Electrical boxes..should I or shouldn't I?

OK I am guilty.  Although I would never hide a cache on an electrical box, I have definitely found one there.  On several occasions in fact.  I am pretty sure I said "what a great cache/idea".

However, sometime ago I came across this blog Johnnygeo's Geocaching Electrical Safety.  Opened my eyes to something that we should all be aware of.  Never mind that it is private property, the danger in itself should be enough to keep us from poking and prodding looking for the elusive cache.

Apparently we as cachers just have to get that smiley even though we know the dangers and that it is private property.  Myself included.  It takes a strong person to say" No " and I know that I fail at that when it comes to caching.  Sure, I have stood up and made my position clear on a lot of issues but sometimes even I hesitate to rock the boat. 

Mostly this is because I am not sure how the CO will take it.  I think as a CO we must be willing to look at criticism of our caches with an open mind.  Why are they making negative comments?  What is the real issue with this cache?  Why am I taking this personally?

Now comes the issue as to why I don't say anything about this cache placement?  Is it a popularity thing?  Do I want to be part of the "in caching crowd" ?

Honestly?  Sometimes I just get tired of being the "bad guy".  Oh "that's the one that reported your cache", "that's the one that left the negative comment on your cache page".

Seriously?  We have to get over ourselves.   This is not about you and it's not about me..it is about safety and the guidelines.

Geocache Rescue

So what is it?  What is a geocache rescue?  

To me, a geocache rescue is to do maintenance on a cache I come across that needs something. I might notice in the logs before I go that the logbook is wet, the container is broken, the CO has not been able to get to it.  It may be a really old cache that needs saving.  I always go prepared to rescue a geocache.  I carry extra logs, towel, swag, pencils, etc. 

I might contact the CO in advance and ask if he wants me to replace anything, fix it, etc.  It is all part of being a conscientious geocacher.  We take it upon ourselves to keep the caches in good shape for longevity, for the view, the adventure,  or just because we feel it needs it. 

Sometimes I have already found the cache but am going to be in the area so swing by to do some maintenance for the CO.  It could just be a favor or because of the any reasons already listed.  

Now there is something out there called GCRM - The GeoCache Rescue Mission Cooperative.  I have seen this on log pages for a long time.  Mostly put on power trails so that the finders know to do maintenance as they go.    GCRL - Log-replacement-only - do not replace the container if there are any issues - just contact the owner by email or needs-maintenance log.
I don't mind replacing log books but I draw the line at replacing a cache and then claiming a find.  Have I ever done that?  Well with over 6000 finds I suppose anything is possible. I might have to go back and look at all my caches but if I don't then I am sure someone out there has time on their hands to waste looking for me.  GCRM - Replace the log as needed or container if the cache container is broken or missing. Before you replace a missing container, you must spend a reasonable amount of time searching - at least 5 minutes per difficulty rating. The cache owner accepts that there is a chance that multiple containers could be at the site. Please remove duplicate containers if you find multiple caches at the site. Broken containers and full logs may be disposed of at will. 

Remember - this way you can sign the log and have a valid claim while helping a cache owner with maintenance.

Sorry but I figure if it's not there then it's not a find and dropping another cache there is a hide. And seriously, how do you know where the CO hid it if you didn't find it? I think I will accept the green box in the middle of all the power trail of smilies first.

Remember that no one has the right to condemn because you don't play the game the way they do. The game of geocaching is evolving so fast it is hard to keep track of all the things we can do or not do.  We make a decision based on the circumstances at the time and our past experiences.  Also, something that was acceptable 5 years ago is no longer acceptable now.  Do we go back?  I prefer to go forward, learning from past mistakes. Are we wrong or are we right?  Only we know ourselves and how we handle each situation is as individual as we are. 
 

To Power Trail or not!

A few years ago if one of us tried to publish consecutive caches every 165 m we would have been shut down and informed that we were building a "power trail".  Such trails were discouraged because the "quality" of the hides were diminished. 
With the advent of the "ET Highway" and others, power trails are popping up everywhere.

Now power trails are not for everyone and I have done some smaller ones here on the island but I personally don't see the draw in spending 24  hours or more grabbing a film canister every 165 m.  Don't get me wrong.  Power trails have their own attraction for a lot of cachers.  For me I want to be brought somewhere, to maybe find a new special place, a view, or just explore new areas...I want to "stop and smell the roses" without thinking about the next cache ahead.

I will continue to get the power trails here but probably not all at once.  When I am in the area of one then I will make a point of pursuing some of them.  I mean, if I am going to drive by them then I see no reason not to find them.  Or if there is a chance at some FTF's?  Well I think you all know that I am there...

Caches set up on trail systems such as the Trans Canada Trail or the Cowichan Valley that have caches with a mixed bag of hides and sizes make for a pleasurable caching experience...For those that like to "park and grab" a cache then they are accessible from multiple access points along the trail.. For others they can bike or walk the trail and enjoy all that the trail system has to offer. The Iron Horse Power Trail looks interesting because it is not a driveable power trail.  That is, it is not on a highway.  You can use Quads, bicycle, horse, or snowmobile.Walk it or x-country ski.  Sounds like a lot of fun to me..

We all have our preferences.  I know that there are those cachers that are going to slam me for stating my opinion on this but we all play the game differently.  Just because I don't play it the way some do does not make it wrong.