Non-Owner Cache Updates

[+Arysseus]

Just a question to make sure I'm not stepping on any toes. I travel all over my area a lot, so I tend to cross over areas where there are caches I've found long ago. If I see it hasn't been found in a while (i.e. three months+) or the latest entries have been DNFs, I've started lately checking up on them if I'm conveniently nearby and then writing notrs saying they are still there or maintenance logs if it is indeed gone and it has a few DNF logs.

 

Is this a good practice, or should I be leaving it up to mystery if it is still there or not (example: cache hasn't been found in a year).

[+L0ne.R]

Is this a good practice, or should I be leaving it up to mystery if it is still there or not (example: cache hasn't been found in a year).

 

I think it's good practice. Helpful to the community, helpful to the cache owner.

[+T.D.M.22]

Checking on them- go ahead. But taking care of them, I say most caches you should let die.

[Clan Riffster]

Is this a good practice, or should I be leaving it up to mystery if it is still there or not (example: cache hasn't been found in a year).

 

I think it's good practice. Helpful to the community, helpful to the cache owner.

Agreed. Kudos to you for checking. There are a few local caches, in spots I love to dwell, that I'll look in on from time to time. If all is well, I generally don't post anything. Maybe I should start? If there is a problem, I call the owner.

[+dprovan]

I think it's a fine idea. I check on previous finds from time to time, particularly if I notice there have been some DNFs. Typically I only do it if I'm walking right past for other reasons. I don't normally maintain them, and I only post a note if there's some reason people might be concerned, like if it's been 3 months since the last find and that's an unusually long time for that cache.

 

But I worry about muggles more than usual, since it would be a shame to compromise the hide while checking to see if it's OK. So I'll skip it if there's the slightest chance someone will see me, perhaps checking its placement visually, if possible, without actually retrieving it.

[+J Grouchy]

Aside from those I'm babysitting for a CO that's currently hiking the AT, there are a few I will check on when I'm nearby. The very first cache I found, for instance, is easily accessible when I go out to eat at lunchtime. I've checked on that one maybe half a dozen times over the last year and a half.

[+The Leprechauns]

With the ever-increasing reluctance of geocachers to log "DNFs," the lack of any logs at all for a year or more can be the kiss of death for a cache. When I see a steady pattern of finds every month, and then suddenly, no logs at all, I conclude that the cache might be missing. I might still look for it if I'm in the area, like on the same trail or in the same park, but otherwise I'm not going out of my way to look for it. Whether it's actually missing or not, I don't know. That's irrelevant.

 

On weekdays when I'm busy, or when the weather is bad, I am looking for a fast cache find. My GSAK filters are set to exclude "hard" caches, caches with three or more recent DNFs, disabled caches, and caches that haven't been found in six months. Whether it's actually missing or not, I don't know. That's irrelevant.

 

A report from the owner or a prior finder saying "the cache is in great shape and ready for the next finder" will get that cache back on my radar screen.

[+Harry Dolphin]

With the ever-increasing reluctance of geocachers to log "DNFs," the lack of any logs at all for a year or more can be the kiss of death for a cache. When I see a steady pattern of finds every month, and then suddenly, no logs at all, I conclude that the cache might be missing. I might still look for it if I'm in the area, like on the same trail or in the same park, but otherwise I'm not going out of my way to look for it. Whether it's actually missing or not, I don't know. That's irrelevant.

 

On weekdays when I'm busy, or when the weather is bad, I am looking for a fast cache find. My GSAK filters are set to exclude "hard" caches, caches with three or more recent DNFs, disabled caches, and caches that haven't been found in six months. Whether it's actually missing or not, I don't know. That's irrelevant.

 

A report from the owner or a prior finder saying "the cache is in great shape and ready for the next finder" will get that cache back on my radar screen.

 

Dunno. I have twelve caches that have not found in the last year. To me, the problem is that modern cachers are no longer interested in taking a nice hike, not that cachers are not interested in logging DNFs.

I do eliminate any caches with last two DNFs, even it they were "missed the parking area, so I kept driving". But, just because the cache has not been found in a year would not stop me from looking.

[+NJSquirrel]

I have a notification running for any caches within 5 miles where a TD or NM is posted. If I'm in the area and the note indicates its something that is worthy of checking on, I don't mind taking a look if I'm in the area. I've already checked up on two caches that I found previously and determined one was indeed missing and another just fell from its hiding place and was buried in foliage.

