Help deciphering a cache description in AZ

[+HisBlondeGirl]

I walk by this cache at least 4 times a week and have yet to locate it. Everyone else says how easy it is and what a great cache, but I'm freaking clueless. I've only found 7 and all within 4 miles from home. Noob for sure. However, the container is listed as "other" and the only hint is don't open the electrical boxes. I've copied the coordinates into google maps (that's what I've got on my android phone). I've opened the app on my phone and tried to follow it that way too, although it's a premium cache. Some logs have stated it takes all your skills, but I'm not sure what skills they are referring to. It's on a main road in a small town, so I have to be nonchalant about it.

 

What am I missing? What should I look for for an "other"? I'm not looking for absolute hints on where it is, I know the where, I just don't know the what when I get there. I've been all over the site and all around it and am not seeing what would resemble a cache. When I do, I knock it all around and find nothing.

[+L0ne.R]

Can you give us the GC code?

[+TriciaG]

Try contacting the cache owner for another hint or two.

 

Have you logged all your DNFs? If so, they'll see you've been trying.

 

They may or may not answer, but it's worth a shot!

[+cerberus1]

Can you give us the GC code?

+1

The only cache I see with the OP's description isn't a pmo hide at all (GC586KR).

Edited February 24, 2016 by cerberus1

[Pup Patrol]

I walk by this cache at least 4 times a week and have yet to locate it. Everyone else says how easy it is and what a great cache, but I'm freaking clueless. I've only found 7 and all within 4 miles from home. Noob for sure. However, the container is listed as "other" and the only hint is don't open the electrical boxes. I've copied the coordinates into google maps (that's what I've got on my android phone). I've opened the app on my phone and tried to follow it that way too, although it's a premium cache. Some logs have stated it takes all your skills, but I'm not sure what skills they are referring to. It's on a main road in a small town, so I have to be nonchalant about it.

 

What am I missing? What should I look for for an "other"? I'm not looking for absolute hints on where it is, I know the where, I just don't know the what when I get there. I've been all over the site and all around it and am not seeing what would resemble a cache. When I do, I knock it all around and find nothing.

 

Are you using the free GS app?

 

The cache may not be Premium Member Only, but a cache that does not meet the criteria for the free intro GS app. The "difficulty" rating might keep it from being viewed on the free app.

 

Posting the GC code would help.

 

B.

[+Harry Dolphin]

"Other" frequently means nano (for COs who don't realize that a nano is a micro.) Try looking (or feeling) for a magnetic container the size of a pencil eraser.

[+TriciaG]

"Other" frequently means nano (for COs who don't realize that a nano is a micro.) Try looking (or feeling) for a magnetic container the size of a pencil eraser.

Or a piece of paper behind a magnetic sheet - numbers, etc.

 

EDIT: It's probably this cache: http://coord.info/GC586KR

Edited February 24, 2016 by TriciaG

[+colleda]

"Other" frequently means nano (for COs who don't realize that a nano is a micro.) Try looking (or feeling) for a magnetic container the size of a pencil eraser.

Or a piece of paper behind a magnetic sheet - numbers, etc.

 

EDIT: It's probably this cache: http://coord.info/GC586KR

 

Possibly not a nano as someone logged leaving a trackable in it.

[+kunarion]

"Other" frequently means nano (for COs who don't realize that a nano is a micro.) Try looking (or feeling) for a magnetic container the size of a pencil eraser.

Or a piece of paper behind a magnetic sheet - numbers, etc.

 

EDIT: It's probably this cache: http://coord.info/GC586KR

 

Possibly not a nano as someone logged leaving a trackable in it.

That particular cache seems to have baffled many.

[+niraD]

A common recommendation for beginners is to stick with small size, regular size, and large size caches. Until you're more experienced, avoid micro size caches (and other size caches, which are often micro, or effectively micro), some of which are smaller than most beginners can imagine (sometimes called "nanos"). Save those for later, after you have some experience.

 

Also, stick with caches that have a difficulty rating of no more than 2 stars . Save the more difficult ones for later. You may also want to choose caches with easy terrain ratings. (The difficulty rating tells you how hard it is to find the cache once you get there. The terrain rating tells you how hard it is to get there.) And it is often best to start with traditional caches, which will be at the published coordinates. Multi-caches or mystery/puzzle caches or other cache types can require more work just to figure out where the container is located.

 

Under ideal conditions, a consumer GPSr will be accurate to about 3m (10ft). That applies both to your device, and to the cache owner’s device, so you may find the container 5-6m (16-20ft) from ground zero under ideal conditions. Under less than ideal conditions, both GPSr readings can be much less accurate. Once you get within that distance of ground zero, put your device away and look around for places where a container could be hidden.

 

Where would you hide something? Do you notice anything unusual? Is anything too new, too old, too organized (e.g., UPS: an Unnatural Pile of Sticks/Stones), too symmetrical, not quite the right color or shape, etc.? Don’t look only on the ground; the cache may be knee-level, waist-level, eye-level, or overhead. How might the container be secured in place? With magnets? With a hook? With string? With fishing line? With something else? Does anything move when you touch it? (Be careful when touching things though.)

 

Go ahead and read the cache's additional hints (if provided), and read the past logs and look at any photos in the cache's image gallery. They may help you understand what you're looking for, and how/where it may be hidden. It may also help to look at some of the cache containers available online. For example, check out the cache containers sold by Groundspeak. Also, take a look at the Pictures - Cool Cache Containers (CCC's) thread in the forums, and check out some geocaching videos on YouTube.

