Keeping Track of Caches Found

[0x284C]

How do most of you keep track of all the caches you find? Is it safe just to have it automatically stored with your profile or do any of you track this offline?

[+Scott Johnson]

I bought a Travel Bug and log it on the caches I find. Keeps track of your mileage also. I am almost at 6,000 miles this year. Just remember to log it in, and then pick it up again, when you do so. Otherwise someone will go there trying to find the bug.

 

Never underestimate the stupidity of people in large groups.

[Tahosa and Sons]

I make hard copies with my log of every Cache I've found. Plus I keep a list in folders on my PC.

 

Tahosa - Dweller of the Mountain Tops.

[+True Grid]

I use this on my Visor Prism.

http://vip.hyperusa.com/~dougs/geocachingdb/geocachingdb.htm

 

Works great!

 

"True Grid"

In the Pacific Northwet

[+briansnat]

I just use the website's logs. However I've seen people who have their own websites where they store their cache logs.

 

"You can't make a man by standing a sheep on its hind legs, but by standing a flock of sheep in that position, you can make a crowd of men" -Max Beerbohm

[+Alan2]

When I delete the waypoint from my GPS and update my waypoint list in my PC, I just store the waypoint in a "caches found" Mapsource file.

 

Alan

[+worldtraveler]

I have a "found" file in EasyGPS. I use the "comments" field to record the number (my find number) and date like this: 123 11-04-02.

 

If I want to view the caches in the order found, I just click on the "comments" field. Note: The earlier finds need to have preceding zeros for this to work correctly. i.e. 001, 002, ... 099. I'll just start a new file when I finally reach 1000; I didn't want to keep entering an extra leading zero until that time.

 

Worldtraveler

[+sbell111]

I keep a spreadsheet of my finds and store the waypoint in a mapsource file.

 

Talk is cheap because supply exceeds demand.

[+Smitherington]

I carry my own log book. When I write a log at the cache, I write the same thing in my own log book. Then When I post my find I type the same thing from my own log book.

 

So, usually I post the same thing on the website that I wrote at the cache. Once in a while I add some additional comments.

 

It works for me.

 

Smitherington

David J. Brown

[+Mr. Snazz]

quote:

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Originally posted by 0x284C:

How do most of you keep track of all the caches you find? Is it safe just to have it automatically stored with your profile or do any of you track this offline?

---

 

I track on my geocaching page, http://geo.mrsnazz.com.

[azog]

I keep a personal logbook. I also have a pocket query called "my finds"

 

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Do not answer a fool according to his folly, lest you be also be like him.

[+Olar]

I maintain a Streets & Trips map showing all caches within 100 miles of my home. I color code the pushpins for various categories such as "my found". I maintain it weekly with a pocket query of new caches.

Cheers, Olar

 

"Pi 'r not square, Pie 'r round you dummy!"

[+Mr. 0]

I keep track of everything in a 3 ring binder, that I have sectioned off in 3 sections. I always print out the cache pages before I go find them, and stick 'em in a plastic sheet protector. When I get to the cache I'll do my trading, sign the log, and write and pertant notes on the page I printed, such as date, time, and anything I don't want to forget to include in my online log. I keep all my finds in there in "chronological" order. The pages that I print of that I'm planning to do that day go in the section just behind my finds, and anything that I didn't find or didn't get to that day, I note on there as such and move them to the last section.

[0x284C]

quote:

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Originally posted by Mr. Snazz:

I track on my geocaching page, http://geo.mrsnazz.com.

 

Nice Page....what software did you use to create the pushpin map of your found caches?

[+Mr. Snazz]

quote:

---

Originally posted by 0x284C:

quote:

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Originally posted by Mr. Snazz:

I track on my geocaching page, http://geo.mrsnazz.com.

 

Nice Page....what software did you use to create the pushpin map of your found caches?