 

I'm sure the geocaching community appreciates local TLC, but don't take it to the extreme or else you end up "unofficially" adopting lazy CO's caches. For example, I would never replace a full log. That's the CO's responsibility.

[+briansnat]

I have a series of 6 caches paddle caches around a reservoir. I recently noticed that all but one of them had finds last summer. So did everyone pass by this one cache, or did they search and DNF it? No logs so I have no idea. If they searched, was it a cursory search or did they spend 45 minutes there? No logs so I have no idea. Most of the finders of the other caches here paddled right past it my only explanation is that they didn't log it one way or another.

 

PLEASE log any visit to a cache.

[+Sharks-N-Beans]

I have a series of 6 caches paddle caches around a reservoir. I recently noticed that all but one of them had finds last summer. So did everyone pass by this one cache, or did they search and DNF it? No logs so I have no idea. If they searched, was it a cursory search or did they spend 45 minutes there? No logs so I have no idea. Most of the finders of the other caches here paddled right past it my only explanation is that they didn't log it one way or another.

 

PLEASE log any visit to a cache.

So, is it there?

[+BAMBOOZLE]

I have a series of 6 caches paddle caches around a reservoir. I recently noticed that all but one of them had finds last summer. So did everyone pass by this one cache, or did they search and DNF it? No logs so I have no idea. If they searched, was it a cursory search or did they spend 45 minutes there? No logs so I have no idea. Most of the finders of the other caches here paddled right past it my only explanation is that they didn't log it one way or another.

 

PLEASE log any visit to a cache.

 

Amen .

[+NJSquirrel]

I have a series of 6 caches paddle caches around a reservoir. I recently noticed that all but one of them had finds last summer. So did everyone pass by this one cache, or did they search and DNF it? No logs so I have no idea. If they searched, was it a cursory search or did they spend 45 minutes there? No logs so I have no idea. Most of the finders of the other caches here paddled right past it my only explanation is that they didn't log it one way or another.

 

PLEASE log any visit to a cache.

So, is it there?

 

The CO would know if cachers would post DNFs. Am I right?

[+BAMBOOZLE]

I have a series of 6 caches paddle caches around a reservoir. I recently noticed that all but one of them had finds last summer. So did everyone pass by this one cache, or did they search and DNF it? No logs so I have no idea. If they searched, was it a cursory search or did they spend 45 minutes there? No logs so I have no idea. Most of the finders of the other caches here paddled right past it my only explanation is that they didn't log it one way or another.

 

PLEASE log any visit to a cache.

So, is it there?

 

The CO would know if cachers would post DNFs. Am I right?

 

Yes as well as any others checking out the logs on the cache page. The CO and watchers of the cache get notified instantly by Email.

[+jellis]

We have a few COs that are more into putting them out than maintaining them. I sometimes will put off DNFs when it looks like the cacher isn't really looking. Ones that are difficult I will ask them where they were searching. But I will have them checked.

[+The_Incredibles_]

I have a series of 6 caches paddle caches around a reservoir. I recently noticed that all but one of them had finds last summer. So did everyone pass by this one cache, or did they search and DNF it? No logs so I have no idea. If they searched, was it a cursory search or did they spend 45 minutes there? No logs so I have no idea. Most of the finders of the other caches here paddled right past it my only explanation is that they didn't log it one way or another.

 

PLEASE log any visit to a cache.

 

Yes, absolutely. There are some people who will only log a DNF if they've been there twice. Honestly, this doesn't help anyone. I had a cache which went missing and I didn't know for months because nobody was logging their DNFs. What a waste of time for everyone. Had I known earlier, I could have replaced it.

 

If someone stopped by one of my caches and checked on it, I'd really appreciate them logging a note. It's a very community-minded thing to do.

[+Team Microdot]

I (almost) always log my DNF's.

 

If GZ is a dump and I walk away without looking or with just a cursory glance - and it's highly likely that the CO placed the cache in amongst the trash I might just not bother logging anything.

 

If I happen to walk past a cache and remember it's there I will check on it and post a note to the effect checked while passing and a brief status i.e. cache all in good order or logbook 75% full - that sort of thing.

 

I appreciate when others do the same for my caches.

