Carrying cache repair items

[sandlanders]

Discussion: Do you (and should you) carry repair items when you are hunting for lonely caches, and if so, what kinds of cache repairs are you prepared to perform?

[huffinpuffin2]

Do we? Yes

Should we? Yes, since we believe repairs/replacements are sometimes appropriate, on a case-by-case basis. But the number one requirement before taking any action, is that there should be a container or remnants/contents found at/near the cache’s hide location.

More often than not, a good cleaning is the need you’ll encounter. Be prepared to CITO the area, and dry out the container, haul out wet and moldy stuff, restoring the container and contents to a functional and acceptable ‘game piece.’ Opinion here: “The log is wet and not sign-able” is a wimpy response from an LCG player seeking a Lonely Cache.

Also, when chasing after Winter hides, Lonely or not, be prepared to repair containers that you might damage while searching or extracting them from their icy hide………

Controversial? Yes. (And that likely applies to this post.)

Items carried, aside from knowledge of the hide, its owner, and their history/tendencies/temperament, include: Duct tape, matchstick containers, logs, baggies, junk-removal bags. A medium-sized bag is sometimes used to gather up a damaged container and contents, to be re-hid and left for the CO or a Cache Rescue to take care of, though don’t think we’ve ever done that.

Also, carry a thick skin, as actions often have unintended consequences, and opinions are like……… Expect no ‘thank-yous’, and you won’t be disappointed – if you get them, then welcome the bonus!

Be prepared, make the call that ‘feels right’ when you encounter a situation, and don’t kick yourself after-the-fact.

🙂 🙂

[hack1of2]

I think it’s good to carry repair items, if there’s a cache to repair. However, if the original cache is nowhere to be found, then it’s time to archive. I’ve encountered numerous caches over time in which a well-meaning cacher took it upon themselves to replace a cache when in fact they should have logged a DNF because the cache was still there. Then, when Kim and I would chance upon it, we would find not one but two caches. Bad form.

So so we carry repair items: almost always, in my legendary backpack that has everything except the kitchen sink. Especially for lonelies. Should we? Yes and no. Yes only if: A) We found the cache or remnants of the cache. B) The cache owner is letting us adopt it. C) The CO has extenuating circumstances why they cannot currently do their own maintenance and has told you ahead of time it’s OK to replace it. But then you run the risk of the problem described in paragraph one.

Here’s two examples.

1. Earlier this summer, we went to find a lonely cache near Rhinelander that numerous DNF’s had been reported. Another cacher went there the week before us, and with the CO’s permission, replaced it with a new container. They got permission ahead of time, the cache is now in play again; game on. We got the smiley and some LCG points.

2. A cache had been reported presumably muggled, with scattered pieces of the log sheet and cache container strewn about (it wasn’t a lonely). I went there with a replacement container, fully stocked with swag and a new log book, to replace the destroyed cache. I couldn’t find any parts of the log or the container. So I did not place my replacement cache there. I’ll gladly repair/replace a damaged cache, but if it’s completely missing, the CO really needs to replace, archive, or designate someone to do their work for them. The cache was mercifully archived shortly after, which is good because there wasn’t anyone in place to keep up its maintenance.

[RSplash40]

When my head is actually with it, I have a small rubber maid container that has repair as well as spare batteries, mirror on a stick, etc.

For repairs I can usually handle small log books, baggies, and even a micro container or two.

However, its probably been a year since that box made it in the truck.

[Averith]

We carry a tool box full of repair equipment (containers, logs, swag, duct tape, etc…). We’ll repair caches that need it if we are able, though we tend to do it more for cachers we know who don’t have a problem with it. We have had situations where people have gotten upset about us repairing their caches.

[sandlanders]

I wasn’t talking about having cache repair items along for general caching, but specifically for LCG caching. If you have researched the cache before going out, and you kind of know what to expect, should you have stuff along to do any repairs, if necessary?

Even if the CO isn’t active, but you find something there, is the point of the LCG to clean this cache up a bit… new log sheet, dry wet containers, remove trashy stuff, etc.? If the CO is active but hasn’t gotten around to doing any recent maintenance, does one just claim the LCG points and let the CO take care of his/her own cache?

I can remember in the early days of the LCG when every player went around with baggies, paper, and pencils, etc. I know that replacing the container without CO permission is now frowned upon, but is maintenance still a part of the LCG or is it just going after the points?

[CodeJunkie]

@sandlanders wrote:

is maintenance still a part of the LCG or is it just going after the points?

Based on what I’ve seen lately it’s just about the points for some players. You know – it’s all about the numbers.

Then there are those of us that look at the lonelies ahead of time to determine why they’re lonely. If it appears the cache is in place but just needs some TLC, I’ll take appropriate supplies to repair it. If it appears missing and I think I can fix it up, I’ll contact the CO and explain the situation. I figure if they want help, they’ll respond. No response tells me they don’t care about it anymore and in that case I may hunt for it, but I don’t repair it and will log a NM log to initiate the archive process. I’m generally not a fan of the community having to continue to maintain something when the CO has gone MIA and left the caches to waste away.

