Benchmarking Ed & Discussion - in EC forum

Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2008 5:50 pm

I have 3 finds to my credit. I also think that BMs should be allowed their own forum. I don't always go looking for them, but for me, it is a nice change of pace from caching every now and then. I also will not go after any benchmarks that have already been found by a cacher. I get such a greater sense of satisfaction or accomplishment by finding something that was last found say 25+ years ago. Especially if somebody else couldn't find it.

WGA Member Joined: 2004-05-19 Posts: 730

furfool wrote:

I have 3 finds to my credit. I also think that BMs should be allowed their own forum. I don't always go looking for them, but for me, it is a nice change of pace from caching every now and then. I also will not go after any benchmarks that have already been found by a cacher. I get such a greater sense of satisfaction or accomplishment by finding something that was last found say 25+ years ago. Especially if somebody else couldn't find it.

I'm sorry to hear that you only go after ones that haven't been found. We go after all the BMs (sorry FU), cause each one is just as important as the next whether found or not.

We have gone to some remarkable area and met many remarkable people in our search of these. Many of those opportunities would have been missed if we only went after not founds.

And you can always submit recoveries to the NGS. Many of the marks that have been found previously, have not been reported. So there's something you could be first at too and get just as much sense of accomplishment. Just a thought.

Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2008 6:57 pm

http://www.unm.edu/~creelbm/pages/benchmarks.html

This is a very fun site that shows all sorts of benchmarks.

Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2008 6:59 pm

http://benchmarks.scaredycatfilms.com/index.html

This site has maping of benchmarks with links to the data sheets. It is very user friendly site.

WGA Member Joined: 2004-05-19 Posts: 730

Good sites Ratz! Although we don't use them much.

Our preferred method is using a program called BMGPX It converts the downloaded datasheets from the NGS to a GPX file which can then be loaded into GSAK.

We then export the GSAK file to Streets and Trips and we have the benchmarks on a map and the datasheets at our fingertips and were set to go. If we feel even more ambitious, we'll load the datasheets into the PDA as well.

There are also a lot of good BM site recommendations in the benchmark thread on the GC.com forum if anyone is brave enough to check it out.

WGA Member Joined: 2007-09-11 Posts: 453

AstroD-Your suggestion might get guys like me to look a little more for them, but your link doesnt work

WGA Member Joined: 2004-05-19 Posts: 730

Sorry, not used to how the hotlinks work with this forum. Try this http://parkrrrr.com/

Joined: 2007-01-29 Posts: 69

In general, I would like to see the WGA create several new forum categories and in particular, I would definately like to see a benchmark forum.

We all have different interests and cache for our own reasons. To me the whole point of this site is to provide an outlet for people in Wisconsin with similar interests to share their stories, questions and expertise on the subject in question.

Is this something that the WGA Board would have to approve? If so, what are some of the questions, concerns or objections that they would have in regards to setting something up?

AstroD-Team is certainly willing to help set up some of the initial sticky info, good links, and whatever else would be needed to get a benchmark cagegory up and running.

Not to brag about stats but as of the end of November, we have 371 successful recoveries and 132 non-recoveries(DNF's). In benchmarking, non recoveries are just as important as recoveries.

Benchmarking is more about taking your time and getting things correct than it is about racking up numbers. Unless the mark is an easy drive up, we can easily spend a half hour or more looking for it. Sometimes we are successful, sometimes we are not, sometimes we are just plain lucky.

Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2008 11:31 pm

I Agree with you Don. I think that the Seperate Benchmark Hunting Fourm Topic, is the way to go. I know exactly what you mean about the Benchmark hunting, and DNF's being just as important as the finds. I had a good time, and learned alot while out with you guys a few weekends ago.

I think this is a great Idea, and i think it will help get more people into the sport/hobby of benchmark hunting.

Joined: 2007-01-29 Posts: 69

K0rpl wrote:

I Agree with you Don. I think that the Seperate Benchmark Hunting Fourm Topic, is the way to go. I know exactly what you mean about the Benchmark hunting, and DNF's being just as important as the finds. I had a good time, and learned alot while out with you guys a few weekends ago.

I think this is a great Idea, and i think it will help get more people into the sport/hobby of benchmark hunting.

*shudders* Sorry Justin, for us, I just don't like referring to benchmark hunting as a sport. Definately a dedicated hobby, but not a sport. Smile

I'm glad you had fun. Nexct time you are up for going out, we'll really start showing ya the stuff.

Posted: Wed Dec 03, 2008 7:20 am

AstroDon wrote:

In general, I would like to see the WGA create several new forum categories and in particular, I would definately like to see a benchmark forum.

We all have different interests and cache for our own reasons. To me the whole point of this site is to provide an outlet for people in Wisconsin with similar interests to share their stories, questions and expertise on the subject in question.

Is this something that the WGA Board would have to approve? If so, what are some of the questions, concerns or objections that they would have in regards to setting something up?

AstroD-Team is certainly willing to help set up some of the initial sticky info, good links, and whatever else would be needed to get a benchmark cagegory up and running.

Not to brag about stats but as of the end of November, we have 371 successful recoveries and 132 non-recoveries(DNF's). In benchmarking, non recoveries are just as important as recoveries.

Benchmarking is more about taking your time and getting things correct than it is about racking up numbers. Unless the mark is an easy drive up, we can easily spend a half hour or more looking for it. Sometimes we are successful, sometimes we are not, sometimes we are just plain lucky.

Sounds like a good idea. I dont think that there are too many benchmarkers out there right now, but with a little education and discussion, I can see how that might change. Thanks Don and Kat for your help and guidance in this area.

I dont think that BMs are the same or even similiar to ECs, so this is the wrong forum to include discussion of BMs. So a new forum just for BMs makes sense.

zuma

Posted: Wed Dec 03, 2008 4:34 pm

I've found slightly over 50 benchmarks, and would love to see a forum just for benchmarks.

For any benchmark you find that isn't on geocaching.com you can list them on waymarking.com or see if they are already listed.

http://www.waymarking.com/cat/details.aspx?f=1&guid=424f2581-a02d-4914-9bc8-8f4cafe02680&exp=True