Another webcam cache gone.

[+threenow24]

I see another webcam cache was just archived, down to 182 world-wide. What's especially sad about that one is the camera appears to be functioning perfectly and there are no fake logs, just a bunch of notes that aren't really hurting anything. The CO logged onto the site a couple of days ago so they are still around but apparently they didn't respond to the reviewer?

[+Sottiwotti]

What a bummer, and also on such an unique place as well. 

[+MNTA]

Blame the CO they could have setup an adoption plan. 

[+MartyBartfast]

8 hours ago, MNTA said:

Blame the CO they could have setup an adoption plan. 

I don't think you're allowed to adopt Webcams.

[Pup Patrol]

2 hours ago, MartyBartfast said:

I don't think you're allowed to adopt Webcams.

 

Correct.

Help Center

https://www.geocaching.com/help/index.php?pg=kb.chapter&id=38&pgid=54

"Note: Archived and legacy cache types cannot be transferred to a new owner. Neither the adoption tool nor Geocaching HQ can transfer Webcam, Locationless Cache types, or archived caches."

 

Pup Patrol

 

[+frumiousb]

They need to change that rule and allow adoption of ancient and unusual caches.  What a loss.  And what a waste.

[+doingitoldschool]

So, curious here, has there been thought of allowing doorbell cameras be webcam caches? I'll brace myself for your replies, but please, do see that I'm just asking the question. I'm not advocating for them. 

[+The_Jumping_Pig]

51 minutes ago, doingitoldschool said:

So, curious here, has there been thought of allowing doorbell cameras be webcam caches? I'll brace myself for your replies, but please, do see that I'm just asking the question. I'm not advocating for them. 

The reason webcams were removed wasn't because there weren't any more webcams. It was because of privacy concerns and the fact that they don't really fit into 'normal' geocaching (actual container). So adding a new type of webcam would not help.

 

Webcam power trails in a busy neighborhood would be crazy, though :).

[+baer2006]

7 hours ago, doingitoldschool said:

So, curious here, has there been thought of allowing doorbell cameras be webcam caches?

They are not even webcams, because they don't stream their feed to a public website.

[+elrojo14]

Meh. That cache really only had one legitimate find. The other was definitely a stretch. I mean hell we could have all claimed to have been on their team that day. Lame. 

[+Goldenwattle]

On 4/22/2025 at 9:03 PM, threenow24 said:

I see another webcam cache was just archived, down to 182 world-wide. What's especially sad about that one is the camera appears to be functioning perfectly and there are no fake logs, just a bunch of notes that aren't really hurting anything. The CO logged onto the site a couple of days ago so they are still around but apparently they didn't respond to the reviewer?

You still have lots in the USA to find. We only have four in Australia. Some continents even less.

[+Goldenwattle]

On 4/24/2025 at 11:12 PM, The_Jumping_Pig said:

The reason webcams were removed wasn't because there weren't any more webcams. It was because of privacy concerns and the fact that they don't really fit into 'normal' geocaching (actual container).

You just described ALs.🤣

[+Goldenwattle]

On 4/24/2025 at 11:12 PM, The_Jumping_Pig said:

privacy concerns

If that's a problem no one is forced to have their picture taken. However, after seeing these pictures would anyone recognise me in the street? Unlikely😄.

 

           

Edited April 30 by Goldenwattle

[+The_Jumping_Pig]

Hey, I'm not supporting the removal, just echoing HQ! 

21 hours ago, Goldenwattle said:

However, after seeing these pictures would anyone recognise me in the street? Unlikely😄.

Yeah, I completely agree. Somebody can cover their face or do anything else to cover their identity. It's just like virtuals, which can be avoided with a thumbs up or something else! I've just reached over a webcam and done the peace sign or something before.

 

Although you're point about nobody recognizing you is an issue in a way, because you could just claim to be anybody in those photos and nobody would know.

Edited May 1 by The_Jumping_Pig

[+Goldenwattle]

On 5/2/2025 at 4:12 AM, The_Jumping_Pig said:

Although you're point about nobody recognizing you is an issue in a way, because you could just claim to be anybody in those photos and nobody would know.

I've thought that too. For instance, I'm unlikely to visit the USA again (like many non-Americans) after recent developments, but the USA has lots of Webcams. I could easily watch them until someone who could pass at a distance for me appeared and claim I was there. Be easier too sitting on my computer at home, rather than using my phone. I won't do this though and those pictures of webcams I have visited are really me.

I have found nine webcams, in Australia, Germany, Austria and the UK. Looking out for more. I need one more to have ten finds for a challenge too. No more left unfound in Australia. I likely need to revisit Europe to find more. Quite a few in Germany looking at the map. Not in my immediate plans that, and the countries I am visiting this year don't have any.

