Returning after 10 years -- what's new - what do I need to know now.

[MysteryLady]

I was one of the first geocachers.  I think I joined in 2005.  My geocaching buddy and I would go out on weekends as we both worked.  She died a long time ago and I did not feel safe going out alone anymore.  Jump to present - I'm retired, not as physically adept as I used to be but want to start again - with easy caches.  

 

Are there any new rules, nuances, etc that I need to be aware of.  

thanks for any advice. 

Carol

[RuideAlmeida]

6 minutes ago, MysteryLady said:

Are there any new rules, nuances, etc that I need to be aware of.  

 

Welcome back!

I would point to the Adventure Labs as the "biggest novelty"...

Edited January 7 by RuideAlmeida

[slumbersix]

If you're not a premium member, Geocaching has limited a lot of the functions including filtering searches for unfound caches only. 

 

Welcome back, it's not the same though.

[+cerberus1]

Since 2002 there's a lot more "just because there's room" caches, but if 'easy' is what you're looking for, it might be okay.  

Are you still using a handheld GPSr?  That'll make a difference...  

Basic members still have the restrictions with the app (a good thing), they're Traditional caches and events, with D/T of 2 and below.

You can manually enter other cache types you've found earlier as waypoints IIRC...

If you're still using the site and a GPSr, you can easily enter all cache types (except for Premium Member Only). 

Any questions, feel free to ask.  Good luck.

[+MNTA]

Community maintenance beyond simply adding additional paper logs may be frowned upon now in your area. Responsibility for maintenance is on the CO to fix problems. Focusing on the experience of the casual finder.

 

Do not be afraid of filing "Owner Attention Requested" or "Reviewer Attention Requested" logs. Formerly needs maintenance and needs archived.

[+barefootjeff]

4 hours ago, MysteryLady said:

Are there any new rules, nuances, etc that I need to be aware of.

 

If you don't mind doing a bit of reading, the Guidelines and Help Centre provide a good reference to where the game is now and what's allowed and what isn't.

[+Viajero Perdido]

Welcome back.  I'm from 2005 just like you.  I'm retired too, but the game keeps me young.

 

The game from back then still exists, but it's semi-hidden by a fog of urban micros, power trails (don't ask), and a strange focus on side games that don't involve containers at all.

 

With a bit of filtering, the old game can come back into focus if you want it to.  That's what keeps me here.  Ask if you need directions.  

 

(Written as I'm killing time before the airport, to go looking for little containers somewhere else.)

 

PS, in my area at least, we have an explosion of events (amusingly called "caches" too even though there's no container), which are a great way to meet kindred spirits in a social setting.  Highly recommended as a way to get reoriented, and just for fun.  There's a nice new dashboard that includes an events calendar.

 

Edited Sunday at 03:54 AM by Viajero Perdido

[+JL_HSTRE]

On 1/11/2025 at 10:32 PM, Viajero Perdido said:

in my area at least, we have an explosion of events (amusingly called "caches" too even though there's no container), which are a great way to meet kindred spirits in a social setting.

 

The first geocaching event with a cache page was March 24, 2001 - less than a year after Dave's the inaugural roadside bucket.