Newbie can't find caches

[RamblingAnge]

Well, out of 4 caches for which I have searched, I have found just one. I have been back to a couple several times, and still can't find them.

Am I looking in the wrong place, for the wrong thing, not looking hard enough? It's getting frustrating. 

I searched for the following:

GC54GYN

GC6MCCR

GC1YJND

without any luck. Please could someone give me a hint as to what I should be looking for? 

I wonder if I'm trusting the map too much, and in fact the cache might not be as close as I think to the map marker.

The one I have actually managed to find is:

GC31RNY

Thank you for any help.

 

 

[+on4bam]

19 minutes ago, RamblingAnge said:

Well, out of 4 caches for which I have searched, I have found just one. I have been back to a couple several times, and still can't find them.

Am I looking in the wrong place, for the wrong thing, not looking hard enough? It's getting frustrating. 

I searched for the following:

GC54GYN

GC6MCCR

GC1YJND

First one has a string of DNFs.. might be gone

Second one is a Wherigo. Did you download the cartridge and "play" it? The cache is not at the coordinates on the listing. You start following instructions from there when playing the cartridge.

Third one should be there... but maybe you're looking for the wrong sort of container or it may be hidden in a manner you have not seen or not tought of.

 

[+cerberus1]

26 minutes ago, RamblingAnge said:

 Please could someone give me a hint as to what I should be looking for? 

I wonder if I'm trusting the map too much, and in fact the cache might not be as close as I think to the map marker.

As per forum guidelines we aren't allowed to give hints to any particular cache.  You might have better luck if you stick with small or large containers until you get the idea of how some hide these things. Look for caches that have obvious hints too, like the one you found.   

I'm guessing that you're using a phone, but "trusting the map" may be an issue.  When you're entering 30' or so, put the GPS away and start looking (and use that hint for help).

[+Touchstone]

Some good information in the Help Center, if you haven't stumbled across it yet:

 

https://www.geocaching.com/help/index.php?pg=kb.chapter&id=141

[+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, 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.
 

[+colleda]

Llangollen is a lovely place. We were there last September. There is a series of caches along the canal towpath, perhaps you could try those and get used to similar hides and cache sizes and most likely similar hiding style. They look to be no harder than D2. We will be back in there June so here's hoping the missing ones will be replaced.

[+SeattleWayne]

Micro cache containers are sometimes as small as pencil erasers. Most are magnetic. There are also evil/deceiving containers that blend in well with urban environment. Try browsing the GC.com store and look at some of the containers they have for sale. It'll help give you an idea of what you're looking for.

Also, log your DNFs.  

[+Qbar]

Although I've been doing this for a while, I'm not really very good at it. BUT, I do love geocaching.  I generally have a lot more fun when I'm not trying to find a nano on a busy street corner.  Like the others have said, watch the size for the first while.

Enjoy!

[+bflentje]

On 1/12/2018 at 9:37 AM, cerberus1 said:

As per forum guidelines we aren't allowed to give hints to any particular cache. 

[+briansnat]

I've always found using the map to be difficult.  Use the compass screen. It will point to the cache and count down the distance.   But be aware the the cache may be 10,20, 30 and sometimes more feet away from where your GPS/Phone says it is. Remember that there is level of inaccuracy in both your device and the device of the hider, so rarely will caches be exactly were the GPS says it is.   Use that as a starting point, then slowly widen your search area.