Photos/Images of bad cache containers

[+Totem Clan]

As a noob here I've gone through this thread to see what makes a bad container. Where's the thread for what make a good container ?

Cool Cache Containers.

[+L0ne.R]

As a noob here I've gone through this thread to see what makes a bad container. Where's the thread for what make a good container ?

 

Geocaching containers - what's the best container per geocache size?

 

I thought this was a good summary:

 

Micro - bison type container

Micro - Matchsafe

Micro - soda preform

Micro - Nalgene bottles

Small - Nalgene bottles

Small - Lock and Locks

Regular - ammo can

[+Gustav129]

I really enjoyed this thread. I have noticed that the number of the plastic Foldgers coffee jugs are increasing around here.

[ll JK ll]

The worst, and most disappointing container I've found was similar to GNC's whey protein containers. Thin casing, thin cap. The contents were damp and mildewed slightly but thankfully the log was in a bag. I double bagged it for good measure. I also sat the container upright to at least give it a fighting chance from rain.

 

What made it disappointing was it was the final cache in a three leg multi that had bad coordinates and an even worse clue. After all that work I was expecting a nice ammo can that can survive being in the woods.

 

I learned a good lesson from that cache. Once I start hiding caches I'll be sure to not subject my finders to such a weak attempt. The way I look at it, why go through all the trouble of establishing a location, coming up with a puzzle for others to figure out, only to fumble the ball when it comes to the container?

[Andronicus]

This one was probably an okay container, but it wasn't fireproof.

 

(I got a bit silly with the log.)

 

Well you didn't break into "I'm a Lumberjack...", so not too bad. Funny stuff.

 

 

Worst container we've EVER found! 900 caches and this one wins.

I found the eyeglass one only mine didn't have the ziplock for the log BUT DID have the logsheet mush because it was where irrigation came in from the valve.

I found an LPC like this recently, but it was in a soft sided eyeglass case. Didn't stand a chance, the poor thing. Another finder had switched the plastick ziplock that was holding the log so that the whole cache was in the bag, but it didn't really help once it started raining.

[+GEOvloger]

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Hey forum,

 

I have found some pretty nasty caches in my day but the only one i have visual evidence of is in the latest episode of my Geocaching YouTube channel where I found a cache that is not water proof and so all the contents were covered in a nasty black mold. If you would like see what I'm talking about, here is a is the episode that features this cache container I'm talking about. If you like the video head on over to my channel to see the rest of my Geocaching adventures!

 

Visit the link below for geocaching adventure videos by GEOvloger

GEOvloger - YouTube Channel - subscribe for content updates!

 

Nasty cache container!!!!!

[+oxford comma]

I put all my swag in little baggies - to better protect them when the cache I find is

like <<that>> inside.

( well, I do it anyways for all of it)

[+Buzhunter]

This one was a shame really as it was a super walk to this picturesque location. Was one of our earlier ones, so just commented in our log that it was destroyed.

 

 

The next one was in an easily accessible location (for maintenance and hunting) and was another disappointing find. Dried it out as best we could, CITO'd the rubbish and tried to place it as best we could. It was a lock 'n lock type with broken tabs.

 

 

This last one was a fantastic (although certainly not waterproof) hide in a home made cache. I replaced the sodden log with a page from my notebook and returned it in it's original bag to the container. CO did mail me to thank me for replacing the log and that he did not require me to send him the old log.

 

 

I don't particularly have an opinion on these as I believe it is bound to happen. I try to read logs before I attempt a cache and avoid those which have many damp log comments. However, with the last picture I posted, I knew that the log was in poor condition and decided to look for it anyway. If the cache is in poor condition and I am able, I will try my best to leave it in better condition for the next finder.

[+L0ne.R]

Nasty cache container!!!!!

 

Goes to show that those knock-off lock n locks may look good but they don't do the job.

 

Here's a photo of a knock-off I found last week. The lid/tabs lasted less then a year (planted 07/14/2011).

 

[+ProfessorBenson]

Phew, there are some nasty caches in these pictures.

