Have you ever had your cache hijacked?

[+Flintstone5611]

Just so this is clear, I am not talking about one of my own caches. Recently a cacher was pursuing a high difficulty hide. The extraction of the cache was the trickiest part, with people continuing to fail with various tools it just made it harder and harder to retrieve. They eventually met with success but couldn't open the container, so they took it home for a few days! They actually said in their log that they would bring it back soon, but other cachers should consider it "disabled although not officially" until they are done with it. I couldn't believe that an experienced cacher would hijack the cache like that.

 

I understand the intentions may have been noble, but couldn't they have posted a needs maintenance log. People haven't even had the cache in hand for about 5 months much less been able to assess the needs of the cache. Why would you take the cache away?

[GOF and Bacall]

Nothing noble about it. Actually quite selfish.

[+sword fern]

Umm, no. There are people who take the cache To their car and sign it. Even if it's 4terraib.

[knowschad]

Not me, but I know of someone who tossed a stick to knock a tree hide out of the tree because this person couldn't make the climb. The cacher then took the cache home for a spouse with a separate account to sign. Several days later, said cacher returned the cache to its owner at a private get-together so the cache owner could put it back where it belonged. Those of us that knew the cachers just shook our heads in disbelief.

[+Harry Dolphin]

No! I spent a half hour with hiking stick, plastic bag, and other TOTT to get that cache back into the tree!

[+Coldgears]

Makes me wonder, if you posted a "found it" log that says you stole the cache, and you legitimately did, can they delete your log?

[+SooMukwas]

Makes me wonder, if you posted a "found it" log that says you stole the cache, and you legitimately did, can they delete your log?

 

And did they just admit to committing a crime?

 

I saw someone's car running outside a convenience store today and it had some weird noises coming from under the hood. I couldn't see the owner around but figured he/she wouldn't mind if I took it for a few days to see if I could fix it. I'm sure they'll be happy with my good intentions too!

[+dorqie]

Well, my bf sorta hijacked a cache for less than an hour, more like 15 mins...

It required a tire pump to open, and the only one he had was one that plugged in to the cigarette lighter in the truck.

Had to hike to the cache, bring it to the truck, open it, then hike to put it back.

In that 15 mins, no dnfs were logged.

[+vincenzosi]

That's absolutely insane!

[+Flintstone5611]

I am familiar with the cachers that did this and they are good, experienced geocachers. I just can't understand the lapse in judgement. I can appreciate the desire to replace a container or refresh an old logbook. I can understand when a cacher sees a need and does nothing more than alert the CO by means of a NM log. Taking the cache from GZ for a few days and then giving the CO guff because they had a tough time. It was my first time seeing that.

[+tozainamboku]

I wouldn't make such a big deal.

 

I have on at least to occasions taken a cache. Each time, after finding the cache I took it some distance away to sign the log. When I went back there were muggles at GZ and I could not replace the cache without compromising it. In one instance, I went an found few more caches in the area and returned the cache a hour or so later. In another I took it home and arranged to return it to the cache owner.

 

There was also cache near where I live that needed repair (magnet detached from container leaving it lying exposed on the ground). I left a replacement container while I took the original home to repair (and posted a note for the owner). Once the cache was fixed I replaced it.

 

And there are a number of times when after I found the cache while replacing it I accidentally dropped the cache into the abyss (down a pole or in a storm drain). I happens sometimes (I'm a bit of a klutz),

 

Certainly it's not the normal thing to walk off with somebody else's cache or to lose a cache (or travel bug). But these are thing that happen from time to time and in the case of taking a cache may even be justified to protect the game piece.

[AZcachemeister]

Maybe they broke it, and wanted to be responsible and fix it?

[+Flintstone5611]

Maybe they broke it, and wanted to be responsible and fix it?

 

I never thought of that. They never eluded to that in their logs, but it could be. I have messed up cache containers by accident before. I usually try and fix it or (if the container is too unique) I let the owner know so they can attend to it. But they are gonna find out it happened either way.

[7rxc]

I'd say the BIG TEST would be to know if they rectified the problem (theirs or the cache container's) and RETURNED it as promised.

 

They seem to have persevered and recovered a harder than planned container, possibly preventing it's loss completely. Then found something that stopped them from opening it... This is a harder part... was it something limiting... say needing a wrench they didn't have with them OR was it, say, rusted solid? A physical repair like dealing with severe rusting might be acceptable if they were close enough to get it back ASAP... In that case they probably saved the CO a lot of time and effort to do the same thing.

If it was just something they needed, or just to figure out how to open it.. then they should have left it in it's normal hide or approximation thereof. A hard call without knowing all the facts. I certainly wouldn't persecute them for it, IF it got it back in useful service promptly... they did notify others about the situation clearly. It sort of sounds like it didn't get too much action other than attempts to recover it anyway.

 

Doug 7rxc

[+cmhall9]

After signing the log a couple walked up and sat at a bench across from me and the cache hiding location. We were only 8-10 feet away and I was in full view of them. After waiting for about 15 minutes I decided to take the cache and look for the other two in the area. When I came back the couple was still there. I ended up waiting about 20 minutes more. Total of about an hour and a half. The couple finally got up and walked off and I quickly hid the cache.

