+NobleSealFamily Posted April 3, 2007 Share Posted April 3, 2007 First of all, let's make sure everyone knows what I'm talking about (yeah, D'UH, but better safe than sorry). A skirt lifter cache is one, usually a micro, film canister, M&M Tube, etc, that is placed at the base of a light pole in the movable utility access skirt. These light poles are usually found in the wmarts, tgets, groc. stores, etc. That being said, lets move on to opinions. When I encountered my first one, I was impressed. I didn't even realize those things lifted up. What a cool cache I thought. Now that I've done my 10th one, I almost dread pulling into a parking lot when I'm searching for a cache. You can almost immediately lock in on the pole from a 100 yards away. I guess they are a number booster, but come on guys. Can't we be a little more original than that? I personally would much rather hunt a micro in a forest than to run across any more of these darned skirt lifter type of cache's. Any one else? Quote Link to comment
+StarBrand Posted April 3, 2007 Share Posted April 3, 2007 They have already been named "LPC" (Lamp Post Cache). Search on that term for recent discussions. The first 2 I found I thought were "cool". The next 10 got boring and uninspired quickly. I generally avoid them now. Not always but generally. Quote Link to comment
Pto Posted April 3, 2007 Share Posted April 3, 2007 I avoid them altogether - since I dont cache to be in parking lots - Quote Link to comment
+Team Mars Posted April 3, 2007 Share Posted April 3, 2007 I havent done one yet, but one is on my list to do. It probably is just a number booster. Like said before the first few will be OK then after that we will probably avoid them. Quote Link to comment
Dinoprophet Posted April 3, 2007 Share Posted April 3, 2007 I've been impressed and surprised by the originality of every single one I've found. But I've only found one. As cool as the first one was to find, I'm in no hurry to find another. Quote Link to comment
vtmtnman Posted April 3, 2007 Share Posted April 3, 2007 As I've already found out, this crowd ain't fans of micros at all. Quote Link to comment
smallengineguy Posted April 3, 2007 Share Posted April 3, 2007 I like the challenge of doing those without getting spotted during a busy Saturday, etc. Plus it lets me cache when I don't have time to climb a mountain to get one! Quote Link to comment
+NobleSealFamily Posted April 3, 2007 Author Share Posted April 3, 2007 As I've already found out, this crowd ain't fans of micros at all. Oh, I love the challenge of a good micro... After the first though, these are no challenge at all. CREATIVITY! that's the key. Quote Link to comment
+Miragee Posted April 3, 2007 Share Posted April 3, 2007 As I've already found out, this crowd ain't fans of micros at all. Oh, I love the challenge of a good micro... After the first though, these are no challenge at all. CREATIVITY! that's the key. Creativity is nice, but I prefer "location" to be the criteria for a good micro, and one I will look for. Quote Link to comment
+BlueDeuce Posted April 3, 2007 Share Posted April 3, 2007 As I've already found out, this crowd ain't fans of micros at all. Oh, I love the challenge of a good micro... After the first though, these are no challenge at all. CREATIVITY! that's the key. I donno, I think if someone managed to hide an ammocan I still don't care much for visiting parking lots to look for caches. Quote Link to comment
+CYBret Posted April 3, 2007 Share Posted April 3, 2007 The first one I found was my 300th cache. My response was, "Oh...I've read about these." I'll do them when they're in my way, but honestly, they're not why I started playing this game. Bret Quote Link to comment
+Criminal Posted April 3, 2007 Share Posted April 3, 2007 I’m indifferent. Since I don’t hunt them, they have no impact on my geocaching whatsoever. I have yet to see a parking lot that inspired awe or wonder, so I’m not going to expect much from a cache placed there. Quote Link to comment
+Team GPSaxophone Posted April 3, 2007 Share Posted April 3, 2007 Then there are the ELPC's (Evil Lamp Post Caches) where the micro is magnetized to the skirt so you have to feel around for the prize. Wait, what does this have to do with caching again? Quote Link to comment
+terrycove Posted April 3, 2007 Share Posted April 3, 2007 When first starting I had some DNF's and was about to give up until I found a lamp skirt one. Yes, if you get too skilled for one avoid them. They have a purpose. Remember many are just looking for their first find every day. Lets help them get started. Quote Link to comment
