Inappropriate Items Left In Cache

1.2k · September 9, 2004

I've never been as offended by an item in a cache as I was when I found a ketchup packet. Worst item ever. :rolleyes:

September 9, 2004

No, but it has started wars.....which in turn have started fires.

Nice.

Back on topic: I'd prefer not to find condoms, tampons, other personal care items, anything liquid (flammable, inflammable, nonflammable, or otherwise), religious items, political items, material of an otherwise prurient nature, and so on. This is a game/sport/hobby/whatever that a family should be able to enjoy. I'm not opposed to golf balls (new or otherwise), though I know that others are. I'm also not opposed to objects that formerly inhabited Happy Meal sacks, though there's a rabid opposition to these, as well.

September 9, 2004

...Ask any publicist...perception is reality.

It's absolute rubbish. Perception is easily manipulated in myriad ways and in many cases has absolutely no relation with reality.

Spoken like a true lawyer. :rolleyes:

September 9, 2004

Can't we all just get along. :rolleyes:

September 9, 2004

Just the other day I found a cigarette and a pack of matches in a cache. I just removed them and threw them away. What else are you going to do, I doubt that any one that would leave this would be reading the forums.

September 9, 2004

Appropriate or Inappropriate? Religious or non-religious? Matches or Toilet Paper?

How many of you actually go to a cache to "see what is in it"? Admittedly I have only found twenty or so caches, and each one had the same junk in it! I don't pay any attention to the contents, the fun is in the find. Don't like matches in the cache, take them out and find something in your pocket to replace it with...like perhaps a pretty rock. Don't like the toilet paper, take it out and replace it with a McDonalds happy meal toy.

Whoa! In my part of the woods, that rock is a loaded weapon waiting to go off. Next thing ya know, that rock is gonna end up in someone's livingroom.

Where does this end?

2.7k · September 9, 2004

I took matches out of two caches recently. I traded for them, leaving better stuff than I took. In my opinion, I don't think people should leave matches, it's incredibly stupid (IMHO). But what are you gonna do? Sometimes people leave feces in caches (literally). It ain't cool. But people aren't always as considerate and thoughtful as the next person.

September 9, 2004

What do you trade out for the feces? :rolleyes:

September 9, 2004

What do you trade out for the feces?

Um, just about anything would be a trade up wouldn't it? :rolleyes:

September 9, 2004

What do you trade out for the feces?

Excelent way to lighten up this post !!!

September 9, 2004

Sometimes people leave feces in caches (literally). It ain't cool.

Thank you for sharing. Gives special meaning to the slogan, "trade up, trade even, or don't trade".

Given a choice, I'll go with the McToys, golf balls, tampons, and condoms over the feces on any given day.

September 9, 2004

But I also think people have a tendency to get too "excited" about the things they discover in caches.

When was the last time you spent a few days on a wildfire line? Let me guess...none. Ever have to talk to someone who lost a house to a wildfire? I'll bet the answer is "no" again. Don't give me any s*** about "too excited".

One work...V-A-L-I-U-M...

Hey, "5" thanks for contributing something worthwhile to the discussion. Wanna trade jobs with me some day? BTW my work day is 24 hours long...

You're welcome....Thanks for editing that post, it was somewhat offensive to me. Geez, I thought cops were stressed. I don't so much have an issue with your position on the matches, just looked like you were a little hostile toward everyone. Trade jobs, with all those days off? You bet...Well no probably not,just kiddin' :rolleyes:

Edited September 9, 2004 by 5

September 9, 2004

What do you trade out for the feces?

Um, just about anything would be a trade up wouldn't it?

A "stinker" trade if you ask me.

September 9, 2004

What do you trade out for the feces?

Um, just about anything would be a trade up wouldn't it?

A "stinker" trade if you ask me.

Uhhgggg, that's hoffible (edit) Ok, how about horrible?

Edited September 9, 2004 by 5

September 9, 2004

What do you trade out for the feces?

Um, just about anything would be a trade up wouldn't it?

