What's An Earthcache?

[+Team GeoDillo]

I can't wait! Please tell me...what's an earthcache? Is it a unique/unusual land feature? ....Ahhhg! What is it? Tell me, tell me, tell me!

[+Renegade Knight]

Never herd of it. Sounds like a variation of a virtual cache though.

[+Tsegi Mike and Desert Viking]

Earthcache reference here

 

I too am curious and spent some time speculating what it could be. We will know in due time I guess. In the meantime.....can we guess at it?

 

Earthcache is......

 

A cache that blends into the environment? Like a fake rock?

 

A cache where you leave a stone to mark your encounter?

 

Ok, lame guesses. Does anyone have better ones?

[+art begotti]

hm... jeremy's balderdash game of doom....

 

earthcache...

one where you have to dig?

one that requires you bring/trade earthenware?

money that does grow from trees?

[+ClayJar]

one that requires you bring/trade earthenware?

How about one that requires you to *be* earthenware?

[+Tsegi Mike and Desert Viking]

A rare moment of real thought..........

 

If CITO is cleaning up trash, could earthcache be planting a tree type of activity?

[+Team GeoDillo]

I think an earthcache is going to be the replacement for locationless caches. I think the current locationless cache will probably be allowed to stay, but no more will be approved. Now when people find a cool man made object or natural feature, they'll be able to create an earthcache out of it and unlike locationless caches, it can be logged multiple times.

 

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

[+FrkBrum]

I'd like it even better if it's the new virtuals!

 

[+garri]

I hope it will be an innovative idea, something completely different to virtuals and physical caches. surprise me!

 

It would be another commercial type of caches like APE

[+CO Admin]

Its quite simple, Earthcache, Marscache, Venuscache etc. just getting ready for the sport to expand.

[+Team GeoDillo]

Its quite simple, Earthcache, Marscache, Venuscache etc. just getting ready for the sport to expand.

 

If so, you'll need more than a GPS to find it!

[+art begotti]

yeah... you'd need some sort of gps specialized to that planet.

 

wow, i just pointed out the obvious fact. again. i need to shut up.

[+Midway Cafe]

Perhaps we will be allowed to use shovels and other implements of destruction.

[+TotemLake]

Its quite simple, Earthcache, Marscache, Venuscache etc. just getting ready for the sport to expand.

 

If so, you'll need more than a GPS to find it!

Yes, the D/T will be 5/5.

[+cachew nut]

I think it might be like a wondert.

[+Eric K]

My guess is maybe some type of cache to replace virtuals.

[+Team GeoDillo]

I think it might be like a wondert.

OK, forget what I said about sticking to my story. I'm going with what cachew nut said. What's a wondert anyway?

[+The Navigatorz]

I know what it is. Geo means Earth. Earth means Geo. So a earthcache is a geocache.

 

Surprise!!

[+Eric K]

Here is an Earthcache. Don't know if this was just what this cache was named or if an Earthcache will be something totally different.

 

Earthcache?

Edited August 9, 2004 by Eric K

[ju66l3r]

Hmm, what's the maintenance for a cache like that? My dad and I have quite a few from his geology lesson plans...like where all the marble used in DC comes from or the most abundant site for fossils in Maryland. But it sounds like you have to be involved/part of the society to place these "caches".

 

I wonder if MLB would pay enough to make pastimecaches a future type...

[2oldfarts (the rockhounders)]

Here is an Earthcache.  Don't know if this was just what this cache was named or if an Earthcache will be something totally different.

 

Earthcache?

 

Oh, I sure hope this might be what Earthcaches might be...

 

Shirley~

2oldfarts (the rockhounders)--Note the last part of our Geo-name.

[Jeremy]

That's right. It is a partnership with the Geological Societly of America. We've been working with the National Park Service to get caches into their parks, and this is one project that involves them in a positive way. Earthcaches will have their own icon and will only be listed after they are blessed by the Geological Society of America.

