Even though I agree that you should know some of these answers before you hid your first cache, I will try to answer them anyways…..

1. Your new hide….. I hope it is hidden in a place that will not lead to unnessary outdoor impacts like trampling on fragile plants, etc…

2. Changing cache names….. I think not

3. Use the new way, much easier and it will walk you through almost everything. For a new cache hider, I recommend NOT using the old system.

4. Request release date? Yes, BUT you need to request it in the note to reviewer before you hit the magic submit button.

5. Cache maintance? As often as needed. If you notice a string of DNF’s, then it would be a good idea to check on it. If someone posts a Needs Maintance log on your cache, then you definately should check on it or it maybe temp disabled.

6. How long should you wait to release it? Up to you! If you are very anxious for cachers to find it right away, then release it sooner. If you want to make it harder, then wait till after a snow storm that covers your tracks to release it.

I will echo Mister Greenthumb….. you should have went to some events first, asked fellow cachers these questions, and brainstorm on the answers.

Hope this helps! 🙂

I feel that if there is another cache by the same name in the region, it would be better not to duplicate the name to prevent confusion. If there is a cache by the same name in another part of the country, that would be ok to duplicate. Use your originality….and you can always change one word or so to make it different.

You can make up a cache page whenever you want to. All you need to start are the coords for the location and some idea of what you want your cache to be. As long as you don’t enable the listing, or click a box that will enable the listing, you can save it to work on later. I know this is an option at the end of the new form, but I think just submitting without enabling saves it on the old form.

Then you can take your time writing up the cache page and editing it to get it the way you want it and to make sure that everything is in place and ready to go. If you want the cache to be published on a certain date, say like for an event or a special day, you can request that in a reviewer’s note before the enabling submission, but it can’t be guaranteed. You can also list the date on your cache page as the one you want it to be (like for someone’s birthday or a holiday), whether it gets published on that date or not. Otherwise, if it’s just a matter of time, like after a snowstorm or when you have caching friends coming in to town or whatever, just wait until the time you want is near or past (snowstorm), then enable (submit for publication) the completed and ready cache

Just don’t let the cache languish in obscurity too long after you started it. If there is a chance that someone else decides to place a cache within 0.1 miles of your unpublished cache, you will receive a notification asking as to your intentions so the area can be freed up if you have changed your mind about the cache. If you still want your cache there after being asked, then submit it for publication fairly quickly.