+Poindexter Posted January 27, 2003 Share Posted January 27, 2003 Just came across an article in the Feb issue of Travel + Leisure magazine. HIGH-TECH HIDE-AND-SEEK Geocaching, the latest outdoor adventure game, promises loot at the end of a day's play. Using a Global Positioning System (GPS) unit, players search for a "cache," a weatherproof container filled with small trinkets and a logbook for the finder to sign and date. In order to keep the game going, players must replace the treasure they find with a cache of their own. (dang, Iv'e been doin it wrong!) Utah's Red Mountain Spa (www.redmountainspa.com ; $50 per person) offers five-hour introductory classes. There's money to be made folks ;-) Here's the direct link if you want to take a look. http://www.redmountainspa.com/outdoor/skills.html Poindexter Self-taught Geocacher Quote Link to comment
+Criminal Posted January 27, 2003 Share Posted January 27, 2003 Five hours!?!? What could they possibly teach you that couldn't be covered in 20 minutes or so? Maybe they teach you how to respect the environment and protect the fragile poison ivy and such. Maybe they train you how to rat out other cachers who've hidden a cache in a place you think is illegal. Maybe they go over the best ways to tie surveyors ribbon around someone else’s cache to make it easier for the next hunter. I’m not cynical, really I’m not. http://fp1.centurytel.net/Criminal_Page/ Quote Link to comment
+hoys Posted January 27, 2003 Share Posted January 27, 2003 Oh, My! I don't know whether to laugh, cry, or scream in primal rage... So that they sell these classes when there are so many local groups that want to give them for FREE. There's a sucker born every minute, I guess. And I am not sure if I'm more upset or more jealous. - Nate www.geocky.org Quote Link to comment
+Mr. Snazz Posted January 27, 2003 Share Posted January 27, 2003 People pay $50 to hear someone talk about their vacation to Italy at the local community college... a geocaching class would seem to have at least that much value. Quote Link to comment
Dinoprophet Posted January 27, 2003 Share Posted January 27, 2003 I don't have a problem with the concept or the fee, if they can get it. But their attitude sucks. "...loot at the end of a day's play" "dang, Iv'e been doin it wrong!" These aren't the people I want to see educating newbies, even if they were doing it for free. Mein Vater war ein Wandersmann, und ich hab' auch im Blut Quote Link to comment
+The Leprechauns Posted January 27, 2003 Share Posted January 27, 2003 If you go to the actual resort page, http://www.redmountainspa.com/outdoor/skills_popups/geo.html , rather than just reading the little blurb in Travel & Leisure, there's no stupid jokes about "loot". Not that I'm about to rush out and sign up for lessons, mind you. x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x If there's no accounting for stupidity, then why do I need to file a tax return? Quote Link to comment
+MaxEntropy Posted January 28, 2003 Share Posted January 28, 2003 I'll only charge $40! And if you act now, I'll also throw in a brand-new GPS receiver with every 10 classes purchased. Hurry while supplies last. Cache prizes not included, your experience may vary, caches not guaranteed to be found or even there, tour guide assumes no responsibility for cuts, falls, sprained ankles, bee attacks, bear attacks, poison oak exposure, ranger arrests, bomb squad incidents, pinched fingers in ammo cans, wet cache contents, dead batteries, speeding tickets, acts of God, acts of nature, acts of mountain bikers, acts of property owners or selective availability. Mickey Max Entropy More than just a name, a lifestyle. Quote Link to comment
+canadazuuk Posted January 28, 2003 Share Posted January 28, 2003 I'M GIVING A GARMIN VISTA AWAY TO THE NEXT PERSON WHO FINDS A *MULTI-CACHE* I PLACE SO, $50 BETTER OFFER AN ROI Quote Link to comment
+trippy1976 Posted January 28, 2003 Share Posted January 28, 2003 Jeez. I'm out of work. If I can go geocaching AND make money on it... lessons for $10 an hour -------- trippy1976 - Team KKF2A Saving geocaches - one golf ball at a time. Quote Link to comment
Dinoprophet Posted January 28, 2003 Share Posted January 28, 2003 Yes, the resort page is better. I guess this sort of explains why this troll seems to think we're a bunch of yuppies. Mein Vater war ein Wandersmann, und ich hab' auch im Blut Quote Link to comment
+TeamJiffy Posted January 28, 2003 Share Posted January 28, 2003 ...is about the strangest thing I've seen in a long time. Why is this man having stones put on his back?!? Stones on his back! -J Quote Link to comment
+hoys Posted January 28, 2003 Share Posted January 28, 2003 It's a type of massage. The rocks are heated and placed in specific locations. Something about balancing the chi or something. Never tried it myself. This place sounds like a retreat for rich urban whiners, which is about the only group they're ever gonna get to pay $50 to learn how to use a GPS. quote:Originally posted by TeamJiffy:...is about the strangest thing I've seen in a long time. Why is this man having stones put on his back?!? http://www.redmountainspa.com/spa/massage.html -J Quote Link to comment