If you are a dung beetle larva, you might think feces was pretty cool, but that would be against the rules to put food in the cache. . . .

September 9, 2004

Thanks, it's been awhile since we've had a little "flame war" in here. Can we all agree that "assault matches" should be banned? I didn't think so. Btw, the geocaching term for feces is doot. :rolleyes:

September 9, 2004

Doot? :rolleyes: I suppose asking for an explaination of that would probably not be a good idea?

7.2k · September 9, 2004

Wow! I took the night off to attend an online celebration. At least I had fun.

Ah yes, but then I return to read the forums here.

:rolleyes:

Several of you got over the line in this topic. If it continues further I will dish out the needed action to calm the storm. You got off lucky and I'm sorry I was out earlier.

You (and you should know who you are) have been warned... :blink:

September 9, 2004

Thanks, it's been awhile since we've had a little "flame war" in here. Can we all agree that "assault matches" should be banned? I didn't think so. Btw, the geocaching term for feces is doot.

Uh Oh, your just gonna start it up again.... :blink:

1.6k · September 9, 2004

Waterproof matches may have been in questionable taste in a cache near a recent wildfire. I do not believe that this type of item qualifies as a blanket no-no like explosives.

I found a waterproof match cotainer with some matches in a cache in the woods here, and have carried them ever since. I like useful things like these.

As for religious tracts, I feel that they are also of questionable merit and I am a religious person. If the cache is known to be a container of religious materials, then fine, that's what you expect to see. If not, then you really don't expect to see a cache full of nothing but them. (like junky McToys that seem to fill up the caches quickly).

Bottom line is the difference between legal and desirable. Matches are legal, but they may not be desirable. Same with religious tracts. When it comes to items that are not legal, leave them at home. When it comes to questionable items, ask, "Would I like to hike miles into the woods to this specific cache, in its present condition and location, and find this type of item?" If the answer is no, then either leave something else or TNLN.

1.1k · September 9, 2004

Okay I ama going to take my ball and go home. What is approperate and isn't if you dont like what someone put in your cache SEND THEM A EMAIL saying so. Was it good or bad UGH I don't know but to you it is bad so EMAIL them. I cant imagine someone finding matches in a cache and the first thing they do is light one and fling it into the brush or anyone for that matter. But then there ahve been the professonal firefighter here in CO that had deliberately started a fire so they have work.

As for the Bible if you don't subscribe to that belief DON'T take it no one is forcing you to and we do have the FREEDOM OF SPEECH and THE FREEDOM OF RELEGION. No one is forcing you. If I see you driving a red truck and I hate red trucks then what do I do have a fit over your red truck. You have the right to a red trucka just as I have a right to hate red trucks. But in a civlized society, I am assumming your in a civilized society, give you the right to do what you want and me the right to do what I want, with in norms and mores of the society.

Cheers

3k · September 9, 2004

Wow, and all on one breath! :rolleyes:

Don't bother with the e-mail ... if one doesn't like what one finds in a cache, ignore it or remove it. Same goes for cache owners. There's no need to make a private or public fuss about it.

Edited September 9, 2004 by BassoonPilot

September 9, 2004

Right up front let me say that I don't want to start a flame war here. But is it appropriate to leave religious materials in a cache? I know that the guidelines say a cache shouldn't be political or religious in nature, but what about that stuff as trade items?

I wouldn't have a problem with that, and I'm not a religous person either. You're missing the point. No one has started a fire with a bible.

no...just most wars! :rolleyes:

September 10, 2004

Wow, and all on one breath!

Don't bother with the e-mail ... if one doesn't like what one finds in a cache, ignore it or remove it. Same goes for cache owners. There's no need to make a private or public fuss about it.

Remove the cache owners? Isn't that a bit drastic? :huh:

September 10, 2004

Worst thing found in a cache: 27 used golf balls. :huh:

September 10, 2004

Worst thing found in a cache: 27 used golf balls.

yah thats pretty bad

September 10, 2004

I didn't find this in a cache, but one friend found as part of a cache, pornography.

