is this geocaching?

[+pdxmarathonman]

I've seen a few caches that don't really seem to be "geocaching" as I understand it.

 

Is the following really a geocache?

 

Drive to a parking lot at the listed coordinates

Walk for

now continue on

calculate

now walk towards cache is hidden

 

 

The only time I need my GPS for a hunt like this is to get to the parking lot. Hell, I don't even need it then if I use MapQuest to show me where to park!

 

Any thoughts on whether this is a "legit" geocache?

[+erik88l-r]

Sorta sounds like letterboxing.

 

At least it's being outdoors looking for something hidden by someone else, which isn't all bad, and closer to true geocaching than some other "caches" that have been posted.

[+Thraxman]

quote:

---

Originally posted by pdxmarathonman:

I've seen a few caches that don't really seem to be "geocaching" as I understand it.

 

Is the following really a geocache?

 

+ Drive to a parking lot at the listed coordinates

+ Walk for

+ now continue on

+ calculate

+ now walk towards + cache is hidden

 

Any thoughts on whether this is a "legit" geocache?

---

 

Yup, this is a legit geocache. If you check out the FAQs, you will find that it pretty much fits the description of an "Offset cache". Although I see what you mean about the parking lot as a starting point

[+Thraxman]

quote:

---

Originally posted by pdxmarathonman:

I've seen a few caches that don't really seem to be "geocaching" as I understand it.

 

Is the following really a geocache?

 

+ Drive to a parking lot at the listed coordinates

+ Walk for

+ now continue on

+ calculate

+ now walk towards + cache is hidden

 

Any thoughts on whether this is a "legit" geocache?

---

 

Yup, this is a legit geocache. If you check out the FAQs, you will find that it pretty much fits the description of an "Offset cache". Although I see what you mean about the parking lot as a starting point

[+MattandLaura]

sounds like one of my caches. Not speaking for whoevers cache this is but myself personally gear my caches for the beginner just starting out. I am in hopes I generate enough interest so others will hide caches in my area as I am the only one doing so. Nothing will turn somebody off a new hobby quicker than failure. I set 5 caches starting from too simple and progressing to mildly tough all geared towards beginners. None of the descriptions give the location away but the hints on the simple ones will pretty much tell you where it is.

 

[+sbukosky]

Looks OK to me. I find that after a bunch of conventional hunts, many people like variety. On of the better local hunts make frequent use of a compass and paces. I pretty much like to let the logs or lack of them show if the area's hunters disfavor a type of cache hunt.

 

Steve Bukosky N9BGH

Waukesha Wisconsin

[+JeeperJohn]

Sure it is legit. From the description you give a person should know what to expect before they even begin the search. If you don't like this style of cache you don't have to go. I am always amazed by someone who will complain about doing a particular behavior but will continually put themself into a situation that will require a repeat of that behavior.

[BassoonPilot]

quote:

---

Originally posted by pdxmarathonman:

I've seen a few caches that don't really seem to be "geocaching" as I understand it.

 

Is the following really a geocache?

---

 

Yes, like several others have already stated, that would appear to be a legitimate "Beginner's Cache," or an extra-easy "Family Cache."

 

I think such caches provide an excellent opportunity for people who may not have previously participated in outdoor activities to "get their feet wet," if you will.

[BassoonPilot]

quote:

---

Originally posted by pdxmarathonman:

I've seen a few caches that don't really seem to be "geocaching" as I understand it.

 

Is the following really a geocache?

---

 

Yes, like several others have already stated, that would appear to be a legitimate "Beginner's Cache," or an extra-easy "Family Cache."

 

I think such caches provide an excellent opportunity for people who may not have previously participated in outdoor activities to "get their feet wet," if you will.

[+Macro]

This looks fine to me. There are a few like that near me. Only coordinates for a general area, then clues to follow for the remainder of the hunt. I am not stuck on the popular requirement that the gps should be used to find the cache itself. The only thing I look for is that the hider states clearly that the posted coordianted on the cache description page are not for the cache, but simply a part of getting to it.

[+Brokenwing]

I certainly think it qualifies. Afterall, the "I didn't even have to use my GPSr" doesn't hold much weight when you consider that with modern online mapping tools, just about any cache can be pretty easily found sans GPSr. Ask Web-ling and others like him that do most of their caches that way. The GPSr is a convienent, but unnecessary part of the game.

 

As a side note, one of the more fun caches we've done recently was this one: http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.asp?ID=10715 It was designed specifically to be done without a GPSr as it uses clues and offsets to find the cache.

 

Frankly, I'd rather do a cache like that any day, compared to one that's stuck under a log at coordinates 500 feet from a parking lot.

 

Scott / Brokenwing

http://www.cordianet.com/geocaching

[+TerraTrekkers]

Sounds like a typical urban cache to me. Not everyone lives in an area where the caches can be hidden on a remote mountain side or deep in some remote forest. Personally I prefer the harder more isolated finds. The more hiking the better. So we plan for an occasional weekend long cache and settle for the quick urban caches the rest of the time. Quite frankly we have discovered many local parks we would never have found other wise if not for these local cache hunts.

[+GOT GPS?]

Geo - Earth - Hidden somewhere on this planet.

Caching - Caching - Finding the hidden Container.

 

Whatever you call it, is still fun.

No matter matter how you slice it, it's still the same.

 

[+Web-ling]

Where is this one hidden?

 

This game has so many legitimate variations. That's part of what makes it fun! As Brokenwing mentioned, I do most 1/1 to 2/2 caches without a GPSr, partly just because I like maps and such, but also to make them more challenging and interesting. Offsets, clues, pace counting, maps, aerial photos, puzzles ... VARIETY!!!! If I don't like a particular cache because it doesn't fit my definition of what I want to do in a cache, I just don't do it. To each his own.

 

[+GOT GPS?]

Here is a challenging Cache of mine:

http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.asp?ID=5759&Nocache=0.7055475

 

It is on a Disc Golf Course and it is challenging, but it is also considered Geocaching.

 

[+Hawk-eye]

That's why it's not called GPSCACHING

 

[+Hawk-eye]

That's why it's not called GPSCACHING

 

[teamwsmf]

I have seen many people each of whom have their own idea of what eocaching means to them.

 

Why do some folks feel its thier duty to limit others by imposing limits?

 

Are we all not able to make our own choices about what caches we go after and which we do not?

 

Do we need a guidence commity to determine if a cache is Geo enough?

 

I say post em all and let the users sort out what they want and dont want. The ratings, the descriptions and the patronage will be a ood jusge to show people if that is a cahce they want to go after.

 

Of course there are those folks who HAVE to go after every cache possible. GEOJUNKIES would have a rough time of this open society idea. But thats thier choice.

 

And its all about choices.

 

-tom

 

----------------------------

TeamWSMF@wsmf.org

[+mrcpu]

I don't thing Geo in Geocaching means Geopositioning System. I FEEL that Geo means geographic!

 

Rob

[+Rooster-]

Not everyone is able to climb the tallest mountain and swim the deepest sea. Some people are stuck to flat ground and to close caches. GeoCaching is suppossed to be for everyone. You don't have to use your MapQuest to track a cache site.

Try it, it is a lot harder.