My worst find was on a cliff over looking a river where the container had been compromised. All that remained was soggy contents in an open plastic bag. What made it worse was the hours I spent looking for it.

[+edscott]

Here's a great one.. first reported as broken on 5/5/12. Still broken on 9/23/12.

 

[+6NoisyHikers]

This cache is located at a really beautiful site on the edge of a tidal river. Unfortunately, the container is a tin for Easter chocolate and when the water rose in the spring it leaked. The tin is rusted and everything inside has a coating of river slime. It's been out for five months and got its first NM log after 4 weeks.

 

[Clan Riffster]

I don't particularly have an opinion on these as I believe it is bound to happen.

I will add that it is only bound to happen when you combine a crappy container with a crappy maintenance plan. A ziplock baggie, in and of itself, is almost guaranteed to suck. I can see some inexperienced folks thinking a cookie tin or a knock off Lock & Lock might stand up to Momma Nature, but a baggie? Gaia save us.

[+L0ne.R]

Adding a recent bad container find. This is an authentic Tupperware container (has the Tupperware logo on the container). Not watertight:

Edited December 7, 2012 by L0ne R

[+LEGO]

Adding a recent bad container find. This is an authentic Tupperware container (has the Tupperware logo on the container). Not watertight:

 

Great for leftovers in the 'fridge. No so good for geocaching. This one has crossed over into "so bad you should just throw the whole thing in the trash" territory.

[+sugarshani]

So, if you shouldn't hide...

 

- Lock n Locks; 'cause they break

- Peanut butter/nut containers; because of allergies

- Pill bottles; because they aren't waterproof

- Gladware; 'cause the're not waterproof and they break

 

You could hide Ammo cans; but too expensive

 

Then what type of container do you hide?

[+frinklabs]

So, if you shouldn't hide...

 

- Lock n Locks; 'cause they break

- Peanut butter/nut containers; because of allergies

- Pill bottles; because they aren't waterproof

- Gladware; 'cause the're not waterproof and they break

 

You could hide Ammo cans; but too expensive

 

Then what type of container do you hide?

 

[Clan Riffster]

So, if you shouldn't hide...

 

- Lock n Locks; 'cause they break

Real Lock & Locks are actually pretty durable, especially if you paint them to help block UV. It's the knock off Lock & Locks that are crappy containers.

- Peanut butter/nut containers; because of allergies

A spurious argument, at best. Anyone who suffers from life threatening food allergies will take the necessary precautions, avoiding containers which may have held peanut products. The only down side to PB jars is the lid tends to degrade fairly fast, and if they are not thoroughly washed/bleached/etc, they can attract critters.

- Pill bottles; because they aren't waterproof

Some are, some are not. The amber looking ones with the poorly named child proof caps are not even remotely waterproof. But I have seen some that worked quite well.

- Gladware; 'cause the're not waterproof and they break

Yeah, those always suck. Sorry. Just no way around it.

You could hide Ammo cans; but too expensive

When you consider the cost of an ammo can, which can easily last a decade or more, against some less sturdy container, they are actually much cheaper.

 

Then what type of container do you hide?

You forgot a few.

Hide-a-key containers always suck.

Ziplock baggies as containers always suck.

Altoids tins always suck.

Cookie tins mostly suck. (unless you live in a region with low humidity)

[+L0ne.R]

Then what type of container do you hide?

 

Micro - bison tubes with a good o-ring, matchstick containers (coghlan), soda preform, nalgene bottles with a water tight seal

Small - Lock & Locks (authentic with the embossed Lock & Lock logo); peanut butter jars, nalgene jars with a water tight seal, pelican boxes (but they're expensive)

Regular - ammo can, authentic Lock & Lock

Large - ammo can, pails with a screw-top lid with an o-ring seal

 

Some more photos of durable water tight containers:

 

[+dameetro]

This Altoids tin was submerged in the Mighty Mississippi for several weeks. I had to pry it open with a knife. It had quite a bit of sand in there, but surprisingly the little Christmas eraser and pin were still recognizable. TNLN.

 

 

And then there was this Folgers cache. It hadn't been found in almost 2 years. It had no lid for that entire time. I dumped out the water and dug two matchbox cars out from the decayed leaves from 2 Autumns. The log had totally disintegrated inside the bag.

