+JL_HSTRE Posted March 30, 2010 Share Posted March 30, 2010 Something I've come across repeatedly in my few months of caching is caches where the logs have gotten wet at some point and started growing mold. Being in south Florida probably makes it particular bad with humidity we frequently have and getting alot of rain. Problem is the geocaching procedure is of course to sign the log to prove you visited the cache. But personally I prefer not to go touching stuff with mold on it or possibly breathing in mold spores. Especially since it is nearly always black mold. Does anyone else have this problem? Quote Link to comment
+briansnat Posted March 30, 2010 Share Posted March 30, 2010 Moldy logs, yes. The reluctance to sign them because they are moldy, no. Mold spores are everywhere. They can cause allergic reactions and diseases in some people while most others are unaffected. If mold spores are going to be an issue with you, I'd be more concerned about the basement in my house than a 30 second interaction with a piece of moldy paper. Quote Link to comment
knowschad Posted March 30, 2010 Share Posted March 30, 2010 Sorry, gotta agree with Brian. The leaves that you found the cache sitting in were also moldy. Mold happens. Some molds are bad for us, some are very good for us, and some are indifferent. Most, if not all, are smelly. If that bothers you, then this is definitely NOT the right activity for you. Caching is not a clean sport. Quote Link to comment
+bittsen Posted March 30, 2010 Share Posted March 30, 2010 Moldy logs, yes. The reluctance to sign them because they are moldy, no. Mold spores are everywhere. They can cause allergic reactions and diseases in some people while most others are unaffected. If mold spores are going to be an issue with you, I'd be more concerned about the basement in my house than a 30 second interaction with a piece of moldy paper. Most of the time I would agree with what you are saying but this time I have to disagree, to a point. WET mold, believe it or not, is less likely to cause an allergic reaction but dry mold, where the spores are active, can debilitate a person who is allergic within minutes of a one breath exposure. I know this from experience. I had purchased something off of Ebay that was OLD. When I got it, I opened it, noted a mildewey/moldy smell and closed it back up. Total exposure was less than 30 seconds. Two minutes later I was feeling a headache coming on fast (I don't suffer from migraines like that). 10 minutes after exposure I was in the middle of a headache of unusual proportions. Thirty minutes after exposure I was in bed asleep in the middle of the afternoon. It took a full week to recover properly. I didn't know what caused me to get sick for a few months later when I opened up the item again and went through the exact same set of symptoms. It was confirmed by my doctor that I had an allergy to whatever brand of spore that was in that item. But, for people who go geocaching, if they are allergic to the world or whateve is in it, be careful. Mold spores are a fact of life and you can't avoid them. They get into the paper from the area around the cache. They aren't born in the paper logsheet. You will encounter the mold spores no matter where you go. Quote Link to comment
+Max and 99 Posted March 30, 2010 Share Posted March 30, 2010 Yep, I found an old cache log that was wet, moldy, mildewy, whatever you want to call it. Really gross!! I replaced it with a new log book and baggie, and emailed the owner explaining the situation. The cache was abandoned and ended up being archived and I replaced it with a great cache. Quote Link to comment
+The Leprechauns Posted March 30, 2010 Share Posted March 30, 2010 Being in south Florida probably makes it particular bad with humidity we frequently have and getting alot of rain. Actually, if you want "particular bad," go to Canada. The mold there is so virulent that they need to add an extra letter "U" just to spell it! I am not making this up. I read it on the internets. Quote Link to comment
+narcissa Posted March 30, 2010 Share Posted March 30, 2010 Being in south Florida probably makes it particular bad with humidity we frequently have and getting alot of rain. Actually, if you want "particular bad," go to Canada. The mold there is so virulent that they need to add an extra letter "U" just to spell it! I am not making this up. I read it on the internets. Actually, we spell it with a U because we hate Americans. Weren't you following the PVC cache thread last night? Quote Link to comment
+The Leprechauns Posted March 30, 2010 Share Posted March 30, 2010 I am very sorry for misunderstanding the root cause, narcissa. Can I make it up to you by sending you one of my signature item hamsteurs? Quote Link to comment