Team Kryptos Posted April 3, 2007 Share Posted April 3, 2007 While I admit I don't really care for the parking lot caches (but I will look for them), I have found many others that HAVE taken me to a cool place. A place where the only place to put a cache is a light pole. We have one in a urban park that is VERY cool (so say the logs, not just me) and while ideally it would be nice to put a big ole ammo can there a micro under the skirt is just fine. As I have looked through my finds, I see that many were micros. And I can honestly say that there were VERY FEW that I did not enjoy finding. Its a shame that folks whine about caches. I'm glad we have enough fo find and that the whiners have enough to scoff at. Better than the alternative "there ain't no caches within 30 miles." Thanks to ALL who hide em! Kwit-chur-bitt-chin. Quote Link to comment
+cdwegner Posted April 3, 2007 Share Posted April 3, 2007 Hate them. But tossing a tupperware bowl in the bush next to the lamp is just as lame. I'd rather find one good cache a day than a dozen of these. Just my opinion. Quote Link to comment
+AStargirl Posted April 3, 2007 Share Posted April 3, 2007 Boring....unless the light post happens to be on top of a mountain with a breathtaking scenic view...those seem to be rare though. Quote Link to comment
+briansnat Posted April 3, 2007 Share Posted April 3, 2007 As I've already found out, this crowd ain't fans of micros at all. I think you'll find that this crowd has no problem with a well thought out micro. What many in this crowd have an issue with are micros placed in unappealing or totally mundane areas simply for the sake of placing another cache. As for the OP's question, if the "skirt lifter" is in a shopping center parking lot, I'll generally pass on it. There is nothing there of interest to me. I've seen cars and painted lines on asphalt all too often where I live. If however it is at a scenic highway overlook, at an historic site, in a pretty town park or an otherwise interesting or unusual place I'd definitely look for it. It's not the size of the cache or the style of the hide, its the location. Quote Link to comment
+NobleSealFamily Posted April 3, 2007 Author Share Posted April 3, 2007 While I admit I don't really care for the parking lot caches (but I will look for them), I have found many others that HAVE taken me to a cool place. A place where the only place to put a cache is a light pole. We have one in a urban park that is VERY cool (so say the logs, not just me) and while ideally it would be nice to put a big ole ammo can there a micro under the skirt is just fine. As I have looked through my finds, I see that many were micros. And I can honestly say that there were VERY FEW that I did not enjoy finding. Its a shame that folks whine about caches. I'm glad we have enough fo find and that the whiners have enough to scoff at. Better than the alternative "there ain't no caches within 30 miles." Thanks to ALL who hide em! Kwit-chur-bitt-chin. Whiners? Why is there always some moron that has to start pointing fingers and calling names. If the only place some one can think of to put a cache at a "cool urban park" is a lamp pole, then they aren't thinking outside of the box. Though, I'm all for a cache that brings me to a cool location. Quote Link to comment
+NobleSealFamily Posted April 3, 2007 Author Share Posted April 3, 2007 As I've already found out, this crowd ain't fans of micros at all. I think you'll find that this crowd has no problem with a well thought out micro. What many in this crowd have an issue with are micros placed in unappealing or totally mundane areas simply for the sake of placing another cache. As for the OP's question, if the "skirt lifter" is in a shopping center parking lot, I'll generally pass on it. There is nothing there of interest to me. I've seen cars and painted lines on asphalt all too often where I live. If however it is at a scenic highway overlook, at an historic site, in a pretty town park or an otherwise interesting or unusual place I'd definitely look for it. It's not the size of the cache or the style of the hide, its the location. Exactly! I mostly agree, anyway. I'm still all about the style of the hide. Even if it's a bit goofy or obvious. If it shows creativity and that the hider put in some effort, I'm all for it! Quote Link to comment
+ke6n Posted April 3, 2007 Share Posted April 3, 2007 Yeah, I'm in agreement with most everybody else on this one. My very first find was a LPC. I thought "Whoa, cool! Those things lift up?!" Then, after another one or two, the uniqueness wore off. Boring. Not something I'd go out of my way for. Ken Quote Link to comment
+geomann1 Posted April 3, 2007 Share Posted April 3, 2007 Yeah, I'm in agreement with most everybody else on this one. My very first find was a LPC. I thought "Whoa, cool! Those things lift up?!" Then, after another one or two, the uniqueness wore off. Boring. Not something I'd go out of my way for. Ken When I go caching with my 7 year old son, the first thing he heads for is the nearest lamp post or flag post skirt. My feeling is that lame caches are better than no caches, but why not at least try to come up with something new (at least to your area) or interesting or challenging. Quote Link to comment
