Can I create a cache here?

[+Leaping Wombat]

I have just returned from a beautiful and remote location on the great barrier reef in Australia.

 

I did find a unique feature on the island that I could base a puzzle or challenge on (it will be there for as long as the island is).

 

Given the natural beauty of this place I do not want to introduce any other man-made things (a physical cache) here. 

 

In addition, maintaining a physical cache here would be impossible

 

Is there a cache type that will allow for

 

GCr finding a physical feature/object

GCr solving a puzzle using/or about the item

GCr submitting the answer and/or evidence of the GCr being at the GC to the CO and if correct

GCr earning a GC find point ... all without having to find a second way point.

 

... sort of a mystery/virtual hybrid.

 

Are there any plans to award virtual cache opportunities soon?

 

Leaping Wombat

 

 

 

Edited June 12, 2024 by Leaping Wombat
spelling error

[+terratin]

No, this doesn't exist as such. and you are responsible for the cache, which means you need to be able to return fairly quickly if something is wrong with it. See vacation cache guidelines: https://www.geocaching.com/help/index.php?pg=kb.chapter&id=128&pgid=709

 

There's two exception to this:

 

Virtuals: only every now and then handed out to very regular cachers who know the rules are are at it for years.

 

EarthCaches. You don't mention what this unique feature is but if it's a geological feature that is not on the excluded feature this then this might be an option. However, if you want to place an EarthCache you should know the rules beforehand, and make observations at this location and write up the general cache idea in your head while there. In hindsight this might be difficult because you might not be able to make improvements if asked to do so. You can however contact an EarthCache reviewer for that region and ask them.
https://www.geosociety.org/GSA/GSA/fieldexp/EarthCache/guidelines/home.aspx
https://www.geocaching.com/help/index.php?pg=kb.chapter&id=51&pgid=292

[+MNTA]

On 6/12/2024 at 12:39 AM, Leaping Wombat said:

Are there any plans to award virtual cache opportunities soon?

 

Even if they did offer more virtuals the rule state you have to visit the location after being awarded the virtual. Just be aware of that requirement.

 

Your only options as far as I see it is if you could make it an earth cache or a very long distance (not sure where you live or the location you found is) multi with the physical container near your home location. Not sure if the long distance mystery would be allowed or not.   

[+barefootjeff]

2 hours ago, MNTA said:

Even if they did offer more virtuals the rule state you have to visit the location after being awarded the virtual. Just be aware of that requirement.

 

Actually the rule says "The cache owner must have visited the location and any additional waypoints in the previous two months before submitting the Virtual Cache for publication." I visited mine the week before the Rewards were announced, both to have everything ready to go if I got one and to see whether it might be possible to work the location into an EarthCache if I missed out.

 

Another option for the OP is an Adventure Lab if there's good phone coverage on the island. They said the island is a "remote location", though, so there mightn't be if it's over the horizon from the mainland.

[+Goldenwattle]

1 hour ago, barefootjeff said:

Actually the rule says "The cache owner must have visited the location and any additional waypoints in the previous two months before submitting the Virtual Cache for publication." I visited mine the week before the Rewards were announced, both to have everything ready to go if I got one and to see whether it might be possible to work the location into an EarthCache if I missed out.

That's what I did for my Virtual. I visited the location before publishing it. It's about a 3,000 km one way drive from home. Lots of caches where I live and a waste here for a Virtual. In contrast, only one other cache (none when I planned this) for 80 kms (then 2 more caches) for where I put the Virtual. Now the remote Railway Station has a SideTracked cache. The heritage listed station is remote, but gets a lot of tourists on the train, as well as in the cooler months, grey nomads (older, retired people), etc passing through with their caravans/campervans.

Edited June 13, 2024 by Goldenwattle

[+Leaping Wombat]

Thanks everyone for your comments. Further to my initial post and FYI

 

- Location is outside phone range ... would require a dedicated GPS to find and logging when back in range (is that outside cache requirements?)

- The "unique feature" is an official survey mark that is very substantial (has to be to withstand conditions) and has been in place for many, many years.

- I visited, photographed and drafted up cache less than a month ago in the hope I could make into a cache.

- I really think the only way of making this happen is if the "Virtual Gods" smile on me (it has happened to me once before ... What Wood You Do? is my first virtual)

 

Once again, thanks ... Leaping Wombat

 

PS there is always an up side. If a cache cannot be created here, this little piece of paradise will remain our little secret 

 

 

[+terratin]

Ah ok, no sorry, a survey marker would not be a suitable theme for an EarthCache as such. Maybe if it's a natural material, but that would also require a unique geological feature within this material and not just 'this is a natural rock'. You've also already had one of the new Virtuals, right? So the chance of being awarded a second is also rather slim I'd guess.

[+The_Jumping_Pig]

On 6/16/2024 at 3:41 PM, Leaping Wombat said:

Location is outside phone range ... would require a dedicated GPS to find and logging when back in range (is that outside cache requirements?)

That's not a problem. Mobile phone users can download caches.

Edited June 20, 2024 by The_Jumping_Pig
unclear

[+JL_HSTRE]

On 6/12/2024 at 3:39 AM, Leaping Wombat said:

I have just returned from a beautiful and remote location on the great barrier reef in Australia.

 

I didn't know there were any islands associated with the Great Barrier Reef.

 

Depending on how small, isolated, and far offshore the island is any cache might not be worth creating and maintaining because nobody will realize it's even there.

 

Besides the obvious answer of hoping to get a Virtual the other alternative would be an offset Multi. Posted coordinates on the island are a Virtual Stage. Use the info on the mark to calculate the physical final location on the mainland. No worry about being within 2 miles, unlike a Mystery cache. 

[+MNTA]

On 6/17/2024 at 1:34 PM, JL_HSTRE said:

 

I didn't know there were any islands associated with the Great Barrier Reef.

 

Depending on how small, isolated, and far offshore the island is any cache might not be worth creating and maintaining because nobody will realize it's even there.

 

 

I was fortunate to spend a week on Hamilton Island one of few inhabited islands on the Great Barrier Reef, part of the Whitsunday Islands. Unfortunately this was before I started caching so no smilies for me. Take a look at the area around https://coord.info/GCA1P14  amazing spot highly recogmend!  This is not the remote island the OP was wanting to place a cache on though. This island you can fly, boat, or ferry to.

 

 

 

[+Goldenwattle]

On 6/17/2024 at 5:41 AM, Leaping Wombat said:

- Location is outside phone range ... would require a dedicated GPS to find and logging when back in range (is that outside cache requirements?)

 Lots of places are outside phone range and have caches. I can drive south of the city I live in to places where where is no  mobile coverage. There are GPSs, which is why geocaching was created, because of GPSs. Many of us still use GPSs. Why would "that be outside of cache requirement"? How do people get on who go to another country and don't have phone access?

[+MNTA]

Phone coverage is only needed to download the cache info. Load this at home and save for offline usage. The GPS signals are almost always available from the satalites unless they are blocked for some reason.