[Team Deejay]

I use Google Maps for urban, Mapquest for rural, Microsoft Live Local and Google Street View for EXTREME CLOSEUP (obscure cultural reference…) and, of course, City Navigator on the GPS.

[Team Deejay]

Unfortunately, I had the track turned off.

[Team Deejay]

@Team Black-Cat wrote:

I also don’t quite understand why a cache that hasn’t been found for a period of time is necessarily a bad thing. Almost any cache in the state that’s more than 600 feet from a parking spot is probably going to go unfound for a period of time. Now, a cache with multiple DNFs, or with problems mentioned in finders’ logs is a different situation. Finding and fixing those would be much more benificial.

In many cases, the long unfound caches and the multiple DNF caches are the same caches.

The idea of the game was not that caches going unfound for a period of time are bad, but rather that long unfound caches are hard to maintain. As someone who usually has caches on the list, I can tell you that it is difficult to know when a cache is missing versus when it is just unpopular. Most of the caches on the list are not 1/1 guardrail caches, so maintenance is usually a bit more than just a stop on the way home from work. Essentially, the LCG caches fall into three categories:

1. Very remote caches,
2. Challenging caches (either by terrain difficulty, puzzle difficulty, or hide difficulty).
3. Missing caches.

Obviously there is nothing wrong with types 1 and 2. The game was designed to encourage people to get out and find these. Overall this is good for the game, as newer people see that these challenging caches are indeed findable and give it a go themselves.

On the other hand, when I see a cache on the list where neither the terrain nor difficulty is above 2, and it is not stuck somewhere in the middle of the national forest, it is a pretty good bet that the cache is either missing or just poorly rated. This is where the “revisits” come in. If a previous finder tells me a cache is missing, I can disable it and start the “out of maintenance” process right away. If someone else claims it is missing, I need to wait until there is a significant number of DNFs before starting.

Remember that the big picture goal here is to have 100% of the active caches listed in Wisconsin be findable. Obviously 100% is not achievable (something is always going missing) but with good reporting of DNFs, most cache owners will be able to approach that 100% target. You don’t have to stray too far from here to find places where finding caches is a challenge because most of them are missing or poorly maintained. (Aggravation is finding the 4th stage of a 5 stage multi to be unreadable!)

The one area where I think we have gotten some unintended consequences is in container replacement. While I certainly have little issue when someone coordinates with the cache owner to do a replacement, I do have to believe that many of the replacements were not the ideal choice. If it is really too much trouble for a cache owner to replace a cache that appears to be missing or visit the site to confirm it is there, perhaps those individuals shouldn’t own caches (or at least shouldn’t own more than they can maintain.) If the cache owner is truly inactive, adoption is really the better alternative, assuming they are responsive to email. For those cases where the owner doesn’t respond, well, we can just post a NA log and wait for it to be archived. After the cache is archived, a new one can be placed by a more involved owner.

I will try to post what I perceive to be “recommended changes” this evening to a new thread (and close this one, as it is getting too long.) Obviously this is where people really need to speak up if I get something wrong or “go too far”. See ya then.

Dave

[Team Deejay]

First answer: If an owner is active enough to archive their own listing, we assume they will pick up their own trash. I realize that not everyone who takes this step is going to be responsible, but I’m not willing to insult the 95% of the owners who are responsible to cater to the 5% who are not. So, if you find a cache that should not be there, post it to the CR page and it will be added (or just throw it away, but be sure it isn’t listed on another listing service first.)

Second answer: If the logs indicate the cache is still there, it is added to the list. Usually it is clearcut. If the cache was down for various maintenance reasons,such as a broken container or a wet log, it hits the CR list. If the cache was disabled because there were 40 DNFs in a row, it doesn’t. Not perfect, but it is what we do.

[Team Deejay]

If you look at the cache page, there are specific places listed which need a cache.

[Team Deejay]

Or someone submitted a 20 stage multi with a couple other issues, who, after discussing the cache with a reviewer, took quite a bit of time to rework the cache and remove a significant number of the stages.

[Team Deejay]

Uh, you know you don’t HAVE to have temporary geocaches to host an event, right? You can just have a downhill skiing outing for geocachers, which would certainly qualify for listing as long as you keep the info about the ski hill, lift tickets, rentals, etc. off the cache page. The key is to allow people to attend even if they don’t buy a lift ticket, so make the the “event” a meet and greet at the bar after skiing. If you are buying lift tickets at group discount, just state that a discount will be available for people posting “Will attend” logs before your deadline (and sending you the cash.)

[Team Deejay]

River banks are part of the adjacent property above the normal high water mark (NOT the 100 year floodplain.)

[Team Deejay]

Responding to labrat, I would say that, while we were not first, we have created the most successful LCG. Usually they go for a few months, then the people running it run out of steam.

The reason we allow multiple finds is to avoid people “racing” to be first. This is not intended to be a high stress activity, but rather a fun way to make sure the caches in our state are maintained and findable. You can be sure that I pay special attention to DNFs on these caches. If people think we would have broader participation, we could change the rule, but my guess is that the same people who do massive runs for lonely caches would be ready at the first of the month at midnight to head out and try to find everything they can that night. I suspect this would lead to less participation, not more, but I am willing to be convinced.

[Team Deejay]

@labrat_wr wrote:

Congratulations on the milestone.

Granddaughter and Son-in-Law? are they already cachers or new converts?

Follow along cachers. No official ids yet.

[Team Deejay]

Thanks everyone. As far as the milestone cache goes, it ended up being this one: GC1JD25. The intent was for it to be GCMW0M , but with the granddaughter and the son-in-law in tow, we miscounted and ended up making it 2001. Considering this cache was quite an odyssey, that seems somehow appropriate.

[Team Deejay]

I guess I can understand the collector mentality that goes along with “numbers” caching. It just doesn’t fit my personality. I’m more of a “here and now” person. It is all about the beauty of the location, the challenge of the terrain, and even the hide itself. The only things I’m interested in collecting are the experiences. So, a DNF is not necessarily a disappointment to me. If the process of finding the cache was enjoyable, then I have had a net gain from the process. I will say that guardrail hides and lamppost hides tend to be more aggravating when they are missing, mostly because there is nothing redeeming about the hide besides getting a number. On the other hand, getting a DNF in the Kettle Moraine just means I get another chance to go there and try again in a beautiful place with challenging hiking.

[Team Deejay]

For me, multicaches are the heart of geocaching. There is more of a sense of adventure when you don’t know where the next stage of a cache will lead you. It doesn’t matter whether it is a “true” multi with several containers, an offset, or a simple field puzzle. The charm is the exploration of the the unknown. Add to that the fact that hiking is usually required (a plus in my book) and the way a multi can be used to highlight an entire area, rather than just one spot, and you have a clear cut favorite for me.

[Team Deejay]

@greyhounder wrote:

Interestingly, I glanced at the latest Consumer Reports magazine today and it rated the top GPS Nav units. No Magellan units were listed. There was one I hadn’t heard of (and consequently have forgotten). The others were all Nuvis and TomToms. I think the 200 was lower on the list, but still was rated 60-ish out of 100. I don’t recall any other info as I only spent a minute or two looking at the data.

I’m thinking of picking up a few 200s come Friday (one for me, the rest for gifts)

Bec

Bec,

My understanding is that you are picking up a new laptop, not a GPS. Now, write it down so you don’t forget.

[Team Deejay]

A copy of GCYF13 ?

[Author]

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