Earthcaches you enjoyed and why you enjoyed them

[cezanne]

I would like to hear which Earthcaches you enjoyed particularly and for what reasons. The intent of this thread is not so much to collect a list of recommendable ECs (bookmarks, favorites etc will be a better means for that purpose), but to learn about what makes ECs particularly attractive to fans of ECs. Please note that the main focus should be on the EC itself (write-up, tasks, obtained experiences etc) and not on primarily on the beauty of the landscape.

 

Cezanne

Edited February 26, 2011 by cezanne

[+Chokecherry]

This one has been my favorite so far. The write was understandable to me and once at site it was pretty cool to look at. I prefer earth caches with writeups that are short, sweet, and to the point like the one. That offer a lesson but don't get into all the overwhelming details of geology. I learned something from this cache by going there and reading the write up. Over all it's not this massive feature. The area isn't particularly pretty and it's actually pretty random where this is in that town. But it was my favorite one because it was understandable and cool.

[+Max and 99]

I never would have imagined I'd find fossilized giant clams in a little creek in the middle of a neighborhood had it not been for the earthcache bringing me there. We had a great time discovering that earthcache!

[+Konnarock Kid & Marge]

There are no earthcaches that we haven't enjoyed and sorry, but we concentrate on "beauty of the landscape" as the largest attraction!

[cezanne]

There are no earthcaches that we haven't enjoyed and sorry, but we concentrate on "beauty of the landscape" as the largest attraction!

 

I meant to stress which ECs one particularly enjoyed as visitor among the ones one has visited (the title is shortened). They will not be all on the same level, I guess.

 

There is of course nothing wrong with concentrating on the beauty of the landscape, however this is not a contribution of the cache creator and a physical cache at the same location would serve the same goal (of course, only at locations where a container can be placed).

 

Cezanne

Edited February 27, 2011 by cezanne

[+Konnarock Kid & Marge]

There are no earthcaches that we haven't enjoyed and sorry, but we concentrate on "beauty of the landscape" as the largest attraction!

 

I meant to stress which ECs one particularly enjoyed as visitor among the ones one has visited (the title is shortened). They will not be all on the same level, I guess.

 

There is of course nothing wrong with concentrating on the beauty of the landscape, however this is not a contribution of the cache creator and a physical cache at the same location would serve the same goal (of course, only at locations where a container can be placed).

 

Cezanne

 

In our opinion only, the 'real' cache creator is Mother Nature or in some people's opinion, God.

As a matter of fact, we do enjoy traditional caches if placed in beautiful spot. In other words, it doesn't matter to us if it is an earthcache or a traditional cache, but what matters to us is what's there!

Yes, some ECs offer more than others, but as we said, we have never found an EC that we didn't like. With rare exception, we always give any earthcache that we have visited a 'favorite' vote, but that's just us!

To address earthcaches specifically, it's a bonus to complete the 'educational' experiences in geology to further develop one's interest and/or knowledge of geology, but as I said, it's a bonus, not the main attraction. We know that the so-called WOW factor isn't officially recognized and that is fine, but unofficially, it is our main attraction.

Let's face facts. The authors of earthcache write ups vary from a multi PhD in geology to a middle school kid getting help from his/her geology poor parents. That's OK, but the knowledge of geology and the presentation skills (writing ability) goes with the education so there is no equalizer there. To us, and let me emphasize the "to us" part, the equalizer is the location. A kid can find just as significantly beautiful geological spot as that multi PhD and that's why we don't put particular emphasis on the write up.

Naturally we know the stated purpose of earthcaches as per the GSA and we certainly support it, but our emphasis is our emphasis!

Thanks.

Edited February 27, 2011 by Konnarock Kid & Marge

[cezanne]

In our opinion only, the 'real' cache creator is Mother Nature or in some people's opinion, God.

 

I agree with you as natural objects are concerned. I do not think that mother nature e.g. created a man-made fountain (such objects are typical target objects of ECs in Europe).

 

But let's put that debate aside. Of course anyone is free to decide which aspects of a cache are most important to him and there is no need for justifying one's preferences.

