damngooddad Posted June 4, 2007 Share Posted June 4, 2007 I am very new to this and I joined because it really sounds fun. My question is how long do caches stay active? There are at least 10 within a 1/2 mile of my house and they were created 6 months to a year ago. Will they still be there? Is there a list of new caches in my area? Thanks in advance for your replies!!! Quote Link to comment
+imajeep Posted June 4, 2007 Share Posted June 4, 2007 Welcome to geocaching! I'm a newbie, too. If a cache is listed in the Geocaching.com database, it is active, unless it has been 'archived' (retired). The best way to determine whether it is still being found is to look at the log for the cache. If a cache has been found in the last week or month, it is almost certainly still 'active'. But if the last three or four logs report 'Did not find', the cache may be missing. Enjoy! Quote Link to comment
+Kabuthunk Posted June 4, 2007 Share Posted June 4, 2007 It's not uncommon for some caches to last years and years. It's kinda hit-or-miss though. If someone places a cache and then loses interest in geocaching, it can get stolen or broken over time, and if it has no owner to upkeep it, it'll usually end up archived. On the other side of the coin, if it's placed by a geocacher who stays a geocacher, or is adopted from someone leaving the hobby by a more active cacher, it can last for many a year . Also, if you read the previous logs for a cache, you can sometimes get a gist of how long it'll last. If it's lasted for a while... well, good. If it's been there for a month and has been stolen/broken multiple times already, it might not last all that long. Quote Link to comment
+hukilaulau Posted June 4, 2007 Share Posted June 4, 2007 I am very new to this and I joined because it really sounds fun. My question is how long do caches stay active? Oh, I'd say about seven years! And yes,it really is fun! Welcome to The Game! Quote Link to comment
+Renegade Knight Posted June 4, 2007 Share Posted June 4, 2007 It varies with a couple of things. Easier access tends to shorten the life span of a cache. Urban caches don't last as long as rural. Proximity to muggles (non cachers near a cache) also shortens the life span. So a rural cache but in a popular park along a trail would tend to have a shorter life span than one a mile away but not in the park. Quote Link to comment
+briansnat Posted June 4, 2007 Share Posted June 4, 2007 They last as long as the owner is interested in maintaining them (and unfortunately too often beyond that point). I have some that will be celebrating their 7th birthday this year. Quote Link to comment
+Knight2000 Posted June 4, 2007 Share Posted June 4, 2007 Oh, I'd say about seven years! And yes,it really is fun! Welcome to The Game! Is it still buried? I dont get it. Quote Link to comment
+hukilaulau Posted June 4, 2007 Share Posted June 4, 2007 (edited) Oh, I'd say about seven years! And yes,it really is fun! Welcome to The Game! Is it still buried? I dont get it. It's in a small hole with the top exposed near a fence post in the middle of nowhere. It might not be approved under todays guidelines but there's no reason to squawk about it now... Edited June 4, 2007 by hukilaulau Quote Link to comment
+wandererrob Posted June 4, 2007 Share Posted June 4, 2007 Like others have said, some of the originals are veen still in place after 7 years. I've seen others tank before their first find. It all depends on the situation. But one thing is for sure, if one isn't there anymore, there will still be plenty of others to be found. It's all part of the game. Quote Link to comment
+Driver Carries Cache Posted June 4, 2007 Share Posted June 4, 2007 The oldest active cache in California is the venerable "Firestone" (GC78). Placed on 02-Feb-00, Firestone currently has over 100 logs and will involve a very scenic walk to make the find. I haven't made the hike out to Firestone yet, I'm saving it for a significant "milestone". My oldest find is "Napa County's First Geocache" (GC111) placed on 24-Dec-00 (and still active as well)! There is something special about the older caches. DCC Quote Link to comment
+briansnat Posted June 4, 2007 Share Posted June 4, 2007 Oh, I'd say about seven years! And yes,it really is fun! Welcome to The Game! Is it still buried? I dont get it. Predates the guideline. Quote Link to comment
+StarBrand Posted June 4, 2007 Share Posted June 4, 2007 Many of mine are 4 to 5+ years old. Most caches have a long life span - depends on the owner and how good of a spot they chose to hide it in the first place. Quote Link to comment
vagabond Posted June 4, 2007 Share Posted June 4, 2007 (edited) The oldest active cache in California is the venerable "Firestone" (GC78). Placed on 02-Feb-00, Firestone currently has over 100 logs and will involve a very scenic walk to make the find. I haven't made the hike out to Firestone yet, I'm saving it for a significant "milestone". My oldest find is "Napa County's First Geocache" (GC111) placed on 24-Dec-00 (and still active as well)! There is something special about the older caches. DCC Hate to bust your bubble but the oldest active cache in Ca is Phil's memorial cache GC5b 9/10/2000 which predates Firestone gc78 which was actually placed 10/02/2000 by almost a month Edited June 4, 2007 by vagabond Quote Link to comment
vagabond Posted June 4, 2007 Share Posted June 4, 2007 Oh, I'd say about seven years! And yes,it really is fun! Welcome to The Game! Is it still buried? I dont get it. Predates the guideline. LOL predates his joining Quote Link to comment
+TrailGators Posted June 4, 2007 Share Posted June 4, 2007 The oldest active cache in California is the venerable "Firestone" (GC78). Placed on 02-Feb-00, Firestone currently has over 100 logs and will involve a very scenic walk to make the find. I haven't made the hike out to Firestone yet, I'm saving it for a significant "milestone". My oldest find is "Napa County's First Geocache" (GC111) placed on 24-Dec-00 (and still active as well)! There is something special about the older caches. DCC Hate to bust your bubble but the oldest active cache in Ca is Phil's memorial cache GC5b 9/10/2000 which predates Firestone gc78 which was actually placed 10/02/2000 by almost a month Hey, I found that one! It is in a beautiful park in the Laguna mountains in San Diego county. Anyhow, I really enjoy finding older caches as well. Quote Link to comment
+Driver Carries Cache Posted June 5, 2007 Share Posted June 5, 2007 (edited) The oldest active cache in California is the venerable "Firestone" (GC78). Placed on 02-Feb-00, Firestone currently has over 100 logs and will involve a very scenic walk to make the find. I haven't made the hike out to Firestone yet, I'm saving it for a significant "milestone". My oldest find is "Napa County's First Geocache" (GC111) placed on 24-Dec-00 (and still active as well)! There is something special about the older caches. DCC Hate to bust your bubble but the oldest active cache in Ca is Phil's memorial cache GC5b 9/10/2000 which predates Firestone gc78 which was actually placed 10/02/2000 by almost a month No bubble involved, was just working off info in many of Firestone's logs which name it as such. (including the most current on Apr. 17th). Guess they should be referring to it as "Nor-Cal's oldest"! Hmmm.... looks like I now need to add "Phil's" to my to-do list... and that's a good thing, one more classic! DCC Edited June 5, 2007 by Driver Carries Cache Quote Link to comment
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