Handling old caches

[+Will_Dieterich]

Went to a cache today that was in very poor shape, looking at the site found the owner was no longer in the game; doing a little looking found the guy had been killed by a drunk driver a few days after his last logging of a cache.

 

I have flagged for archiving caches that are missing containers and will get this one cleaned up and archived. However is there a way that I can go and adopt his other caches that are in good shape or what would be the proper thing to do?

[+stijnhommes]

Unfortunately, you can't adopt caches without the owner's consent, but once a cache is archived, nothing is stopping you from placing a cache at that exact same spot with the exact same details as the old one. Make sure you mention it's in honor of the dead cacher.

[AZcachemeister]

There is a slight possibility you might be allowed to adopt these caches if it could be proven the owner has passed away.

 

A VERY slight possibility, but it has happened before.

 

Write to contact@Geocaching.com with your story.

[+niraD]

In the cases I'm familiar with, Groundspeak wanted permission to adopt from the heirs of the deceased CO. The heirs don't necessarily need to log in with the deceased CO's account, but they do need to give permission.

[AZcachemeister]

Which raises the question of whether or not there should be the possibility of a Geo-will, where one could specify who they wanted to be in control of their caches in case of an untimely demise.

I suppose it's probably best to choose someone, and just give them your log-on details.

[+Styk]

SBA is probably the best and quickest way to deal with this kinda situations,

Edited September 27, 2012 by Styk

[+NYPaddleCacher]

Went to a cache today that was in very poor shape, looking at the site found the owner was no longer in the game; doing a little looking found the guy had been killed by a drunk driver a few days after his last logging of a cache.

 

I have flagged for archiving caches that are missing containers and will get this one cleaned up and archived. However is there a way that I can go and adopt his other caches that are in good shape or what would be the proper thing to do?

 

Looking at your profile I see that cache was placed in 2007 so it's not all that old. Even though you posted a found it on the cache you can also post a Needs Archive log as you suggested the next finder do. Once the cache is archived you might even place your own hide in the same location as a tribute to the geocacher that was killed by the drunk driver. Just make sure that you don't including anything in the cache description that can be perceived as an agenda against drunk driving. Even good agendas are not allowed.

[Cataan144]

I think it's really a lovely thing that you want to do this. I hope you manage to either adopt or duplicate his caches.