24.7k · September 10, 2004

We can call this thread the Matchstick Jihad.

I know where the topic starter is coming from. One of the worst fires I've been around was started by a police officer at a shooting range.

My family has helped stopped at least two forest fires just as they were getting going. Long before they consumed enough acerage to be reporeted. And as for me, I was one of those kids who played wiht matches and I almost started a field fire. Actually I did start one but a neighbor had the sence of mind to hand me a hose and I put it out as the fire department arrived.

That background info doesn't change the solution which has two parts. The first being this site and geocachers in general think explostive and ignition sources area bad idea and don't condone them. The second part is to trade them out when you find them just like I and a lot of others do.

September 10, 2004

We can call this thread the Matchstick Jihad.

I know where the topic starter is coming from. One of the worst fires I've been around was started by a police officer at a shooting range.

My family has helped stopped at least two forest fires just as they were getting going. Long before they consumed enough acerage to be reporeted. And as for me, I was one of those kids who played wiht matches and I almost started a field fire. Actually I did start one but a neighbor had the sence of mind to hand me a hose and I put it out as the fire department arrived.

That background info doesn't change the solution which has two parts. The first being this site and geocachers in general think explostive and ignition sources area bad idea and don't condone them. The second part is to trade them out when you find them just like I and a lot of others do.

Hey that police officer thing is just a vicious rumor spread by my competitors... :huh:

2k · September 10, 2004

I have found the waterproof camping matches several times in caches and have placed them myself. I have seen campers who appreciated their placement and have taken them for personal use. I'ma smoker and REALLY appreciated finding a dry lighter in a cache just after splashing through a creek to the cache.

I have placed and found the small penknives and really like the logo'ed items, especially when from a business that's near the cache or specific to the cacher.

The religious item debate has been going on for too long, If you don't like it, don't grab it. Don't assume that my or my children's beliefs will be damaged by something YOU find upsetting. Would you grant a vegetarian the right to remove all references to McDonald's, Wendy's and Burger King?

6.5k · September 10, 2004

I have mixed feelings on the matches issue. I like RK was a 'curious' child who was lucky once, (ONCE). If the guidelines say don't leave them , then don't. If you find them and think they are inappropriate for that cache, just take them quietly.

I own a TB Hotel near the airport and remove penknives from it occasionally. :huh:

No one has ever listed them in their logs, I'm guessing they would rather see them end up in a cachers hand then the trash at the airport, or even worse cause a hassle at security. :huh:

As to the religious tract debate, whenever I see them in a cache, I leave the Sweet potato tracts I get from my foodservice trade shows alongside them.

PS-that should please the vegetarians too right Torry? :huh:

24.7k · September 10, 2004

...Hey that police officer thing is just a vicious rumor spread by my competitors...

He was using surplus ammo for practice. The ammo included tracers. Tracers were allowed at that shooting range. It was a tracer round that started the fire. They traced it back to the officer with the express goal of charging him and having him pay huge fines and penalties to cover the cost of the fire fighting effort.

In the end sanity prevailed. Since he was doing exactly what he was allowed to do, he wasn't liable. I doubt the range allows tracers anymore but I'm just speculating.

September 11, 2004

New to the forum and was wondering if this is the type of stuff i can look forward too? I mean come on its friggin matches. Id say its safe to say that the majority of the cachers are adult. If not most kids know not to play with matches. Its kinda like the bible read it or dont its up to you. Matches? well heck someone might find em a handy item.

my point is this. Its very unlikely that a fire is going to start from matches found in a cache. And even more unlikey that the fire inspector is going to suspect a cache for the source of the fire.

So your concern over giving geocaching "a bad name" is kinda on the extreme side.

just my opinion

have a great day

September 11, 2004

Okay I am going to take my ball and go home. What is appropriate and isn't if you dont like what someone put in your cache SEND THEM A EMAIL saying so.
... and I hate red trucks then what do I do have a fit over your red truck. You have the right to a red truck just as I have a right to hate red trucks.

