@nohandsgps wrote:

Can someone logically explain to me why natural land features like a pond or river are not taken into consideration when calculating the distance between 2 caches? I am attempting to place my first cache and the distance is less than 528 from point A to point B if you walk a straight line. The problem is if you can’t walk a straight line (well you could if you swim, then finish walking to the cache) to the cache. A pond is in the way, therefore the cache is more than 528 ft from the other cache. Besides the 528ft is more a “rule of thumb” as stated on geocaching.com.

The 528 ft rule is a guideline, that can be waived if terrain warrants, such as you describe. Talk to the reviewers, and they may be able to help you out.

The guideline is in place to avoid confusion when looking for caches, to decrease the chance of stumbling across Cache B, when you are looking for Cache A. Obviously, there are some situations where terrain would make that less likely.

zuma

From past experience, you will have to find the reviewer on a good day and/or have one heck of a terrain boundary to get much closer than a few dozen feet in allowance…but then the current reviewers are not ones I have delt with on this issue. Good luck. And yes you are correct they are volunteers.

@nohandsgps wrote:

@Lostby7 wrote:

A reviewer MIGHT let you get away with a few feet less than 528 because of a natural border nut not more than a few feet…they have rules to follow.

I am well over the 528 feet if you take into consideration the path of travel to the cache from the other cache is not a straight line. Again the 528 feet is a rule of thumb not a rule. And no where does it say 528 feet as “the crow flies”.

So if I understand your argument you should be allowed to place a cache on each side of a 30 foot wide river because to get to them (by foot mind you…never mind someone could take a boat) they will have to first find a bridge which in your scenario makes the trip over 528 feet away?

Sorry but the 528 rule is as the crow flies…again good luck. I hope the reviewers see it your way.

I beleive the fox river separates one of my caches from another that is less than .1. As others have stated, there can be exceptions and it all depends on the terrain and what’s involved.

Yep, what others have said. Especially when there is plenty of other areas in a park or area in which to hide a cache.

Had you been 500 or so feet away, an exception might be granted.

Think of it this way — in the dead of winter, one could just walk across the pond to the cache, right? The natural barrier isn’t there anymore.

Did you try offering the reviewer gifts? (lol)

Bec

Basically, ponds are never considered for an exception. Big rivers, like the Fox and the Mississippi are considered obstructions. Basically, we are looking for 100 feet of water with no bridges anywhere close. Cliffs which cannot be traversed without climbing equipment are considered obstructions. We are looking for a LOT of black lines on the topo map here.

And no, we don’t take bribes. But following the guidelines will result in quick approvals while fooling around trying to bend the rules will delay your cache a long time while we send it back and forth.

@nohandsgps wrote:

@greyhounder wrote:

Think of it this way — in the dead of winter, one could just walk across the pond to the cache, right? The natural barrier isn’t there anymore.

Bec

Now this is the kind of logical explanation I was looking for. Thanks. I feel much better.

I should have said that to you a few days ago when you first submitted the cache, eh?