 

The GSA and I are putting together some documents to introduce the activity to the geocaching community. It's a neat way to educate folks about the geological formations around the world.

[+BalkanSabranje]

Earthcaches will have their own icon and will only be listed after they are blessed by the Geological Society of America.

 

It's a neat way to educate folks about the geological formations around the world.

How is the GSA going to decide about caches placed outside the American continent ????????

 

Or is this going to be a "US only" feature again?

 

BalkanSabranje

[Jeremy]

The first Earthcache was placed in Australia, so it will be international. They'll be putting together requirements for creating Earthcaches around the world, and will approve their listings. I'm sure their criteria will be pretty involved.

[+flask]

oooh, jeremy! please allow me the OT opportunity to say that i like the new avatar very much. it makes you looks like just a regular guy. a pleasant regular guy. have you lost some weight? you're looking fit.

[Jamethiel]

So the cache my brother wants to place at a crystal collecting area would qualify? That would be cool!

-Jennfier

[Jeremy]

Yes, though you'll probably have to do some research so it is an adequate earthcache. Also, they're happy with listing places where it is acceptable to collect samples like crystals, but to be careful about areas where it is discouraged.

[Jeremy]

have you lost some weight? you're looking fit.

Heh. Thanks. Hollywood magic. But yeah, I have been working out daily. Thanks for asking

[+dino_hunters]

Would it be possible to have a non-virtual Earthcache? I'm a geologist, and have placed a trad cache near a very cool rock. Its called "Ancient Worm Trails" , check it out, with pictures here:

 

http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_detai...4a-38560cec6163

[Jeremy]

Even better.

[2oldfarts (the rockhounders)]

Would it be possible to have a non-virtual Earthcache?  I'm a geologist, and have placed a trad cache near a very cool rock.  Its called "Ancient Worm Trails" , check it out, with pictures here:

 

http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_detai...4a-38560cec6163

 

Very interesting! Also, being a geologist, will you be able to get your caches like this sanctioned with the Geological Society easier than most of us amatur rockhounders?

 

It will be interesting to see how tough the rules & regs to get the 'Special Icon' attached to your cache will be. I do hope it will be not to difficult...

 

Jeremy, I too, like your new avatar...except, you look so danged young!

 

Thank you for all of the info so far. We will now wait patienly to see what fun we may come from this new feature of the game.

 

Shirley~

[Jeremy]

Well, I don't know. Since we haven't officially launched the earthcache concept, I can't give you every answer. I'd assume that geologists worldwide and their organizations may get involved somehow. Once we officially launch it feel free to ask then. At that time there will be someone more qualified than myself to answer your question.

[+Tsegi Mike and Desert Viking]

I can think of 8 places that would qualify as an earthcache, and probably get approved, in my state. Some are already caches, one is mine in fact. I may archive it and get it redone as an earthcache. Im sure I can think of many others by the time you get this launched. Im all excited.

[+Imajika]

oooh, jeremy! please allow me the OT opportunity to say that i like the new avatar very much. it makes you looks like just a regular guy. a pleasant regular guy. have you lost some weight? you're looking fit.

My my my! You and your brother look so much alike! (I met your brother at the March CACHE meeting )

[+art begotti]

one that requires you bring/trade earthenware?

so... i was close, right?

[+The Leprechauns]

If I find a really pretty pebble, would that be a microEarthcache? Soon, people would be griping in the forums about the influx of lame microEarthcaches, and reminiscing about the good old days when Earthcaching meant going out into the woods to find a nice big boulder.

[+Eric K]

If I find a really pretty pebble, would that be a microEarthcache? Soon, people would be griping in the forums about the influx of lame microEarthcaches, and reminiscing about the good old days when Earthcaching meant going out into the woods to find a nice big boulder.

That would be funny if it wasn't so true!

 

Regardless of whatever they do here there are going to be the complainers. If Groundspeak gave us each 10,000 dollars there would be those that would complain that we still had to pay the taxes on it.

