adopting a cache

[raslas]

When you adopt a cache is it acceptable to change the difficulty & terrain ratings and container size or should you leave them as is??

[sandlanders]

Don’t know what is accepted practice, but if you adopt a cache, it’s yours to do with as you like. Changing container size may even be necessary, and while changing the D/T ratings may mess up some peoples’ stats, if you feel there is a good reason to do it, go ahead.

If you have adopted what may be considered a “classic” cache, you may not want to mess with it too much because previous finders may not like to see one of their favorites changed, and future finders may want to have the same experiences with the cache that many cachers before them had.

Unless there’s a reason not to, you can leave the original cache owner’s cache page up, with a reference that you are the new owners, or you can highlight it some way to say that this was how the original cache was and then go write your own stuff. It’s always best to give credit to the original placers of the cache no matter how much or how little you change the hide.

[PCFrog]

I would say once it is yours…. it is yours.

Change it if you feel you need to.

[labrat_wr]

Looks like the D/T on that one is 2/3, changing it should not cause too much uproar. If it were 4s & 5s and they dropped to 2s and 3s that may cause some dismay to some but as it was said….. it is now yours to do with it what you wish. But it may be advisable to stay somewhat true to the original unless circumstances have made the hide more or less difficult.

edit: looking deeper into the logs I see that this is one of the oldest caches in the state strengthening the argument to remain true to the original. congratulations on the adoption, hope it remains in place.

Disclaimer : Always answering to a higher power.

[zuma]

@raslas wrote:

When you adopt a cache is it acceptable to change the difficulty & terrain ratings and container size or should you leave them as is??

Yes, you may change them as you see fit, as it is now your cache. Last year, I adopted a handful of Kent’s caches but didnt change any of the D/T ratings, since they seemed appropriate. In your case, the cache that you adopted has an inaccurate Terrain rating, so it would be very reasonable to change it. I recall the cache quite well, since it is in such a fantastic wonderful spot. I also recall that it is pretty much level ground except for the last few feet, and a short walk, so a T of 1 1/2 or at the most 2 is more accurate than the currently listed T of 3.

As to the difficulty, you will probably want to change the hide substantially since it was a poor container just thrown into a stump, so the D rating will reflect whatever you plan to do to change the hide.

Congrats on getting that one adopted. It is an excellent spot, full of history as well as scenic wonder. Awesome spot for a cache, and a good one to keep going.

zuma

[raslas]

Thanks everyone for your opinions. I decided to leave the size as it was but change the difficulty & terrain. I also changed the hint and added more info on the cache page so you would know what you were looking for and added an extra hint in the cache description. Thanks again for your opinions.

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