Geo Etiquette

[+VMIScot]

I am new to the sport but have a few questions regarding geocaching etiquette:

 

1) If I am closing in on a cache and someone is already in the area looking, how long do I wait until I continue onward? Do I wait until they are done? (with back turned so that I cannot cheat) Is it proper to ask if I can join them on a team effort kind of thing? (Or is this rude/annoying?) Is ther anything like a "play through" as in golf?

 

2) Earlier I was searching for a cache in a wooded area and came across a full, unopened and VERY poorly hidden bottle of vodka. This is in an area that is known for "partying punks" - as evidenced by the scorched trees nearby, initials carved into other trees and numerous broken glass bottles of alcohol strewn about. Question: since I was already CITO-ing, could I claim the bottle was trash and collect it? What if I "accidently dropped it" and the contents poured out (onto the ground)? What is the general rule for finding things that probably shouldn't be there? My personal code of ethics says leave it alone but I still kinda want revenge for when my bottle of rum was stolen from MY stash in woods 25 years ago.

 

3) If I am searching for a cache and someone else shows up to find it, how long can I continue to search until I have to relinquish it to the new arrival? I don't want to be rude to anyone but I don't want to give up the game if I am not "required" to. Once again, is it wrong for me to offer them to help me look for it?

 

Thanks for any help and insight you can give!

[+briansnat]

If I encounter someone looking for a cache I greet them and say "mind if I join in?". The answer has always been affirmative. You can then decide how you're gonna handle it. Either yell "I found it" as soon as one of you do and gather to sign the log, or if one of you finds it, walk away, then mention that you found it and let the other person continue the search.

 

If somene walks up while you are searching, invite them to join you and you can again decide which way you will handle the search.

 

Any garbage found in the woods can be trashed out, just as if anything you found in the woods while hiking would be fair game. So if it was a bottle of Smirnoff, it is litter and you are within your rights to dump it and carry out the bottle and if its a bottle of Ketel One or Grey Goose, you're welcome to take it home and put it on your shelf.i

[+welch]

Opions differ somewhat but in case one I would politely ask if you could join them. Most of the cachers I've meant have been pretty freindly, however if they decline your help, LEAVE THEM ALONE. There have been a few complaints in the forums before about possiable problems. One was a new arrival showing up, and just taking over the search without 'permission'. Not that you really need permission to hunt a cache, but lets try to be nice to each other! The other complaint ive seen is if its appearent one group is following another, is the lead will find the cache and leave it 'out in the open'. Don't do this... first it could spoiler the hunt for the next seekers, and by the same token, don't make it more difficult, put it back as you found it. Second, if your mistaken, and those people aren't geocachers, or they skip that cache, you've just left it open random passersby!

 

Case two is interesting... I wouldn't CITO something someone has left on purpose (caches, park signs, game camera, deear stand, etc). OTOH if its discarded trash, it should be collected and put in the right place.

I guess from your description of the area, I would toss it. These people seem to be having too much "FUN".

 

Three, again this varies person to person, and AFAIK there are no rules on how long you can look. If you want company, politely invite them to look (they may decline but you never know). If you don't , then communicate you will be done in a while (I think withing 15-20minutes if I haven't found the cache I'm ready to either quit or stop and think things over). Hopefully they will grant your request.

[nobby.nobbs]

entirely up to you. do you want company when you search or do you prefer to be alone? it's like any other situation if you want company just ask. you might get told no (unlikely) but extremely unlikely you will get a bad reaction.

 

re the bottle....how nasty do you feel? if good make (very unlikely) and you fancy it then take it. leave a note telling them to hide it better next time! or move to nearby location and leave clues. they get the thrill of the search then!

[Midnight Rider]

I am new to the sport but have a few questions regarding geocaching etiquette:

 

1) If I am closing in on a cache and someone is already in the area looking, how long do I wait until I continue onward? Do I wait until they are done? (with back turned so that I cannot cheat) Is it proper to ask if I can join them on a team effort kind of thing? (Or is this rude/annoying?) Is ther anything like a "play through" as in golf?

 

Actually, when this happens, you are to challenge the other cacher to a duel. A "lightsaber" fight with your walking sticks can be substitued with the winner being the first person at the cache.

 

2) Earlier I was searching for a cache in a wooded area and came across a full, unopened and VERY poorly hidden bottle of vodka. This is in an area that is known for "partying punks" - as evidenced by the scorched trees nearby, initials carved into other trees and numerous broken glass bottles of alcohol strewn about. Question: since I was already CITO-ing, could I claim the bottle was trash and collect it? What if I "accidently dropped it" and the contents poured out (onto the ground)? What is the general rule for finding things that probably shouldn't be there? My personal code of ethics says leave it alone but I still kinda want revenge for when my bottle of rum was stolen from MY stash in woods 25 years ago.

 

Clearly, the answer is to drink the vodka as fast as possible to avoid kids or other people from finding it. Once this is done, fill the bottle back up with water and replace it where you found it.

 

3) If I am searching for a cache and someone else shows up to find it, how long can I continue to search until I have to relinquish it to the new arrival? I don't want to be rude to anyone but I don't want to give up the game if I am not "required" to. Once again, is it wrong for me to offer them to help me look for it?

 

Thanks for any help and insight you can give!

 

See the duel outlines from question 1.