Labeling your geocache

GC guidelines clearly state that the GC number of your cache must be on the outside of the container.  Hmmmm
How many of us pop a couple of caches into our caching bag and drop one in an area on the spur of the moment?  I know I do.  How to solve this problem?  
One way is to generate a list of GC codes in advance and keep a list of them with you.  Then when you get to your computer and go to build your cache page you can pull one of those numbers and use it.  Change the info like hide date etc.
What if someone wants the spot you have set the cache page coordinates at?  Well when the reviewer goes to publish a cache they check for nearby caches.  They can see that an unpublished cache and/or a "not in the queue" cache is within proximity even though the cache has not been marked for publication.  
I happen to live in an area that has a lot of water around it so I am fortunate that I can set my coordinates in the middle of a lake or ocean and they will not be a problem.  Take a look on Google Earth for spots you can use and the coordinates for those spots.  They don't have to be permanent and they do not have to be exact.  
My next project will be to print a list of all my caches and bring them up to date with the current guidelines.  
Usually when guidelines are changed/updated then any cache hidden before the change date will be "grandfathered" which means that the change does not have to occur.  Only any new cache.  I however have no problem bringing any of my caches to within the guidelines if I can or even archiving them instead.

Alone Mtn, Comox Lake

Started out with The_Pollywog this morning not really sure if we would be able to make it up. Gate was open and we headed up Comox Lake.  Hairy road but beautiful in the backside of Comox Lake. The hike involved a 600 m vertical ascent over approx 900 m. We had more or less decided that there would be snow at the top so just took a drive in there in case.  Because of this we had the dogs with us against our better judgement.  We found the terrain a little loose in places and had to scramble a fair amount over some of it. Taking it slow and having really good footwear is a definite requirement.  I forgot my hiking poles and improvised with a sturdy stick that I left for the trip down at one of the chutes we had to climb through.  By the time we arrived at the base of the last vertical I gave it an honest try but returned to the bottom after only about 20 m as my legs had major muscle fatigue.  Paul decided that he would continue on and try for both caches.  It was kinda frustrating sitting 74 m from GZ and having a steep vertical hold you back but I knew when to quit.  There were a few sections I would not want to be on in the rain but for the most part the worst was the steepness.  I was calling the JR's Mr & Mrs Mtn Goat but felt it prudent to hold them back with me.  The descent was fairly fast although the scree and leaves made it treacherous in places. Trail was well marked all the way to the top.  Walked through one pocket of snow before Paul ran into it again up on the top on the way to Top of the Valley.  I can see myself doing this again but not sure when  :) Took lots of pics and one spot was a favorite photo op for us. This was approximately a 5 hour round trip for us mostly due to me and the dogs. Lots of good trail markings and interesting things to see.

Lazy Cache Logs?

We read logs of previous cachers to see what the cache is like and how some cachers enjoyed it.  We read previous logs to sometimes get a clue if we cannot find the cache.  As cache owners we want to see what you thought of the cache and what your experience was.  

So, what is with the TFTH and the :)? Is it laziness? Is it not knowing what to say? 

Even I have been guilty of short logs. But then again I have some really long and good logs. The shortest was on a cache where the cache log had been deleted by the owner.

Total Words: 137324, Average: 35, (Total Characters: 744336)
Longest: GCNTC3 382, Shortest: GC38AHF 1 

I confess I do cut and paste when I have a lot of logs to write but I do try to add some individual words to the cache log especially if there is something noteworthy.  Sometimes it is just about the find or the conditions etc.

We do expect to get the occasional :) or TFTH but it seems to be becoming a trend.  I notice it more and more and have even emailed the finder and asked if he could include a few more words in his online log.  It seems like not even replying to that is also a symptom of something nowadays. 

How do you feel about this? How do we encourage this?  Should we bring it up at courses and events?




   

Munzee?

Well after a friend captured a couple of these I decided to give it a try.  There are not very many around but they are catching on and a neat alternative to geocaching. They are only available where there is cell coverage and usually in urban areas which is handy for both hiding and capturing.  Also no conflict with geocaching so you can put a munzee right on top of a geocache. I am hesitant to place a Munzee on or in a geocache as a Munzee collector who is not a geocacher would have access to geocaches. 

What is a Munzee?  Well their website describes it as this..

Munzee is a real world scavenger hunt game where items are found in the real world and captured using your smartphone. You then level up and gain rank based on your score. Points are obtained by capturing other people's munzees or when your deployed munzees are captured by someone else. Munzee is based off of the fundamentals of geocaching and adds another layer of fun to the hunt. Badges can be earned by unlocking specific achievements.

What do munzees look like?

Munzees come in any size or shape but all must contain a QR-code style barcode. The barcode combined with your GPS coordinates are the essential gameplay elements of munzee.

Munzees can be hidden in containers, camouflaged or even in plain view. They can also be found at your favorite local business. 

 

I have hidden a few around Campbell River now so they are up for grabs.  However you use your phone to hide so the coordinates may not be exact. I try to put a good clue in the description

Caching Port Alberni

For me Port Alberni, BC is an untouched oasis of caching.  Yes I have found caches there but I swear they are being published faster than I can find them.. However I have the advantage of a place to stay so any trip to PA is a bonus for me.  I take advantage when I can and get some good visiting and caching in.

Case in point is this previous weekend.  The_Pollywog & I headed out mid-morning and got into PA just after 12 noon.  We did some mystery caches on the Rogers Creek Trail from the parking area on the Port Alberni Highway.  I had been here before and finished up a few that I still needed in the area while the WOG managed to catch up to me in that area.  The next time I/we will access the area from another spot and hopefully get the rest.  Burde Street access is another good spot to access these trails from.  I finally got a good map of the trails. 

We managed to work our way to my friends

The next day we again attempted to get a good start to the day but came up empty on a few.  We ran into cachers from our area at one cache and gave them some hints on ones we had found but they didn't.  We then went to an event "aDIOS" to wish a  great Port Alberni caching team good luck in their new home.  We are definitely going to miss them and their particular brand of evil caches.

Afterwards we teamed up with two teams from our area and proceeded to find a puzzle and some traditionals on the the same trail. The multi was a puzzle cache called CHIMERA.  This cache was worthy of the puzzle type.  I won't give it away but I suggest everyone that visits PA to go do it.  There were some issues but the CO's will be fixing them.  Basically just maintenance.  Afterwards we grabbed a few more and then headed home.  We stopped and found an unpublished cache in Cathedral Grove that was one of 16 placed for the event.  See what I mean?  Just cannot catch up....

Shame the dumpers

My new project is to stop the dumping on our logging roads.  I have started a group in Facebook to expose the dumping.  Please join and add your photos, comments, etc.  

http://www.facebook.com/groups/145684335532120/

SNOW!!

Snow has arrived in Campbell River.  Was out working the other night and got caught in it and never even made it home!!  Good things I have other options.  

As for geocaching, it definitely puts a crimp in the whole thing.  However, we did manage to make it out yesterday for a few and a great walk in the snow with the JR's.  They thought that it was the cat's meow. something about snow really makes them happy and full of energy.  Not like they never had that before but there is a noticeable change that I cannot quite put my finger on.

 

Caching in the snow was great.  The finds were easy enough  but I fear we gave away the hidey hole with our footprints alone.  Never fear!!  There was a small overnight snowfall that would cover them right up!!