+CoronaKid Posted January 28, 2003 Share Posted January 28, 2003 In my opinion, these type of classes will help introduce geocaching to those who would otherwise feel too intimidated. Considering that people actually PAY people to set up their computers, I see no problem with a geocaching class. I'd be curious to know what they actually teach during the 3.5 hours. --CoronaKid Quote Link to comment
+Lazyboy & Mitey Mite Posted January 28, 2003 Share Posted January 28, 2003 At the Rogue Community College in Grants Pass Oregon they offer a geocaching course. I would love to know what the users name is that is instructing the class and how many finds he has. But yes, there are people that have a need to learn about a subject before attempting it. Whereas the majority of us plunked down some money for the unit and just wandered around the woods trying not to get lost. I hear voices.....and they don't like you! Quote Link to comment
+treemoss2 Posted January 28, 2003 Share Posted January 28, 2003 Obviously this offer at such a resort means that geocaching has reached a state whereby it now goes mainstream. Too bad. It means geocaching has reached the pinnacle and will now be all downhill. Watch for a reality TV show featuring geocaching. Quote Link to comment
+Markwell Posted January 28, 2003 Share Posted January 28, 2003 Upon reading the fine print, there's only an hour of classroom time and almost 3 hours of caching. quote:Classroom Activity: 1:00pm - 2:00pmField Activity: 2:10pm - 5:00pm Since the spa is furnishing the GPS, this could be like one of those things where the visitors say "I've heard about this Geocaching thing, but I'm not sure if it's going to be much fun. Can I justify the cost of buying a GPS?" Forget the fact that a couple taking the class could spend the money and just buy themselves a GPS. My take on it is that this could be a really great introduction, but the price is outrageous, especially considering that the minimum stay on the weekends is 3 nights at $239US per night. Instead, you could pay me a $100 fee, bring a tent and a sleeping bag and I'll go caching with you for the whole weekend - we're on our own for paying for camping locations. Markwell Chicago Geocaching Quote Link to comment
Dinoprophet Posted January 28, 2003 Share Posted January 28, 2003 quote:Originally posted by treemoss2:Obviously this offer at such a resort means that geocaching has reached a state whereby it now goes mainstream. Too bad. It means geocaching has reached the pinnacle and will now be all downhill. I disagree. At worst, there will be a surge of low-quality placements as people get all geeked about it for a few weeks then lose interest. How many people who learn to snorkel while at a resort continue to do so after the vacation is over? This game isn't for everyone; I've explained it to avid outdoors people who use GPS already, and they still didn't see the point. Mein Vater war ein Wandersmann, und ich hab' auch im Blut Quote Link to comment
+Planet Posted January 28, 2003 Share Posted January 28, 2003 I would not be geocaching now. If I can't learn this sport as I go, where's the fun. $50 can buy a lot of geostash, booty nuggets, trinkets. Someone is always in it for the money. It makes me want to throttle someone. Cache you later, Planet "You can say any foolish thing to a dog, and the dog will give you a look that says, 'My God, you're right! I never would've thought of that!'" - Dave Barry Quote Link to comment
+writer Posted January 28, 2003 Share Posted January 28, 2003 quote:Instead, you could pay me a $100 fee, bring a tent and a sleeping bag and I'll go caching with you for the whole weekend - we're on our own for paying for http://www.koa.com/. And are you providing the hot rocks for my back? writer Quote Link to comment
+Markwell Posted January 28, 2003 Share Posted January 28, 2003 Sure - we'll put some near the fire, and you lie down. I'll put 'em on your back and you let me know how your chi feels. Markwell Chicago Geocaching Quote Link to comment
Micqn Posted January 28, 2003 Share Posted January 28, 2003 Read the instruction book on your GPS, find out how to enter coords, push enter, get in car, drive, get out of car, follow arrow on GPS, find cache, get back in car, go home. It takes five hours to teach people how to do that? One good thing will come ouyt of this though. . . MORE CACHES FOR US TO FIND! Happy. Hunting. Quote Link to comment
+Dave_W6DPS Posted January 28, 2003 Share Posted January 28, 2003 The geocaching course is $50 and the orienteering class (linked from the same page) is FREE??? This just doesn't seem right--orienteering takes more instruction and--arguably--more skills, but the same length class is free... In fact, the ONLY one of the five classes that they charge for is geocaching! HUH!?! My two cents worth, refunds available on request. (US funds only) Quote Link to comment
