Full Logs and Replacing

[seldom|seen]

I’m curious about this aspect of the sport as I typically use smallish log sheets and hardly ever anything like a full size log book. While this serves the purpose for most of my caches which hover around the 10-20-30 finds range, a few of the easier ones get more traffic and hence more signatures and full sheets.

I try to make it clear to anyone who visits an S|S cache with a full log to go ahead and replace it. I don’t have any interest in keeping old logs or care one iota if they get replaced, yet I frequently get Needs Maintenance logs for “log sheet is full” or “the log was damp so we couldn’t sign it”. My question is, “Why?” Is is that difficult to carry a few spare log sheets when you’re caching in case you come across a cache with a full log? Or is everyone that anxious about removing full log sheets even when they have no more space, are damp or just plain worthless.

[djwini]

isn’t it the owners job to make sure everything in the cache is in good condition? it’s a nice thing if someone else maintains your cache for you, but no one should be expected to.

[sandlanders]

We would be hesitant about removing a log sheet without knowing what the cache owner’s wishes were. That said, we still carry strips of paper, small pencils, and plastic bags with us on most caching trips so that we can at least add to any unusable or full logs, or place one, if need be. Not too hard to do.

As cache owners, we routinely visit our caches to check on the state of things, and if any finders report anything, we try to get on it as soon as possible. That’s part of our responsibilities as cache owners, and as cache hunters, we have a responsibility to do what we can (without destroying the integrity of the cache) to leave our find in good shape. Oh, we also carry paper towels to dry off cache contents and the insides of damp caches.

Assuming we make finds on any of your caches, s|s, we now know to remove any damp or full logs and get rid of them after replacing them with acceptable new logs. All others, we will contact cache owners before pitching.

[Mister Greenthumb]

Always in my bag:
3 or 4 different sizes of baggies
log sheets and small log books
Micro containers (to place with a dry log inside a cache in really poor condition until the owner can get to it)
short pencils
we used to add swag to poorly stocked caches, but stopped doing that about a year ago

We perform maintenance whenever needed and either explain in our log or send a message to the owner. I have never had anyone complain that we helped a cache in need.

[JimandLinda]

We carry log sheets in the car,and if a previous finder has noted that the log needs something, we replace it, if it hasn’t been done already. Of course, we’ve gone in with good intentions, and DNF’d, but that happens!

[kc9gbo]

I answered that we don’t like to mess with someone’s sheets, but we do carry extra sheets (when we aren’t spur of the moment) to add to caches that are full or need a dry sheet.
We don’t remove any logs as some owners like to keep them for mementos. Seems this summer was hard on us a few times as we found alot of caches that needed new/dry sheets and we ran out in our bag alot.

[Team Black-Cat]

@seldom|seen wrote:

I try to make it clear to anyone who visits an S|S cache with a full log to go ahead and replace it.

A bit bombastic to assume that everyone knows what or who S|S is, doncha think? Wisconsin is much bigger than Appleton/Neenah/Menasha.

[gotta run]

I didn’t realize there was any controversy surrounding replacing log sheets. 😯

Astute readers may recall that I was not real keen on cache containers being replaced in the LCG last year for two reasons. Number one, last year this was being done without permission so it simply perpetuated maintenance problems from AWOL owners. Second, people would put out “temporary replacements,” so if they thought my big ammo box was missing they’d throw out a 35mm film can to get the points. Both of these points have been remedied in the 2009 game.

As far as GENUINE maintenance, community maintenance is just common sense and being polite. We carry a backpack with all manner of containers and logs and will repair things that are damaged, full, or wet to the best of our abilities. The “legacy” log can usually be kept in the cache, but if it’s wrecked we discard it. Unless we are caching with CSI in which case will take it home, dry it, repair it, scan it, and post it to his log. 😆

Lastly, yes this is the owners’ responsibility, but placing needs maintenance logs for full or wet log sheets is needless and insulting if you are dealing with an owner who tends to their caches. A simple notation in your online log will prompt us to put it on our maintenance schedule.

On the Left Side of the Road...

[Timberline Echoes]

Several times we have contacted owners and mailed them the full log book, after replacing it. We have done this for letterboxes and geocaches.
TE

[greyhounder]

It’s a little bit odd, but keep in mind that gc.com considers a geocache to be the property of the cache hider. Given that concept, would you feel comfortable going into someone’s garden and pulling weeds for them (thin analogy, I know — there was some beverage drinking last night and I’m pretty beat today)?

I have replaced some logs, but generally I will let the cache owner know that the log needs replacement. If I’m going to a cache and see that the log needs replacement (or a new container is needed), I will ask the cache owner ahead of time and bring the necessary items with me.

[gotta run]

@greyhounder wrote:

It’s a little bit odd, but keep in mind that gc.com considers a geocache to be the property of the cache hider. Given that concept, would you feel comfortable going into someone’s garden and pulling weeds for them (thin analogy, I know — there was some beverage drinking last night and I’m pretty beat today)?

True about the property issue as it relates to caches, but I have a reasonable expectation that no one would come into my garden (trespassing). In contrast, I put caches out in the public for the public.

More important, I think there is a reasonable acceptance by cache hiders of the practice of fixing things as it relates to their property. After all, if you find a cache that has fallen onto the ground out of its obvious hiding spot, or if the cover has been left off, or if its tether has come loose, or if the swag has been scattered all over the ground, I’m betting you’ll do what you can to restore it, rather than leave it as is and tell the owner something is wrong with it.

I consider minor maintenance including adding additional log pages/books/scrolls a common courtesy, but that’s just my opinion.

On the Left Side of the Road...

[TyeDyeSkyGuy]

On the fence here as usual.

I carry log sheets and baggies with, but I’ll only replace a log sheet if I’m certain the owner won’t mind. I have on occasion changed a really full or damp log so I could sign a new one. But in all of those cases, I’ve contacted the owner after the fact to find out if they wanted the old log or not. If they do, I’ll get it to them, if not, it hits the circular file.

As for my own caches, I do like to keep the log books from most of my caches. My NEMESIS series, puzzles, and my COTY winner cache are all logs I would hope no one would get rid of. The rest, which these days leave almost none, I don’t really care if I get the log back or not.

When in doubt, change the log, contact the owner. If you’re not willing to go to the effort, no biggie, just leave the log where it is.

[kc9gbo]

Like I said previously we will replace, but if we don’t have paper with I leave a NM log. (we even once went so far to go back the vehicle and tear up an envelope to add in.) But, in my limited experience I’ve found that after we get back to log the cache that there was people that did maintenace or reported in the logs that the log was full or wet and yet the owner didn’t tend to it, and seeing that I have gotten to the point that if we don’t drop paper or tend to the cache when I go log it I right away afterward put out a NM log, that way I feel that anyone after me knows that there may be an issue with this cache.
I don’t know why owners (and some owners are caching yet) don’t tend to their caches instead of hiding hundreds of more caches. I have one that I know will need a log replacement soon and it is my goal to have it done this week.

[nohandsgps]

Now that I have been caching more I have come across plenty of caches that need new logs. I don’t carry extras with me (currently). I did question what would be the right thing to do. It takes a lot of time to place caches so I would prefer to just help those who help us by placing the cache in the first place. The reality is, I physically found the container and attempted to sign the log. If it is soaked or full I take my smiley and run. I will start carrying logs with me and replace them as needed. If I take the old log I will let the cache owner know in case they want it for a scrapbook.

[bartrod]

Most of the cachers that I know in my area appreciate help in cache maintenance and we help each other out…and if anybody ever finds that one of mine needs it, please feel free to help 😀

Oconto...the birthplace of western civilization:)

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