 

Edited December 23, 2012 by dameetro

[+Wampus-N-Pickle]

Found this one under a rock - a cardboard (thick paper, really) chewing gum package. It rained recently so it turned into a wad of muddy wet mush that just might be mistaken for trash...

 

Edited December 29, 2012 by Wampus-N-Pickle

[+oxford comma]

Found this one under a rock - a cardboard (thick paper, really) chewing gum package. It rained recently so it turned into a wad of muddy wet mush that just might be mistaken for trash...

 

wow. that's REALLY bad.

[+L0ne.R]

Found this one under a rock - a cardboard (thick paper, really) chewing gum package. It rained recently so it turned into a wad of muddy wet mush that just might be mistaken for trash...

 

 

Ugh. Found the cache in question and looks like it's a throwdown. The original went missing and the next finder threw this gum sleeve down to claim a smiley. Hopefully the active owner will disable this cache then replace it with a proper container asap. You might consider sending the CO a link to this photo, he might not realize what is currently there.

Edited December 29, 2012 by L0ne R

[+fbingha]

Tire Pressure Gauge - http://www.geocachin...aspx?wp=GC3CTW4

 

Edited December 29, 2012 by fbingha

[+McFlyAway]

With Altoids tins, it depends where you put them. I have a cache in the plants and rocks that used to be an altoids tin, but I replaced it because it got rusty (thanks for the pictures, L0ne R and simpjkee). However, I do have a bus stop cache that's an Altoid container, and it has not rusted one bit.

 

As with film canisters, you could use them as stages of a multi, but not the cache itself. As long as you can read the coordinates, I'm okay with it.

 

That reminds me, I do have a Folger's cache. It's held up so far. I AM kind of concerned that it's on a downward slope, though. Guess we'll see.

Edited December 29, 2012 by geoguy14

[+Don_J]

Found this one under a rock - a cardboard (thick paper, really) chewing gum package. It rained recently so it turned into a wad of muddy wet mush that just might be mistaken for trash...

 

 

Ugh. Found the cache in question and looks like it's a throwdown. The original went missing and the next finder threw this gum sleeve down to claim a smiley. Hopefully the active owner will disable this cache then replace it with a proper container asap. You might consider sending the CO a link to this photo, he might not realize what is currently there.

 

This seems to be a trend around here lately, only they write in their log that they found the container on the ground, but the log was missing, so they added a replacement log and re-hid it. All that really happened is that they didn't find the cache. They found some trash, put a log sheet in it and put it where they "think" the cache belongs.

[+Pork King]

This used to be a GOOD cache container, until the tree that it was hidden in fell. The tree crushed the cache, and it sat for almost 2 years. When I finally maintained it (and later adopted it), the box was filled to the brim with nasty brown water. The log was in a bag, but still pretty waterlogged. I was able to read most of the signatures, surprisingly.

 

[+oxford comma]

if a tree falls on a cache in the woods...

[+St.Matthew]

if a tree falls on a cache in the woods...

 

Yes there will be cachers to find it.

[+Pork King]

if a tree falls on a cache in the woods...

 

That's the caption I put on the picture when I posted it on the cache page.

[+AKStafford]

For my caches I use ammo cans or Otter Boxes. I figure if it's not worth spending $10 to $20 on the container then it's not worth hiding or finding a cache there. I also use the "Rite in the Rain" notebooks for log books. I like to think that my caches are considered high quality caches hidden in good locations that people enjoy finding.

 

I did have a match stick container in an area where a smaller cache container was necessary, but it quickly got muggled.

[+Don_J]

This used to be a GOOD cache container, until the tree that it was hidden in fell. The tree crushed the cache, and it sat for almost 2 years. When I finally maintained it (and later adopted it), the box was filled to the brim with nasty brown water. The log was in a bag, but still pretty waterlogged. I was able to read most of the signatures, surprisingly.

 

 

That's a mess.