+narcissa Posted March 30, 2010 Share Posted March 30, 2010 I am very sorry for misunderstanding the root cause, narcissa. Can I make it up to you by sending you one of my signature item hamsteurs? Yes, but please make sure the box is vented so it doesn't grow mould. Quote Link to comment
Luckless Posted March 30, 2010 Share Posted March 30, 2010 Found an abandoned cache (owner moved-looking for someone to care for it). The log book was covered with long gray strands of mold. Made it look like it had Don King's hairdo. Quote Link to comment
+succotash Posted March 30, 2010 Share Posted March 30, 2010 Hey Joshism, I have sympathy for you! We've found several like you describe where the logbooks/paper look like a science experiment or preparations for some kind of B-grade movie. I never thought about Don King's hair but I will from now on - thanks Luckless! It is part of the caching experience in the southeast so we just keep some hand sanitizer in our caching bag and try not to breathe in too deeply if it looks like the stuff can go airborne. If we have an extra log we'll add it, sign both logs and let the owner know the situation. Quote Link to comment
+buttaskotch Posted March 30, 2010 Share Posted March 30, 2010 Wear disposable latex gloves, with these caches. Thats the best way to contain the mold and let the CO know that the cache is compromised. Quote Link to comment
+Castle Mischief Posted March 30, 2010 Share Posted March 30, 2010 Wear disposable latex gloves, with these caches. That's the best way to contain the mold and let the CO know that the cache is compromised. I thought the danger of mold (with or without the "u") was from inhalation of the spores? Do I put the glove over my head? Quote Link to comment
+StarBrand Posted March 30, 2010 Share Posted March 30, 2010 Having found 3 or 4 such logsheets this last weekend - I am forced to comment that cache owners need to to place containers that can withstand the elements much better. Quote Link to comment
+42at42 Posted March 30, 2010 Share Posted March 30, 2010 Just don't lick your fingers. It doesn't take likecheese . Quote Link to comment
Andronicus Posted March 30, 2010 Share Posted March 30, 2010 Something I've come across repeatedly in my few months of caching is caches where the logs have gotten wet at some point and started growing mold. Being in south Florida probably makes it particular bad with humidity we frequently have and getting alot of rain. Problem is the geocaching procedure is of course to sign the log to prove you visited the cache. But personally I prefer not to go touching stuff with mold on it or possibly breathing in mold spores. Especially since it is nearly always black mold. Does anyone else have this problem? If mold is a problem for you, think of a solution. First thing that came to my mind was latex gloves and a mask; maybe a resporator if you are super sencitive (they run around $60 I think). Remember that there is a solution to every problem. Just think outside of the box you put yourself in. Hey, maybe I should become a motovational speaker when I get layed off.... Quote Link to comment
+nericksx Posted March 30, 2010 Share Posted March 30, 2010 I guess I'm just a woosie cacher. If the log is a little mildewy, then that's to be expected here in the PacNW. If you can braid the logs hair? I ain't signin. I post the find and a NM. If the CO isn't fastidious enough to have used a decent container or to do maintenance, they aren't gonna bother to compare logs either. Quote Link to comment
knowschad Posted March 31, 2010 Share Posted March 31, 2010 Being in south Florida probably makes it particular bad with humidity we frequently have and getting alot of rain. Actually, if you want "particular bad," go to Canada. The mold there is so virulent that they need to add an extra letter "U" just to spell it! I am not making this up. I read it on the internets. Actually, we spell it with a U because we hate Americans. Weren't you following the PVC cache thread last night? Huh!! I could have sworn that Canada was in America! Quote Link to comment
knowschad Posted March 31, 2010 Share Posted March 31, 2010 Let's see... what happy ( ) things has mold (and/or mould) done that we can be thankful for? Blue and Gorgonzola Cheese Penicillin Compost The Grateful Dead Quote Link to comment
+bittsen Posted March 31, 2010 Share Posted March 31, 2010 Let's see... what happy ( ) things has mold (and/or mould) done that we can be thankful for? Blue and Gorgonzola Cheese Penicillin Compost The Grateful Dead The first two on your list could kill me I don't know that compost has anything to do with mold, per se and who are the grateful dead? (I once won tickets to their concert and sold them in an hour and a half). Quote Link to comment
