Would this be a good cache idea?

[+DCNatsFan]

Here's the idea. I want to place a geocache with a lock - and the key to the lock would be a trackable item placed in another cache. This would circulate just like any other doodad on a travel bug. In other words, the cache could be in Virginia and the bug with the key in Pennsylvania. So you need to find the bug with the key, then find the cache, then drop the key in another cache (obviously not the cache it's designed to unlock - how would you get it out, genius?).

 

So...whaddaya think? Too evil?

 

[EDIT: I'd have the other key on my ring, so I can do cache maintenance. There are two keys involved, both just the same.]

Edited January 11, 2009 by DCNatsFan

[+StarBrand]

Its been done before.

 

I remember one in the Omaha NE area and another from Montana.

[+briansnat]

I had one like that, but the TB had the combination for the lock instead of a key. I also requested that the TB not be taken out of the county that the cache was in, which made it reasonable.

 

Letting the TB travel the country will certainly cut down on the number of finds on your cache - a lot. Nobody is going to hit your cache if the TB is in California and your cache is in Virginia.

[+vwaldoguy]

The one in the Omaha actually has 6 sets of keys attached to individual travel bugs. The bugs mission statements ask that the Travel bugs only visit caches between Omaha and Lincoln.

[+Prime Suspect]

Found this one back in 2004.

[+JohnnyVegas]

How about a cache with a lock an no key, the finder has to pick the lock, I have thinking about a cache like that for while. I might even make a multi with a lock pick in the first stage.

[+Rev Mike]

I also requested that the TB not be taken out of the county that the cache was in, which made it reasonable.

 

I think briansnat is correct in that as long as you at least try to keep it near home it will work out better. I have found a couple like that before and one was confined to a county. It was much easier than the other one that did not even have to stay in the same state as the cache.

 

As long as someone will be able to find it because it is no fun hiding a cache that people can't solve or find. Some people may think themselves clever for hiding something like that but I don't. I had a puzzle go unsolved for about eight months or something like that before I started really dropping hints everywhere. Finally someone got it and then better hints spread like wildfire but I tend to think that I failed as a cache hider when nobody could find it.

 

- Rev Mike

 

Oh and someone WILL lock the key in the cache

[+Bundyrumandcoke]

I know its been done before, because I stole the idea. I have a cache which is locked, and the key is inside the cache. The challenge is to get the key out.

[+DCNatsFan]

I think briansnat is correct in that as long as you at least try to keep it near home it will work out better. I have found a couple like that before and one was confined to a county. It was much easier than the other one that did not even have to stay in the same state as the cache.

 

Well, jurisdiction borders are artificial. I might suggest keeping the key within 200 miles of the cache - that should be close enough.

 

As long as someone will be able to find it because it is no fun hiding a cache that people can't solve or find. Some people may think themselves clever for hiding something like that but I don't. I had a puzzle go unsolved for about eight months or something like that before I started really dropping hints everywhere. Finally someone got it and then better hints spread like wildfire but I tend to think that I failed as a cache hider when nobody could find it.

 

Thanks for the tip. I'll be sure to remember it.

 

Oh and someone WILL lock the key in the cache

 

Already thought of that, which is why I chose a locking box that requires the key to lock as well as unlock. Though I suppose it's just a matter of time before some moron puts the key in the cache and fails to lock it. Sigh...

[+Rev Mike]

Here are links to thw two caches I found like that.

 

Erie Key and Lock Cache

 

The two states key and lock cache

 

In retrospect they lasted longer than one would think.

Hope looking through these helps.

 

- Rev Mike

[+JPatton]

There are a couple of caches in MD like that.

 

Cache Without a Key

 

Play It Safe

 

Both have worked out pretty well, but the TB's are supposed to stay much closer than 200 miles to the cache. If the TB lands in New York City and someone finds it there, I don't think many people would rush right down to find the cache. It could also take a very long time for the TB to make it's way back to the DC area so a local could find the cache.

[+dakboy]

How about a cache with a lock an no key, the finder has to pick the lock, I have thinking about a cache like that for while. I might even make a multi with a lock pick in the first stage.

Be careful with that one. Some jurisdictions consider lock picks in the hands of people who aren't locksmiths to be "criminal contraband" or something to that effect. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lock_picking#Legal_status

[+trainlove]

I list a 'key' like that on a geocoin of mine. Along with other caches that require you to find other things first.

 

http://www.geocaching.com/track/details.aspx?tracker=tb1htxa

[+Prime Suspect]

I know its been done before, because I stole the idea. I have a cache which is locked, and the key is inside the cache. The challenge is to get the key out.

