Multiphobia!

[JimandLinda]

After placing a hundred or so caches, we were wondering how many cachers avoid multi-caches (or have them as a low priority), and why? Is it because of time constraints, possible missing WP’s, varying difficulty, frustration? If maintained, they are a fun hide (or hides), to persue.

What is your multi opinion?

[-cheeto-]

a recent random log on a multi: (not my log)

Found WPT 1 but could not find the final even using the hints. Have to go back another day.

speaks for my answer of Yes, they are lower in “priority” then others. With one caveat, I am answering based on a true multi (more than one container to find). Offsets, cemeteries with math, night caches etc that are categorized as a multi but don’t have multiple containers to find are prioritized higher than true multi’s on my list.

The more waypoints, the lower on the priority list.

I would rather solve a puzzle than hunt a multi.

[gotta run]

I don’t think of it in terms of priority, more in terms of time. We plan caches by the anticipated time to complete them in planning a particular venture. So a long walk would have the same priority as a time consuming multi with little walk. GC1H02A had more than 6 waypoints within 30 feet of a central spot but it still took over an hour to solve. Can’t do that one if you’re just intending to pass by with a short detour.

On the Left Side of the Road...

[kansas64]

I would have been on the low priority end, but after doing The Magnificent Seven themed Multi in the Milwaukee area I have taken a new and different approach. I am now looking to see who placed the multi and what I know about that cacher. Meaning if they are involved I know that most likely waypoint issues will be resolved. Also knowing if I have done other caches by an individual helps. The hiders reputation helps also.
As an example I have done only one or two of Jim & Linda caches, but the few I have done were good caches, your reputation is excellent. So if I was up in your area I wouldn’t think twice as to tackling one of your multis

[Trekkin and Birdin]

Sometimes we might cut out multis just because of time, but we usually don’t avoid them otherwise. We’ve done one with as many as ten stages, many with 4-7. The biggest frustration, of course, is missing stages, but isn’t that true when a traditional cache is missing, too?

[-cheeto-]

The biggest frustration, of course, is missing stages, but isn’t that true when a traditional cache is missing, too?

Except missing a traditional single cache seems somewhat less disheartening than missing waypoint 3 on a multi. That to me is why I prefer other types.

[marc_54140]

I think most cachers avoid multis – and puzzles – because of various reasons. The main ones I can think of are missing stages and difficulty.

After hitting something like 4500 caches, I began to consciously work on both multis and puzzles.

And one lesson I have learned from that is Cache With Others!

It’s especially nice to have a couple of friends along when you drive some distance to do a multi. The more GPSr zeroing in, and the more eyes looking, improves the changes of finding it.

[Mathman]

I have hidden many caches of which several of them are multis. I do notice that most of the multis get about half as many hits than the “standard” caches even when they are in a close proximity of each other. That doesn’t usually hold true of the local cachers though. I believe it is because of the time constraints of out of the area cachers. That is one reason why my new caches (multis) are made into a series. That way it is still a multi (sort of) and cachers get more smilies for their time.

[labrat_wr]

unlike Marc, I tend to cache solo so my failure to find caches rests solely on me. Depending on the expected time to complete a multi plays into if I spend the time or not and what my priorities are for the day. I know of a couple multis that I would like to go after some time, one near Madison and one near Wausau (a lonely too). These would definately require a bit of time to complete so
1. time must be available
2. weather must be pleasant
3. numbers must not be part of the day.

Very true that one missing/missed waypoint can sour one’s outlook on the multis but if all things are in order. Go for it.

Disclaimer : Always answering to a higher power.

[Mister Greenthumb]

We used to avoid multis, but after finding a long and difficult one with Digital Dan (Wisconsin’s Multi Master with over 800 multis found) at the WGA Campout in May our appreciation for multis has greatly increased. That in turn has led to more interest in puzzles too which we’re still not very good at. A lot of this change in interest has also been due to hitting 1000 finds in late summer. Fun and interesting places are now replacing the quest for numbers.

[Team Black-Cat]

I think Mathman had it right about the local cachers and multis. Almost anything close is going to get searched for. If we’re going to a different area, it depends on how many other caches are out there. If there’s lots of traditionals, multis will probably get skipped.

Another consideration is how many hoops are required. Getting numbers off a sign and then mutiplying the third digit by pi and then taking the fifth digit of that to get A is a bit much and way to prone to messing up when you need A through G.

The biggest ‘why’ is time. We only get one or two good caching days a month lately. We have to balance quality with quantity. It’s hard to justify an out of town trip for only a few caches.

[Astro_D]

For me, it’s a matter of location. When I am traveling to an area (whether with family or friends), chances are good the multis will be skipped. There may be too many WPs, too long of a walk (1-2 miles), and the always dreaded fear, coming to a grinding halt by not findnig one and therefore unable to get to the final. And well, that’s too much time wasted on one cache, that could’ve been used to find others.

Locally though, I have no problem with multis as I can easily come back to them and got the time to spend.

[RSplash40]

I’m a numbers guy, multi’s are the last on my list with a puzzles as a close second depending on how fast they can be solved.

[Team Honeybunnies]

Multis can be great vacation caches, and some of our all-time favorites are multis from trips. Sign multis are good trip caches, and sometimes a pretty spot will have waypoints at the best views. We’ve also seen some old virtuals that were listed as multis because of all the waypoints. Gettysburg and Bandelier National Monument both have multi virtuals that come to mind.

I guess it comes down to what you like. We do a lot of multis, but my favorites are the ones that show me something or share some history. Zig-zagging across a one-block park for multiple stages isn’t nearly as fun. For the most part we do them all, but the longest ones depend on mood. The twelve-stager might get shelved for a different day, or be the first cache of the day and then planned around.

[Mister Greenthumb]

A great pre-winter day for caching. We have 10 on our schedule for today and 7 are puzzles or multis. The other three just happen to be nearby. When numbers aren’t as important puzzles and multis will make it much more of an adventure.

[Author]

Posts