+42at42 Posted March 31, 2010 Share Posted March 31, 2010 Being in south Florida probably makes it particular bad with humidity we frequently have and getting alot of rain. Actually, if you want "particular bad," go to Canada. The mold there is so virulent that they need to add an extra letter "U" just to spell it! I am not making this up. I read it on the internets. Actually, we spell it with a U because we hate Americans. Weren't you following the PVC cache thread last night? Huh!! I could have sworn that Canada was in America! You are just another province and Obama isn't President, he the Premier. Quote Link to comment
+RoyalRed Posted March 31, 2010 Share Posted March 31, 2010 Problem is the geocaching procedure is of course to sign the log to prove you visited the cache. But personally I prefer not to go touching stuff with mold on it or possibly breathing in mold spores. Especially since it is nearly always black mold. WOW...I read your thread and then one(s) saying to wear latex gloves? I think you all should just stay inside and watch TV. No mold there and nothing to damage your fragile body. Come on it's Geocaching...you go out on the trail, maybe get caught in a rainstorm, sprain your ankle, break some bones. If you are worried about mold (or the more potent Canadian version of mould) then maybe you should stick to Wall Mart parking lot caches or just reading about Geocaching exploits on the internet. Maybe the PTB should start insisting that caches be sanitized every week. Give me a break. Get a backbone or get a new hobby. Quote Link to comment
knowschad Posted March 31, 2010 Share Posted March 31, 2010 (edited) Huh!! I could have sworn that Canada was in America! You are just another province and Obama isn't President, he the Premier. Canada and the USA are both countries in North America. I believe that Mexico is also North America. And then we have Central America, and of course, South America. We are all Americans. Some Americans, but far from all, are citizens of the USA. Edited March 31, 2010 by knowschad Quote Link to comment
knowschad Posted March 31, 2010 Share Posted March 31, 2010 Let's see... what happy ( ) things has mold (and/or mould) done that we can be thankful for? Blue and Gorgonzola Cheese Penicillin Compost The Grateful Dead The first two on your list could kill me I don't know that compost has anything to do with mold, per se and who are the grateful dead? (I once won tickets to their concert and sold them in an hour and a half). Well, that could be more a problem with you than a problem with mold, couldn't it? Quote Link to comment
+RoyalRed Posted March 31, 2010 Share Posted March 31, 2010 OH MY GOD...This cache has mud on it...might make me sick...BAN IT..BAN IT! Quote Link to comment
+Rich the Bushwhacker Posted March 31, 2010 Share Posted March 31, 2010 Face downwind when opening the cache and signing the log. Avoid breathing near it. It's elimated my mold allergy problems, which are quite severe. Quote Link to comment
+RoyalRed Posted March 31, 2010 Share Posted March 31, 2010 Face downwind when opening the cache and signing the log. Avoid breathing near it. It's elimated my mold allergy problems, which are quite severe. Maybe you wear a full body suit and a respirator when you cache. Quote Link to comment
knowschad Posted March 31, 2010 Share Posted March 31, 2010 I have a deadly water allergy, I'm afraid. It was something that I was born with. Breathing in too much of it can cause respiratory failure, so I have learned over the years to avoid inhaling water. When I encounter it, if need be, I will hold my breath until such time that I am once again clear of it. I may be wrong, but I'm guessing that molds and moulds are somewhat similar. Quote Link to comment
+Taoiseach Posted March 31, 2010 Share Posted March 31, 2010 Huh!! I could have sworn that Canada was in America! You are just another province and Obama isn't President, he the Premier. Canada and the USA are both countries in North America. I believe that Mexico is also North America. And then we have Central America, and of course, South America. We are all Americans. Some Americans, but far from all, are citizens of the USA. What do you propose as the demonym for citizens of the country to the south? Amerks? Quote Link to comment
+brslk Posted March 31, 2010 Share Posted March 31, 2010 Huh!! I could have sworn that Canada was in America! You are just another province and Obama isn't President, he the Premier. Canada and the USA are both countries in North America. I believe that Mexico is also North America. And then we have Central America, and of course, South America. We are all Americans. Some Americans, but far from all, are citizens of the USA. What do you propose as the demonym for citizens of the country to the south? Amerks? Yankadians. I would prefer Obama to our current leader. Quote Link to comment