[+Ambient_Skater]

What kind of container was it? Depending on the circumstances the necessary TOTT may not have been portable enough to transport to GZ. The finders would have been fully justified in transporting the cache away for no longer than the time it takes to open it, sign the log, and reseal it.

[+R4Ltony]

I personally just did exactly this to a cache that I found. The log was soaked and all of the few contents were destroyed by water. The log was worthless to any future finder, as just trying to flip it open it was turning to mush. I left a note to the owner that I was going to replace the log with one from home. (I live about 3/4 mile away) I was able to dry the original log to a useful condition by the next day. (placed in my oven at 200f) I returned it and placed some new swag in the cache. The CO was extremely happy I did this maintenance, and made no complaints that it did not have a log in it for the 24 hours I had it in my possession.. I left the container there for others to find and possibly leave a log or a card or something. I may have been wrong for taking the log and contents. I just considered the possibility of another finder remote because it's a difficulty 4, and has few logs. Not to say somebody didn't go look for it, but it seems to me destroyed swag and a worthless log book is no better than no log book..IDK. Opinions?

[AZcachemeister]

I personally just did exactly this to a cache that I found. The log was soaked and all of the few contents were destroyed by water. The log was worthless to any future finder, as just trying to flip it open it was turning to mush. I left a note to the owner that I was going to replace the log with one from home. (I live about 3/4 mile away) I was able to dry the original log to a useful condition by the next day. (placed in my oven at 200f) I returned it and placed some new swag in the cache. The CO was extremely happy I did this maintenance, and made no complaints that it did not have a log in it for the 24 hours I had it in my possession.. I left the container there for others to find and possibly leave a log or a card or something. I may have been wrong for taking the log and contents. I just considered the possibility of another finder remote because it's a difficulty 4, and has few logs. Not to say somebody didn't go look for it, but it seems to me destroyed swag and a worthless log book is no better than no log book..IDK. Opinions?

 

I'd say you did the right thing.

 

Especially considering there may be no real need for someone else to sign the logbook anyway.*

 

*A not-so-vague allusion to another thread on this subject.

[+Flintstone5611]

I was able to dry the original log to a useful condition by the next day.

 

I wouldn't do that, but you had the consent of the CO. You let them know what was going on and they were cool with it. If the CO said "thanks, but I will handle it" would you still do it?

 

They returned the cache tonight, after picking it up on the 12th. This was after the CO demanded that they put it back. Again I can see the good intentions, it just wasn't a smart move. We have a system in place for alerting the CO to a possible problem with the cache. If we feel the problem is unfixable we can always request Archival. I just think that those limits should be respected for the sake of the CO and their efforts.

[+R4Ltony]

I was able to dry the original log to a useful condition by the next day.

 

I wouldn't do that, but you had the consent of the CO. You let them know what was going on and they were cool with it. If the CO said "thanks, but I will handle it" would you still do it?

 

Really I only did it because it was so close to home for me. Otherwise I would have left a piece of paper for my log and put the old log in a bag, and made a NM log along with my find. This particular cache is not conducive to drying out because of the way it is built. I did take the log before I asked the CO what they wanted to do about it. In retrospect I shouldn't have taken it. It could have turned out bad. Now I carry small replacement logs with me so additional finders can sign too before or if maintenance is done. Taking a cache to sign the log and not replacing it within a few minutes just shouldn't be done.

Edited June 15, 2011 by R4Ltony

[+releasethedogs]

Only time I have done something like this was in Seoul Olympic park. I was signing a log and then out of nowhere 150 elementary school children come to ground zero and start having a picnic! it was some sort of field trip. No way I could put it back w/ out being discovered so I just took it along for a few hours and replaced it when I was on my way back to the subway.

[+The_Incredibles_]

Only time I have done something like this was in Seoul Olympic park. I was signing a log and then out of nowhere 150 elementary school children come to ground zero and start having a picnic! it was some sort of field trip. No way I could put it back w/ out being discovered so I just took it along for a few hours and replaced it when I was on my way back to the subway.

 

I had a similar experience in a high-muggle zone. Nearly had to take the cache and come back later.

[+jgc3]

I've known of two caches that were moved away from GZ because the person finding it didn't think it was the best spot.. could not believe it.. they should message the owner no problem with that if they think necessary.. but taking it is not on in my opinion..

[+barraseaclaid]

Well, my bf sorta hijacked a cache for less than an hour, more like 15 mins...

It required a tire pump to open, and the only one he had was one that plugged in to the cigarette lighter in the truck.

Had to hike to the cache, bring it to the truck, open it, then hike to put it back.

In that 15 mins, no dnfs were logged.

 

what cache was that?

[+Corfman Clan]

Stuff happens. I've taken a cache for a few days before returning it. Basically the cache was hung in a fountain with some monofilament. The monofilament broke and needed to be replaced. There was no good way to leave the cache so I decided the best course of action was to take it home. A few days later, I returned it with a new length of monofilament. I did leave a note in my log that I took the cache and I sent a note to the CO explaining the situation and offered to meet with him or deal with it however he wanted. When I returned the cache, I left a note that it was returned and ready to be found.

Edited June 16, 2011 by Corfman Clan