I am in a dilemma here .... :lol:

1. Do you hate red trucks because firefighters drive them and sometimes start fires ...

2. Is it OK to leave red trucks in caches?

September 11, 2004

Where do we draw the line on what's dangerous and what's not? I worked with a guy who was a former Navy Seal. A group of us were discussing improvised weapons in the break room one day after Sept. 11. The ex-seal demonstrated how you could kill or immobilize someone with a rolled up magazine. I don't recall if it was Newsweek or Ladies Home Journal.

2k · September 11, 2004

New to the forum and was wondering if this is the type of stuff i can look forward too ...

Someimes it takes very little to get us riled. The "religious items in cache" is a popular firestarter topic. The issue of knives and matches is one that chafes some cachers. The forums serve as a handy form of talc.

September 11, 2004

Back on topic: I'd prefer not to find condoms, and so on. This is a game/sport/hobby/whatever that a family should be able to enjoy.

DITTO

I've found condoms in two seperate caches!

Highly inappropriate, in my book!

What signal are we sending to the kids that cache.

The only thing worse would be used ones.

Just my $.02 SF1

24.7k · September 11, 2004

...Is it OK to leave red trucks in caches?

Yes you can leave a Red Avalance in one of my caches anytime you want. I will immediatly swap it for a 92 Bronco. It's trading down but that Avalance would be hard to top anyway.

September 11, 2004

This is getting out of control, please people stop with the juvenile behavior. I cannot believe that a simple topic would get out of hand so quickly. BTW, I think more people (including kids) have died choking on McToys than from out of control fires started with matches from a cache OR a Bible, (including hellfire and brimstone). :anibad:

1.5k · September 11, 2004

The only things I've ever removed from caches were 2 WWII era clips with 5-rounds each of live ammunition, dating back to 1944, an eBook on CD and a certain list of websites (from the same cache). The first for obvious reasons, but the latter two because both promote an extremist/separatist/militia ideology. Several of the sites listed had direct links to other extremist groups, including neo-nazi organizations. GC.com even e-mailed the cache owner, but nothing was changed. Strangely enough, the cacher is the Chairman of the Montana Patriot Party.

Nothing like using Geocaching as a way to further a fringe agenda. :anibad:

Oh, and I also removed a pack of cigarettes out of the same cache the day I took the site list and eBook.

Edited September 11, 2004 by Brian - Team A.I.

September 12, 2004

Ok, I guess I'm over-sensitive. Imho geocaching is not a good place for proselytizing, but I've been voted down. Sorry <:-)

I agree with you 100%

Ive placed a couple caches before and while checking up on them I immediately removed questionable items, religious items included. I don't need my caches getting a reputation for being sanctuaries for religious crap.

September 12, 2004

I was on vacation in Indiana this past week and found a pack of firecrackers in a cache. Ok. Firecrackers are legal in Indiana. I just swapped them out (And used them illegally in Illinois. LOL) But seriously. Kids can get hurt. Certain things should not be left in a cache. I agree. I feel personally that if there is a risk of fire, loss of limb or life, or something that can not be bought by a child of the age of 15. those items should be left out. Otherwise, have fun. I also agree with the statement the fireman made way up on this listing. If a fire were to start as a result of something left in a geocache, that would have a negative impact on what we are trying to do. Imagine local laws preventing us from caching. Seriously. That would suck! Remember this prase. EVEN IF YOU DO NOT BELIEVE AN ITEM SHOULD BE BANNED, LOOK AT THE VERY SLEIGHT POSSIBILITY THAT THAT ITEM COULD DO A MINUTE AMOUNT OF HARM. tHEN THINK ABOUT THAT ONE PERSON WHO TAKES IT UPON THEMSELVES TO PUT AN END TO WHAT WE LOVE BECAUSE SOMEONE GOT HURT. Just think twice about items left in a cache. Its all about having fun. Jumping down from my high horse. ahhhhh. thats better. :anibad:

Edited September 12, 2004 by toppercat

September 12, 2004

I own a TB Hotel near the airport and remove penknives from it occasionally.