My reason for focussing on the contributions of the creator (maybe developer would have been a better term, I just did not want to use owner) of an EC was that I thought it might be interesting to see for developers of ECs in which manner they can increase the level of enjoyment at the side of the visitors. The location of an EC is there and cannot (should not) be changed by us cachers. So what remains are the write-up and the tasks to be performed at the cache.

 

As a matter of fact, we do enjoy traditional caches if placed in beautiful spot. In other words, it doesn't matter to us if it is an earthcache or a traditional cache, but what matters to us is what's there!

 

If it does not matter to you whether you visit a traditional or an EC at e.g. a waterfall or a quarry and if the majority shares your opinion (I don't know whether they do), does it then pay off to have a special system for ECs at all (special reviewers, special guidelines at all)? If my intent were just to show a location of geological interest and not getting the visitor involved into some learning process and some activities, I would come up with a traditional or a multi cache and would in this way avoid all frustrating experiences with some authority telling me how I need to set up my cache (including the language used).

I guess for filtering out caches with a geological focus an attribute would suffice.

 

Cezanne

[+Flintstone5611]

You do pose an interesting theme, but I am perplexed by your negativity. The rules and structure that are used by the review team aren't meant to achieve perfection. They are in place to assist the majority of people to glean a geological experience (of any level) from their efforts. That is the hope for an EC. The reason that most people don't pursue geology is that there is an abundance (as with many other sciences) of bland or boring tidbits that aren't of interest to them. Earthcaches are trying to reintroduce the passionate side of geology by teaching people about it through a game. The unfortunate fact is that some will always put their (cache owners) energy towards their own advantage whereas others will work to assist the true beneficiary of ECs (fellow geocachers/finders). Your enthusiasm for geology is admirable but it becomes lost in the context of this only being a hobby. At best you can hope they remember what they are involved in, much less become geology enthusiasts as a result.

 

On to my response for this thread...

 

For my EC that I enjoyed, Wilma and I recently did GC10VMY "Eternal Flames Falls Earthcache". I was shown a geological phenomenon (maybe too strong a word, but it felt like that) that I didn't even know was possible. It was an educational journey just getting to GZ, and once there we had to reflect on how this happens and the resulting effect. It even led me to work further to make some calculations of my own regarding supply and consumption and what is necessary to facilitate this feature. I must say that it was not just memorable, it is definitely on our list of repeat caches!! We will probably go back in the summer just to visit this wildly interesting geolocality.

[cezanne]

You do pose an interesting theme, but I am perplexed by your negativity. The rules and structure that are used by the review team aren't meant to achieve perfection.

 

It is somehow OT here, but let me answer here if you address this issue in this thread.

I agree with you regarding the rules and the structure. Nobody and nothing on earth is perfect. I am not targeting for perfection.

I am reading through many EC descriptions and I noticed that I encounter many ECs that are really attractive for me in areas outside of Austria and Germany.

 

It would be way easier for me to be positive about ECs if I lived in your place. Moreover, I then also would not have the issue of being forced by some authority to use

a language I am not wishing to use and no one is going to force me to use for my normal caches. This is extremely frustrating for me and might explain a good deal of my negativity as you call it.

 

(BTW: In another thread I have translated a short quote by an EC reviewer from Germany who writes about the bad quality of many submissions and mentions that cachers should become active in case they are not satisfied with the situation that too many insignificant fountains, gravestones etc have been turned into ECs and should communicate their

dissatisfaction to the owner of the EC program. So if even EC reviewers are not happy with the situation, there is probably more behind the scene than just negativity.)

 

when I looked through the ECs you have visited, I did not encounter a single one of a similar type than this EC

http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?guid=239dca05-4848-4db9-8dc1-849c4a0bde8b

This not a rant about this EC. There are hundreds of others of similar type and the guidelines are fulfilled.

The cache should just serve as an example of what I am trying to address.

 

EDIT: I'd like to stress that neither the cache creators nor the reviewers did something wrong as this cache is concerned.

