Found cache location but nothing left but magnet

[+Track Day Toys]

This is my first day of geocaching. I found a location and photographed the lack of cache. I found its remains-the magnet was left behind. I logged it as 'Needing Maintenance' but some geocachers have claimed it as 'Find' even though in their comment they say that the cache was missing.

 

Am I correct to choose 'Needs Maintenance' rather than claim it as a find?

 

Thanks

[+mpilchfamily]

An NM is perfect. Those that logged a find but mention the cache is missing are logging it incorrectly. You can't log a find unless you have signed the cache log.

[+NanCycle]

Maybe. You are certainly correct in not claiming a find, as you didn't find the cache. But maybe, just maybe, what you did find was a decoy, and the cache is right where it is supposed to be. Not saying that is the case, but just that it's possible.

[+hukilaulau]

yes, you are correct! Good job finding the magnet but trust me, later on you will be glad that your first recorded find was not something you didn't really find.

[+Track Day Toys]

Thanks for all the swift replies and the great advice.

The cache has just been suspended for 2 weeks until it gets sorted, or archived.

Kind regards

Track Day Toys

[+Skittler]

An NM is perfect. Those that logged a find but mention the cache is missing are logging it incorrectly. You can't log a find unless you have signed the cache log.

 

Agreed.

In my case, even if the log is there!

See here: http://forums.Groundspeak.com/GC/index.php?showtopic=268596entry4616311

[+StarBrand]

I'd log it as a DNF (Did Not Find) - mentioning the magnet found alone. Without actually finding a cache at that spot you cannot know for sure if the magnet is related or not so NM makes some assumptions.

[+geodarts]

I'd log it as a DNF (Did Not Find) - mentioning the magnet found alone. Without actually finding a cache at that spot you cannot know for sure if the magnet is related or not so NM makes some assumptions.

 

I am willing to make some assumptions in this kind of situation. If the magnet is not related to the cache the NM does no harm. If it is related to the cache it might better flag it to the owner's attention. But since people have been logging the magnet as a find, some kind of maintenance was clearly needed - as appears is now being done.

Edited February 21, 2011 by mulvaney

[+briansnat]

I'd log it as a DNF (Did Not Find) - mentioning the magnet found alone. Without actually finding a cache at that spot you cannot know for sure if the magnet is related or not so NM makes some assumptions.

 

I am willing to make some assumptions in this kind of situation. If the magnet is not related to the cache the NM does no harm. If it is related to the cache it might better flag it to the owner's attention. But since people have been logging the magnet as a find, some kind of maintenance was clearly needed - as appears is now being done.

 

I agree, if the magnet was not part of the cache the owner can explain that and delete the NM. If it was, it certainly is an appropriate log for a missing cache.

[+Harry Dolphin]

I had someone tell me that she only found the magnet. DNF, rather than an NM. I checked and the cache was still there. And, I'm pretty sure that there was never another cache hidden there. A mystery. She returned and found the cache.

No. She did not log a find on the magnet. She didn't find the cache, and doesn't log finds on assorted magnets.