---

 

I used a program that I wrote, which brings in gis shapefiles (for the county/city/water boundaries) and projects waypoints to match from a textfile of the caches that I've visited. Then I screengrab and throw the image into photoshop to add the dropshadow and border box.

[BassoonPilot]

Database.

 

Three ring binders in the 21st century? I would have done it that way 20 years ago (My first database was "Nutshell" way back in the '80s.)

 

Databases are as simple or complex as you want to make them ... mine is set up with 32 separate (and searchable) fields.

 

Markwell's probably has 50.

[+Mr. 0]

Yeah, you're right 3 ring binders are "outdated". But it works for me, mainly because I don't spend a lot of time on the computer at home, and since I only have about 30 finds, right now it's not worth setting up any kind of database right now.

[0x284C]

I couldn't bring myself to keep printed records..... It sounds like Worldtraveler's EasyGPS file idea may be the easiest for me. At least that way, the majority of the fields will be filled out.

[+Markwell]

Off line Access Database, and my own personal website: www.markwell.us

 

Markwell

Chicago Geocaching

"Therapy is expensive but bubble wrap is free."

[+Night Stalker]

I also use a spreadsheet. Mine is sorted by location since I travel so much. Would hate to look for the same cache twice.

 

 

Lost? Keep Going. You're making good time anyway!!

[+GeoCraig]

I use Topo! mapping software. I have a file that contains all the caches in the area. When I find one, I copy that waypoint to another file (visited caches) and put a flag at the site of the cache. At a glance I can see all available caches as well as the ones I have visited.

[+DougsBrat]

I use this GeocachingDB v2.0.6 on my palm PDA

 

More rules = Less fun!

NTGA member

[+Web-ling]

I keep a small logbook with me when I cache, where I log the cache name and what I traded. I also set up an Access database where I keep track of all of my caches and benchmarks.

 

[+Fathergoose]

A quick way to keep a database in excel is to go to your “my cache page” view all logs then highlight copy and paste into excel, you can then number however you like and you automatically have a link to the cache page. You can then upload you your PDA.

[+RangerRick]

After you post your finds, there is a web site that keeps track of all your finds and you can also find how you rank to other geocachers in the your state or country. The site is insidecorner.com/geocaching. It is a great stat site.

[+Hiemdahl]

So far I have depended on "My Cache Page" and my memory. Possibly that is why I am never sure how many I have logged.

 

Hiemdahl

[+sbell111]

Fathergoose- Thanks for the 'copy and paste' hint. That's going to really help me out.

 

Whenever I feel blue, I start breathing again.

[+Fathergoose]

[+BWidget]

Automatic email notification

 

I watch the cache I am about to enter, it then send me an email with the date stamp, a link to that cache and the comments I just entered.

[georapper]

scott johnson, could you elaborate on how you use a travel bug to keep track of your cache finds?

 

the method sounds interesting and i would like to use it but i'm not sure what you mean by:

 

"Just remember to log it in, and then pick it up again, when you do so. Otherwise someone will go there trying to find the bug."

 

log it in, then pick it up? how does this keep track of your geocache finds. also, do you have to go back to the cache again, a second time to pick it up?

 

i would appreciate some help understanding this.

 

thanks.

[+Scott Johnson]

Yes. You need to register the bug as left at the cache, and then do a second step of "finding the bug" to take it back.

 

The bug then keeps a record of where it has been and how far it has traveled. I am just over 8,000 miles of geocaching this year (according to my bug log).

 

 

quote:

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Originally posted by the jackal1:

scott johnson, could you elaborate on how you use a travel bug to keep track of your cache finds?

 

the method sounds interesting and i would like to use it but i'm not sure what you mean by:

 

"Just remember to log it in, and then pick it up again, when you do so. Otherwise someone will go there trying to find the bug."

 

log it in, then pick it up? how does this keep track of your geocache finds. also, do you have to go back to the cache again, a second time to pick it up?

 

i would appreciate some help understanding this.

 

thanks.

---

 

Never underestimate the stupidity of people in large groups.

