posting picnic cache coord

[Cashing Out]

Maybe a simpler solution is needed. Place the waivers in an ammo box. Place the box on the table at the sign in station. Sign the waiver, claim the “waiver cache” as a find. Who is going to pass up another find?
All these .02 cents are starting to add up.
Bob

[GrouseTales]

Thanks for your ideas Jeff. I like #3 and #4.

I have complete trust in Geocachers and especially our members. As I was making the above comments, not once did I have any feeling of mistrust towards our Geocachers.

If we did an early release of the data, it would need to be very controlled so only registered attendees receive the info.

I like the idea of reducing our printing costs by having the attendees print out their own materials.

For the sake of discussion, what if we did this:
[*]Send out a .gpx file of the waypoints the night before the event. Email would be sent out at a specific time, say 7:00 PM the night before.
[*]Data would only be sent out to those who have specifically requested the file.
[*]Cachers would still need to register and receive there maps, cache sheets, and “stamp book” before they can start caching.

Would this be beneficial? Would this solve some problems, or would it be too little-too late?

To me this procedure is not about trust, but is about maintaining continuity and control over the process.

[Ms. WISearcher]

It has been interesting reading this thread…and I agree with parts/disagree with others…but rather than rehash the points that have been shared I would like to point out this one minor detail that has not been shared previously….

There are many of the caches that are not going to be physically placed until the morning of the event…this could lead to some frustration of people who decided to search early…there just are not many of the caches out there until the morning of the event due to the nature of the cache/container/hide. The coordinates have already been decided upon and are on the cache sheets, but the physical caches are not going to be ready and placed until right before registration….just a thought to consider.

[shrek and fiona]

if you play my game you will play it my way if we play WGA’s game we shold all play it there way

[Mama Fishcacher]

Interesting discussion. I’m having fun following it. (Honest!)

I’ve only been to two events before – the Caching Thru the Snow one and a breakfast. Caching Thru the Snow seems closest to what I expect this picnic to be like (except for this one will be a LOT warmer!!!). I do remember getting all the coordinates that morning and inputting them myself and yes, that was tedious. (I sure am hoping someone has a cable that will fit my Garmin 72 so I can upload them instead! ) But other than that, I remember a paper map that came with it so I could see my route very easily. Will there be a printed map at the picnic?

Otherwise, I feel I really have no other comparison since I haven’t been to an official WGA event yet. Because of that, I feel I have no right to say one way would be better than another. I have gone paperless, and even though that was a tough route for me initially, I would’t do it any other way now. I haven’t experienced the ease of uploading waypoints right into my GPSr yet, so I may be terribly spoiled by that this weekend!

I’m very excited to see everyone I have met before and to meet others I haven’t yet. I’m grateful a relatively small group folks have taken the time to set this up and do all the work so I can have a whole day of fun!

~Mama Fishcacher, who better decide pretty darn quick what she’s bringing for the potluck!!!!

[EnergySaver]

quote:

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Originally posted by GrouseTales:

For the sake of discussion, what if we did this:
[*]Send out a .gpx file of the waypoints the night before the event. Email would be sent out at a specific time, say 7:00 PM the night before.

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If you happen to do this, please still plan on supporting those that get the coordinates up on arrival at the picnic. As we are starting our travel to the picnic Friday morning, and will not have a computer on the road.

[Mama Fishcacher]

quote:

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Originally posted by Buy_The_Tie:
There will be a PDA there, whereby a “To-Do” list of all the caches can be beamed. The “To-Do” list will have co-ords, description, hints, etc…

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If I have Cachemate, will I be able to beam to my Palm? Or will I need to get Plucker/Spinner in there before Saturday? I have never beamed a thing with it, so I am completely clueless, lol. I upload everything thru my cradle and only use the thing for the cache pages and some games I’ve also uploaded.

[greyhounder]

quote:

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Originally posted by EnergySaver:
If you happen to do this, please still plan on supporting those that get the coordinates up on arrival at the picnic. As we are starting our travel to the picnic Friday morning, and will not have a computer on the road.

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Yes, I wouldn’t be able to download the coordinates either, as I’ll be leaving my house early Friday afternoon.

I like getting the coordinates at the event!

Bec

[GrouseTales]

quote:

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Originally posted by EnergySaver:
If you happen to do this, please still plan on supporting those that get the coordinates up on arrival at the picnic. As we are starting our travel to the picnic Friday morning, and will not have a computer on the road.

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This was just for the sake of discussion. I’m not saying that we will send them out. I’m just wondering if this is a feasible option, and what problems it solves/creates.

Yes, we will still have at least 3 computers at the picnic to do the uploads. We will have a large assortment of cables. If you require an oddball cable, bring yours along.

One problem I see with this idea is the release time. It looks like it would need to go out earlier so those traveling would be able to take advantage of it.

[EnergySaver]

quote:

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Originally posted by GrouseTales:

One problem I see with this idea is the release time. It looks like it would need to go out earlier so those traveling would be able to take advantage of it.

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Quick! Hide a new cache and approved it … filled with CDs with all the coordinates on them!

[wzbt03]

A lot of great discussion and please Brian and the WGA board, don’t feel the need to change your agreed upon plan. I just was commenting on your request for any other pros and cons.

Sometimes when we are typing, these threads go a bit astray. Everyone should enjoy the picnic and not focus on one idea being thrown about. We just need to throw out these ideas to understand the hows and whys of geocaching in Wisconsin which can only make us better informed.

[Todd Bloomingdale]

I personally would rather wait till that morning for the waypoints. come on, I wouldnt think it doesnt take that long to get loaded up and hey, While your in line say HI to the people around you and make a new friend.! this is sapose to bring new and fellow geo-people together to socialize and enjoy the outdoors. Lets not make a big deal out of this folks. Dont sweet the small stuff… My wife and I are very excited to come to our 1st WGA event and put faces with the names we all see..

Smokey.

[Cheesehead Dave]

The only reason I would like the coordinates ahead of time is what was mentioned before: I could print out my own topo maps ahead of time and get a general idea of what route I’m going to take throughout the day. As long as some sort of map is distributed at the event, I could live without them ahead of time.

Remember: even if you get the coordinates early, until you stop at the registration table, you won’t have your little book to stamp your finds in, so going out at 5 am or the night before would be impossible. Also, you would have coordinates and names only, but not the hints. If a warning was put in place that there are no guarantees that any particular will be in place until 9 am Saturday morning, that would also discourage the earlybirds.

[Geoffnsara]

I agree with Mrs. Wisearcher. I hid 4 caches for this picnic, but right now all 4 are in a box on the kitchen table.

[Astro_D]

I’ve been reading this thread and find all the comments interesting.

My opinion is that I would not like to see the coordinates posted, emailed or whatever early. Part of the fun is the surprise of what caches there are and where they will be the day of the event.
My view is that it’s simply an EVENT cache. Come to the event and get the coordinates.

I see no need/reason for people to jump the gun and do these caches early. As far as families are concerned, we have to lug around a 5 year old. He doesn’t walk fast, he gets tired quickly, he doesn’t like brush, brambles, or long grass which slows us up and the result? We don’t get too do as many caches as we would like. That’s O.K!! We’re not petty enough to be concerned with how many caches we found by the end of the day. We would rather do the few we get to and enjoy the company of the other cachers we teamed up with.

I think the WGA Board has a lot of stuff on thier plates just putting together an event like this. How they are organizing and running these events is and has been quite successful. Cachers continue to go back to them year after year – even without preloaded coordinates.

Thanks for letting me have my opinion.
Kat – AstroD-Team

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