+Kit Fox Posted April 3, 2007 Share Posted April 3, 2007 (edited) "If it wasn't for geocaching. i'd never know this parking lot existed ." My rule for all geocaches that I place is simple: If a film crew was filming a documentary about geocaching, would you be ashamed to show them your geocache? If the answer is yes, pick another spot." A 35mm canister underneath a lamppost cover does not a geocache make. Since this hobby has evolved into a sport where recognition is given to those that have multiple thousands of finds, Micro Spew ™ is the new name of the game. Great caches, hidden in great locations, requiring physical effort, routinely get passed over, for parking lot caches. From my observation, a large portion of the "big number" cachers are also out of shape, but they still find lots of caches that are "1/1s." Some cachers think i'm too opinionated. I go out of my way to hide great caches in great locations. C-46A Commando Crash Site. The Llano Del Rio Geocache (4 geocaches in 4 unique locations) The Real "Lost World" Geocache The Legend of Big Ben. (Night Cache) Cañon El Gato del Diablo Eisen-Faust Edited April 3, 2007 by Kit Fox Quote Link to comment
+BlueDeuce Posted April 3, 2007 Share Posted April 3, 2007 "If it wasn't for geocaching. i'd never know this parking lot existed ." Would you mind if I used that as my standard response to LPC threads? I'll give credit where credit due. Quote Link to comment
+Kit Fox Posted April 3, 2007 Share Posted April 3, 2007 "If it wasn't for geocaching. i'd never know this parking lot existed ." Would you mind if I used that as my standard response to LPC threads? I'll give credit where credit due. Use the phrase as often as you want. Quote Link to comment
+nekom Posted April 3, 2007 Share Posted April 3, 2007 I don't bother with parking lot mircos, but they don't offend me. I simply don't bother. It's just that easy! Quote Link to comment
+llatnek Posted April 3, 2007 Share Posted April 3, 2007 There is life beyond the lamp post.... (although lpc's are handy if you're out-of-town, jones-ing, or just gotta have one) Quote Link to comment
+Criminal Posted April 3, 2007 Share Posted April 3, 2007 My rule for all geocaches that I place is simple: If a film crew was filming a documentary about geocaching, would you be ashamed to show them your geocache? If the answer is yes, pick another spot." Some cachers think i'm too opinionated. I go out of my way to hide great caches in great locations. Sounds familiar. Quote Link to comment
+Cedar Grove Seekers Posted April 3, 2007 Share Posted April 3, 2007 We loved the first lamp post skirt we saw, but got sick of them after two or three. Not only are they typically in crappy areas, but many of them will make a lot of noise when picked up making it difficult to be discreet. Quote Link to comment
Mr.Yuck Posted April 3, 2007 Share Posted April 3, 2007 Some People like them. IBTSDOEL* *In before the staunch defenders of everything lame. Quote Link to comment
+teribear68 Posted April 3, 2007 Share Posted April 3, 2007 As a newbie still learning how to use my equipment and also as a mom caching with a kiddo in tow, I like them. They give me practice in doing things such as not spending 45 minutes searching for my car because I fumble fingered the button. I think they serve a purpose, and sometimes they're even in a cool location. Quote Link to comment
Trinity's Crew Posted April 4, 2007 Share Posted April 4, 2007 Some People like them. IBTSDOEL* *In before the staunch defenders of everything lame. It should be IBTSDOOC* *In Before The Staunch Defenders Of Other Cachers. Quote Link to comment
+Harry Dolphin Posted April 4, 2007 Share Posted April 4, 2007 I cache as I wander about the landscape. I found the two at the WalMart, the one at Home Depot, the one at the Best Western, and the two at the rest stop. And I wonder: Isn't there anywhere interesting around here??? Well, there was the one that the geocide hid in the NPS area... There are cache and dashes, and there are interesting caches. Oh, wait. There's a third cache at the WalMart! It's a mystery cache, and it's NOT an LPC! This one was actually fun! Yes, I do have an LPC (whom do I call to get skirts put on these lampposts?!?) , but it was intended with a certain amount of satire. Quote Link to comment
+TheAlabamaRambler Posted April 4, 2007 Share Posted April 4, 2007 As an affirmed SDOEL my opinion will be no surprise. I don't own an LPC, don't plan to, but I sure have had fun finding a bunch of them. To each his own! No one MAKES you hunt any cache. Quote Link to comment
Mushtang Posted April 4, 2007 Share Posted April 4, 2007 Whiners? Why is there always some moron that has to start pointing fingers and calling names.So people that call other people names are morons eh? Hmmm. If the only place some one can think of to put a cache at a "cool urban park" is a lamp pole, then they aren't thinking outside of the box.I love it when someone calls someone else stupid (or moron, or an idiot, etc) and then shows us how well they spell easy words. Though, I'm all for a cache that brings me to a cool location.For the sake of this post, I'll define "cool location" as, "somewhere other than sitting in my hotel room watching TV while I'm on a business trip". I love it when there are caches within walking distance of my hotel room! I'll get out and go find them, and often end up finding something else to do as well. Many of these end up being LPCs but I'm very thankful they're there. Quote Link to comment
