More lost newbie questions

[radioscooter]

Hi there everyone,

 

First off let me say the whole idea of this activity is thrilling to my 8 year old son and I. We are trying to jump in full-tilt.

 

We are brand new to geocaching and are not sure we are doing it correctly. I am signed up at geocaching.com etc. and my user name is radioscooter. We live about .25 mile from the Pot O'' Gold: Green microcache.

 

We tried to locate the cache today with no luck and just want to make sure of a few things that maybe you can help us with. We don't even know WHAT we are doing wrong.We read about the cache, decrypted the hint and then put the coordinates in our GPS unit which got us only to the park. Then we used my iPhone with the geocaching app to get closer. We thought we were right on top of it at the telephone pole but we couldn't find it. So a few questions:

 

* First - I read one log that said they didn't even use GPS, just "tracks and maps". What tracks and maps are they talking abut? Are we using the wrong tools? I loaded the coordinates into the GPS and the iPhone app seems to work on its own. But we didn't see any map or "tracks" and I don't know what they mean.

 

* We are not sure what exactly we are looking FOR. How are most microcaches stored? Is it really 2 film cannisters or is that just a size reference? I see that some caches say "it's an ammo box" or similar but how do we know? We picked up a lot of trashy container looking things that turned out to just be trash.

 

* We are not sure if we are meant to dig or climb or what? How "in plain sight" are these caches? Is it up to the cache-er? Specifically with this one - we didn't know if we were supposed to look inside a trash container as that seems unsanitary or in a tree that would require climbing - aren't those requirements listed by icons? And if not - can they be buried or..?

 

Where is the best resource area to learn and get started?

 

Thanks

Radioscooter (and son)

Edited June 9, 2009 by radioscooter

[+Gates4]

I would not look in the trash bin. Not only is it disgusting, but it would likely eventually get tossed and the placer would not want to loose their cache.

The best way to determine how visible the cache is will be by looking at the difficulty level. Up at the top of a listing by the coordinates, you will find stars showing the difficulty level (1-5) and the terrain (also 1-5) A terrain of 1 would be wheelchair friendly, 5 might require you to climb a tree. As a beginner I would try 1 or 2 level difficulty, and whatever terrain you are comfortable with.

Caches are also usually listed by size as you have found. Some would call a film canister a micro, but there are containers like magnetic key holders, and tiny bullet sized containers you might find hanging in a tree. Unless the listing specifies you just have to look.

Sometimes it helps to think about where you would hide something. Think safe - from wind, rain, people walking by, ect.

The more caches you find the faster you will get at finding them. Some people just read the cache and go look at the obvious spots without using their GPS, but most of us rely on coordinates.

Caches are also never buried. so dont dig.

Hope this helps.

[Motorcycle_Mama]

First of all, don't get discouraged. Everyone started right where you are.

 

Here are some suggestions when first starting out.

 

1. Check the size of the container list on the cache page and start with regular sized caches at first if at all possible. And do not start with micro sized caches until you get the hang of what you are looking for.

 

2. Stick to 1 - 1.5 difficulty rated caches at first.

 

3. Use your GPS unit to get within 20 - 30 feet or so and then start looking around for hiding places. Sticking to larger caches at first will help limit the number of hiding places.

[+StarBrand]

Here are some general hints:

 

Look for caches with a difficulty of 2 or less for your fist few caches. Stick with regular sized caches for your first few. Micros can be quite hard to find sometimes. Stick to areas you are familiar with. Look for anything out of place or unusual. Look for unusual piles of sticks, grass, leaves, rocks, sand, etc. Feel where you cannot look. Think vertical, not all caches are on the ground. Look up or at eye level. Look for traces of previous searches to zero in on the spot. Think like the hider - where would you put a container in this location? Look for things too new, too old, too perfect, not like the others, too many, too few. Change your perspective - a shift in lighting can sometimes reveal a cache. Keep in mind that many micros are magnetic or attached to something (via string, wire etc). Slowly expand your search area to about 40 feet from where your GPS says ground zero is. Bring garden gloves and a flashlight - they help! Be prepared to not find the cache more often then you think.

 

Most of all - have fun!!

 

For that particular cache - it is likely right in plain sight. Sounds like maybe a bison tube - very small.

[+Printess Caroline]

Hi there everyone,

 

First off let me say the whole idea of this activity is thrilling to my 8 year old son and I. We are trying to jump in full-tilt.

