Multi caches - is it one-stage or two-stages?

[+L0ne.R]

We have a multi cache that has a tag at stage 1 that gives you coordinates to the final. Is it a one-stage multi or a 2-stage multi?

[+NanCycle]

We have a multi cache that has a tag at stage 1 that gives you coordinates to the final. Is it a one-stage multi or a 2-stage multi?

 

Two. A one-stage multi is an oxymoron.

[Keystone]

We have a multi cache that has a tag at stage 1 that gives you coordinates to the final. Is it a one-stage multi or a 2-stage multi?

Two stages. Or, more precisely, two Physical stages.

[+fuzziebear3]

That is 2 stages. The posted coordinates count as stage 1.

[+L0ne.R]

Great. I read somewhere that it might be considered a one-stage, but glad to have quick consensus that it really is 2 stages. Makes sense. Thanks.

[+dprovan]

So I definitely agree with the others that that's 2 stages, but I've also seen multis with a third stop that are, nevertheless, called "2 stage". The thinking, from what I've gleaned from descriptions, is one of the following: that there's posted start followed by 2 stages, or that there are 2 stages and then the final, or that the two stages of the multi are the travel between the waypoints.

 

For that reason, in my multi I avoid numbering the 3 stages and instead call them "the posted coordinates" or "start", "the second coordinates" or "middle", and "the final coordinates" or "final".

 

The bottom line is that we'll always agree on "the beginning" or "the posted coordinates", but as a seeker I'll be wondering if "stage 1" might be something different in your mind than in mine. And, consequently, I'll be unsure whether I'm looking for a pointer or a cache when I get to the second waypoint.

Edited June 8, 2015 by dprovan

[+Maebius]

...as opposed to the "one stage" multi I found recently. hehehe.

where the posted coords were where the cache was. O_o

http://coord.info/GCG6NB

[+on4bam]

...as opposed to the "one stage" multi I found recently. hehehe.

 

I found a cache at the posted coordinates of an 8 stage multi once. It was hidden in the pole holding a trafficsign (as many micros are). As I lifted the "hat" of the pole I got the micro where I was supposed to find a transparent tag on the sign with the coordinates of the next WP.

The cache was names "pastime - unnecessary fiddling" and was typical for the CO.

 

Occasionally CO's mention that on the posted coordinates you can find info to go to WP1 but it's been awhile since I saw that, it mostly happened with older multi's. Description sometimes says "short multi, one stage (or WP) and the cache".

[cezanne]

We have a multi cache that has a tag at stage 1 that gives you coordinates to the final. Is it a one-stage multi or a 2-stage multi?

 

I'd say two stages, but many cachers in my area do not refer to the final as a stage. They use the term stage for intermediary stage on the way to the final.

The final also has a different waypoint category in the submission process - so it might also come from there that they do not regard the final as a stage.

[+cerberus1]

...as opposed to the "one stage" multi I found recently. hehehe.

where the posted coords were where the cache was. O_o

http://coord.info/GCG6NB

Noticed that one. Changed from a multi to a traditional as, "The real treasure is the view from the area of the cache."

- Guess the view wasn't so hot at the final.

Surprised a Reviewer hasn't caught it yet.

[+niraD]

...as opposed to the "one stage" multi I found recently. hehehe.

where the posted coords were where the cache was. O_o

http://coord.info/GCG6NB

Noticed that one. Changed from a multi to a traditional as, "The real treasure is the view from the area of the cache."

- Guess the view wasn't so hot at the final.

Surprised a Reviewer hasn't caught it yet.

FWIW, I've also found multi-caches where I could touch the first stage with one hand, while touching the final stage with the other. These were set up like offset caches (use the information on the plaque/sign to calculate a distance and bearing), but the distance you calculated ended up being something trivial (zero feet, or four feet, or 1 meter, or whatever).

[+niraD]

We have a multi cache that has a tag at stage 1 that gives you coordinates to the final. Is it a one-stage multi or a 2-stage multi?

I'd say two stages, but many cachers in my area do not refer to the final as a stage. They use the term stage for intermediary stage on the way to the final.

The final also has a different waypoint category in the submission process - so it might also come from there that they do not regard the final as a stage.

Yeah, you might get different answers depending on how you ask the question. I would say:

 

It's a 2-stage multi-cache. (posted coordinates as stage 1, plus the final)

It's a 1-leg multi-cache. (traveling from stage 1 to the final)

It has 1 "Physical Stage" waypoint. (Formerly "Stage of a Multi-Cache" or something like that)

[+AustinMN]

...as opposed to the "one stage" multi I found recently. hehehe.

 

I found a cache at the posted coordinates of an 8 stage multi once. It was hidden in the pole holding a trafficsign (as many micros are). As I lifted the "hat" of the pole I got the micro where I was supposed to find a transparent tag on the sign with the coordinates of the next WP.

The cache was names "pastime - unnecessary fiddling" and was typical for the CO.