+narcissa Posted March 31, 2010 Share Posted March 31, 2010 Huh!! I could have sworn that Canada was in America! Sssshhhh. We're sensitive about that. Quote Link to comment
+Vater_Araignee Posted March 31, 2010 Share Posted March 31, 2010 Huh!! I could have sworn that Canada was in America! You are just another province and Obama isn't President, he the Premier. Canada and the USA are both countries in North America. I believe that Mexico is also North America. And then we have Central America, and of course, South America. We are all Americans. Some Americans, but far from all, are citizens of the USA. woot! What do you propose as the demonym for citizens of the country to the south? Amerks? Short story, so old it is moldy. Had a British buddy who constantly called me Yank. Several occasions I asked him to stop. One day I became fed up, What the hell do you call an American from the south? A Con? He proceeded to school me on being an U.S. citizen and that everyone in the new world was American and to him all U.S. citizens where Yanks and super patriots where addressed by him as such. He asked me what I call you guys, I replied "Square staters". <--- none of that line is true I did research to prove him wrong and failed but he stopped calling me Yank. I love the land and will defend it with my last breath, but the government is a mould that needs to be scraped off the bread basket. State sider is neither insulting, informal or overly formal. Huh!! I could have sworn that Canada was in America! Sssshhhh. We're sensitive about that. Sorry I left a black mouldy taste in yer mouth. Next time I'll try to leave it at mold. --------------- I hold my breath if concerned, it can trigger an asthmatic reaction in me. Some days it takes more than others. Quote Link to comment
+42at42 Posted March 31, 2010 Share Posted March 31, 2010 Huh!! I could have sworn that Canada was in America! Yes but look at a map, Canada is on top. I would prefer Obama to our current leader. I totally agree. Maybe we can have a referendum and get rid of our dictator. Quote Link to comment
+GeoGeeBee Posted March 31, 2010 Share Posted March 31, 2010 He proceeded to school me on being an U.S. citizen and that everyone in the new world was American I heard an immigrant from Chile complaining once that to the locals "It's all Mexico, all the way down to Tierra del Fuego." It seems he had been called a Mexican a few times too many. Quote Link to comment
Andronicus Posted March 31, 2010 Share Posted March 31, 2010 (edited) State sider is neither insulting, informal or overly formal. Let me get this right. You people (who live in the USA) would like everyone else to call you "State Siders"? That sounds ..... well, silly. I would prefer Obama to our current leader. Hey, did you hear Obama is using some of Palin's platform? Off shore drilling here we come! Should help the American's (opps, State Sider's) economy out, not sure about our's (Alberta's)... Edited March 31, 2010 by Andronicus Quote Link to comment
+Vater_Araignee Posted March 31, 2010 Share Posted March 31, 2010 Let me get this right. You people (who live in the USA) would like everyone else to call you "State Siders"? That sounds ..... well, silly. No, not all, and the ones like me who don't like being called American can necessarily agree on what we are called. Just like not every Robert Likes being called Bobby or Benjamin being called Ben, or John getting called Jack. I find that "State Sider/s" is the most accurate demonym for U.S. citizens that fit the following criteria... Not insulting. Not overly formal. Not informal. Quickly spoken. Most people who know our countries name, wont need to be told who is being referred to. I know I'm not going to change everyone, but if I remove the ignorance from 1 person and they in turn do the same till we are a dead country, so much the better. It's inconsequential, it doesn't matter, but to me it is just like calling 18 ounces a pennyweight, almost right but not quite. Quote Link to comment
knowschad Posted March 31, 2010 Share Posted March 31, 2010 Boy, has this thread ever veered off topic! Anyway... to answer the question asked of me... we are Americans, and I am proud to be called one. I'm just saying that we are not the only Americans. Back on topic... has anybody ever heard of a cacher getting ill over moldy (or mouldy) cache logs? Quote Link to comment
+NeecesandNephews Posted March 31, 2010 Share Posted March 31, 2010 Off topic (or not, with many of the posts) The spouse was reading along on this thread and I had to laugh at her comment. She said "Americans??? That would be us.(meaning her family, she is a CDIB card carrying Cherokee) The rest of you are just "extended stay" tourists!!" ....wait a sec. Quote Link to comment
