Ready to create 1st cache

[JEABeatty3]

I have some questions for the community. My wife and I started researching this sport/game/hobby/family time together a few months back. We have jumped into things now---with 4 traveling bugs purchased and selectively placed.

 

I gather there is SIGNIFICANT RISK that TB's will be lost, stolen, or even sabatoged. I am still trying to figure out the best way to rock.

 

But we bring trash bags---believe in cache in, trash out!!

 

I digress...

 

What about placing my first cache? I have one constructed, and am very eager to place two caches just ASAP. The first is in the woods near my childhood home. We are talking about an expansive area of no-mans land that hasn't changed in 50+ years despite subdivision developments nearby. I don't want anyone's permission because frankly--I know those woods are safe and nobody cares. I have no idea who owns the land...kids run around there and have built clubhouses a MILE back for the last 50 years.

 

Any advice on how to send my cache request? Do they get pretty much instantly improved?

 

2nd cache is probably on railroad owned property as it is in commercial no mans land but withing 100 feet of a major rail line.

 

Please advise.

[+briansnat]

The guidelines say you need "adequate permission". In most instances what adequate permission means is up to you. However in instances where there are known policies in effect permission will not be assumed by the reviewer and you may need to provide proof.

 

Regarding the property you are considering, because kids built a fort there doesn't mean the owner is OK with trespassers. It only means they haven't been caught.

 

Your 2nd cache sounds like it might run into problems. On the surface I'd say you should forget about it. RRs are a touchy area. A geocacher was prosecuted, fined and jailed for placing a cache on a railroad right of way.

Edited August 24, 2009 by briansnat

[+kunarion]

Any advice on how to send my cache request? Do they get pretty much instantly improved?

My cache request was approved within 20 minutes of submitting it. That's what I call service! We have a great reviewer here.

 

And it was a little faster that I'd expected... Next time, I will not checkmark the selection for "This cache is active" until I've previewed the page and done some edits. I always make tons of edits.

 

About not knowing who owns the land: If you can find a "County Tax Assessor" website online, you might be able to see who owns it, on an interactive map. I can check that for my county in a couple of minutes. One plot which I thought was a road easement (and is cluttered with fascinating forts and constructions of junk), has a private owner -- and it's a valuable plot of land that's about to get partly Eminent-Domained in a road widening project. There's already a cache at one end of the property. I was thinking about a spot at the other end. So if I decide to place a cache, I'll write to the owner.

 

If you're concerned about losing other people's trackables, consider getting permission to place the cache, from the property manager. It's worthwhile to do.

 

I haven't placed my own coins or travel bugs yet. But if I do, they'll be inexpensive and in a theme only of interest to Geocachers. Something very collectible is bound to end up "collected".

Edited August 24, 2009 by kunarion

[+StarBrand]

Yup - steer well clear of the RR line. Very few exceptions have been made and usually only for areas where there was a clear barrier to the tracks. Like a city owned park next to the tracks with a big fence. Explicit written permission AND photos can help.

[+Jeep4two]

Regarding permissions: Remember that someone owns every piece of property. They may not maintain it (right now) or use it in any way currently, but someone owns it. An attempt to get permission may be a little time consuming but could prevent problems in the future.

 

Remember that your cache is easily traced back to your Geocaching account and should someone really want to push an issue they could.

 

I would err on the side of caution and seek permission.

 

RR property? I'd avoid it personally especially considering it's so near a functioning rail line that it's going to be difficult to get appropriate permissions and approval.