Muggle B in Appleton

Posted: Tue Jun 29, 2010 9:07 am

Hi, Im Muggle B
Im pretty new to geocaching, my dad (SwampHog) introduced me to the hobby on a trip to visit my brother in Iowa. I was instantly hooked, but the problem was that I didn't own a GPS unit.

So I signed up to the website anyways, and was surprised to see so many caches in Appleton. And started finding them w/o a GPS, well I got close to 100 in my first month, including a FTF!

I only use the maps and hints, I recently found out about google maps and there cord search, so I can now hunt multi's and mystery caches (although I did muggle a couple of them w/o any cords)

Im having a blast finding all these caches and its very rewarding knowing that its a bit harder this way.

Looking forward to meeting some of you down the road.

Muggle Brian

Posted: Tue Jun 29, 2010 10:12 am

Welcome to the addiction Smile

I remember a few caches I've found sans GPS. It can definitely be more challenging. I still recommend getting a unit though. I bought mine used from a friend for $20 a year ago (it's a 2000 Garmin eMap) and it's still going strong.

On a side note, the Geocaching definition of 'muggle':
noun - a non-cacher, somebody not in the know
verb - to take or damage a cache container

So when you say you muggled a couple of caches, some people might get the wrong impression. Just trying to keep that angry mob with the torches and pitch forks away from your door Smile

Hope to see you out and about some time!

Posted: Tue Jun 29, 2010 10:18 am

Sounds very cool. I have done a few without a GPS, but certainly not 100. That is pretty amazing. Welcome to caching and welcome to the WGA.

z

Posted: Tue Jun 29, 2010 10:27 am

Welcome to caching and to the WGA! And congrats on the GPS'rless caching stats!!!

Posted: Tue Jun 29, 2010 1:12 pm

Had the good fortune to see Muggle B caching "naked" in the Valley... "naked" referring to the non-GPS form of caching. We had a wet time at that cache, his first FTF. Glad to see you found the WGA website, Brian.

WELCOME!! Very Happy

Posted: Tue Jun 29, 2010 2:13 pm

Your reputation precedes you. Your name came up on a recent cache outing as "There's someone in the Valley who caches without a GPS." "Isn't that Muggle B?" It came up because we were struggling finding a cache with our high tech satellite receiving thingamajigs, and you had found 100 already without one. I have only found one cache without one, and that is because I knew one was there, and there weren't many spots to put a cache. So hey, maybe you have found your niche. You might consider a base model as a back up, if you can't find the cache without it. Welcome to all the craziness!

Posted: Wed Jun 30, 2010 12:03 am

thankx for the welcome everybody.

as for the name, when I first heard about "muggle" for gps I knew it was a non-geocacher, but it also means "powerless" in the Potter series, I go "powerless" hence the name.

and ya, I stopped saying "I muggled it" cause that does sound bad.
Hopefully the name doesn't cause too much trouble, otherwise Im sure i can change it.

As for getting a GPS for the hard ones, im not sure if I will. I have found some with my dad and his GPS, but I never logged them, cause I guess the way I play, is I got to find them w/o one, just my own twist on the game, otherwise I play by all the other rules, even avoiding caches often because of true muggles around.

Im an Eagle Scout so I played alot with map and compass back in the day, so thats what im used to and so thats what I use. And it works just fine so far.

Im not doing this to be better than anyone, just for myself. Hopefully I don't come off like im bragging at anytime either, because thats not the point either.

I have a geocoin that Jim gave me, I am just going to carry it with me as I cache and anyone I run into can discover it
http://www.geocaching.com/track/details.aspx?id=2719906

Hopefully ill see some of you around!

Posted: Tue Jul 06, 2010 8:33 pm

I found a few without GPS, only because I had to. My old GPS wouldn't cooperate in cold weather a few times.

If you're having fun, keep doing what you're doing. You've got everyone talking!

Posted: Fri Jul 09, 2010 9:53 am

To anybody who may be following my caches.

I must apologize for the way I logged a couple of puzzle caches. I just ran into them not solving any puzzle and then logged them as a find, before realizing the point of the cache. I removed all smileys from the caches in which I didn't solve any puzzle.

Being new a this I was unaware of unwritten rules, or just common courtesy. I am learning them fast.

thankx for understanding and thankx to all who placed caches, im havin lots of fun finding them.

Posted: Fri Jul 09, 2010 10:44 am

Welcome to the WGA Muggle B!

It's interesting to hear of your method. But if we all think about caching and how we cache, most people put away the GPS once they get in the general area. (well some might walk in cirlces staring at the device...)

You just use a different approach to getting to that general area than others. In urban/city environments with great maps and satellite views this sounds like it's easy for you. (and probably would be for the experienced geocacher to be honest)

The challenge is probably in the more rural wooded areas where landmarks are less and you have to rely more on your skills and background to get to that general area successfully. (I would probably fail miserably at this! I get turned around enough with a GPS let alone without one!)

It's definitely an interesting twist on the game. It does make you unique and as someone already said, you've made a reputation that has gotten attention Very Happy

Good luck on those hunts!

Just please do us all a favor. If and when you decide to place a cache, please borrow "dad's" GPS. wink

(actually joking aside, providing good coordinates is an absolute must for hiding a cache and google does get it wrong some of the time)

Posted: Fri Jul 09, 2010 11:29 am

Welcome Muggle B!

I so enjoyed your log on the cache that I adopted. Glad you enjoyed it. I passed that along to the prior owner, as he should get the credit for his work. Very Happy

I look forward to your logs on the other caches I adopted as well as the others I own. The nicely written logs are what makes the trouble of being an owner with maintenance all worth it! Nice to see them appreciated!

WGA Member Joined: 2007-11-26 Posts: 3259

Welcome aboard fellow Eagle Scout...

Your method makes me think of a time or two I was directing the better half to a cache in the field while I was at my PC zoomed in on sat maps and she was on her cell phone on the trail. "Ok, now you should see a bench, and it looks like it's in the third three to your left." And of course who needs a GPSr in a cemetery if there's a cedar tree in sight. Twisted Evil

You might want to add letterboxing to your geocaching activities if you already haven't--100% No-Tech!