+The Stainless Steel Rat Posted April 4, 2007 Share Posted April 4, 2007 two reasons why I like em. 1. I enjoy looking for all the hides in my town and surrounding area.So the more the better and not all of my area is wooded, thus the LPC concept allows hides in the most uban areas that anyone however creative or not can hide and find. 2. Good for really rainy days, or when doing other chores like shopping PS the less negativity the better Quote Link to comment
+BlueDeuce Posted April 4, 2007 Share Posted April 4, 2007 As a newbie still learning how to use my equipment and also as a mom caching with a kiddo in tow, I like them. They give me practice in doing things such as not spending 45 minutes searching for my car because I fumble fingered the button. I think they serve a purpose, and sometimes they're even in a cool location. My four year old has been caching for a couple years now and he is not intersted in micros, and if we are at Walmart he's definately not interested in caching. (hence why he is not interested in micros) Quote Link to comment
+wimseyguy Posted April 4, 2007 Share Posted April 4, 2007 "If it wasn't for geocaching. i'd never know this parking lot existed ." Would you mind if I used that as my standard response to LPC threads? I'll give credit where credit due. Use the phrase as often as you want. How original. Quote Link to comment
Micqn Posted April 4, 2007 Share Posted April 4, 2007 (edited) I avoid them altogether - since I dont cache to be in parking lots - But for those cachers that live and/or travel in RV's and stay at Wal-Mart parking lots they're super easy! Edited April 4, 2007 by Micqn Quote Link to comment
+ke6n Posted April 4, 2007 Share Posted April 4, 2007 Wow. Not only am I sick of LPCs, I'm sick of reading about them, too. Now where is that rascally topic ignore button? Quote Link to comment
+ToGoKo Posted April 4, 2007 Share Posted April 4, 2007 Before seeing this thread, I had heard (or read anyway) the term Lamp Post Cache, but never knew about the skirt lifter type. Tonight, while dropping a TB, we went to grab a few quickies in the area. One of which happened to be in a parking lot. I immediately knew it would be at a lamp post, but I was thinking nano. We walked around said lampost for 5 minutes (trying to be as discreet a possible!) before I figured it out!! I thought it was a neat idea! So then, I come here to read the forums and see this whole thread about LPCs/Skirt Lifters! Had I seen it earlier, it would have saved me 5 minutes searching and I would have missed out on 5 minutes of fun!! Not my favorite type, by any means, but I will still grab them when they are nearby! Seems like not too many people seem to like them, but they serve a purpose. After all, not everyone is able hike for miles to get a cache. Quote Link to comment
+SGT red jeep Posted April 4, 2007 Share Posted April 4, 2007 Geocaching in the urban environment can be very disappointing if not down right nausiating. I would much rather go after a rural cache any day. That being said, when I find I am going to a city whether for business or pleasure, I set up a query, do a map recon of the area, identify caches near where I will be staying or working, download the query to my pda and gps and eagerly await the trip. Upon arrival, at the first opportunity, like a shot, I am off. The goal is to find as many caches as I can. Lets face it, most urban caches are only worth a quick driveby anyway. Yes there are exceptions, the few jewels amungst broken glass, but for the most part, 'awe inspiring' is missing so as soon as I find the cache and sign the log I race on to the next one. Parking lots, alleys, in front of a businesses, behind businesses, by electrical boxes, by garbage cans, at little kiddy parks, find the cache and sign the log so I can check it off my list. What I don't like though is when the hider decides to make a lame cache more challenging. Imagination thrown out the window, lets hide a rock looking cache in some rocks, 50 rocks, funny - 50,000 rocks... Or how about placing a micro in a poor little defenseless ornamental flowerbed or bush . Nuthing but leaves and flower petals everywhere. Also, searching around businesses when they are open and seaching around a house or in an alley or around dumpsters, don't see the thrill. At least with a lamp post cache, you can almost guess where the cache is as you drive up so you can score the lame find and scratch it off you list. Quick... painless.... on to the next cache. Quote Link to comment
Mushtang Posted April 4, 2007 Share Posted April 4, 2007 Wow. Not only am I sick of LPCs, I'm sick of reading about them, too. Now where is that rascally topic ignore button? Well, good news then!!! Not only do you not have to find every cache placed (if you don't like em, don't hunt for them), you also don't have to enter any thread with a topic you don't like (and can avoid reading about them). Why complain that you don't like a thread in that thread? Quote Link to comment