It is fully up to the standards (the largest ever found lapis lazuli fully meets everything written in the guidelines). That's also why I dared to cite this cache in public.

If I was implicity critizing something, then the guidelines of the GSA, and I thought that this is something that is well suited to be discussed in

public. In case I were not completely demotivated by now,I would start a new thread about the issue of ECs that show things outside of their natural environment. I am quite critical about this category.

 

On to my response for this thread...

 

For my EC that I enjoyed, Wilma and I recently did GC10VMY "Eternal Flames Falls Earthcache". I was shown a geological phenomenon (maybe too strong a word, but it felt like that) that I didn't even know was possible. It was an educational journey just getting to GZ, and once there we had to reflect on how this happens and the resulting effect. It even led me to work further to make some calculations of my own regarding supply and consumption and what is necessary to facilitate this feature. I must say that it was not just memorable, it is definitely on our list of repeat caches!! We will probably go back in the summer just to visit this wildly interesting geolocality.

 

Thank you. I like your reply very much. When I started the thread I was hoping for several replies along the lines of yours. Believe it or not my intent was a positive one.

 

I am sure that I would have enjoyed the EC you refer above very much. I believe that most readers cannot easily understand what I am writing about as the EC situation in their area is completely different. I am not expecting a write-up on an academic level. The questions can be simple, but they should be somehow related to a geological learning experience and not just involve telling the colour of the information board or measuring its length. In German speaking countries the questions for ECs are often not designed to provide a learning experience, but to be well suited for automatic checking. Automatic mail responders are very popular, and to make things worse, a new tool has been introduced

http://www.earthchecker.de

which has been advertised to have the advantage that it takes less than 5 minutes to set up the log verification for an EC.

 

Cezanne

Edited March 9, 2011 by cezanne

[+Flintstone5611]

I didn't mean to harp on you, I am beginning to understand your predicament. Reviewers are subject to the same rules that we are and as such are allowed to voice their opinions, but I think it is important that they try and support whatever arrangement is in place.

 

My published ECs are all in different countries and I felt that I was missing out by not developing more of them closer to home (I do have a couple simple ones that should be ready soon). I really feel that as you move closer to completing one of your own, all the struggle will make it that much more valuable in the end. It will be less of an annoyance as time moves forward and you start receiving logs complimenting your hard work.

 

When I saw that EC that you showed as an example, I became very interested in it, lol! I think that is far cooler than ones made of granite (whatever type) or marble (regardless). I actually thought that it would be neat to see how many people were familiar with that stone and if any did decide to research it as a result. I guess this could be more of an issue of natural formations vs application of geology, but either way, it seems like an ok EC.

 

I am not a big fan of cutting corners when it comes to my personal experience. I try to be a conscientious CO and try to respond quickly to each email that is cache related, but that is a weird website to setup. I can't understand the need to have immediate approval!? I guess some people savour their meals and others don't even taste their food. Why should geocaching be any different, if some are more focused on gathering smileys than enjoying each one as it comes, that is their perogative.

 

I am starting to get over my disdain for other peoples methods and just try and focus on the quality of my efforts and my experience, but hey some stuff will always bug me too, lol!

[+geodarts]

The location of an EC is there and cannot (should not) be changed by us cachers. So what remains are the write-up and the tasks to be performed at the cache.

 

Of course the corollary is just because a location is there, it does not necessary mean that an earthcache must be developed at that spot. When I come to earthcaches that are nothing more than a cut piece of granite holding a plaque or an object, it does not matter how good of a write up or task it might be -- it will be quickly forgotten. At the same time, when I come to an earthcache that focuses on things other than earth science and wants me to count something, it too will be quickly forgotten even if the area was worth a quick stop.

 

So the earthcaches that I enjoy are those that bring me to a particular location that I would want to visit in any event and teach me something interesting there -- that hopefully allows me to see the area in a new light. Interactive tasks, such as finding particular kinds of stones or looking for particular aspects of a formation, are much more fun than estimating, counting, or looking at the color of a building. I would rather spend more time taking a picture or two and thinking about what I see than doing tasks that have nothing to do with earth science.

