Geocaches in really remote places

[+-CJ-]

Maintenance plan is important for caches placed far from home. So, if I have an idea about placing a geocache in a town that takes me two days to travel to I should think about what I say to reviewer. Regular business trips, or a local geocacher, or some resident who is ready to take care about my cache. It's pretty clear.

 

What about really remote regions? Places with no population? Mountains, for example?

 

In my country the majority of the territory is almost deserted (Siberia). You can hike there for two weeks without meeting a soul. I have many geocaches published at our national website in such regions. Commonly, they have been checked and maintained by geocachers who travel there from time to time so I basically know in what conditions are these boxes. However I obviously cannot suggest a "traditional" maintenance plan for these caches. No one is able to do this and no one will be. I mentioned this issue in one discussion here and got some vague replies like "this may be country specific so your local reviwer might consider..." etc. To be more specific. There are Khibiny mountains to the north of my city, 1.5 days by train. Not so difficult trails but not for everyone, as all mountain regions I believe. I've been there 7 times and placed 9 traditional geocaches. As far as I know, all of them are alive. They're usually logged by geocachers several times a year at our national website but in summer season hikers pass these locations every day. By moving these caches to geocaching.com I hope that they could be visited more frequently.

 

Since then I've read many descriptions of geocaches in very remote locations in other countries. Forests, deserts, Arctic, so on. Somehow people manage to publish these caches. Are there such COs here? If yes, could you kindly tell how it became possible, what maintenance plan you provided, what were your arguements at whole?

[+Isonzo Karst]

I suggest that you write up a cache page with a title of Checking Coords, perhaps the coords of a cache that you already own in the area.

 

Write a reviewer note, explain your maintenance plan, and how the cache has been working, see if this is sufficient, perhaps ask for suggestions from him on what it may be required to have the cache published on Geocaching.com.

Edited July 3, 2013 by Isonzo Karst

[+hzoi]

The main requirement for a maintenance plan is that it be "adequate," which is open to interpretation. How often will the cache actually need maintenance? (We can guess when placing a cache, but ultimately only time will tell.) How many cachers will find it (and, thus, how quickly will the log book fill up)? How sturdy is the container? How secure is it from accidental finders?

 

There are urban micros that are visited by hundreds of cachers per year. Those will need active maintenance.

 

On the other hand, there are remote caches that will receive only a handful of visitors a year, if that. Look at 4.5lb Walleye, hidden in 2001 and only recently found for the first time. Or one of our finds, Laurel Forks 2, hidden in 2002 and so far only logged nine times (despite being only a few hours from Washington, DC). One important factor linking these two caches is that they were built to last -- when I opened Laurel Forks 2 for the first time in over five years, the contents were pristine.

 

For new caches, come up with a plan, prepare a durable cache that will (hopefully) stay hidden, and work with your reviewer. For the existing caches, since these caches already exist on your national website, you have some historical data you can give your reviewer to consider for both these caches and any new ones you're planning.

[+Team OPJim]

Container is an important issue: if it is going to be remote I will use a US Army Ammocan. I have seen them survive fires (although the contents may not.

Also, if there is a local cacher in the area where you plan to place it, it can help to get them to agree to assist with maintenance before placing it.

[4wheelin_fool]

An ammo can will eventually rust near the ocean or in acid rain areas, however its probably the best in most cases. I have one on an island. It's an ammo can chained to a tree in a spot unlikely to be discovered accidentally, with a lock n lock inside. It should be good for at least 10 years before needing maintenance, but you never know. It can always be archived and checked up on at leisure if need be, and unarchived if all is ok.

[+J Grouchy]

I've been thinking about placing a cache up in the NC mountains near where my father has a cabin. I go up at least once a year...sometimes twice. I've been hesitant to put one together and publish it, though, since I couldn't just run up there at the first sign of trouble.

[+The_Incredibles_]

There was another cacher from Russia that posted something similar. My guess is the reviewers in that area will be aware of the situation and give you more leeway.

[+fizzymagic]

I have ammo cans that have been out over 11 years and never required maintenance. A good container in a hard-to-reach location obviates most maintenance chores.

 

As an aside, I think that the emphasis on maintenance (which is necessary for urban caches) tends to discourage people from placing hard-to-reach caches. While I understand the need to remind people that they need to maintain their caches, I think the unintended consequence is regrettable.

[nonaeroterraqueous]

I've been thinking about placing a cache up in the NC mountains near where my father has a cabin. I go up at least once a year...sometimes twice. I've been hesitant to put one together and publish it, though, since I couldn't just run up there at the first sign of trouble.

 

Compare it to caches of similar terrain and difficulty in the region. Look for the frequency of finds on those caches. The time between finds is similar to your desired response time. The more time between finds, the more leeway you have to get your gear together and pack it into the mountains for an inspection of the attenuated cache.