Challenges?

[+Team Batpony]

What are they? I havent been able to check them out due to the site being down. And why does everyone seem to hate these challenges?

[+Walkworthy & Wife]

What are they? I havent been able to check them out due to the site being down. And why does everyone seem to hate these challenges?

A challenge cache requires that geocachers meet a geocaching-related qualification or series of tasks before the challenge cache can be logged. Waymarking and Wherigo qualify too, of course. The additional qualification or tasks are considered the basis of a challenge cache, rather than Additional Logging Requirements (ALRs).

 

Challenge caches vary in scope and format. All challenge caches must be in the affirmative and require that something be accomplished. Challenge caches are listed as Mystery/Unknown cache type.

 

Challenge cache owners must demonstrate that the challenge is attainable. Reviewers may ask the cache owner to demonstrate that they have previously met the challenge and/or that a substantial number of other geocachers would be able to do so.

 

Importantly, cache owners must consider how they will substantiate claims that the challenge has been met. The logging requirements on the cache page must reflect this consideration, and must be logistically viable. Challenge cache owners may also be asked to outline a long-term cache maintenance plan.

 

Some points to consider when creating a challenge cache:

 

Challenge caches must contain the word "Challenge" in the cache name.

It is generally considered "bad form" to log one's own physical cache.

A challenge cache concept that severely limits the number of cachers who can achieve the challenge will likely not be published.

A challenge cache based on one or more non-accomplishments, such as DNFs, will likely not be published.

Challenge caches may not require the publication of a new cache as a logging requirement. Challenges must be achievable by those who do not own caches.

Challenge caches may not require cachers to log caches that are disabled or archived.

An individual's attempt to complete a challenge should be independent of the actions of other cachers. A challenge is supposed to recognize the completion of an achievement, rather than the winner of a competition. For example, a challenge based on "First to Finds" is dependent on the actions of other cachers, is a competition, and cannot be verified, so would likely not be published.

Requiring cachers to find an explicit list of caches (rather than a broader category of caches) will likely prevent the cache from being published.

Using a challenge cache to promote one's own caches will likely prevent the cache from being published.

The challenge cache must be findable without needing to email the owner, either by posting the true coordinates or by posting instructions for a puzzle or multi-cache.

Cache owners are reminded that some caches may appear to meet the listing requirements, but reviewers as experienced cachers may see additional concerns that a cache owner may not have noticed. Consequently the cache page may not be publishable.

 

As with all caches, each challenge cache is reviewed and published or denied on its own merits. Some grandfathered caches do exist which would not be published today.

 

Taken from Geocaching. com on Challenge caches

[+zsdeng15014]

What are they?

They're a new sort of virtual that some don't like.

 

I haven't been able to check them out due to the site being down. And why does everyone seem to hate these challenges?

I don't. I like them.

[+Team Batpony]

What are they? I havent been able to check them out due to the site being down. And why does everyone seem to hate these challenges?

A challenge cache requires that geocachers meet a geocaching-related qualification or series of tasks before the challenge cache can be logged. Waymarking and Wherigo qualify too, of course. The additional qualification or tasks are considered the basis of a challenge cache, rather than Additional Logging Requirements (ALRs).

 

Challenge caches vary in scope and format. All challenge caches must be in the affirmative and require that something be accomplished. Challenge caches are listed as Mystery/Unknown cache type.

 

Challenge cache owners must demonstrate that the challenge is attainable. Reviewers may ask the cache owner to demonstrate that they have previously met the challenge and/or that a substantial number of other geocachers would be able to do so.

 

Importantly, cache owners must consider how they will substantiate claims that the challenge has been met. The logging requirements on the cache page must reflect this consideration, and must be logistically viable. Challenge cache owners may also be asked to outline a long-term cache maintenance plan.

 

Some points to consider when creating a challenge cache:

 

Challenge caches must contain the word "Challenge" in the cache name.

It is generally considered "bad form" to log one's own physical cache.

A challenge cache concept that severely limits the number of cachers who can achieve the challenge will likely not be published.

A challenge cache based on one or more non-accomplishments, such as DNFs, will likely not be published.

Challenge caches may not require the publication of a new cache as a logging requirement. Challenges must be achievable by those who do not own caches.

Challenge caches may not require cachers to log caches that are disabled or archived.

An individual's attempt to complete a challenge should be independent of the actions of other cachers. A challenge is supposed to recognize the completion of an achievement, rather than the winner of a competition. For example, a challenge based on "First to Finds" is dependent on the actions of other cachers, is a competition, and cannot be verified, so would likely not be published.

Requiring cachers to find an explicit list of caches (rather than a broader category of caches) will likely prevent the cache from being published.

Using a challenge cache to promote one's own caches will likely prevent the cache from being published.

The challenge cache must be findable without needing to email the owner, either by posting the true coordinates or by posting instructions for a puzzle or multi-cache.

Cache owners are reminded that some caches may appear to meet the listing requirements, but reviewers as experienced cachers may see additional concerns that a cache owner may not have noticed. Consequently the cache page may not be publishable.

 

As with all caches, each challenge cache is reviewed and published or denied on its own merits. Some grandfathered caches do exist which would not be published today.

 

Taken from Geocaching. com on Challenge caches

 

i meant http://geocaching.com/challenges/ not challenge caches. Thanks anyways!

[+Haiselden family]

Is it all these stupid, arm-chair challenges that have virtually stopped www.geocaching.com from working?

[GOF and Bacall]

I don't hate them.

[+Team Batpony]

Is it all these stupid, arm-chair challenges that have virtually stopped www.geocaching.com from working?

Probably.

[+briansnat]

What are they? I havent been able to check them out due to the site being down. And why does everyone seem to hate these challenges?

 

They're a replacement for virutal caches. For instance you can issue a challenge to visit a specific waterfall and have your photo taken there holding your GPS, or you can challenge someone to climb a certain mountain and be photographed from a specific spot.

[Pup Patrol]

Nope, no confusion with the similarity in the names.