In non-LCG situations the best the cache can hope for is that I have a baggie and a spare log which I try to carry. I generally cache light (no-backpack) and if the cache isn’t a P&G, I generally don’t take the time to go back to the car for supplies.

[isjustus4]

@CodeJunkie wrote:

Based on what I’ve seen lately it’s just about the points for some players. You know – it’s all about the numbers.

‘:no:’

I disagree. To some, maybe. I was just on a cache run, mostly lonely’s, and think it’s more about the adventure, and time spent laughing our asses off as friends doing crazy caching related good fun. Put up a bunch of lonely points in a new area for caching and had a grand ol’ ball doing it. Had to have around 15 miles of hiking, and 7 miles of biking, and 100’s of miles on the car over the weekend. Daylight, darkness, puzzles, night caches, all in 1 weekend. 😀

And really, you should get out of the mindset about how others play the game. Seems to be a sticking point of people around here. I guess it’s like this, even if it is about the numbers/points for others, why does it matter? I mean, there IS a point system, right? 🙄

@CodeJunkie wrote:

Then there are those of us that look at the lonelies ahead of time to determine why they’re lonely. If it appears the cache is in place but just needs some TLC, I’ll take appropriate supplies to repair it. If it appears missing and I think I can fix it up, I’ll contact the CO and explain the situation. I figure if they want help, they’ll respond. No response tells me they don’t care about it anymore and in that case I may hunt for it, but I don’t repair it and will log a NM log to initiate the archive process. I’m generally not a fan of the community having to continue to maintain something when the CO has gone MIA and left the caches to waste away.

In non-LCG situations the best the cache can hope for is that I have a baggie and a spare log which I try to carry. I generally cache light (no-backpack) and if the cache isn’t a P&G, I generally don’t take the time to go back to the car for supplies.

Now here, I agree. You don’t think we studied the caches on the list to determine which caches we’d spend time on? Even caches with prior DNF’s weren’t ruled out without scrutiny.

As far as repair is concerned, not other than a fresh log, IMO. I don’t think people should maintain my caches as an active participant, why should we maintain theirs as an absent, or negligent owner? That’s what the NM and NA along with Cache Rescue are for. I like to travel as light as possible when hiking or whatever I do to get to a cache. Doesn’t mean I haven’t CITO’d when necessary. Of course, that applies to normal caches also.

[CodeJunkie]

@isjustus4 wrote:

And really, you should get out of the mindset about how others play the game. Seems to be a sticking point of people around here. I guess it’s like this, even if it is about the numbers/points for others, why does it matter? I mean, there IS a point system, right? 🙄

I couldn’t care less how others play the game. I only made a casual observation that may or may not be correct. I also didn’t refer to any particular person, team or group. In fact my whole comment was based on a couple of lonelies very close to home that have been visited by multiple people over the period of multiple weeks and everyone keeps making the same comments about them needing replacement logs. So I should clarify that my opinion is based on 3 caches within 10 miles of home that have had 10+ visitors. Statistically speaking this may not be a representative sample, so again my casual observation may be incorrect.

Point system – You’re exactly right. There is a point system to encourage some friendly competition. There have been a number of prolific players this years which is very cool to see. This has cleaned up numerous “dead” caches and confirmed many are still in good shape. This is exactly what the game is designed to do and I commend all those that are participating for doing so. Not only is there points involved, but prizes also which is icing on the cake.

[gotta run]

Your LCG score and 7 bucks will get you a cup of Starbucks new premium coffee.

We brought repair stuff with us on LCG runs back in the day because the purpose of the game as we understood it was to help confirm stuff and keep caches in play. But my memory is foggy from the rocking chair…

On the Left Side of the Road...

[BeccaDay]

I don’t think it’s a good idea to replace a container that’s missing if the CO isn’t active anymore. I think it’s time to archive in that case. Only if the cache is something extraordinary and the person replacing it is going to take measures to adopt it should it be replaced.

Not all who wander are lost. -J.R.R. Tolkien

[hack1of2]

@beccaday wrote:

I don’t think it’s a good idea to replace a container that’s missing if the CO isn’t active anymore. I think it’s time to archive in that case. Only if the cache is something extraordinary and the person replacing it is going to take measures to adopt it should it be replaced.

That’s EXACTLY how I feel!

[sandlanders]

That’s what was happening the first year of the LCG, and it just perpetuated the abandoned cache, so it was dropped from LCG points except for replacing the container with the CO’s permission.

[bif_n_sons]

The boys and I love playing the LCG and although we don’t get many finds, we enjoy the cache rescues a lot too. I try to contact the CO before doing a rescue most of the time to see if I can help them out with a repair or rehide if it has gone missing. I am not always successful in getting a hold of them, but the boys and I feel good when we do and are able to keep a cache in the game if it is an awesome area or place a new one in the old one’s spot with the previous CO blessing. We don’t carry a lot of supplies, but spare containers, logs, and simple swag usually are in our orange kid k’nex box. We still have some spare containers we got from the WGA LCG event in February, they are awesome!

[Northwoods Tom]

Always try to have some zip-lock bags (sandwich/snack size).

Usually for the log but I recently placed a cache in one that was at ground level that leaked and was full of water, this on a FTF. I then let the cache owner know about the cache problem.

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