's always benchmark hunting, you can do it with or without a gps.

[+Woodlit]

I took the OP's hypothetical to be asking what we would do if the game itself was forced to end, not just GC.com. This would negate some answers like 'I would hire Jeremy's guys and start a website called NewGC.com.'

 

Rather, I think the OP asks us what we would do instead of geocaching.

 

Thats the spirit!

 

I guess an alternate way of asking my question is, what are your other hobbies? lol

 

I just thought the first one would render slightly different results.

 

edit: to many typos

Edited December 13, 2006 by Woodlit

[+Renegade Knight]

I'd look up the land marks on topo maps and go find them.

 

This summer I'm planning on doing that anyway but I'll be leaving caches at them..

[+emurock]

What would you do, if tomorrow you woke up and geocaching was no more. If for some reason we just had to stop. The website shut down, and so did the forums. (heaven forbid)

And there was nobody around to get answers from.

I think I will go hiking or biking or camping or something to, do to get me outside.

[CoyoteRed]

Rather, I think the OP asks us what we would do instead of geocaching.

 

Thats the spirit!

 

I guess an alternate way of asking my question is, what are your other hobbies? lol

 

I just thought the first one would render slightly different results.

 

My sincerest of apologies. I read it a bit differently.

 

Besides sitting on my butt in front of the computer, I like to explore. Letterboxing and geocaching has helped me re-discover this desire. I've found some pretty interesting locations, many of which are simply not suitable for publication so you won't be seeing them listed. Staying on the more legal side of urban exploration is very rewarding. Just getting out and seeing what I can see is something I like to do. I don't need geocaching to do that, but it certainly helps when I am able to share.

[+cachedown]

I'd find other reasons to get outside - just plain hiking? How about the predecessor to GPS, LORAN-C? Dust off all those old LORAN receivers...

[+sbell111]

I'd find other reasons to get outside - just plain hiking? How about the predecessor to GPS, LORAN-C? Dust off all those old LORAN receivers...

I know almost mothing about LORAN. Isn't it only accurate to something like 1/4 mile? Also, isn't there huge chunks of the globe that have no coverage?

[+cachedown]

Accuracy is an issue (about 150') but most of the US and parts of Asia and Europe are covered. Here's a list of LORAN-C chains throughout the world. I also forgot to mention orienteering.

 

Edit: I just learned about this the other day. Accurate location without GPS (great for urban caching...)

Edited December 13, 2006 by cachedown

[+Cladius]

I would spend more time with my metal detector.

[+Confucius' Cat]

My GAWD!

What a horrible thought!

No geocaching, well, I... guess... I ...could SURVIVE.

But close the FORUMS??!!! ARRRRRGH, Oh the HUMANITY!

 

THE FOLLOWING ERROR(S) WERE FOUND

You have posted a message with more emoticons that this board allows. Please reduce the number of emoticons you've added to the message

 

hey, when did that start?

[+AMMOMAN]

Go out and make sure all of the caches had been removed. Sign the log and move to the next one!

[+Bad_CRC]

easy for me since I only had a couple months of caching before winter came.

 

I've been hiking for most of my life. I've only been hiking with a box full of broken plastic stuff at the end for a short time. It'd be pretty easy to go back to hiking without the box.

 

I'm addicted to this thing, but I've found most of the caches in interesting areas within easy travel of here, so I can still go hike the same areas even if the GPS sats were all shut down tomorrow.

 

 

So, the short answer would be that I'd probably spend more time hiking out in beautiful areas, and less time fighting the bizarre urge to drive across town to find a soggy film canister in a parking lot because I feel the need for a +1.

[+Cedar Grove Seekers]

I guess we'd go back to a life of crime.

[+halffast]

I think I would go back to my last computer addiction (EBAY).My shrink told me i would be back.

[+Confucius' Cat]

easy for me since I only had a couple months of caching before winter came.

Your point?

Winter is one of four distinct caching seasons (in temperate climates).

[+Jennifer&Dean]

Lobby extensively for it to be brought back to life.

 

Some things you can't just quit cold turkey. The shock might kill a few people. Most likely there would have to be meetings and 12 step programs.

[Clan Riffster]

Assuming you mean all types of caching, (GC/TC/NC/Etc), I would go back to kayak fishing.

[+Bad Duck]

Fly R/C airplanes even more often.

[+TrailGators]

I'd keep on hiking! I love to get away from it all! Finding a cache is like the cherry on a banana split. So if caching ended, I'd still have the rest of the banana split to eat!

[nonaeroterraqueous]

Time on the forums would go back to time spent playing real-time strategy games.

 

Time geocaching would go back to long walks in the same old places.

 

I might find myself looking for old (now unlisted) caches especially for the purpose of collecting and saving travel bugs, just in case the game comes back.

[gulfscuba]

I'd go back to fishing and drinking or drinking and fishing.

[+TheAlabamaRambler]

My hunting and fishing buddies would think I had regained my senses, as I would be back on the water and on the trail of turkeys as I used to.

 

Most of them don't understand hunting something you can't eat!

 

When we talk lately their first question is "Kill any of them caches today?" They just don't get it.

 

Ed

[+Criminal]

I’d go up to Seattle and rape the office of anything I can cart out to put on ebay, and then I’d continue hiking, backpacking, fishing, wandering, ham radio, etc.