No one has ever listed them in their logs, I'm guessing they would rather see them end up in a cachers hand then the trash at the airport, or even worse cause a hassle at security.

Since I'm the guy at the airport who has to take them away... Thanks!

By the way, if you all think this debate about matches is fun, you should see what happens when I have to explain to some flier why they can't take thier (knife, axe, letter opener, baseball bat, scissors, torch lighter, etc) onto an airplane. "But I've taken it through a dozen airports!" Yeah, sure. Not this one pal!

By the way, I like finding Swiss Army Knives/Tools in caches and tend to leave them myself. Kids should be tought to be responsible. See my sig line.

Edited September 12, 2004 by Crusso

September 12, 2004

You know what else is a really crummy cache item? Golf Balls. On a recent cache we visited, someone had removed a travel bug from the cache, and replaced it with a golf ball. Now, I know that travel bugs arn't trade items, but come on, why would anyone want a golf ball in a cache. Honestly, does anyone glof with these things?

September 12, 2004

I own a TB Hotel near the airport and remove penknives from it occasionally.

No one has ever listed them in their logs, I'm guessing they would rather see them end up in a cachers hand then the trash at the airport, or even worse cause a hassle at security.

Since I'm the guy at the airport who has to take them away... Thanks!

By the way, if you all think this debate about matches is fun, you should see what happens when I have to explain to some flier why they can't take thier (knife, axe, letter opener, baseball bat, scissors, torch lighter, etc) onto an airplane. "But I've taken it through a dozen airports!" Yeah, sure. Not this one pal!

By the way, I like finding Swiss Army Knives/Tools in caches and tend to leave them myself. Kids should be tought to be responsible. See my sig line.

Can you keep the stuff you take?

:anibad: :lol:

September 12, 2004

But I also think people have a tendency to get too "excited" about the things they discover in caches.

When was the last time you spent a few days on a wildfire line? Let me guess...none. Ever have to talk to someone who lost a house to a wildfire? I'll bet the answer is "no" again. Don't give me any s*** about "too excited".

When was the last time I spent time on the fire line? Last week. And as a firefighter who has spent time on a fire line, I would think water proof matches would be something I would trade for, great for camping, hiking and that sounds like what cachers like to do. By the way, most fire fighters have matches and lighters on them or in their packs. Ever light a drip torch without one? I too would like to see where it is illegal to posses matches when there is a burn ban on?

September 12, 2004

Don't knock the tolet paper! I just got the cutest little roll of tolet paper out of a recent find. Just perfect for the geo backpack! :anibad:

September 12, 2004

Where's Sparky? His sig line alone would add fuel to this. :anibad:

edit: Sparky hasn't posted since Aug 30, here's part of his sig line

Give a man a match, and he'll stay warm for a day. Set a man on fire, and he'll stay warm for the rest of his life.

Edited September 12, 2004 by Cholo

38.2k · September 12, 2004

Matches in caches save lives.

Picture a geocacher on a freezing, January day. He falls in a stream on the way to a cache and is coming down with hypothermia. Just hours from certain death, he finds a cache with matches, starts a small fire to warm up and dry his clothes and his life is saved when a ranger sees the smoke and rescues the geocacher.

Matches should be manditory in caches. If only one life is saved by matches in caches it is worth it!

Note: the previous scenario is as silly and as unlikely to happen as someone taking matches from a cache and using them to burn down the woods.

2.1k · September 12, 2004

I have stopped leaving pyromaniacs and psychopaths in caches, because I felt that they could either start a fire or hurt someone. :laughing:

I do not have a problem with matches, lighters, tiny swiss-army knives, multi-tools, toilet paper, cool-looking rocks, or geocaching pins (which could conceivably stab someone) being placed in caches.

I do have a problem with expired coupons, broken toys, used chewing gum, pornography, and trash being placed in caches...but rather than gnash my teeth for all to see, I trade the above items out, and continue on my way. :lol:

nfa

Edited September 12, 2004 by NFA

Inappropriate Items Left In Cache

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