Numbers only matter to those to whom they matter. Are we clear on that? Me either. I don’t put a lot of emphasis on numbers because I cache because I like to. Some folk, however are very much into the numbers game – great for them.

I know that very few of my Scouts log their finds on-line. When I review the logs in my caches, I see that about 15% also don’t log on-line.

For the record, I’ve found about 700 in the past year and hidden about 100.

To me, it’s not about the numbers.

I’ve hidden 12 caches. They are all what I consider “scenic caches” and are all hidden at places I hold dear in my heart. These are special places to me, and I want to share them with others.

My children are teenagers and have outgrown their interest in Geocaching. Currently,most of my Geocache hunting is limited to nice days, or while on trips. For me, Geocaching is a great way to spend quality time outdoors hiking and finding new hidden gems.

I don’t go out geocaching just for the sake of increasing my numbers.

For me, the numbers are just the result of having the experience of the find (or the hide). They are fun to look at, but not all that important. I am just thankful that I found this activity, which get me off the couch and out into the woods virtually every weekend. Not sure how many finds I had in 2006, but it is somewhere around 650, with 10 caches placed.

To me, being a geocacher implies a willingness to explore the world around us, visiting sometimes beautiful, sometimes strange, sometimes inhospitable locations that few others experience. For that reason, I love the caches where I have to push myself to reach the goal. The first example that comes to mind is Spiders Web, which I sought last Sunday. I would guess that almost no one (other than geocachers) have visited this site since the bridges were washed out (especially during high water, freezing temperatures and thin ice), but I just loved the challenge of getting there. Finding this cache was a great experience, and that is what we look for when seeking (or hiding) caches. But, somehow, I still can’t resist logging the driveups as we pass by them on the way to other caches. Must be the addiction I guess.

@Cheesehead Dave wrote:

@Team Deejay wrote:

But, somehow, I still can’t resist logging the driveups as we pass by them on the way to other caches. Must be the addiction I guess.

It doesn’t matter if it’s a scenic overlook or a key container stuck to a guardrail. Even after five years, I still get a giddy thrill over the fact that I can follow a little arrow in my hand and when I get to where it leads me, there’s something there for me to find. I think that’s what keeps me in love with this sport.

Conversation heard last Saturday:

J: Explain again why we are looking for a nano in the alley behind the Salvation Army.

D: Um, its part of a series of caches and it has a clue for getting to the final.

J: Yeah, so what? This is a silly place for a cache.

D: Well, what if I just said “Because its there”, would that satisfy…

J: Found it!

As far as numbers are concerned, I can take them or leave them. What I enjoy most about geocaching, is going to places that you would not normally go to. I also really enjoy meeting other cachers on the trail, and going out with them. I have found 660 since 4-29-2006, and have my team has hidden a total of 20. Most are multis!!!

Justin

Alright, Beast, you caught me trying to be politically correct. This just my opinion, of course, and I am sure other have different ideas.

To be considered active, one must:
1. Maintain an active geocaching.com account (not exactly a challenging requirement).
2. Log at least 24 finds or DNFs over the prior 12 months, or place at least 1 new cache over the prior 12 months. I know that some will say that they don’t log their finds, but part of the sport is logging your experiences to shared with others. (Logging on alternative sites (terracaching, etc.) would also be acceptable.)
3. NOT own any caches disabled for more than 1 month without a specific (dates) seasonal closure note.

Maybe an initiative for this incoming board should be to rewrite this somewhat ambiguous section of the by-laws.

@greyhounder wrote:

How about someone who found 136 caches in a year, but the stats only show a 5 cache increase? (hmmm….how did that happen? My little secret!!)
Bec

I know, I know…..and this individual is not alone in that feat. Numbers are just a fun thing that happens along the way; they do not tell who a cacher is. I like to go on numbers runs but I admire those who do only a few caches a month choosing to do multis and long walks. Should the board cache, yes; should they be concerned with numbers, no.