 

Of those I have visited, there are a number of earthcaches that combine location with geology. But perhaps an even larger number that do not.

Edited March 15, 2011 by mulvaney

[+DragonsWest]

There ware some Earthcaches which are very well done and readily answerable. Amazing the stuff I've learned from most of them.

 

There are also, a few, which I think could have been done better or are, as described above, a mere placeholder.

[+Manville Possum]

There are no earthcaches that we haven't enjoyed and sorry, but we concentrate on "beauty of the landscape" as the largest attraction!

I agree, the write up is the least interesting part of a EC. But I have to admit, former member Cav Scout really did a wonderful job on the research and write up of his EarthCaches. Too bad that they are gone now, they were quite educational.

[+joranda]

Yeah he really put his heart into ECs.

[cezanne]

There are no earthcaches that we haven't enjoyed and sorry, but we concentrate on "beauty of the landscape" as the largest attraction!

I agree, the write up is the least interesting part of a EC.

 

Are the logging tasks included in what you refer to as least interesting part of an EC?

(the logging tasks are probably what I regard as most important for myself).

If so, what remains that is specific for an EC and is not just fulfilled by any cache at a nice location

with a connection to geology? If it is only the location that counts, it appears to me that

we would neither need special reviewers for ECs nor a special cache type.

 

Cezanne

[+Tank and Spaz]

I tried to resurrect some of Cav's old caches, got the answer below:

 

"Hi Tank and Spaz,

 

Sorry, but such apparent copy/pasting of the previous Earthcache Listing at this location, and the lack of permission from the Land Manager for the placement, makes this an unsuitable submission for Publication.

 

Sorry,

geoawareUSA1

Volunteer Earthcache Reviewer"

 

Now here is the funny part, these caches are on public land where, by all accounts, public domain means the use by the public, under the assumption of visitation by individuals. Now granted, I did use a large bit of the original page, but did add and delete some stuff, as well as refine the requirements to be more educational. So I ask the great ones... what is it going to take, when we follow your rules, to get something done. I know Cav was not your star pupil, but 200+ caches gone? Can we please get some clarity here. It is not just cachers that use EC's, I know schools and teachers that use them also. The other thing, even with approval from the manager for one, it was still denied. I am loosing faith in the process......

[+geoaware]

There is no issue at all about people developing EarthCaches on sites that have have a previous EarthCache archived! It is just a matter of following the guidelines....including those that cover permission and plagiarism.

 

For example:

 

3. EarthCache sites must be educational. They provide accurate, but simple explanations of what visitors will experience at the site. Cache page text must assume no previous knowledge of the relevant Earth Science. The educational notes must be written to a reading age of an upper middle school (14 year old) student. Additional technical or scientific notes can be provided for the scientific community at the end of the listing. All notes must be submitted in the local language. Additional languages are encouraged. You may be requested to provide the notes in English to assist with the reviewing process. Respect trademarks and copyright and only use images or logos in your description if you have permission. Avoid direct plagiarism and quote sources of information where appropriate.

 

8. All EarthCache sites developed must have prior approval of the landowners before submission (depending on local country laws and customs). The developed text should be sent to the landholder/manager for approval. When applicable the cache owner must have written permission from the owner or appropriate land-managing agency. The name, title and contact details of the person that authorized this EarthCache MUST be given at the time of submission in a "Reviewer Note". If permission is not required, please provide the reason, i.e. public road pull-off in a " Reviewer Note". If information about permission is not provided, the submission may not be published.

[+Lostby7]

It is not just cachers that use EC's, I know schools and teachers that use them also. The other thing, even with approval from the manager for one, it was still denied. I am loosing faith in the process......

In most cases you will need permission from the landowner...to make life simple, it's usually just best to get it even when it is not required; you will save some possible headaches. Copy / paste of an old cache is also a pretty big red flag for the review team. Writing is hard but crafting the page in your own words is the best way to learn the material yourself and often also to explain the feature to others.

 

I also fully agree with your above statement that not just cachers use the EC listings. I had one parks official want to use information directly from my cache page to create signage for his park...