[+on4bam]

That particular cache seems to have baffled many.

 

67 founds and 4 DNF is hardly "baffled many".

Just reading the logs.. the cache is large enough to contain a TB, it was once replaced when "a new one was made" after a log stating "wind may blow it away".

I suspect a magnetic "warning sign" (i.e. "caution high voltage") or, reading the Nov 24 2014 log + cache title, a fake drainpipe.

 

A D2 should be not hard to find.

[+kunarion]

67 founds and 4 DNF is hardly "baffled many".

I count 16 instances where people mention not finding, or having a hard time. That doesn't count the cachers who have seen the hide style before, or who happened to find in the first place they looked. It's very tricky. The OP has a challenge with this one. I'd say it's baffling many.

Edited February 25, 2016 by kunarion

[+kunarion]

What am I missing? What should I look for for an "other"? I'm not looking for absolute hints on where it is, I know the where, I just don't know the what when I get there.

You may ask the cache owner for hints or more. Read the logs and you get a better picture of the difficulty level. I've been specifically told it has NOT baffled many. But it looks to me that you are in good company. It's very tricky for such a non-baffling hide.

 

There are certain types of caches, not necessarily durable, that are not what you may expect for a cache container. One approach is to find more caches, a variety. Then return sometime with your game face on, and plan of what to seek.

Edited February 25, 2016 by kunarion

[CHIEF_500]

A common recommendation for beginners is to stick with small size, regular size, and large size caches. Until you're more experienced, avoid micro size caches (and other size caches, which are often micro, or effectively micro), some of which are smaller than most beginners can imagine (sometimes called "nanos"). Save those for later, after you have some experience.

 

Also, stick with caches that have a difficulty rating of no more than 2 stars . Save the more difficult ones for later. You may also want to choose caches with easy terrain ratings. (The difficulty rating tells you how hard it is to find the cache once you get there. The terrain rating tells you how hard it is to get there.) And it is often best to start with traditional caches, which will be at the published coordinates. Multi-caches or mystery/puzzle caches or other cache types can require more work just to figure out where the container is located.

 

Under ideal conditions, a consumer GPSr will be accurate to about 3m (10ft). That applies both to your device, and to the cache owner’s device, so you may find the container 5-6m (16-20ft) from ground zero under ideal conditions. Under less than ideal conditions, both GPSr readings can be much less accurate. Once you get within that distance of ground zero, put your device away and look around for places where a container could be hidden.

 

Where would you hide something? Do you notice anything unusual? Is anything too new, too old, too organized (e.g., UPS: an Unnatural Pile of Sticks/Stones), too symmetrical, not quite the right color or shape, etc.? Don’t look only on the ground; the cache may be knee-level, waist-level, eye-level, or overhead. How might the container be secured in place? With magnets? With a hook? With string? With fishing line? With something else? Does anything move when you touch it? (Be careful when touching things though.)

 

Go ahead and read the cache's additional hints (if provided), and read the past logs and look at any photos in the cache's image gallery. They may help you understand what you're looking for, and how/where it may be hidden. It may also help to look at some of the cache containers available online. For example, check out the cache containers sold by Groundspeak. Also, take a look at the Pictures - Cool Cache Containers (CCC's) thread in the forums, and check out some geocaching videos on YouTube.

 

Some very good information and a great reminder that they all aren't park and grabs. Since I've just started and have had some luck at locating the caches I've went looking for the ones I can't find and have gone back for a few times it can get frustrating but I remind myself that I'm doing this for fun. My first nano find took a few ride by's and 2 good searches until I was able to get the light to go on in my head and jam my finger past a bolt to pull it down. I had no idea that caches came that small. LOL

I have one that has me baffled right now, I've made 2 stops to look and have started doing some research on the cache. It'll come.

[CHIEF_500]

What if there is no size listed? How do I have an idea of what I'm supposed to be looking for?

[+L0ne.R]

What if there is no size listed? How do I have an idea of what I'm supposed to be looking for?

 

Most of those (no size given) are nanos. The size of the tip of your finger. They are usually attached to something metal.

They could also be micros (likely a bison tube) inside something, like inside a drilled out branch.

The other most common 'size not given' thing is the hollowed out screw/bolt.

[+J Grouchy]

There is a log on there that says "Don't trip over yourself looking for this one"... which sounds to me like a hint. It almost sounds like it's either attached to or is something mounted on the ground...? Someone else wrote "Not sure how the cache will do in a high wind,"...not sure what to make of THAT, but once you are there it may make sense.

[+thebruce0]

Perhaps fake weeds? or if it weren't for the wind bit perhaps a grass tuft or an elusive ground coin, but those latter one I'd certainly not put at D2 (unless they're so prevalent around there that all the locals consider them easy now )

[+McSpy]

I am new to this too. What I've seen locally is if no size is listed, then it could be a ziplock bag wrapped in tape (duct tape, camo tape etc). We've found this type with a wire attached and it's just the little bit of weathered wire you see. But the packet is tucked into a crevice of some sort. And I make use of all the activity notes, hints and photos available. We've been caching for a couple of weeks, but have found nanos (our city is full of these little guys!) and difficulty up to 4. Sometimes it's dumb luck, sometimes is finally figuring out what sort of cache makes sense. AS mentioned earlier, if it has a trackable or contains something, it won't be a tiny nano.

[+J Grouchy]

It was quite refreshing when I went on a trip to Arizona last summer and all the logs I signed were DRY and free of mold! A totally dry log sheet (free of even dampness from humidity) is a rare thing here in Georgia.