 

We are brand new to geocaching and are not sure we are doing it correctly. I am signed up at geocaching.com etc. and my user name is radioscooter. We live about .25 mile from the Pot O'' Gold: Green microcache.

 

We tried to locate the cache today with no luck and just want to make sure of a few things that maybe you can help us with. We don't even know WHAT we are doing wrong.We read about the cache, decrypted the hint and then put the coordinates in our GPS unit which got us only to the park. Then we used my iPhone with the geocaching app to get closer. We thought we were right on top of it at the telephone pole but we couldn't find it. So a few questions:

 

* First - I read one log that said they didn't even use GPS, just "tracks and maps". What tracks and maps are they talking abut? Are we using the wrong tools? I loaded the coordinates into the GPS and the iPhone app seems to work on its own. But we didn't see any map or "tracks" and I don't know what they mean.

 

* We are not sure what exactly we are looking FOR. How are most microcaches stored? Is it really 2 film cannisters or is that just a size reference? I see that some caches say "it's an ammo box" or similar but how do we know? We picked up a lot of trashy container looking things that turned out to just be trash.

 

* We are not sure if we are meant to dig or climb or what? How "in plain sight" are these caches? Is it up to the cache-er? Specifically with this one - we didn't know if we were supposed to look inside a trash container as that seems unsanitary or in a tree that would require climbing - aren't those requirements listed by icons? And if not - can they be buried or..?

 

Where is the best resource area to learn and get started?

 

Thanks

Radioscooter (and son)

 

Hi Radioscooter and welcome!

 

*Your tools sound just fine to me. The person who used "tracks and maps" to find the cache did some preparation at home, probably using Google maps and heaven knows what. As a very low tech. geocacher, I certainly don't know!

 

*The cache that you were looking for is a micro, which means that it could be the size of a film canister or even smaller! A "nano" is the smallest micro, and it is quite small. There is no separate icon for those, but often the cache owner will tell you in the cache description that you are looking for a nano.

 

*Caches cannot be buried. Other than that, the hide location is determined by the cacher who hid the cache. Some are in plain sight, and others are in places that you will need to move something to reveal them. From just reading the hint at my computer many miles away, it gives me no help that I can share with you about that cache's location.

 

The most helpful thing that I can think of to suggest is that you leave this one for a time when you are more experienced. Instead, look for a regular sized cache ( an ammo can or Tupperware-type container, generally) that is rated one star in difficulty. However, I would also suggest staying away from "A Tribute to Mom" cache that I saw listed in the caches nearby. From the description and some of the logs, I think that one looks like it could be a little freaky, especially for an eight year old.

 

Good luck!

[+The Blorenges]

 

* First - I read one log that said they didn't even use GPS, just "tracks and maps". What tracks and maps are they talking abut? Are we using the wrong tools? I loaded the coordinates into the GPS and the iPhone app seems to work on its own. But we didn't see any map or "tracks" and I don't know what they mean.

 

* We are not sure what exactly we are looking FOR. How are most microcaches stored? Is it really 2 film cannisters or is that just a size reference? I see that some caches say "it's an ammo box" or similar but how do we know? We picked up a lot of trashy container looking things that turned out to just be trash.

 

* We are not sure if we are meant to dig or climb or what? How "in plain sight" are these caches? Is it up to the cache-er? Specifically with this one - we didn't know if we were supposed to look inside a trash container as that seems unsanitary or in a tree that would require climbing - aren't those requirements listed by icons? And if not - can they be buried or..?

 

Where is the best resource area to learn and get started?

 

Thanks

Radioscooter (and son)

 

Hi, welcome to the fun

 

I don't know the cache (I'm 3600 miles from it ) but I had a look at the cache page and read through the last 30 logs...

 

"inventive", "tricky hide", "unique hiding place", "the cache fitted perfectly" "clever hiding spot"...

 

It sounds like the cache owner has been nicely creative and clever with this one. It's probably extra tricky for you because you're so new.

The cache owner has given you an idea of what size the container is... I'd be looking for something that's been disguised as something else perhaps. I don't think it's in any trash bin - apart from the fact that it would be an unpleasant place to expect anyone to search, none of the other finders have made any comments along the lines of "Glad I brought gloves for this one..."

 

As Gates4 has said, it won't be buried - That's not allowed for geocaches listed on this site.

 

Have another go at it - good luck - Report back to us

 

MrsB