One word - Sawzall.

[+niraD]

How about a cache with a lock an no key, the finder has to pick the lock, I have thinking about a cache like that for while. I might even make a multi with a lock pick in the first stage.

There used to be one like that around here. However, the owner did not provide the necessary "special equipment", and just increased the difficulty rating. IIRC, the terrain rating was fairly high too.

[+ras_oscar]

my 2 cents: so long as you make it clear in the cahe description page that you ain't signing the log until you find the tb key. Personally I'd probably not bother looking for it, but to each his own.

 

More fair in my opinion if you do 2 caches: 1 with a combination and the other with a lock that accepts the combination. You could do something like a word lock on a padalock hasp and put the whole mess in a large lock n lock to keepm the elements out. That way you stil linik 2 caches, but they can bne fgound indep0endently or together and count as 2 logs.

[+Let's Look Over Thayer]

How about a cache with a lock an no key, the finder has to pick the lock, I have thinking about a cache like that for while. I might even make a multi with a lock pick in the first stage.

I once found a cache that a combination lock on it. The combination was on the cache page but I forgot my Palm so all I had was the coordinates (in the GPSr). So I spent 30 minutes working out the combination by feel. Then, as I was driving away, I realized that I could have just called Ms. LLOT and had her get the combo off the cache page. D'oh!

[+m.austin]

I have a combination lock on a cache GC1HARY. You have to be observant of your surroundings to find the combination. Oh - the logbook is made out of library checkout cards!

[+briansnat]

Well, jurisdiction borders are artificial. I might suggest keeping the key within 200 miles of the cache - that should be close enough.

 

The number of cachers who would be willing to drive 400 miles RT just to find your cache is probably close to zero. I'd make that 50 miles.

 

My locked cache had a number of ways to obtain the combination. The first one was to find the TB. The second was to hike 4 miles and find small caches, each with one number of the combination. The last was that I would leave slips of paper with one number of the combination in various area caches, but people wouldn't know which one, so it was a matter of chance to find one. Once all 4 were collected the person had combination.

 

One thing to consider. Even if you ask for the TB not to be taken from the area, there is no guarantee someone won't. My TB asked not to be taken out of the county. It said that on a tag on the TB and on the TB page. I even attached a map of the county to the TB in case there was some question as to what towns were in the county. The third person to take it moved to another state in spite of all this.

 

Similarly, I found a TB in NJ and received an e-mail from the owner. Turned out it was a key to a cache in Ma. and wasn't supposed to be taken more than 10 miles from the cache. I had to mail it back to him.

Edited January 13, 2009 by briansnat

[+LeupiT]

Have a look at my cache: GC1HAFT, "Der Konrad-Zuse-Cache" and GC1HRW9, "Konrad-Zuse-Bonus".

They are both in the same street area (big area), the Multi shows the cacher 12 letters (one letter at one tree), these are nessecary to calculate (A=1, B=2 ...) the final, and at the other final, of the bonus cache, you need these letters! A=N, B=O ... so e.g. the 12 letters are "five-four-zero" => The box is closed by chains, and there is a number lock with the combination "5-4-0" (e.g.)

Do it this way - and the cachers are enthusiastic!!

[+tsnyder88]

i like that is a good one

[+Texas4Ever]

I think this is a great idea. I would love to find one like this in my area.

[+Texas4Ever]

Whoops some how posted twice? Any how, I love the idea twice as much now?

Edited January 21, 2009 by Texas4Ever

[+ImaMystic]

How about a cache with a lock an no key, the finder has to pick the lock, I have thinking about a cache like that for while. I might even make a multi with a lock pick in the first stage.

Be careful with that one. Some jurisdictions consider lock picks in the hands of people who aren't locksmiths to be "criminal contraband" or something to that effect. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lock_picking#Legal_status

 

I know its been done before, because I stole the idea. I have a cache which is locked, and the key is inside the cache. The challenge is to get the key out.

One word - Sawzall.

 

how about one of these guys ...

 

 

I heard they really like breaking in and out caches

[+Isonzo Karst]

I've seen it done twice. One was the Tampa Key Cache. The Key TB was heavily labeled "not to travel outside the Tampa FL area" Eventually a NY cacher picked it up and took it to New York, which was the end of the cache.

[+hairball45]

That sawzall appears to be the corded sort. I've got an 18v battery job that can be used on the highest mountain trail as happily as at a parking lot micro..........

[+Prime Suspect]

That sawzall appears to be the corded sort. I've got an 18v battery job that can be used on the highest mountain trail as happily as at a parking lot micro..........

Maybe Angle-grinder Man will come out of retirement.