+mgoose Posted April 4, 2007 Share Posted April 4, 2007 if you hide it , they will look for it ! Some like them , some don't! Some cachers can't make a long hike ! Some are in a wheele chair ! Some don't have time for a long hike or a mystrey cache. Some like the woods !! SOME DON'T !! SO IF YOU LIKE TO CACHE ,HUNT WHAT YOU LIKE AND HAVE FUN !! Quote Link to comment
Clan Riffster Posted April 4, 2007 Share Posted April 4, 2007 My own standards are pretty high. If I'm gonna hide a cache, it's gonna be interesting. Lifting up a lamp skirt in 500 acres of blacktop, choking on exhaust fumes whilst dodging soccer moms in SUV's, doesn't exactly qualify as interesting in my book. I can't even claim to have enjoyed my first one. I was blithely following my arrow, when it directed me into a parking lot. From 50' away, I knew where it had to be, and I shook my head, wondering "Why?". Groundspeak cites itself as "The Language of Location", and while a sweltering, trash strewn, smelly parking lot is, technically, a location, I can't help but think that TPTB had something else in mind. I am actually rather fond of a creative CPC's, (Commercial Property Caches), of any size, but most skirt lifters don't qualify, in my book. In my eyes, they rate right up there with film canisters plopped into the bushes of a Burger King, and hide-a-keys slapped on a dumpster. The epitome of "Lame". I am part of a small yet vocal minority who believe that lame caches, regardless of size, are detrimental to the game. Quote Link to comment
+angevine Posted April 4, 2007 Share Posted April 4, 2007 As I've already found out, this crowd ain't fans of micros at all. I think you'll find that this crowd has no problem with a well thought out micro. What many in this crowd have an issue with are micros placed in unappealing or totally mundane areas simply for the sake of placing another cache. It's not the size of the cache or the style of the hide, its the location. Well said. I too thought the lampost idea creative when I first saw it – not in a parking lot, but in a park that I continue to love to visit anyway. Micros can be just as creative as any other cache (and sometimes more so, with the flexibility their size allows); it's not them being micros per se that's the problem. I have two multi caches that end up with micro containers due to their placement in urban environments, and I think that they're quite creative, if I do say so myself! It's all in how you play the game. If folks want to place (and/or find) a lot of micros in easy-to-find, easy-to-reach locations because they're pumping up their numbers, that's a valid way to play the game. It's not how I play it, and I don't seek out those caches. It's not how a lot of folks play it, and that's probably where this erroneous notion of "hating micros" comes from; people who work hard to create and maintain interesting caches often don't see the point of dropping one in a parking lot. --- Jeannette Quote Link to comment
+KA7CJH Posted April 4, 2007 Share Posted April 4, 2007 Well my last hide was a LPC, Only because the only other spot available was a nice rocky hillside. And I just wanted to say I have one of these.. Quote Link to comment
+sbell111 Posted April 4, 2007 Share Posted April 4, 2007 (edited) I agree with all these posts. I like the challenge of doing those without getting spotted during a busy Saturday, etc. Plus it lets me cache when I don't have time to climb a mountain to get one! ... I'll do them when they're in my way, but honestly, they're not why I started playing this game. I don't own an LPC, don't plan to, but I sure have had fun finding a bunch of them. To each his own! No one MAKES you hunt any cache. Though, I'm all for a cache that brings me to a cool location.For the sake of this post, I'll define "cool location" as, "somewhere other than sitting in my hotel room watching TV while I'm on a business trip". I love it when there are caches within walking distance of my hotel room! I'll get out and go find them, and often end up finding something else to do as well. Many of these end up being LPCs but I'm very thankful they're there. 2. Good for really rainy days, or when doing other chores like shoppingPS the less negativity the better Edited April 4, 2007 by sbell111 Quote Link to comment
+halffast Posted April 4, 2007 Share Posted April 4, 2007 I live in a small town and there is only 1 LPC here and it isnt at the local Walmart.It is a multi-cache with the final still in the parking lot.So if you happen to be in our town you will have to find Wal mart on your own.I cache in Spokane while im there and havnt came across a LPC yet.So I suppose I still dont know if I like them or not.I will get back to you when I know for sure. Quote Link to comment
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