placing a cache

[greyhounder]

Now that I’ve found a few caches, I’d like to try my hand at placing one or two. One I have in mind is in Northern Wisconsin in an area that I know very well. Between May and October I go there about every two weeks, so maintenance during that time would be no problem. I’m nnot sure it would even be accessible in any of the other months. On Groundspeak, this would probably be considered a vacation cache, right? So would it be better if I didn’t place it? I’ve alreday got permission to put one there (quite enthusiastic permission at that!)

Also, how does one determine the difficulty and terrain of the cache placement?

I’m sure I have 100 more questions, but it’s getting late and I have to get up early. But, any helpful suggestions on cache placement would be great!

Thanks!
Bec

[Cathunter]

The common rule is that if you can’t check on or do other maintenance to your cache within 7-10 days or so of a reported problem, you should probably look closer to home.

I believe cache areas should be accessable 365 days a year. I.E. don’t place a cache in an area that is closed part of the year. Some situations may be exempt, but as with anything else, the approver makes the final decision.

Difficulty and terrain can be determined by filling out this form- http://www.clayjar.com/gcrs/

Main concerns for placement in my mind= safty of cachers/children;

potential environmental damage caused by increased traffic in the cache area;

challenge/enjoyment of the hunt;

potential for being found by non-cachers

These are my thoughts- others are sure to have their own

[greyhounder]

I would certainly be able check on it within 7-10 days, except in winter, when the snows would most likely bury it. (We’re talking Northern Wisconsin!)
I’m not saying it wouldn’t be accessible 365 days per year, I just know from experience that the Wisconsin winters in this area can be brutal, and sometimes the roads become impassible. The area is never closed.
It would definitely be a family friendly cache — not a tough one, except in harsher winter. It would be in a very lovely, highly accessible area, not too far out of a town area and even close to “civilization” (not an urban cache, but there are houses and buildings in the area.)
I know that just having people in the area would affect the environment, but (and I don’t want to give away too much information in case this is a go ahead.) I don’t think it would be so significant as to cause damage per se. It’s private property, owned by my family and they would love to have a cache hidden there (it’s a wooded area).
I think the actual finding of the area would be most of the challenge, but I would make the hunt fun too, but more on the lower end of a challenge (I’m sure it would be a 1/1)
And there would be no potential for finding by non-cachers, as they would be tresspassing! Well, they certainly could walk in the woods, but I’m sure they won’t be — it’s rather out of the way. I would make sure it’s well hidden as well.

I’m just sort of throwing this out to see what can be done. To see if it would at all be worthwhile. If I were to place it, would the approver be the one to make the final decision if it’s acceptable?

Does one just go ahead and place a cache, and then wait for approval, or does the area get approved first and then the cache is placed?

I want to be sure my first caches are good!

Bec

[GrouseTales]

Bec,

Since I am the approver for Wisconsin, feel free to send me an email anytime you have a question about a potential cache.

Regarding the above question, normally this would fall under the vacation cache rule. If a person only visits this location once or twice a year, then they probably couldn’t maintain it properly.

If you were to submit this cache, you would also want to fill out the section “note to reviewer”. You would want to include that you frequent this area often, and family members own the land. As an approver, I would approve the cache if you included that note. If a problem did show up with the cache, I would imagine that other family members could take care of it.

Regarding private property issues, I would include a note on the cache page that this is private property of the “Jones” family. Permission is granted for caches to enter the land for the purpose of finding the cache. Also include parking coordinates so someone doesnt try to take a shortcut and trespass on somone else’s land.

My family also owns property in Northern Wisconsin, and I have several caches placed around the Minocqua area. I frequent the area often enough that I’m comfortable placing caches there.

Hope this helps,

Admin-Brian

[This message has been edited by GrouseTales (edited 03-05-2004).]

[greyhounder]

Thanks for all the help! After attending the breakfast on Feb. 28, my mother suggested that I could place a cache by our property up north. It’s not a huge area, but there are woods and plenty of places to put a cache. At any rate, it wouldn’t hurt to give it a try, and if it fails miserably, I could easily pick it up. It’s just in the planning stage at this point, so we’ll have to see. I’m going to place a cache closer to my home first as my test run.

I love going to northern Wisconsin. I try to go as frequently as my work scehdule allows on weekends. And there are a ton of caches up there that I haven’t gotten to yet!! So I think I’ll be “Up North” a lot this year!

Bec

[Author]

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