Box for Geocaching accessories

[+poohisgreat]

I have a couple questions and will be curious to the answers. I am only 2 weeks into Geocaching and I am hooked!!!

 

1) I have a plastic shoe box in the car with Trinkets to trade. I just added Plastic bags and Geocaching logs.

 

What else should I put in it? Do other people keep anything like this in their car so they're always ready??

 

2) Is it ever proper to place a new log in someone's cache if the current one is soaked??

 

Thanks for your comments.

[+Gitchee-Gummee]

Read this thread: http://forums.Groundspeak.com/GC/index.php...=239015&hl=

 

Yes, placing a dry logbook is OK, as is placing one for a full logbook. Leave the old one in place. You should notify the cache owner.

 

Hint: Rather than a box in the vehicle -- get a small backpack. As time goes on (or even reading the above thread) you'll discover a lot of stuff that you may need.

 

Welcome to the obsession!

[+briansnat]

A roll of duct tape is good to fix cracked containers. A few extra golf pencils for caches that are missing a pencil. Extra batteries of course. Insect repellent for spring/summer caching. As Gitchee-Gummee mentioned a backpack is a great place to keep everything.

[+Border Caz]

Baby wipes or similar - for cleaning your hands after you've been poking about, also handy for cleaning out messy caches.

[+StarBrand]

Tweezers, a small first aid kit, small flashlight, some string, work gloves, a snack, water, ziploc bags etc

 

I have a backpack for longer walks/hikes and a a bag for other types of caches (like this: http://cgi.ebay.com/Tactical-Utility-Shoul...=item19b9de64a5

[+Pax42]

StarBrand mentioned tweezers but I'll go a step further and say a good multitool that includes tweezers (as some swiss army knives do) or has fine tip needle nose pliers.

[+DragonsWest]

Get a small, unbreakable mirror you can hold in the palm of your hand. Very handy for peeking under things. I have mine out most often when seeking micros and nanos, though sometimes there may be a larger cache in a hollow log and I'd prefer not to get down unless I must.

[+Triskeles]

Get a small, unbreakable mirror you can hold in the palm of your hand. Very handy for peeking under things. I have mine out most often when seeking micros and nanos, though sometimes there may be a larger cache in a hollow log and I'd prefer not to get down unless I must.

 

We were at Autozone last week and came across a nifty small round mirror with a handle. It's similar to a dental mirror except that the mirror is bigger and it has a telescoping handle. We just had to get it for our geocaching bag.

[+currykev]

Hi there poohisgreat. (he is indeed)

Carrying and replacing sodden / full logs is the perfect way to make friends in the caching world.

Carry tweezers for those nanos, babywipes so you can eat lunch, extra batteries so you can cache all day.

Pens, pens pens too.

[+BrrrMo]

When you are out Caching I would carry a whistle and a pocketknife.

[+poohisgreat]

WOW, everyone thank you so much for all the suggestions. Many great items I would of not thought about. I like the backpack idea too!! I'll be getting one of those.

 

BrrrMo- Why the whistle??

 

Thanks, going Caching this weekend and I can be a little more prepared!!!

[+Gitchee-Gummee]

Ha... I can answer that one. A whistle screech is paid attention to far more than is a yell or scream, and the piercing sound reaches further than does tired or hoarse vocals.

 

EDIT: Speeling.

Edited February 10, 2010 by Gitchee-Gummee

[+simpjkee]

I have a couple questions and will be curious to the answers. I am only 2 weeks into Geocaching and I am hooked!!!

 

1) I have a plastic shoe box in the car with Trinkets to trade. I just added Plastic bags and Geocaching logs.

 

What else should I put in it? Do other people keep anything like this in their car so they're always ready??

 

2) Is it ever proper to place a new log in someone's cache if the current one is soaked??

 

Thanks for your comments.

 

Welcome to the game! It's good to have you!

 

1. In my 'geocaching man purse' I have: gps, CAMERA, pocket note pad, numerous pens, tweezers, numerous spare batteries, minimag flashlight, and minimag flashlight replacement bulbs. This is all the equipment I've needed for 99% of my finds. A mirror is helpful, but I just use my digital camera to take pics of what I can't see and then look at the pics on the screen so it works the same way.

 

2. I think I'm in the minority on this, but I think it's entirely proper to add a log, but completely improper to take an old log out. I watch my caches like a 'helicopter parent' and I keep all my logs for my archives at home. If someone took my log and didn't notify me and give it back to me (wether soaked or not), I would consider that theft.

[+Chrysalides]

You may also want to look through a few other threads on "what to pack" and "tools of the trade". I can't think of anything else to add to the items above. I have a small wand type metal detector, but I could not, in all honesty, recommend it. It has helped, but not very often.

[+popokiiti]

We carry hiking sticks...great for poking, mirror on a telescoping handle (auto type) and depending on the type of caching day we'll be doing, use either a fanny(bum) bag or backpack each. I work in a dental office and have a cast-off pair of dental tweezers. For small holes a dental mirror (drug store or cast-off) may be the next addition.

For back up at home, we have a couple of those plastic carts....one for lock and locks, the other for swag, bags, logbooks etc. The garage has a box of stuff for prepping caches..............

We replaced a logsheet in a micro and kept the full one, letting the CO know that we would be happy to mail it to him/her. The didn't want it and asked that we dispose of it. Otherwise, we have just added more paper/logbook if needed.

[+TomToad]

i bought one of these http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_0...escoping+mirror

It's a telescoping magnet with an attachable mirror. Found it handy for many things.

[+briansnat]

2. I think I'm in the minority on this, but I think it's entirely proper to add a log, but completely improper to take an old log out. I watch my caches like a 'helicopter parent' and I keep all my logs for my archives at home. If someone took my log and didn't notify me and give it back to me (wether soaked or not), I would consider that theft.