+Vater_Araignee Posted March 31, 2010 Share Posted March 31, 2010 Back on topic... has anybody ever heard of a cacher getting ill over moldy (or mouldy) cache logs? Nope, but I recognized that personal limitation long ago and figured out how to compensate before geocaching. Quote Link to comment
+BCSasquatch Posted March 31, 2010 Share Posted March 31, 2010 Huh!! I could have sworn that Canada was in America! Technically we are, but we don't always like to acknowledge it. We're the ones stomping on the ceiling and hollering for you guys to keep it down. We have to work in the morning. Back on topic - some strains of mould can be lethal to some people. I have had some experience with the symptoms of mould inhalation. I had an old Chevy van a few years back that had a mould problem and every time I got in the darn thing I would get flu-like symptoms. Even after tearing all the carpets and headliner out, it was all up in the heating system too. I didn't have it long, let's put it that way. For what it's worth, after feeling the effects of mould personally, I actually hold my breath while I handle mouldy log sheets, and yes, they are everywhere. It's a fact of Geocaching just like muddy pants up to the knees. If you're worried about it, take precautions as noted above. Being sick from mould is no fun. Quote Link to comment
+bittsen Posted March 31, 2010 Share Posted March 31, 2010 WOW, this is like stepping into a vortex of some sort. The thread title talks of mold but the content is all about who is, or is not, an American. Weird On the topic of mold. It's not usually the touching of the mold that gets you as much as the ingesting of it. Either by inhaling the spores or eating something that is moldy. I suppose wet, moldy, cache logs are potentially dangerous if you handle them and then lick your fingers but that is a small dose of mold at that point. Quote Link to comment
+nericksx Posted March 31, 2010 Share Posted March 31, 2010 Do the Brits/Canuks also use the "u" when they are are using term to describe a form? In simpler terms... Do you guys have Jello Moulds? Quote Link to comment
+bittsen Posted March 31, 2010 Share Posted March 31, 2010 Do the Brits/Canuks also use the "u" when they are are using term to describe a form? In simpler terms... Do you guys have Jello Moulds? Oh, they will add a "u" just about anywhere there is an "o". I'm surprised they don't spell it "fourm" It's not like in the States where we have to BUY our vowels. Quote Link to comment
+nericksx Posted March 31, 2010 Share Posted March 31, 2010 Do the Brits/Canuks also use the "u" when they are are using term to describe a form? In simpler terms... Do you guys have Jello Moulds? Oh, they will add a "u" just about anywhere there is an "o". I'm surprised they don't spell it "fourm" It's not like in the States where we have to BUY our vowels. Would that then be Jellou Moulds? Or is that too French? Nevermind, the French wouldn't be caught dead within a kiloumetere of Jellou. Quote Link to comment
+michiganman3 Posted April 1, 2010 Share Posted April 1, 2010 (edited) Michigan is pretty damp too, more problems with soggy log books and damp and rusty swag, I haven't seen any mold yet. Now, ICE inside of a cache I have seen. Edited April 1, 2010 by michiganman3 Quote Link to comment
+Vater_Araignee Posted April 1, 2010 Share Posted April 1, 2010 Michigan is pretty damp too, more problems with soggy log books and damp and rusty swag, I haven't seen any mold yet. Now, ICE inside of a cache I have seen. Trust me, you will see mold. Go to Howell and start checking LPCs on grand river. And if you're some place between Port Huron and Detroit you might see that invasive mould species. Quote Link to comment
+narcissa Posted April 1, 2010 Share Posted April 1, 2010 Do the Brits/Canuks also use the "u" when they are are using term to describe a form? In simpler terms... Do you guys have Jello Moulds? Canadian spelling isn't always the same as British spelling. Americans (i.e. citizens of the U.S.A.) notice the British variants, Brits notice the American variants and the archaic forms. The correct Canadian spelling is mould for both meanings. It's not uncommon to see the American spelling creep in (someone pointed out Canadian "mold" removal companies, for instance), but, strictly speaking, it's not the correct Canadian spelling. If one of my students spelled it "mold" in a paper I was grading, they'd hear about it. If I saw it on a truck going by, I might roll my eyes. Quote Link to comment
+Highland Horde Posted April 1, 2010 Share Posted April 1, 2010 mould, harbour, colour... I think that the Americans (USA) used up most of their "U"s in USA....so they just dropped them from other places (sorry for continuing the OT discussion ) Quote Link to comment
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