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Hello,
I’ve run into an odd situation with one of my caches and I’m seeking advice.
The hide of which I am most proud (GC2PV9P) was placed in an urban area on the property of an organization from which I had permission to place. My request was signed off by several people within various levels of authority.
Sadly, no one told security or facilities.
Back in July, work was done on the land and my cache was found by facilities. Despite my name and phone number on a Groundspeak sold label, the ammo box caused some concern and I was contacted by security. After a few days, the whole mess and miscommunication was straightened out. I replaced it with a 35mm film canister and everyone knew about it and all was well.
For a while.
Back when the incident happened, the security contact suggested I contact facilities about possible changes to the grounds. I wrote the head of facilities and asked to be advised ahead of any changes.
A couple months later I drove by one day to find the trees in which my cache was hidden removed! I disabled the cache and reached out to my first contact again asking where I could replace my cache from before.
It took a week for them to bounce emails around (all of which were eventually on the email forwarded to me) where the notion was that they were considering “do we want to do this again?” where I felt this was already approved.
Now, to place back on their land, I have to use a see-through container and have my photo and contact information on file with them and jump through half a dozen more hoops to continue.
My first question to myself was, is it worth it? The location is perfectly themed to the puzzle itself, but this is a pain. I don’t know where else to place even a 35mm film canister (my cache of choice as I have dozens) within the 528ft limit.
If this were you, and it was a cache of which you were very proud; would you move it? Agree to their terms and keep it there? Can it be moved further away (several miles) and kept intact?
I don’t want to archive it and lose the (albeit brief) history. To some of you this will seem silly, but I don’t want to archive a cache. I want to keep this running.
What are your thoughts?
Thanks in advance,
Chad “RocketMac” Lawson
With the few that I have placed on private property, I have told the owner the advantages of having a cache there, i.e, Holiday Inn and Army/Navy Surplus Store. I contact them annually with #s of customers and comments that show them cachers appreciate their permission.
If there is nothing in it for the property owner, other than the hassle you have experienced, I’d Archive it and place 5 others. Do you REALLY want your hide remembered for the wrong reasons?I look forward to seeking your cache(s) in the future! 🙂
Nice puzzle, by the way! And I can about figure out the relocation problem. But with the effort you put into the cache page, I’m sure you’ll come up with an alternate locale, if you so choose!
Maybe you could talk to them and place a custom container of some type that will match the cache page. On a recent trip to Iowa we ran across a few containers that were out in the open and made to look like ther belong there. Considering where the final is I understand it would be tough but if you took a picture of it and gave that to the members who gave permission and the security people maybe that would releave the problem. Just my thoughts
I evaluate my caches more on what cachers think of them and now often they are found, rather than how much I like them. Considering that this one has been found fairly often since published despite the effort required I would try to somehow keep it going.
I am not surprised of the red tape involved given the organization (I have solved this puzzle and searched for this cache.). They tend to be slow and inefficient in most aspects of their business, when it deals with the public (personal experience). The parameters of a clear container and contact information on file, I think is a reasonable request.
I am surprised that they are not sure if they want this on their property, considering that they have had GPS/geocaching related contests in the past. I also think that some levels of their bureaucracy are not very knowledgeable of the activity given their previous attempts to use geocaching as a marketing tool through social media.
I personally would try to work it out. It was a fun puzzle and the location is perfect. I might complain about the place, but I am there at least once a month.
Also, I selfishly would love to add it to my list of smiling faces.
Just took a look at the puzzle. I love it. It helps that I could answers almost all of the questions off the top of my head.
I hope you work this one out. Obviously a lot of work went into creating it and if the final ties in to the puzzle, it’s might be worth the hassle to get it replaced.
It appears you need to figure out the food chain who talks to who Then ask why this can not be . You may try filling the catch container while they watch. Ask them if their are concerns about who may come and find your cache . Ask what it would take to make everyone happy. so that you could replace. Ask them if they have concerns of what may happen to the site it self cause cause you placed the cache where you did . bottom line is what will it take.
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