 

Those of us that enjoy the sport have to ignore those people. It's like any business, you really don't hear from your happy customers just the unhappy ones.

 

(Sorry, I got off topic there)

 

Back on topic. I think the earthcache is a great concept. Just like through geocaching how I've found all these parks near me that I never knew existed it will be cool to find interesting locations/objects that may have been a few miles from my home that I would have otherwise never knew about.

[+dino_hunters]

the official GSA page on Earthcaches

 

www.geosociety.org/earthcache

[+Team GeoDillo]

Would it be possible to have a non-virtual Earthcache? I'm a geologist, and have placed a trad cache near a very cool rock. Its called "Ancient Worm Trails" , check it out, with pictures here:

 

http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_detai...4a-38560cec6163

According to the Geological Society of America's earthcache guidelines, "Earthcaches can only be virtual caches". However, Jeremy said "Even better" to your question. So which one is it?

[+dino_hunters]

An e-mail quote from the GSA guy behind it all

 

The reason that we are seeting up Earthcahces as virtual is that many of these will be located in National Parks...where only virtual caches will be allowed.  Also, we are trying to make people visiting it them appreciate the geological lesson, rather than hunt for a cache container.  I realise that there are a lod of people who are only interested in finding a cache container (my daughters are two of them)...but the whole  idea here is that the lesson is the find!

[+sbell111]

a lod of people? He types like he has a cold!

[+Bjorn74]

They want people to appreciate the features like in this log.

 

Reading this description really made me remember this log, I read about on the OKIC site.

[+Damenace]

"An Earthcache is an educational virtual geocache through which visitors learn about the fascinating planet on which we live — its landscapes, its geology or the minerals and fossils that are found there". There are a lot of virtuals out there that do this already ! Just what is the point of a "earthcache" ? My problem that I have is they can't come up with a way to manage "locationless" caches so they do away with them . They can't come up with a way to manage virtuals so they eliminate them . SO they create a totaly new style of cache Yep lets eliminate two to create one ? Makes no sense to me!!!! Don't get me wrong I have no problem with what the intentions are in teaching about the "planet we live on" but lets manage what we already have before we create more to manage!!

[+Eric K]

"An Earthcache is an educational virtual geocache through which visitors learn about the fascinating planet on which we live — its landscapes, its geology or the minerals and fossils that are found there". There are a lot of virtuals out there that do this already  ! Just what is the point of a "earthcache"  ? My problem that I have is they can't come up with a way to manage "locationless" caches so they do away with them  . They can't come up with a way to manage virtuals so they eliminate them  . SO they create a totaly new style of cache  Yep lets eliminate two to create one  ? Makes no sense to me!!!! Don't get me wrong I have no problem with what the intentions are in teaching about the "planet we live on" but lets manage what we already have before we create more to manage!!

I beleive a BIG part of the earthcaches is they are being sponsored and supported by the National Parks Service.

 

Currently the National Park Service doesn't even allow virtuals in their parks.

 

I'm not 100% certain on my statement so anyone feel free to correct it if needed.

Edited August 11, 2004 by Eric K

[+Damenace]

"An Earthcache is an educational virtual geocache through which visitors learn about the fascinating planet on which we live — its landscapes, its geology or the minerals and fossils that are found there". There are a lot of virtuals out there that do this already  ! Just what is the point of a "earthcache"  ? My problem that I have is they can't come up with a way to manage "locationless" caches so they do away with them  . They can't come up with a way to manage virtuals so they eliminate them  . SO they create a totaly new style of cache  Yep lets eliminate two to create one  ? Makes no sense to me!!!! Don't get me wrong I have no problem with what the intentions are in teaching about the "planet we live on" but lets manage what we already have before we create more to manage!!

I beleive a BIG part of the earthcaches is they are being sponsored and supported by the National Parks Service.

 

Currently the National Park Service doesn't even allow virtuals in their parks.

