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Hello!
We are really trying to get things rolling here. You can log adventures, cache stories, or anything you can think of. Just send us coordinates, or a story, or photos. At this point (since we are still under construction) you can send anything to: [email protected]
For examples, please check out: http://www.swissperpetual.com/dayadventures.html
Thank you for your time in reading this!
~ Josh
Nobody owns a specific set of geographical coordinates, so as far as I’m concerened, there’s always room for more. Besides… Having caching out of the way, we will be able to thouroughly expand elsewhere!
What I’m really excited about, is that without revolving around a cache, we should be able to travel, log and share many more cool places which are labled off limits to the caching world! There’s a whole world out there…
Good Discussion!
~ Josh
I would have NO Problem converting existing caches to GeoCaching.com caches! It would save us a LOT of retrieval miles. There are a few small issues though. #1 the containers and contents would have to be updated (obviously). #2 there is swiss caches currently located in “off-limits” area. So they would have to be reviewed, and only the proper ones converted. If anyone is interested in helping out with A. Removing Swiss Caches, or B. Converting them to GC.com caches, PLEASE CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING LINK, AND JOIN IN THE DISCUSSION: http://www.swissperpetual.com/Directory/viewforum.php?f=3&sid=c544887deebcc27f20c1df1384f6252e
Aside from that, coexisting is what we plan to do! We really want to just fit in with eveyone, and have good ole’ fashoined fun! So if anyone is interested, or has any further ideas, please check out our personal forum and website to join discussion. We appreciate all the supporters. Thank You…
~ Josh
MAJOR NEWS!!!
I, have had a change of heart…
Although I don’t intend to switch the purpose of SwissPerpetual.com over and over again, I feel it was better to do this sooner than later.For numerous reasons, I have decided that I do not want my site to include caching. This whole concept to me has always been not about the cache, but about the thrill of the adventure/exploration. I have completely reconstructed the site (which will still be updated eventually by my designer guru). I did some thinking, and realized that I don’t want the headache of the caching world. I really don’t.
With these thoughts, I have been thinking of a way to develop a similar site, but logging adventures (still using GPS coords) instead of little things laying in the woods. I’m sure I will likely remain an avid GC.com cacher.
The site will now be based on “Freestyle Exploration” (explanation on the home page). I will keep the forum, and re-design it.
I really think this is a good move for a variety of reasons:
1 – It eliminates caching all together
2 – It still allows GPS work and coordinates
3 – It sitll revolves around great adventure!
4 – It caters to EVERYONE! (even GC.com cachers should now find interest in my site. Although it never was competition, it won’t seem like it is anymore. I suspect caching trips will likely make their way to my site, which is great. If you want to tell a story including waypoints, or directions to a cool geographical place, here is the place to do it!I will be answering questions here. Otherwise, you can email me at:
[email protected] and I will be happy to respond.“This is certainly a big turn in the path, but I suspect a turn for the better!”
~ Josh
It’s definately a subject that continues to come up in discussion time and time again. As of right now, we are planning on having a “check out” just like Pto mentioned. Basically, this means that you will know whether you are the only one looking for the cache or not. We have decided to permit an unlimited amount of check outs per cache at the same time. Why? you may ask. We want everyone to be able to look for a cache without having to wait for someone who has “checked it out” and is not serious. How many “no find” GC.com caches do you have? Probably a few. Besides, if you check out the cache, and head to it, the chances of someone else beating you there is slim. The other thing this does, is create competition! Suppose you wish to “beat” someone to the cache. You could check out the cache after them, and see if you can get it first! There are so many possibilities. This will likely be refined again. Please please let us know if you have a better idea! We certainly don’t think of everything, and would love imput on this.
The flip side is this: Not all the little piglets get a nipple all the time! It’s certainly survival of the fittest to some degree. If you are on the ball, and thinking clearly, you should have no problem finding caches on a steady basis.
Other options include:
– Placing one that you carry with you if you cannot find the one you went for.Thoughts??? – Let’s hear em’!
~ Josh
[This message has been edited by The Swiss Tracker (edited 09-20-2004).]
Thank you! Each optimistic response I get makes it all worthwhile over and over again!
As far as the “map” or “overlay” goes, here’s the status:
We ARE going to have maps which show cache locations. We ARE going to be able to search for a cache by; location, agent who placed it, difficulty rating (1-10), or any other piece of information.
The site is being COMPLETELY revamped and upgraded. So many of these issues (including the site’s visual issue) will be fixed to a T! Of course, we will continue to take suggestions and probably be changing the site every step of the way!
You bring up another great point! Cache density is getting tremedous! Not that it’s a bad thing, but it very well could develop into one. Here at Swiss, there will never be issues with agencies or anyone about density. They come they go! They move around! If you know a great place for a cache, you can continue to place it there over and over again! Or on the flip side, you can travel to ever new places since the caches move! It’s just a really cool thing if ya’ think about it.
Thanks again! Feelin’ the love…
[This message has been edited by The Swiss Tracker (edited 09-20-2004).]
Well, technically, a site CAN act as a listing service only, relieving it from any form of responsibility pertaining to the individual issues. Much like Ebay! They have nothing to do really with what is sold. The responsibility is between the buyer and the seller. BUT THAT’S NOT WHAT WE WANT TO DO… (just wanted to clear that up)
As you so wonderfully put, WGA doesn’t approve caches, but some officers/board members do. In the same respect, we will go on to find the people we need. They will be good people, willing to be positive minded, and help the greater cause. Really, if you are not one of these people, don’t worry, because there will be plenty aside from you willing to help. What’s important to us is the people who express willingness to be optimistic, and help out. The people who express a negative attitude and who may not have an interest in Swiss, will not be met with any interest from us. Not only do we plan to cache here, but we plan to do it in a good environment. Attitudes, negative personalities or problems arising from individuals will without a doubt be sent somewhere else…
Agreed…
I have no problem doing approval, if it comes to that.
