Containerless Caches

[-cheeto-]

After all the heading for the help forum says, and I quote: “Stuck on a cache?

Well then perhaps someone should post a “sticky” outlining some baseline “rules” to go with this. In gotta run’s defense, it’s their cache that ended up being publicly discussed in this forum which is completely unfair. If it were my cache I would have asked for a forum admin to start removing posts that disclosed specific information on a specific cache.

Yes the forum title may say “stuck on a cache?” but that does not give you or I the right to openly discuss specifics about a particular cache hide in a public geocaching forum. Then we might as well start publishing puzzle solves as well. How about spoiler pics?

I get -why- you posted zuma but encouraging our group (and relatively new members and cachers) to openly discuss cache hides on specific caches of other members is wrong. Sorry it just is.

[gotta run]

@zuma wrote:

Despite the rude comments by one of the posters here, this is a very appropriate question, and thank you for asking it.

All right, Ralph, obviously this is directed at me so here you go.

I have no problem with this question being answered. I think my explanation of that is quite clear.

Rude? Ok, that’s your perspective, and I’ll grant you that my response was more animated than it otherwise might have been because this is not the first time I have browsed the forums only to be surprised to see reference made to a specific cache of ours.

Rude? Shouldn’t we expect the courtesy of being asked first when it’s our cache? More important, shouldn’t we expect that cachers who KNOW it is our cache at least give a gentle nudge to a newbie cacher in that direction, rather than take the opportunity to give a specific spoiler in the answer?

@zuma wrote:

After all the heading for the help forum says, and I quote: “Stuck on a cache? GPSR got you baffled? Ask here and we’ll all try and help!”

Does not the description line on the main forum page for another help-related thread say that, and I also quote, “Note that this forum should not be used to post dead giveaways or spoilers for any puzzle cache?”

Ok, that’s on a different thread, and this isn’t a puzzle cache, but what’s the difference in logic?

If you still don’t understand my frustration, let’s say I’m going to start a thread and say, “Tough micros in the woods,” or whatever your favorite hide style happens to be.

Then I’ll say:

“I’m stuck on [NAME OF ZUMA’s CACHE HERE]. What could I be looking for?”

Then, let’s say a cacher who has found this cache of yours says, “Well, it could be A, B, or C,” where C is the specific place your cache is hidden.

I’m guessing you would be ok with that then?

Then repeat that process above for a few more of your caches.

@zuma wrote:

And dont be afraid to ask questions. Most of your fellow cachers are more than willing to lend a hand, especially once ya post a DNF on a particular cache.

This is my point!!!! We are MORE THAN WILLING to lend a hand on any of our OWN caches. We have done so on this particular cache, more than once, to emails we have received.

@zuma wrote:

There may be an exception or two, but those folks that gotta whine are the exception, and not the norm.

No need to take a glancing blow here. You think I’m an ass, so be it. Hopefully people who have actually dealt with me personally think otherwise.

On the Left Side of the Road...

[Todd300]

This is getting interesting.

[Cachelovskys]

I haven’t been on the forums in a while, but another cacher emailed me and said there was some interesting stuff going on. I am guessing this is it. I can understand gotta run’s frustration. I didn’t realize that this much cache sharing information goes on? Interesting.

Isn’t part of the fun of geocaching, the excitement of finding something by yourself? Whether figuring out a puzzle, or finally making a tough find? I can remember a couple of times that my wife and I were ecstatic finding a cache that we had no help with…and I was thinking how things would be different if I knew ahead of time.

1) Our first cache ever – I can still remember the excitement, literally running back to our car with the container. What was this magical container? A 35mm in a tree!! We were hooked. Things would have been much different, and I don’t know if I would still be geocaching today, if I would have been given direction on how to find it.

2) Most Unique Containers – Looking at my wife, and saying, “NO WAY!!!” That’s too good. For all of you hiders out there who place those…THANKS. We drove to Appleton, 4 times after long days of work, in the dead of winter to find a certain cache. Once we found it, that was all we could talk about!!

I wouldn’t want it any other way. (except for the occasional nudge 😀 )

[-cheeto-]

This is going a nudge off-topic but to add something to cachelovsky’s great post, for any of you out there reading this who think you are entitled to find every single cache you search and log as such in your negative “cranky” sounding dnf’s or notes please keep in mind that:

– it is only a game…
– it is okay to go back a few times to find a cache…
– Sometimes they all can’t be found..
– A dnf doesn’t always mean it’s MIA..
– 5 consecutive dnf’s don’t always mean it’s MIA
– Having 5000+ finds under your belt does not mean you should be able to find every single cache out there
– creativity and new ideas should be rewarded not grumbled at with negativity

The last thing we want to do is discourage creative cache hiders from putting out that next new idea or challenge. So please just think about rewarding the challenge and creativity rather than criticizing because you couldn’t find a cache today.

[RSplash40]

Seems like every discussion winds up this way, right back to people participating how they want.

[Mathman]

I think that is why there area variety of hides. I occasionally like to make a cache a little more difficult to find and it is duly noted in the cache description or by the Difficulty rating. I too will always give a cacher a clue “if” they first log a DNF. In fact, I may email the cacher asking if they want a clue. For me, the purpose of placing the cache is so that people can find it. If I place a cache that requires a long hike or snowshoe to get to, the hide is usually pretty straight forward. The purpose of that cache or series will be to get the cacher out into the woods for a nice scenic view or exercise. There is no need in my opinion to make the find difficult. If the hide is easy to get to, then the Difficulty level can go up so that a return to the cache may be easier so the cacher can find the cache.

Should the cache owner get the first chance to give a clue to a cache? Sure. I think everyone has benefited from this discussion. Hopefully we can all see both sides to this discussion and move on.

[jenhen1]

Ripping into someone with 10 posts and 3 months experience??? Seriously? TOTALLY uncalled for. Grow up and give a newbie a hand, I don’t care how heinous (or, in this case, minor) the offense is. Shamefully immature.

[-cheeto-]

Ripping into someone with 10 posts and 3 months experience??? Seriously? TOTALLY uncalled for.

Have you even read this thread? No one has “ripped” into the OP which is who I assume you are referring to.

[-cheeto-]

to everyone who commented here after clearly seeing this was our cache…

Gotta run clearly addressed those who responded, not the OP. Specifically marc’s response.

[cheezehead]

@Todd300 wrote:

This is getting interesting.

I wanna know where ya ghor the emoticon!

[sandlanders]

@cheezehead wrote:

@Todd300 wrote:

This is getting interesting.

I wanna know where ya ghor the emoticon!

Me, too! Definitely cool!

[Miata]

http://forums.groundspeak.com/GC/style_emoticons/default/sig_popcorn.gif

[jerrys dad]

After reading this whole thread, I have to agree with gotta run 100% on this. All they are asking for, is for us, as a community, to teach new players to contact the owners of the cache first. That is what you all did with me and I appreciated the lesson. As a cache owner I will help on one of mine, if asked or if a DNF pops up, with a question of a WP missing, I check it out. Asking here for help after not getting a response from an owner is what I do know. And yes I have emailed an owner for help and did not get a response back until 2 days after I came up with the find.

[jerrys dad]

those folks that gotta whine are the exception

-zuma

I also think this is uncalled for especially from a member of the WGA Board. I think it’s childish!

[Author]

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