 

Occasionally CO's mention that on the posted coordinates you can find info to go to WP1 but it's been awhile since I saw that, it mostly happened with older multi's. Description sometimes says "short multi, one stage (or WP) and the cache".

 

We found a multi where the final was at the Stage 1 coords...with a padlock. You had to go to the other 3 stages to get the combination for the lock.

 

Austin

[knowschad]

FWIW, I've also found multi-caches where I could touch the first stage with one hand, while touching the final stage with the other.

 

Sigh... nothing new under the sun. http://coord.info/GC23Y9Z

[+NeverSummer]

We have a multi cache that has a tag at stage 1 that gives you coordinates to the final. Is it a one-stage multi or a 2-stage multi?

 

Two. A one-stage multi is an oxymoron.

This.

 

A "one-stage Multicache" is a Traditional cache.

 

A Traditional is to Multicache as a Concert is to a Music Festival:

 

-At a concert you see the band (even the opening band) at the single stage at that one place with the funny curtains.

 

-At a festival you can see a couple bands at a couple of stages, where one stage has a bad sound system, and the other has good lights but a bad stage tech, and another has great bleachers but they scheduled a thrash-metal band to play and there's no place to mosh...

[+narcissa]

In these here parts, that would be known as a "single redirect multi."

[+Gill & Tony]

I would call that a one-stage multi - there is one stage other than the final. Alternatively a single offset multi. A traditional would be a zero stage multi.

 

As as slight aside, I would love to see an attribute or similar so we could search or filter by the number of stages in a multi.

[+narcissa]

I would call that a one-stage multi - there is one stage other than the final. Alternatively a single offset multi. A traditional would be a zero stage multi.

 

As as slight aside, I would love to see an attribute or similar so we could search or filter by the number of stages in a multi.

 

My favourite multis are ones where I didn't know in advance how many stages there would be.

[+Gill & Tony]

That can be good, gives a bit of the unknown to the adventure. But if I'm driving from A to B and there's a multi on the way, it would be good to know whether it is a short break in the journey or a couple of hours of hiking which I won't have time to do. I tend to avoid multis on journeys for that reason.

[+jellis]

I would think a one stage as being a Traditional

[+NYPaddleCacher]

That can be good, gives a bit of the unknown to the adventure. But if I'm driving from A to B and there's a multi on the way, it would be good to know whether it is a short break in the journey or a couple of hours of hiking which I won't have time to do. I tend to avoid multis on journeys for that reason.

 

If I am driving from point A to point B then back to point A it's good to know if the final of a multi is closer to point A or point B so I'll know whether to attempt it on my outbound or inbound trip. This information along with the number of stages can be hidden with encryption for those that would prefer not to see it.

 

 

[+cheech gang]

The first thing you need to seek is at the first stage. The second thing is at the second stage. The third thing is at the third stage, etc. Except for the final each stage may be a container or a piece of information.

 

If there is only one place to go then it is not a multi.

[+L0ne.R]

That can be good, gives a bit of the unknown to the adventure. But if I'm driving from A to B and there's a multi on the way, it would be good to know whether it is a short break in the journey or a couple of hours of hiking which I won't have time to do. I tend to avoid multis on journeys for that reason.

 

Yes, I agree. Cache owners of multis might like that feature too, perhaps more people will visit our multis if they new at a quick glance that it might be a short one.

[+NeverSummer]

I would call that a one-stage multi - there is one stage other than the final. Alternatively a single offset multi. A traditional would be a zero stage multi.

 

As as slight aside, I would love to see an attribute or similar so we could search or filter by the number of stages in a multi.

Finding what you need to do at the listed coordinates is the first stage. If you go no further than, and have to do nothing else to sign a logbook at, the listed coordinates, you have a Traditional cache. If you have to venture beyond or do work to get to another site for the final, you've added a second stage (or more), and the cache is a Multicache or Unknown depending on other factors.

 

To sum up: Coordinates listed on the cache page are stage 1; "Find something here". Anything else necessary becomes successive stages; "Go there and find this from the starting coordinates". So, there is no such thing as a "single stage" Multi.

 

"Single leg Multicache" I can buy into for a name of a 2-stage Multi, but not "single stage Multicache".

Edited June 9, 2015 by NeverSummer

[+wmpastor]

I would call that a one-stage multi - there is one stage other than the final. Alternatively a single offset multi. A traditional would be a zero stage multi.

 

As as slight aside, I would love to see an attribute or similar so we could search or filter by the number of stages in a multi.

 

My favourite multis are ones where I didn't know in advance how many stages there would be.

 

Aren't those classified as mysteries??

[+narcissa]

I would call that a one-stage multi - there is one stage other than the final. Alternatively a single offset multi. A traditional would be a zero stage multi.

 

As as slight aside, I would love to see an attribute or similar so we could search or filter by the number of stages in a multi.

 

My favourite multis are ones where I didn't know in advance how many stages there would be.

 

Aren't those classified as mysteries??

 

No, why would a multi-cache meant to be done in the field be classified as a mystery/unknown?