In And Out, In And Out, Etc. Tbs

1.2k · July 26, 2004

Hi Everyone,

This newbie has a question. Please forgive for I do not intend to step on anyone's shoes (or hiking boots). The question is this : why would a fellow geocacher keep placing the same TB in and out of caches? This has happened 4 times with the same TB. In the cache and out of it on the same day. Since we are new, are we missing something? Thanks

2.8k · July 26, 2004

They are likely just tracking the mileage by dropping it (via the site, not physically)into each cache they log. More like a personal TB they keep and not one they release for others to move around.

There are a few cachers/TBs like this but not too many.

1.2k · July 26, 2004

Thanks Team DEMP,

I should add that the TBs belong to someone else (way out of state). Does this make a difference? Thanks

22k · July 26, 2004

As TD stated, it is probably a personal TB.

Sometimes if I am carrying a bug or coin that I have targeted for a certain cache, I'll run it through the caches I found along the way. But only when I'm traveling a significant distance. I figure the bug deserves to show that it's been there even if I haven't left it behind.

2.5k · July 26, 2004

The question isn't where he lives, the question is did the person in question also LOG every cache that he's dropping this bug in and out of?

Some people have a personal travel bug, and they log it in and out of every cache they go to so they have a map of where/when they cahed and a mileage log of their caching experiences. It also puts all of their cache finds in a single place to look through when they want to find something quickly/at a glance.

So if he's going to the cache, and also logging this bug in and out, then it's his personal bug.

1.2k · July 26, 2004

The person in question does log the TBs in and out and it is shown on the log. Can you latch on to someones TB and it becomes your personal TB? Maybe I am all wrong, but that seems to defeat the purpose of TBs really going in and out of caches by different geocachers. It's like virtual taking and placing but not really doing it. Thanks.

22k · July 26, 2004

Can you latch on to someones TB and it becomes your personal TB?

I guess you could hold one hostage, but it'll never be 'yours'.

Actually dropping and retrieving a bug (not their own) is not that uncommon. Perhaps this cacher is on vacation traveling through several states and maybe they'll release the bug once they reach their destination. I would certainly want my bug to show it passed through, even if the cacher kept it going.

You can check to see if they logged a 'Found' on the cache as that won't show on the bug history. But personally I wouldn't lose too much sleep over it. The chances are pretty good the bug really did visit the cache.

Edited July 26, 2004 by Elf Danach

1.1k · July 26, 2004

why would a fellow geocacher keep placing the same TB in and out of caches?

Some TB's have a goal to visit as many caches as possible and encourage this activity. For example my Georgia on my Mind TB is one such TB.

Zack

July 26, 2004

I have a geocoin whose goal is to reach all 50 states. It was found by a geocacher who is traveling extensively. He asked if I minded if he kept the coin while he traveled. I said I thought that was a great way to rack up states. So he logs it in and out when he travels to a new state. 12 states down, most of which are thanks to him.

I might question it if he hadn't asked but in this case I think it's fine.

2.6k · July 26, 2004

In And Out, In And Out, Etc.

1.2k · July 26, 2004

Sorry folks,

I guess I am the odd ball but I think is not what TBs are all about. For the same person (not on a vacation) to simply carry a TB with him for days while he is caching is not what it is all about. So the TB gets milage, big deal. One person not physically placing the TB in a cache is fake. The TB wasn't in the cache therefore how can it be "placed" as in the log? The other thing that's wrong with this is keeping it for so long deprives other cachers an opportunity to really "find" it in a cache and to really "place" it in another cache.

It sounds like we are getting caught up in the statistics and forgetting the fun of the chase. Its like virtual (not the cache type) caching and not really doing it. Please don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with keeping score but is it a real score or a virtual one? Thanks

2.5k · July 26, 2004

I guess the question is what's the goal of this bug?

If it's in a mileage race, then no, don't log it in and out... But if its goal is to go to as many caches as it can, why not let someone dangle it from their GPS and take it around on a day or two of caching?

We'd have more educated speculation if you'd post a link to this bug.

1.2k · July 27, 2004

Hi fly46,

Thanks for your post. I don't want to start a personal war with a fellow cacher but if it helps, here is the information on 'only' one TB. The no. is TB1013 and it doesn't have a goal. Please do not use any names in yours or anyone else's reply. Thanks.

22k · July 27, 2004

We need to understand that cachers handle bugs in different ways. Bugs come and bugs go. Personally, I wouldn't lose any sleep over it. Oops, I said that before.

Time for me to go.

July 27, 2004

Sometimes people pick up a TB and then the next several caches they find are only micros... since they can't drop off the TB, they log it in and out of the cache so that there can still be a record of the TB's travel history.

Actually I did the opposite once. I found a TB that was meant for a film canister micro. I didn't find one for a while, so I logged the TB in and out of the other caches I visited. The owner e-mailed me thanking me for adding the mileage.

July 27, 2004

One time I did that with a TB that had moved from Colorado to Canada, but had never been logged into any caches.

The people who had it simply placed notes on the cache pages or mentioned it in logs but never dropped it off officially.

I logged it in and out of three caches using the note feature in order to make sure the bug got its mileage.

Scott

8.8k · July 28, 2004

Sometimes cachers are taking Travel Bugs on a mission when they do this. We cannot presume to know where the cacher is heading. Sometimes Bugs are in races and the cacher has offered it a ride. It is done quite often, and usually it is nice to e-mail the Bug owner and let them know what's up. If the bug hasn't got a specific goal, the cacher is just helping it along. There is no hard and fast rule about how bugs get moved, as long as they move. If it is your bug, then you have the option of sending the cacher in question a polite e-mail asking what their plans are for dropping it off.

1.2k · July 28, 2004

Thanks everyone for your ideas and thoughts on this subject.

1k · July 29, 2004

It appears from the most recent log that the cacher was holding it until he could place it in one of his new caches. The practice is not unusual, and since the TB doesn't currently have a goal, no harm was done. Looks like it's sitting in a cache now waiting for someone else to grab it.

1.2k · August 3, 2004

Thanks again. I have learned a lot.

P.S. I just received my first two TBs today and I will activate them soon. I hope one of you good people find them.

August 3, 2004

People are finding Jeep TB's and dropping and retrieving them in caches. It's like, Dig Me! I got one, you don't. What's up with that? Jeeps are supposed to be traded, so everyone gets a shot. What a bunch of MoTards. WD

In And Out, In And Out, Etc. Tbs

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