 

I do not appreciate others replacing my cache because they can't find it - I'm not a fan of throw-downs at all. I'd much rather they just let me know they couldn't find it and then I'll go out and check / replace it myself - it's my cache, that's my responsibility.

 

I usually carry a notebook when caching and if a logbook is full I'll usually sign a page from that notebook and leave it in the cache as proof of my find and to keep the cache ticking over until such time as the CO can get out to fix it - and of course I point out that I've done this in my log.

[+lamoracke]

Sometimes its a little bit difficult. There are (or at least were) a couple of very tough caches in my area. They had a number of DNFs on them and I thought I would be kind to check on them while near it (same shopping center as I was shopping in one case) so I posted a note that the cache was still there as in my mind, that was enough DNFs in a row to warrant an owner check. The folks who had recently DNFed the cache took exception to that saying I was showing off by doing that.

 

Honestly was just trying to be helpful, but its made me think twice about doing that again, if it was a tough hide. Course, some people are just oversensitive.

[+Team Microdot]

Honestly was just trying to be helpful, but its made me think twice about doing that again, if it was a tough hide. Course, some people are just oversensitive.

 

Some of the people, some of the time

 

Though how a person could construe your re-finding a cache when you already knew precisely where to look as showing off is beyond me

 

Takes all sorts...

[+dprovan]

Though how a person could construe your re-finding a cache when you already knew precisely where to look as showing off is beyond me

If it were me saying that, I'd be joking about it being showing off, and I'd assume it wouldn't be taken seriously.

 

But even if they're serious, I think we should give them some slack. It can really make you feel stupid to DNF a cache and then have someone else find it the next day, right where it should be. While logically it's silly to think of someone checking on a previously found cache as "showing off", I can see someone emotionally reacting that way, irrationally lashing out as a substitute for a palm to their forehead.

 

In either case, the best approach is to respond with good humor. I'd laugh along with them as if they're in the first camp even if I suspected otherwise. And in case they are in the second camp, I'd reassure them that it was hard to find the first time, maybe even offering to give them a hint if they want one.

[+worstcaster]

I usually won't go out of my way to revisit caches I already found, but if I'm passing by or have a TB to leave I'll go back. (I don't recommend moving a TB to a cache with a lot of recent DNFs or that is poorly maintained.) Recently I was walking along a rail trail were I had already found a cache and as I walked by GZ noticed the cache was in the open. I stopped and checked. It was dry and in good condition so I replaced it where it was and recovered it with sticks and leaves. When I got home I posted a note, so anyone thinking of looking for it knew it was there and in good condition.

[+Ambrosia]

I have a series of 6 caches paddle caches around a reservoir. I recently noticed that all but one of them had finds last summer. So did everyone pass by this one cache, or did they search and DNF it? No logs so I have no idea. If they searched, was it a cursory search or did they spend 45 minutes there? No logs so I have no idea. Most of the finders of the other caches here paddled right past it my only explanation is that they didn't log it one way or another.

 

PLEASE log any visit to a cache.

Yeah, we own about 4 caches near a lake (people take a loop drive around the lake and pick up all the easy caches by the shore.) One of them is in the crotch of a tree under some leaves. Over the years, I keep getting dnf's on that cache, and I keep going back and it's right there. Granted, the leaves are trying to swallow it up. But all you need to do is dig for a second with a branch and it's obviously there.

 

I keep posting owner maintenances about the cache, I've made it clear in the hint, said to just look in the leaves, etc. This year, I've gotten multiple finds on all of the other caches, and nothing on this one. Not even dnf's. Of course, they are dnf'ing the cache, and just not reporting it. I'm getting pretty frustrated about the whole thing.

[4wheelin_fool]

If the site counted DNFs, more people would post them. It would be another stat that appeals to the OCD inner geek geocacher. Without it being counted, its just a silly dalliance.

[+terrkan78]

I like to revisit old caches if I'm hiking the same area. But sometimes I can't find the thing - it's happened to me several times now - and I'm always conflicted whether I should say something or not. These are fairly remote caches that don't get much traffic - in fact on the last one I was the last finder several years previously. I wrote a DNF note, which prompted a visit from the CO, and it sounded to me from his maintenance log that it was actually there (although he didn't explicitly say so). I feel bad getting a CO out to the middle of nowhere for no good reason. (Not to mention it's a little embarrassing when I supposedly know exactly where and how the thing is hidden and I'm still amassing the DNFs!)