Jomarac5 Posted April 21, 2003 Share Posted April 21, 2003 I'm considering placing a cache that would require using a compass to locate the final position as it is under a heavily treed canopy. A signal would not be possible anywhere in the immediate proximity of the hiding location. A GPSr would be used to get fairly close to the cache but to find the exact cache location, the finder would have to navigate a trail system using compass bearings and distances (in order to eliminate the possiblity of needless bushwacking). Would such a cache have to be rated a 5 for needing specialized equipment? i.e., a compass? ----- Link to comment
+Bloencustoms Posted April 21, 2003 Share Posted April 21, 2003 Wow, good question. I never looked at it like that. If I had to vote, I'd say no, only because you should carry one anyway. But, some people don't carry one so... If you mention it in the cache description, I wouldn't call it a five. "Searching with my good eye closed" Link to comment
+T-storm Posted April 21, 2003 Share Posted April 21, 2003 Yeah, what he said. My team has 2 different caches that include offsets to be resolved by compass. We make it clear in the description that offset work or compass will be required. Of course, in our case, if they can do a bit of simple math and use the features of their GPS, a compass is not STRICTLY required. T-storm http://www.cordianet.com/geocaching Link to comment
+briansnat Posted April 21, 2003 Share Posted April 21, 2003 I wouldn't think so. It's pretty common to find clues that involve compass readings. Most geocachers I know always bring one along. "It has been my experience that folks who have no vices have very few virtues" -Abraham Lincoln Link to comment
+SeaTrout Posted April 22, 2003 Share Posted April 22, 2003 I have a couple of caches that I feel a compass is needed for.I put it on the cache page,to prevent a needless walk or excessive searching.I think a compass is almost just as important as the GPSr. Many people upload the coords and forget the details before they hunt the cache, but they were warned . Seatrout Link to comment
+Renegade Knight Posted April 22, 2003 Share Posted April 22, 2003 Yes. I do not ever use a compass while caching normally. I bought one specifically for a cache that required one. However it's common enough in geocaching to where you could just state you need one in your description (and I've used my GPS compass in a pinch) and call it a normal cache. ===================== Wherever you go there you are. Link to comment
+HartClimbs Posted April 22, 2003 Share Posted April 22, 2003 Is a GPS considered specialized equipment? How about a pen? Flashlight? Naw.... One definition of 'specialized' equipment would be 'Anything you don't have with you at the time that you need', but I'd take it more to mean 'Anything above and beyond what a dayhiker would have'. I'd think after a while, most folks tend to hike with some basics that tend to be useful. Most folks don't hike with climbing gear (with some notable exceptions!). If I saw a terrain 5 - I'd do some research in advance to try to anticipate the challenge, but I'd expect it to take a couple visits (possibly one to scout the equipment needed, another to bag the cache). I'd just put a note in your page that the cache may include some 'orientiering challenges' - and rate the cache on the normal scale! There is no reason for any individual to have a computer in his home. - Ken Olsen, President, Digital Equipment, 1977 Link to comment
+Criminal Posted April 22, 2003 Share Posted April 22, 2003 Specialized Equipment is defined as: Equipment that requires some degree of training to be employed safely and effectively. Examples would be climbing ropes/harnesses and S.C.U.B.A. That’s JMHO. http://fp1.centurytel.net/Criminal_Page/ Link to comment
+DeerChaser & Company Posted April 22, 2003 Share Posted April 22, 2003 quote:Originally posted by Criminal:Specialized Equipment is defined as: Equipment that requires some degree of training to be employed safely and effectively. Examples would be climbing ropes/harnesses and S.C.U.B.A. The I guess the car/truck you used to get there would be definded as special equipment. Does it ever end? As far as a compass? No... Rino 110 MeriGreen 128 Link to comment
+Criminal Posted April 22, 2003 Share Posted April 22, 2003 quote:The I guess the car/truck you used to get there would be definded as special equipment. Does it ever end? As far as a compass? No... You don't need a car/truck to find a cache. In the old days folks found caches with horse and buggies or something. http://fp1.centurytel.net/Criminal_Page/ Link to comment
+RichardMoore Posted April 22, 2003 Share Posted April 22, 2003 quote:Originally posted by Criminal: In the old days folks found caches with horse and buggies or something. That was back when we had coal-fired GPSr's and the satellites were steam powered. I can still remember my old foot-treadle computer. RichardMoore www.geocities.com/richardsrunaway [This message was edited by RichardMoore on April 23, 2003 at 10:50 AM.] Link to comment
+GOT GPS? Posted April 23, 2003 Share Posted April 23, 2003 I tried a Sighting compass early on before I had a Vista, and now a Meridian Platinum. ________________________________________________ Back then you also had these maps: http://ubbx.Groundspeak.com/6/ubb.x?a=tpc&s=5726007311&f=4016058331&m=15860531 Back then there was something called Terra Incognita(or unknown lands),which was the western USA. Would be interesting if somebody came up with Flintstones GPS Link to comment
+Team GPSaxophone Posted April 23, 2003 Share Posted April 23, 2003 Wow, Florida sure has gotten skinny since then! Link to comment
+Alan2 Posted April 23, 2003 Share Posted April 23, 2003 A lot of people will not even bother to check your cache page if they see 5 stars. Better you just say that a compass is needed in the text of the cache page and rate it with "regular" stars. Anyway, in my opinion, a compass isn't really specialized equipment anymore than hiking boots. Alan Link to comment
+BrownMule & Jackrabbit Posted April 23, 2003 Share Posted April 23, 2003 I think that Geocaching requires several things that are standard equipment including: GPS'r, computer and software and I include Compass. So my vote is compass is not specialized equipment. I would however mention the need for it on your cache page. _________________________________________________________ On the other hand, you have different fingers. Link to comment
Jomarac5 Posted April 30, 2003 Author Share Posted April 30, 2003 Thanks to everyone for your input on this question. I've just had a new cache approved that utilizes a compass for the final leg of a three part multi-cache. We decided to do a bit of a different type of cache as you can see by the description: Watershed Whereabouts II - The Irene Pearce Trail Thanks again. ----- Link to comment
+The Leprechauns Posted April 30, 2003 Share Posted April 30, 2003 Jomarac, Nice cache site, nice cache page, nice twist with the compass. I also have a multicache that requires using a compass bearing. Using a number found at the site, you use the bearing to navigate to one of several possible entrances to a hedgerow maze. Choose the wrong entrance and you get chewed up and spit out of the wrong end of the maze. Since establishing my cache, two other "compass offset" caches have been set up in my area. I think this is a great idea, as cachers who are not already familiar with compass use really need to learn. x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x Some mornings, it just doesn't pay to chew through the leather straps. - Emo Phillips Link to comment
Jomarac5 Posted April 30, 2003 Author Share Posted April 30, 2003 quote: The Leprechauns wrote:Nice cache site, nice cache page, nice twist with the compass. I have faith in the honesty of people. Hopefully the compass won't go missing. If it works out, I'll certainly use this approach again in the future. ----- Link to comment
+flask Posted April 30, 2003 Share Posted April 30, 2003 ithink a boat is also considered to be specialized equipment. it doesn't matter if you get to camp at one or at six. dinner is still at six. Link to comment
Recommended Posts