 

Ah, just did another check. I plan to visit the south island of NZ for an event later this year and there is one Webcam there (the only one in NZ), so with luck that will get me my ten for the challenge cache. I am visiting the north island at present for a few days. Came for a HQ Block Party. NZ is a short flight from the east coast of Australia. Only about a three hour flight.

[+Bear and Ragged]

13 hours ago, Goldenwattle said:

I could easily watch them until someone who could pass at a distance for me appeared and claim I was there.

*snipped*

13 hours ago, Goldenwattle said:

 

Ah, just did another check. I plan to visit the south island of NZ for an event later this year and there is one Webcam there (the only one in NZ), so with luck that will get me my ten for the challenge cache. I am visiting the north island at present for a few days. Came for a HQ Block Party. NZ is a short flight from the east coast of Australia. Only about a three hour flight.

 

Do hope you are going to take a large sign with your caching name on, to show it was you there! Enjoy the trip.

[+Goldenwattle]

18 minutes ago, Bear and Ragged said:

*snipped*

 

Do hope you are going to take a large sign with your caching name on, to show it was you there! Enjoy the trip.

As I wrote, all those Webcam logs I have are genuine. "I won't do this though and those pictures of webcams I have visited are really me."

[+OCamera]

This is so sad.  Webcams keep dwindling.  I wonder what HQ is going to do once it gets down to the last few?  Are they going to bring them back temporarily like the Virtuals and Locationless caches?

[+JL_HSTRE]

Webcam Caches have been a nice novelty and I have done them whenever practical in my travels, but I am fine with seeing them go away. 

 

1. The primary challenge behind them no longer exists. In 2000, they required teamwork, with the seeker in the field calling someone at a computer. Now practically all geocachers can do them solo with the computer in their pocket. 

 

2. The webcams are rarely ever under the control of the CO which leads to numerous potential technical problems the CO can't do anything about and can't necessarily even get ahold of the person responsible for the Webcam. 

 

3. They are probably the most abused cache type because of the use of selfie in lieu of a webcam screen capture, especially when the cam is not working. 

 

4. Privacy issues. Yes, the resolution is usually poor, but Virtuals and Earthcaches have moved to lots of options for not really being in the photo at all. Your GPS or notepad will rarely be identifiable in a Webcam due to the resolution and distance, in contrast to a photo proving you were at the VC or EC.

 

5. As much as some folks gripe about all manner of virtuals (including Earthcaches and Adventure Labs), you are usually still supposed to be finding something tangible - just not a container with a logsheet. It may be a sign, a building, a rock, or a beach. With a Webcam Cache, you don't actually find the Webcam but rather the general area seen in the Webcam. It's more nebulous and "not real geocaching" than any of the other types. Besides Events, Webcams are the only cache with a unique Find log.

 

The main reason to keep them is simply popularity. 

[+Smitherington]

Well now, those are well thought out reasons but none of them diminish my desire to find them or to find some way to add some new ones at some future date.

[+Goldenwattle]

2 hours ago, JL_HSTRE said:

The primary challenge behind them no longer exists. In 2000, they required teamwork, with the seeker in the field calling someone at a computer. Now practically all geocachers can do them solo with the computer in their pocket.

Ah, that explains why I was expected to wave at the camera. Webcams were planned for another to take the picture of those at GZ. I thought that waving at the camera was a big ask while trying to capture my picture while holding a phone and an umbrella as it was also raining. The famous Beatles crossing in London. Managed. but difficult.

[+baer2006]

9 hours ago, JL_HSTRE said:

The main reason to keep them is simply popularity. 

And they are not popular, because they are particularly funny/challenging/whatever... to do. It's primarily (and maybe only) because of statistics (rare cache icons etc.).

[+niraD]

12 hours ago, JL_HSTRE said:

1. The primary challenge behind them no longer exists. In 2000, they required teamwork, with the seeker in the field calling someone at a computer. Now practically all geocachers can do them solo with the computer in their pocket. 

Technically, the didn't require teamwork; that was just the recommended approach. Before I carried a computer in my pocket, I found a few webcam caches on my own by setting up my PC to save webcam photos, then going to the webcam location, then sorting through the saved photos to submit the best one.

[+Sottiwotti]

On 5/16/2025 at 10:10 AM, baer2006 said:

And they are not popular, because they are particularly funny/challenging/whatever... to do. It's primarily (and maybe only) because of statistics (rare cache icons etc.).

Probably the reason why so many people want to go to a GPS maze or Block Party. I feel like a lot of people only care about them for the rare icon.