There is an ammo can around here that had a 15' round boulder rolled on top of it when fire crews were widening a fire break in front of an approaching fire. It popped the lid open enough to slide the log in and out, and because of the angle, it stays dry. It's been that way for about five years now and get a lots of favorites, and an occasional Needs Maintenance saying that there's a boulder on the cache.

[+Off Grid]

 

They tend to leak. I've found dozens and probably can count the ones with dry contents on one hand.

 

haven't found one yet that leaked, if they are placed with care they make great micros and have a good seal too

 

Do the back ones as in the photo provide a better seal than the clear white ones with a different lid?

 

It's been my experience that the clear film canisters

 

 

seal better then the grey and black canisters. The lid on the grey and black canisters warps when pried open a few times.

 

But if you're going to place a micro, your logsheet is going to stay dry in a matchstick waterproof container or a bison tube (but they're not free, so many micro hiders shy away from the expense).

 

every cache ive come to thats been a film canister has been soaked and the lid has been quite damaged as if people shove it on:P

[+Off Grid]

Other than that, I've seen lots of disposable gladware. Bad stuff.

 

Here's are a couple of pictures of gladware, in case newbies don't know what gladware looks like:

 

 

 

Update:

 

Here's an actual gladware container that I found, a few days ago, in the field:

 

 

Note the cracked lid. Also note that the gladware container was in a plastic shopping bag. New COs will sometimes do this when the container is not water resistant. There's an assumption that the shopping bag will protect the contents. More often bags wrapped around a container causes moisture damage and results in moldy, slimy conditions.

 

im sure the bag did wonders haha ive seen this a lot people just grab what ever bag and stuff it in

[Chino1130]

Then what type of container do you hide?

 

Micro - bison tubes with a good o-ring, matchstick containers (coghlan), soda preform, nalgene bottles with a water tight seal

Small - Lock & Locks (authentic with the embossed Lock & Lock logo); peanut butter jars, nalgene jars with a water tight seal, pelican boxes (but they're expensive)

Regular - ammo can, authentic Lock & Lock

Large - ammo can, pails with a screw-top lid with an o-ring seal

 

Some more photos of durable water tight containers:

 

*PICS*

 

 

I'd like to add these to the list. I wish I saw them more often. To my knowledge, it is one of the few objects designed to spend a decade or more out in the elements. I have had the same one at my house for at least 13 years now. Not to mention they are cheap too... < $20

 

Here's one I made.

 

[+hzoi]

I'd like to add these to the list. I wish I saw them more often. To my knowledge, it is one of the few objects designed to spend a decade or more out in the elements. I have had the same one at my house for at least 13 years now. Not to mention they are cheap too... < $20

 

Are those mailboxes really watertight? Or are they just designed to drain easily?

[+Trucker Lee]

I found a plastic Easter egg hide the log was dry but it was in the weather on the coast. So I do not think it will last long.

Got one of these at an event and used it. The thin plastic gets brittle and cracks in a short period of time, not very waterproof either. Since replaced.

[Chino1130]

I'd like to add these to the list. I wish I saw them more often. To my knowledge, it is one of the few objects designed to spend a decade or more out in the elements. I have had the same one at my house for at least 13 years now. Not to mention they are cheap too... < $20

 

Are those mailboxes really watertight? Or are they just designed to drain easily?

 

In the 24 years I've in CT, I've never had a piece of mail get wet.

[+cwgrizz]

In the 24 years I've in CT, I've never had a piece of mail get wet.

 

But do you leave your mail in the box for weeks/months on end?

[+J Grouchy]

In the 24 years I've in CT, I've never had a piece of mail get wet.

 

But do you leave your mail in the box for weeks/months on end?

 

I can personally testify that leaving mail in one of those during a period of sunny days and rainy days for roughly one week is not ideal. I came back to rumpled, damp mail...and this was in the normal setting on top of a post and off the ground. Letting it sit on the ground is just ASKING for bugs and water to move in and do their worst.

[Alvater]

About mail boxes. I found one plastic mail box in the woods while searching a cache. The box was not the cache but it contained the guestbook of a nearby stone age grave. I logged that one too. The mail box had holes in its bottom and it was attached to a pole so if any water got in, it should not soak in there. I don't remember the notebook acting as the guestbook being in any bad condition and it had dates from years ago. But it was dark and rainy so I didn't really spend much time observing it.