[Bogeyboy]

I keep a small spiral notebook with me, and log every find in it. When I get home I refer to it when posting my find on-line.

[+Genius Loci]

You guys actually build spreadsheets and databases, write pages of notes, log personal TB's in and out - all to keep track of caches you ALREADY FOUND????? I don't get it... Our website keeps track of these automatically (if you log 'em online).

 

Once I find a cache, I lose interest in it pretty fast. The really fun, creative, and unusual ones I remember; if I don't remember the others, it's no big loss...

 

Before ya'll bring out the flame throwers - I am impressed with all the elaborate and clever methods some of you are using to track your finds, and if that's how you get your cachin' kicks - then I say, go for it! I guess it's sort of like hunters and fishermen who put animal heads and fish on the walls, or trophies for other sports.

 

But for me, the big fun here is in the hunting itself. Life's too short to spend time obsessing with the past, so I build my databases and write notes to help me find the caches I haven't visited yet, not the ones I already found. JMHO

[+Team Shibby]

Hey Scott Johnson, just remember that your mileage is probably higher due to the fact that the distance between caches is a straight line or otherwise known "as the crow flies"! But I like the idea!!

 

Kar of Team Shibby!

[+DougsBrat]

quote:

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Originally posted by Genius Loci:

You guys actually build spreadsheets and databases, write pages of notes, log personal TB's in and out - all to keep track of caches you ALREADY FOUND????? [/Quite]

Yep!

 

I don't get it... Our website keeps track of these automatically (if you log 'em online).

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...And can be lost and gone forever with out even noticing its gone unless you keep up with your find count. then check all your found caches ONLINE HERE agenst any other way you track your own finds.

 

and, yes it did happen to me and everyone who posted a find to a local cache here that got archived wich lost all log entries and reduced counts by 1.

 

quote:

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Once I find a cache, I lose interest in it pretty fast. The really fun, creative, and unusual ones I remember; if I don't remember the others, it's no big loss...

---

But we remember then all

 

quote:

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But for me, the big fun here is in the hunting itself.

---

 

We all can agree to that

 

quote:

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Life's too short to spend time obsessing with the past, so I build my databases and write notes to help me find the caches I haven't visited yet, not the ones I already found. JMHO

---

 

The future is soon to be the past, you must trash alot of future work? sorry had to be said.

 

Have you ever tried to fine one, then realized you have been there before?

 

to each thier own, happy caching!

 

More rules = Less fun!

NTGA member

[PPP and Yellow13]

I haven't found my first cache yet (or even received my GPS, a SportTrack Pro), but my plan is to use my Tablet PC and Windows Journal for keeping track of my Geocaching activities.

 

I can take screen captures of topo maps and aerial photos and place them along my digital ink hand written notes. Journal will enable me to search the notes. I'll then put the pictures from my digital camera along side everything else.

 

I'll let you all know how it goes.

[+Markwell]

quote:

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Originally posted by Genius Loci:

You guys actually build spreadsheets and databases, write pages of notes, log personal TB's in and out - all to keep track of caches you ALREADY FOUND?????

---

 

Yep. And I'm pretty darn proud of mine.

 

Actually mine keeps track of all of the ones in the Chicago area - found and not found, archived and not. It's sort of a mini-mirror to the site. I can real-time query the database with some additional criteria I built in. That's how I can come up with interesting statistics like this post. But it also montiors my Photographer's Caches, my travel bugs and their movements (and Scooby Doo and Shaggy) and, with verifying the data daily with a Pocket Query, I produce data for pages like this.

 

My database also allows me to create standardized HTML code for my blog of cache finds on my website www.markwell.us.

 

It gives me HTML code that allows me to print off satellite imagry and topographical maps (as well as cache pages) of the ones I might be planning on hitting. It also keeps track of my Geodashing potential points and shows me what caches are in close proximity (and my past finds as well).

 

And hey - it gives me something to do when I can't get out and cache!

 

Markwell

Chicago Geocaching