+Firefishe Posted January 28, 2003 Share Posted January 28, 2003 quote:Originally posted by Poindexter:Just came across an article in the Feb issue of Travel + Leisure magazine. HIGH-TECH HIDE-AND-SEEK Geocaching, the latest outdoor adventure game, promises loot at the end of a day's play. Using a Global Positioning System (GPS) unit, players search for a "cache," a weatherproof container filled with small trinkets and a logbook for the finder to sign and date. In order to keep the game going, players must replace the treasure they find with a cache of their own. (dang, Iv'e been doin it wrong!) Utah's Red Mountain Spa (http://www.redmountainspa.com ; $50 per person) offers five-hour introductory classes. There's money to be made folks ;-) Here's the direct link if you want to take a look. http://www.redmountainspa.com/outdoor/skills.html Poindexter Self-taught Geocacher Gads! If you're going to charge someone $50 bucks a pop, the least you can do is use a gps receiver with WAAS! 15-20 feet as compared with 3 to 5 feet of errror. Sheesh! Math seems simple to me. Warm regards, Firefishe Quote Link to comment
Northern-Lights Posted January 28, 2003 Share Posted January 28, 2003 Hey, if they have the money to plunk down for a weekend get-a-way......they've got the money to put down for a class. Some people think GPS recievers area complicated.......some are intimadated by computers......heck,,,,some are confused by a simple slide rule.......(that was a joke there......lol) Anyway,,,,some people are ALWAYS more willing to pay to have someone show them how it works......Hmmmm, wonder how much I could get............ We're going on a treasure hunt...we're not quite sure just where...but our trusty GPS, we'll find a cache stashed there!! By Daughter Cheryl Quote Link to comment
+wcgreen Posted January 28, 2003 Share Posted January 28, 2003 quote:Originally posted by Poindexter: Utah's Red Mountain Spa (http://www.redmountainspa.com ; $50 per person) offers five-hour introductory classes. Markwelling this thread in which a Vermont resort employee asked whether lessons would be feasible -- wcgreen Wendy Chatley Green Quote Link to comment
+hoys Posted January 28, 2003 Share Posted January 28, 2003 quote:Originally posted by writer: quote:Instead, you could pay me a $100 fee, bring a tent and a sleeping bag and I'll go caching with you for the whole weekend - we're on our own for paying for http://www.koa.com/. And are you providing the hot rocks for my back? writer For $100? Yeah, if you're joining me on a hunt that I'm going on anyway, and you don't waste my daylight, I'll throw a couple of rocks from the fire on your back if you want at the end of the day. - Nate www.geocky.org Quote Link to comment
3fros Posted January 28, 2003 Share Posted January 28, 2003 If you really need Geocaching classes why not take a free class from REI. Here's an upcoming one for the Seattle store, but they probably have them at a lot of stores. Quote Link to comment
+writer Posted January 29, 2003 Share Posted January 29, 2003 quote:Originally posted by hoys:Yeah, if you're joining me on a hunt that I'm going on anyway, and you don't waste my daylight, I'll throw a couple of rocks from the fire on your back if you want at the end of the day. You stop when the sun goes down? Heck, even my 11-year-old daughter hung in with me the other day on an urban hunt at 8pm in the low teens with a sharp wind coming off the river... Quote Link to comment
Tahosa and Sons Posted January 29, 2003 Share Posted January 29, 2003 Well this shows you what is possible in this Country. Someone comes up with an idea and makes money. More power to them. Why be jealous of them, they found a niche and will play on it. I went and looked at their section on Cuisine, and that food is definately not a McD's bag lunch. Maybe I'll have to see if we can do this at where I work. http://www.sylvandale.com/ I could get paid to take people to my Caches. Tahosa - Dweller of the Mountain Tops. Quote Link to comment
South_Cache Posted January 29, 2003 Share Posted January 29, 2003 Two cowboys sitting on a fence in front of a sign that said, "Dell's Dude Ranch." A station wagon was driving by with some people in it. The caption reads, "Dell, You're gettin' a dude!" Fair winds, Capn Skully Quote Link to comment
+Mr. 0 Posted January 29, 2003 Share Posted January 29, 2003 I wonder if they sell "pre-assembled" caches, to participants, at the end of the class for them to hide. Mr. 0 "Remember that nature and the elements are neither your friend or your enemy - they are actually disinterested." Department of the Army Field Manual FM 21-76 "Survival" Oct. 1970 Quote Link to comment