 

I've found one cache that hadn't that good box, it didn't seem very tight and the lid was broken. I and someone else mentioned it in our logs and the cache was repaired.

 

The worst case? A big film canister in a traffic pole (the cache is actually presenting this crossing because many accidents have happened there). It was probably supposed to hang inside the pole from a wire hook attached to it somehow. But it was broken, or at least I don't think it was planned to be like that. The only way to attach the wire to it now was to leave it between the lid and container. So it was not waterproof at all and it was exposed to snow and rain. The log is wet. I and many others have mentioned it in our logs but the CO has posted no information if they are going to do any maintenance at it. I found it in winter and the last log is dated last week. NM has been posted in April. I haven't visited the cache since my found so I don't know its current state.

[+cerberus1]

My other 2/3rds has a jumbo rural one high in a tree for about a year-and-a-half now.

It has three good-sized lock n locks in it as a just-in-case, but it's been dry inside each time I reposition the strap for the deerstand base holding it to the tree (adjust for growth).

I think the key might be keeping it level, or with a slight tilt (up) in front, as we do.

[+Team*RayanW*]

believe it or not we found this "cache" a month ago.

it was hidden inside the tree and u had to tie a knot to "close" it ..

it even had some fav points...

[+Annawashere]

I found a cheap tupperware container a few months ago, full of ice and rust as someone had placed a metal object in it.

My main problems with the infamous film canisters isn't even the water. On more than a few of them, I've found spiders with full on webs in the container. It's sent me and fellow female cacher shrieking in terror.

[+Don_J]

I'd like to add these to the list. I wish I saw them more often. To my knowledge, it is one of the few objects designed to spend a decade or more out in the elements. I have had the same one at my house for at least 13 years now. Not to mention they are cheap too... < $20

 

Are those mailboxes really watertight? Or are they just designed to drain easily?

 

In the 24 years I've in CT, I've never had a piece of mail get wet.

 

And my mail gets damp every time it rains. I really need to buy a new box.

[+Annawashere]

Any cache that involves this,

 

and this,

 

Is pretty much lame, tired, and boring.

Any cache that involves this,

 

and this,

 

Is pretty much lame, tired, and boring.

 

Says you.

 

I still enjoy finding GRCs

 

Depends on the hide. A cool bridge with a scenic view is one thing and a bland country road or dead end is another.

 

I happen to love bland country roads. I've placed quite a few caches on them to encourage Sunday drives in the country. To each their own.

[+Annawashere]

Kin to the cheap storage containers are the butter/coolwhip tubs. Best saved for homemade salad bowls!

 

Who wants to start a thread on bad cache locations?

 

Or bad contents! WOW!!! An AA battery! and my boy got himself a lighter!

 

Oh, if we're talking bad contents, I've found of all things condoms, rusty sharp metal somethings, and human hair. Oi.

[+Annawashere]

I'd like to add these to the list. I wish I saw them more often. To my knowledge, it is one of the few objects designed to spend a decade or more out in the elements. I have had the same one at my house for at least 13 years now. Not to mention they are cheap too... < $20

 

Are those mailboxes really watertight? Or are they just designed to drain easily?

 

In the 24 years I've in CT, I've never had a piece of mail get wet.

 

And my mail gets damp every time it rains. I really need to buy a new box.

 

Same. And over the last few years I've found families of many different bugs living in my mailbox. I would hate to open up a cache and find something like that.

Edited May 18, 2013 by Annawashere

[+Annawashere]

Just remembered one container I can't believe I forgot.

(Photos belong to Team Trunk Monkey)

I was FTF on this cache and it was already full of water, log practically pulpy. I somehow managed to sign, but I'd be surprised if 2TF had any such luck. I should think rule number one of placing a cache is to not choose something riddled with holes, practically inviting water and bugs in.

[+FunnyNose]

Someone placed a logsheet in an empty one of these containers.

 

 

The name of the cache was "This is not trash"