 

I agree. As a cache owner I'm particular about my logs and often each one is made specifically to fit a certain cache. If the log is full or in bad shape leave a "needs maintenance" and let me take care of it.

 

If you feel you must play the good Samaritan, leave a log but please do not take the original one.

 

BrrrMo- Why the whistle??

 

In the case of an emergency it can be heard from much farthen than a voice. I have a "Storm Whistle" in my pack that is so loud my ears ring after blowing it.

Edited February 11, 2010 by briansnat

[+poohisgreat]

Thanks for all the great suggestions. I have already put some of the items in my box. But will get a backpack this weekend and some of the other things. I can tell already that Geocaching people are awesome and helpful people. Thanks.

[+digitalgoddess]

I just got my backpack at walmart in the accessories area. It was the old one that I used to carry my laptop to class. It works great for carrying cachng stuff. I agree about the whistle-my falconry whistle is attached to one of the shoulder straps in front. I don't carry alot of survival gear since I do caches near the city. I do keep a small first aid kit and a LED flahlight in case it gets dark while I am out, Extra socks and a heavy sweatshirt.

 

Colleen Mills

digitalgoddess

[+BCSasquatch]

I carry a small back pack at all times when I'm caching - it's actually a Kona cycling pack that can hold a water bladder and has many small pockets and compartments. Works great as I have all my stuff in it's own place in the pack which makes it very quick to get the stuff I use all the time - flashlights, note pad, camera etc.

 

Inside the bigger compartments I carry a 1L lock & lock with all the goodies like pencils, batteries, small tools, mirror, replacement log book, etc, and a smaller LL that has nothing but small, practical trade items. I also carry a well stocked first aid kit, spare socks, gonch, t-shirt etc. if I should ever decide to fall into a creek or something.

 

I also carry 2 knives - a large hunting knife and a smaller pocket knife, and a small umbrella that attaches to the outside of the pack so I can shield log books in the rain if needed.

 

Add to that some water proof outer wear, a rain guard for the back pack, a walking stick, and I'm ready to cache at any time. It all lives in my Jeep whenever I leave home so that if I decide to impulse search, I have what I need.

 

Then there are the rubber boots ... get 'em and use 'em. We get a lot of rain in these parts so good, waterproof, comfortable boots are a must around here.

[+akfuzzydice]

Hi there poohisgreat. (he is indeed)

Carrying and replacing sodden / full logs is the perfect way to make friends in the caching world.

Carry tweezers for those nanos, babywipes so you can eat lunch, extra batteries so you can cache all day.

Pens, pens pens too.

 

Yummmy! I LOVE baby wipe sandwiches!!!!

Just kidding.....

 

Can I add:

Hand held pencil sharpener? I get to caches and find dull/broken pencils. It's nice to be able to log "I sharpened your pencils..."

[+rising.sun]

Hey all,

 

I took a close look at several of the threads addressing "what to bring" and put together what I am calling the Ultimate Geocaching Checklist. I am sure this is a living document, as there are undoubtedly items I have forgotten, but I thought this was getting pretty close to comprehensive (i.e. "overkill"). Pick and choose as you like and as it fits your climate and willingness to carry stuff. I also admit that this can get a bit heavy, but after years of backpacking, I am not one to shun excessive stuff if there is a chance I might want it. I left off replacement cache containers and new caches as they are a bit too specific for me (if a cache container is needing replacement, I am going to send the CO a 'maintenance needed' note).

 

I was going to post the Word file I typed this up in so others could modify it for themselves or newbies, but didn't see an option for posting a file. Maybe I am still too new for that. I'll bet you can copy and paste it into a word processing file easily.

 

So, without further ado, here it is:

 

Geocaching Checklist for Backpack

 

 GPSr unit w/ lanyard or case

 SWAG for Trade and any Travel Bugs

 Water

 Pens / Pencils

 Extra Batteries

 Plastic Ziploc bags (sandwich &/or snack size for replacements)

 Replacement log sheets (if full or wet)

 Duct tape / Electrical tape

 6’+ of cord / twine

 Piece of Wire

 Golf pencils to leave in caches

 Pencil sharpener

 Baby wipes to clean hands with

 Insect repellant

 Sun screen

 Whistle (loud)

 Small 1st Aid kit / Ibuprofen

 Snake Bite Kit

 Space Blanket

 Magnetic Compass

 Pocket knife

 Gloves

 Matches (in bag or waterproof container) / Vaseline Cotton Balls (firestarters)

 Tweezers

 Needle Nose Pliers or Forceps for cache extraction &/or cactus spines

 Screwdriver or paint can opener

 LED flashlight or headlamp

 Mirror with telescoping handle

 Wand-type telescoping magnet

 Toilet Paper + trowel

 Hat

 Packable Poncho

 Silica Gel Pack to add to a damp cache (I get them from shoe boxes)

 Cell Phone

 Camera

 Trash Bags for hauling out litter

Edited February 16, 2010 by rising.sun

[+StarBrand]

...

 Silica Gel Pack to add to a damp cache (I get them from shoe boxes)

....

Skip that - they just can't absorb very much fluid and once they do - they become useless. The cache needs to be able to stay dry without these.

[+rising.sun]

Skip that - they just can't absorb very much fluid and once they do - they become useless. The cache needs to be able to stay dry without these.

 

OK, noted. They can be re-dried in a toaster oven easily, though. I've got one in my lock-n-lock cache just to absorb the inevitable atmospheric moisture that can build up in a cache.

[+poohisgreat]

wow, thanks Rising.sun. That's an awesome list!!! I think I am going to need a bigger backpack, LOL.

[briz954]

I just keep a zip lock bag in my hiking/geocaching bag with trading items.

Edited February 19, 2010 by briz954