Adopting a cache without the owners interaction

[+alan666notb]

Hi there,

 

I've only been geocaching for a couple of weeks, I'm enjoying it a lot and thought I'd spotted a way to easily put something back into the hobby.

 

There's a cache near me that is in very poor condition ("Log Book", GC31DH8) and several people have commented on it. The owner has only 'found' six caches and hasn't been active for over two years.

 

I sent the owner a message via geocaching.com asking if I could adopt it and got an almost immediate reply saying they'd be very happy for me to take it over. I replied saying they need to "offer it" to me via the website and giving instructions with links to the adoption page etc.

 

Since then I've heard nothing despite another enquiry. I suspect they've left the hobby or maybe lost their login details and can't be bothered to sort it out just to run the adoption process.

 

Is there anything I can do?

Obviously I realize you can't just go around adopting caches without the owners consent but is there any procedure to cover this case? I have the email from the owner saying they're happy for me to go ahead but can't do anything without their co-operation.

 

Thanks for any help.

[+palmetto]

is there any procedure to cover this case?

 

Yes. Note the very poor condition of the cache, and that the owner is no longer involved in the game in a Needs Archived log.

Offer to recover the damaged container, if the reviewer archives this listing. You can then place a new cache of your own.

 

Needs Archived logs are forwarded to area reviewers.

 

Alternately, just move on. Someone has replaced the wet log, which will just get all wet again, as evidently the container isn't much good.

Don't replace the container. If nothing further is done, eventually this one will die.

[Pup Patrol]

Hi there,

 

I've only been geocaching for a couple of weeks, I'm enjoying it a lot and thought I'd spotted a way to easily put something back into the hobby.

 

There's a cache near me that is in very poor condition ("Log Book", GC31DH8) and several people have commented on it. The owner has only 'found' six caches and hasn't been active for over two years.

 

I sent the owner a message via geocaching.com asking if I could adopt it and got an almost immediate reply saying they'd be very happy for me to take it over. I replied saying they need to "offer it" to me via the website and giving instructions with links to the adoption page etc.

 

Since then I've heard nothing despite another enquiry. I suspect they've left the hobby or maybe lost their login details and can't be bothered to sort it out just to run the adoption process.

 

Is there anything I can do?

Obviously I realize you can't just go around adopting caches without the owners consent but is there any procedure to cover this case? I have the email from the owner saying they're happy for me to go ahead but can't do anything without their co-operation.

 

Thanks for any help.

 

No, the owner must be the one to initiate the adoption.

 

Hopefully there's been a history of "needs maintenance" logs.

 

You can post a "Needs Archived" log, to bring the issues to the attention of the Reviewer.

 

If the cache gets archived, you can place a new one in the same location, and submit it for review.

 

 

B.

[BOBBLES WORLD TOUR]

The said cache looks like it's still going strong.

A new log now and then isn't a big deal.

And I presume the container is made from wood.

So I would leave it as is.

The caching community help each other.

The community is stronger than 1 CO gone AWOL.