 

...but both of my statements are off topic so I apologize for that.

 

But so as not to make my post completely off topic, I will say that I planned a vacation around visiting EarthCaches near a series of caves in Iowa....the family and I had the 2nd best vacation of our lives exploring the caves and viewing the area's topography. The EarthCaches were the draw and the highlight of the trip.

 

...the best vacation we had also involved EarthCaches...in South Dakota.

 

Can anyone guess what I'm planning my next vacation around? More EarthCaches.

Edited March 29, 2011 by Lostby7

[cezanne]

Can anyone guess what I'm planning my next vacation around? More EarthCaches.

 

Thanks for your on-topic reply. Have you already made up your plan where to go for the next vacation?

How do you identify regions with a reasonable number of (attractive) Earthcaches?

(I need to admit that I am not that familiar with EC-density in your potential vacation areas.)

 

Cezanne

[+Lostby7]

Can anyone guess what I'm planning my next vacation around? More EarthCaches.

 

Thanks for your on-topic reply. Have you already made up your plan where to go for the next vacation?

How do you identify regions with a reasonable number of (attractive) Earthcaches?

(I need to admit that I am not that familiar with EC-density in your potential vacation areas.)

 

Cezanne

I want to show my kids the action of tides....I'm thinking the coast of Maine U.S.A.

 

...I run a PQ for ECs in an area...the researching of the right place is a bit tedious.

Edited March 29, 2011 by Lostby7

[+Ladybug Kids]

...I run a PQ for ECs in an area...the researching of the right place is a bit tedious.

A quick screening tool I use is GoogleEarth with the Geocaching Google Earth Viewer. It allows me to quickly pan an area, zooming in on caches/features of interest. I can click on the cache icon, get a high level summary of T/D, and then click the cache title to open the cache page in the GoogleEarth window. To make it easier to find the ECs in the sea of other caches, I turn off the other cache icons.

 

Edited March 31, 2011 by Ladybug Kids

[+Lostby7]

...I run a PQ for ECs in an area...the researching of the right place is a bit tedious.

A quick screening tool I use is GoogleEarth...

THX I will have to play with that.

[+Manville Possum]

I tried to resurrect some of Cav's old caches, got the answer below:

 

"Hi Tank and Spaz,

 

Sorry, but such apparent copy/pasting of the previous Earthcache Listing at this location, and the lack of permission from the Land Manager for the placement, makes this an unsuitable submission for Publication.

 

Sorry,

geoawareUSA1

Volunteer Earthcache Reviewer"

 

Now here is the funny part, these caches are on public land where, by all accounts, public domain means the use by the public, under the assumption of visitation by individuals. Now granted, I did use a large bit of the original page, but did add and delete some stuff, as well as refine the requirements to be more educational. So I ask the great ones... what is it going to take, when we follow your rules, to get something done. I know Cav was not your star pupil, but 200+ caches gone? Can we please get some clarity here. It is not just cachers that use EC's, I know schools and teachers that use them also. The other thing, even with approval from the manager for one, it was still denied. I am loosing faith in the process......

We tryed the same thing and hit the same snag. We still have permission from the land manager, but at the time it was such a big issue we just stepped out of the picture. Also Cav Scout may list his caches on another listing service that did not exist at that time.

[mtbikernate]

For me, the write up is an important aspect of the Earthcache. I've done a few where the writeups were TOO short and (I feel) did not adequately explain what I was looking at/for. I don't like measuring tasks that have no point, either. Any measuring tasks should help me learn something about the site or phenomenon. There really is no point to "measure the dimensions of the boulder and estimate its volume" if that particular logging task doesn't lead me to some relevant conclusion.

 

I really liked the Mammoth Cave earthcaches (there are a couple). I have done a couple of the New Madrid fault Earthcaches and found them lacking (but some of the others appear better). The Indiana Limestone Earthcache was pretty neat, too. A few others I've done have been a bit lackluster, too. I don't ask or expect to always be brought to a "wow" location. I actually really like the ones that take me somewhere that appears mundane, but manage to teach me something new anyway.