 

I'm not 100% certain on my statement so anyone feel free to correct it if needed.

 

So you mean to tell me since they are being sponsered they will be able to manage a "Earthcache Virtual" better than a regular virtual? I totally understand the purpose behind having sponsors. So now the next question is, are the days of "server errors" over?

[+Eric K]

"An Earthcache is an educational virtual geocache through which visitors learn about the fascinating planet on which we live — its landscapes, its geology or the minerals and fossils that are found there". There are a lot of virtuals out there that do this already  ! Just what is the point of a "earthcache"  ? My problem that I have is they can't come up with a way to manage "locationless" caches so they do away with them  . They can't come up with a way to manage virtuals so they eliminate them  . SO they create a totaly new style of cache  Yep lets eliminate two to create one  ? Makes no sense to me!!!! Don't get me wrong I have no problem with what the intentions are in teaching about the "planet we live on" but lets manage what we already have before we create more to manage!!

I beleive a BIG part of the earthcaches is they are being sponsored and supported by the National Parks Service.

 

Currently the National Park Service doesn't even allow virtuals in their parks.

 

I'm not 100% certain on my statement so anyone feel free to correct it if needed.

 

So you mean to tell me since they are being sponsered they will be able to manage a "Earthcache Virtual" better than a regular virtual? I totally understand the purpose behind having sponsors. So now the next question is, are the days of "server errors" over?

No I am not saying anything. I am speculating. I am saying I think it will be good for the sport to have the National Park Service working WITH geocaching instead of AGAINST geocaching.

[+Damenace]

"An Earthcache is an educational virtual geocache through which visitors learn about the fascinating planet on which we live — its landscapes, its geology or the minerals and fossils that are found there". There are a lot of virtuals out there that do this already  ! Just what is the point of a "earthcache"  ? My problem that I have is they can't come up with a way to manage "locationless" caches so they do away with them  . They can't come up with a way to manage virtuals so they eliminate them  . SO they create a totaly new style of cache  Yep lets eliminate two to create one  ? Makes no sense to me!!!! Don't get me wrong I have no problem with what the intentions are in teaching about the "planet we live on" but lets manage what we already have before we create more to manage!!

I beleive a BIG part of the earthcaches is they are being sponsored and supported by the National Parks Service.

 

Currently the National Park Service doesn't even allow virtuals in their parks.

 

I'm not 100% certain on my statement so anyone feel free to correct it if needed.

 

So you mean to tell me since they are being sponsered they will be able to manage a "Earthcache Virtual" better than a regular virtual? I totally understand the purpose behind having sponsors. So now the next question is, are the days of "server errors" over?

No I am not saying anything. I am speculating. I am saying I think it will be good for the sport to have the National Park Service working WITH geocaching instead of AGAINST geocaching.

That is true, I agree with that Eric K. However the National Park Service and Groundspeak working together does not mean better managment of any given style of a cache. Lets fine tune the protocol of a regular virtual before we create a differant style of a virtual. After all a virtual is a virtual regardless of the word you put in front of the word virtual.

[+Damenace]

BTW Eric K, this is nothing personal. I appreciate your response .

[+fly46]

oooh, jeremy! please allow me the OT opportunity to say that i like the new avatar very much. it makes you looks like just a regular guy. a pleasant regular guy. have you lost some weight? you're looking fit.

You might want to check your nose, I see something brown.

 

 

Now that you changed your pic, Jeremy, the pic we all took at GeoWoodstock making that thing with our hand might not make as much sense...

 

 

 

As for getting back on topic... As for D&E's discussion... No, this might not mean a better management of something, but if the powers that be work with the parks and manage to get a few approved here and there, then perhaps it is the first step in getting more permission to utilize our parks more frequently for more uses.

[+Eric K]

BTW Eric K, this is nothing personal. I appreciate your response .

Nothing was taken personally. Nothing is wrong with a good debate!