+creagerstonefamily Posted January 29, 2003 Share Posted January 29, 2003 Don't forget that there are some people in the world who can't just read about something and do it. Of course, this varies from person to person, but I know people who are amazed that I can sit down with a book and teach myself computer programming. Every time I see one of those "adventure" 4x4s or Hummers driving tourists around out at Red Rock Canyon, I think "Hey, I'd do THAT for a living!" I'm amazed that someone in Las Vegas has yet to offer Geocaching excursions. Quote Link to comment
Ruprex Posted January 29, 2003 Share Posted January 29, 2003 Dorks. -Let's play Global Thermonuclear War- Quote Link to comment
Eeyore and Shadow Posted January 29, 2003 Share Posted January 29, 2003 I'm wondering what makes a person qualified enough to teach geocaching. And is "the force" an element of caching education? I'm one sat short of triangulation. Quote Link to comment
+Alan2 Posted January 29, 2003 Share Posted January 29, 2003 $50 bucks doesn't sound so bad. There you are on vacation in Utah spending hundreds maybe thousands of dollars in some resort. what's another $50 bucks for a 1 hr training session and 2-3 hours guided hike into the canyonlands? Seems kinda nice especially if you know nothing about caching. People spend that kind of money for a tennis or golf lession. Frankly if I was them, I'd make it $50 bucks for the plain tour and $100 for the cache tour on donkey. An we'll through in a box lunch to boot! Alan Quote Link to comment
+geoark1 Posted January 29, 2003 Share Posted January 29, 2003 If some state Parks Systems get wind of this they will make it part of the permitting requirment. Can see it now " you are required to have x hours in a certifyed course that shows you can properly install the batteries in your GPS" Team GEOARK1 Searching for the next CACHE Quote Link to comment
Cape Cod Cacher Posted January 30, 2003 Share Posted January 30, 2003 need I say less other than big $ magazine I can sell big money to an idiot, just cant tell one to use it. Quote Link to comment
Freelens Posted January 30, 2003 Share Posted January 30, 2003 When I was younger, getting stoned was much different. To put things in perspective you can also waste your money on: 1. Cooking lessons when most recipies are written on the box. 2. Horseback ridding 3. Snorkling/Scuba 4. Golf Lessons 5. Tennis lessons Personaly there were times I would have given $50 for information leading to my whereabouts as it relates to the cache or civilization for that matter. Yes I have finds, yes I have hides and yes I'm a charter member. My wife will not let me use our account on the forums...don't know why. Quote Link to comment
+Team GPSaxophone Posted January 30, 2003 Share Posted January 30, 2003 quote:Originally posted by Northern-Lights:some are confused by a simple slide rule Bob the Enchanter pulls out the Slide Rule of Summoning doing 2d8+5 damage to all creatures within a radius of 20' with an intelligence rating below 12... Quote Link to comment
tatoeba Posted January 30, 2003 Share Posted January 30, 2003 quote: Every time I see one of those "adventure" 4x4s or Hummers driving tourists around out at Red Rock Canyon, I think "Hey, I'd do THAT for a living!" So? Why don't you go for it? Jean Legendeo a geocaching mystery Quote Link to comment
+writer Posted January 30, 2003 Share Posted January 30, 2003 quote:Frankly if I was them, I'd make it $50 bucks for the plain tour and $100 for the cache tour on donkey. And hide the cache in a burro? Quote Link to comment
Buttons Brigade Posted January 31, 2003 Share Posted January 31, 2003 Some people don't do things if it's not free. Some people thing something's better if they pay an exorbinant amount of money for it. Some people WANT to pay money to experience something. Some people like/need the hand-holding. There are a lot of things many people can do/experience cheap or free but they'd rather pay for it because it makes them feel better that they did. Opinions based on experiences with eTrex Vista... Quote Link to comment
+LoneHowler Posted January 31, 2003 Share Posted January 31, 2003 never underestimate the power of human stupidity. At the airport I can observe human stupidity in action. I once saw a man try and take a baggage cart with a big bag and his puppy in a crate down a escalator he was pushing it straight down before he could heed my cry of "Don't do it" his bag and dog had slid to the bottom. His poor dog was terrified. I suggested to take the dog out a check on him, he said he was late for a plane and didn't have the time. At that point I told him that he could have avoided this if he had took the elevator which was right beside the escalators. He said something about not having time and took of his poor puppy still yelping in his cage uncomforted. some people should not own animals More to see, More to do Quote Link to comment
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