Here’s the way I look at things though:
If they are “laws” they MUST be written down clearly, so as citizens can follow them. There should NEVER be difficulties in obtaining laws, or rules with this in mind. I plan to obtain whatever I can find (in black and white) and consider this the rules on caching. If there are “implied” rules, they may not be followed. In this day and age, business is business, and there’s only one real way to follow law.
I will do all I can to create a rulebook which is accurate. As I pilot, I am all to aware of the “grey” areas pertaining to the FAA. There will be no “grey” with Swiss. Members will know exactly what they can and cannot do and that is what they will follow.QUOTE: “they can all coexist.”
Excellent! I couldn’t agree more!So let me ask you this. Is it possible, that Swiss Perpetual somehow makes an agreement with WGA to have our caches reviewed by you? It would have to be discussed further by us, but I really can’t see why that wouldn’t be an option. If WGA knows all the rules inside and out, that’s great! We’re not neccesarily interested in having to do the approving thing ourselves anyway. That would be really cool, if we could simply send the newfound coordinates to the WGA for approval! Then they could be posted on our site. We very much so want to play by the rules. Perhapps an agreement to work together is in order…
Thoughts?
All very legitimate discussion. These are the questions which must be answered both for inquiring minds, and to develop Swiss itself. I appreciate the understanding and respect of some.
I want to clear up one little thing here:
Swiss Perpetual is my baby… When the question arises, “Why would I use Swiss when GC.com supplys me with everything I need?” here’s my response: Swiss is for the creative mind. It allows me personally to use my creativity skills and imagination if you will to develop a vision. In that respect, it is important to me regardless of it’s difference from GC.com simply because it is mine! I enjoy the ability to provide an alternative and reach out to other people. Managing the whole thing (despite it’s lack of wholeness right now) is where I find the fun! I truely envy GC.com and what they have. However, when I decided to go off on my own, I realized I would have to change some things and be different. With that in mind, I decided to let it be run by the people! Do I have the final say? Yes. Am I always open to new ideas and development? Absolutely! I really don’t have all the answers, and can easily admit it. That is why I try to incorporate ideas of others into my masterpiece! It’s really everyone’s baby if you look at it that way. Aside from the fact that the caches are moving, and other small differences, that’s the main one. YOU HAVE A SAY! You are someone other than just another number in a list of thousands. This is a never-ending project, a journey. We are learning every day that goes by, making plenty of mistakes, but doing all we can to refine them. What you don’t get here, is security. We never know what tomorrow will bring or where it will lead us. We just believe the sun will rise the next morning, and continue on our ways. Endurance is our game.I think that’s enough philosophy for one post. Hopefully it sparks some thought, and sheds light on our internal purpose.
Thank you to all who support us (members or not). I play the game because I can…~ Josh
One other note just to clarify:
QUOTE by Cathunter: “the activity of seeking out hidden objects with a GPSr will be mistaken for geocaching.”
Actually, “geocaching” in the sense of the words, means looking for a stash (the cache), geographically (the geo). So really, you are a “geocacher” even if you never use geocaching.com. It’s like saying that a Football team decided to name their team “Football”. Just because they made their personal name, the name of the sport as a whole, does not mean that members of other teams are not playing football. They just play for a different team!
(If anyone has any doubts about this concept, please refer to the “Geocaching Handbook” which was published by the father of geocaching himself, Dave Ulmer. I bought the book and read it cover to cover in an afternoon. The book explains very well in a generic way, what it is we do…)
Hello there!
Here is a copy of a letter sent to the Minnesota Geocaching Association Board Members. This is being sent to the Wisconsin Board as well. We are well aware that rules are in order. Plans to construct and research are well under way. We ask #1 that anyone who can help us, do so. #2, please be positive. We appreciate any tips as to poor cache placement, and are fixing any mistakes as fast as we can…
Begin Letter:
Hello, my name is Josh Campbell,
I am a flight student in college at St. Cloud State University living in Sartel. Because of my past with outdoors as a boyscout becoming an Eagle Scout, as well as with my family, I’ve created a website called Swiss Perpetual (http://www.swissperpetual.com), which I’m sure you’ve probably heard of by now. We are a very new cache tracking site begun in MN.
With our best intentions, we would like to become a regularly used cache tracking site and are eager to work out the bugs that come with developing such a concept. I am a very determined individual, who will find some way some how to make my vision a reality. At this point, I am realizing the complexity of my decisions, and trying hard to play my cards right the first time. Although my site is primative at this point, I have a web designer currently working on updating the site to include a database, and other modern technology the site will require. My current issue (and the reason I’ve come to you for help), is that I need to construct a rulebook based on land useage laws and regulations pertaining to cache placement in MN (and eventually other states). I am interested in obtaining any information you have. We are very eager to get up and running, and we desperately need rules before caches are placed in wrong areas.Regardless of who or how they were collected, if they are laws, they should be available for all to both view and use. I want to do the right thing here and follow the rules so that my members don’t give a bad name to geocaching for all. It is very important that I find the help I need. If you are willing to help me, please return this email and I will check it as soon as possible.
Remember ~ we may use GC.com, we may use Swiss, or any other website, but we are all “Geocachers” one in the same! (concept taken from newly published Geocaching Handbook)
Thank you for your time in reading this,
Josh Campbell
:End Letter
We’re all on the same side here…
[This message has been edited by The Swiss Tracker (edited 09-16-2004).]
Explanation to come…
[This message has been edited by The Swiss Tracker (edited 09-16-2004).]
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