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!!

November caching

Well the days are getting shorter and the weather is no longer reliable.  Any caching to be done is opportunistic.  And with that note it was a fine day when cacher_lou and I set off to bike the Snowden Demonstrations Forest on November 1.  We spent about 4 - 5 hours doing the Lost Lake/Upper and Lower Lost Frog Loop while he amassed 41caches for the day  30 of them on the trail alone. The days was perfect for riding.  Cool enough not to overheat but not so cool that stopping gave us chills. 




The next day we were on a hunt for the FTF on a earthcache.  We noted that it had not yet been logged before we started out.  There were several caches along the way and beyond for cacher_lou to find and I did not mind the drive and it is always nice to share the Strathcona Park/Buttle Lake area.  The earthcache in question was Karst Creek Earthcache  GC36VNQ

I have been to this area several times and always enjoy returning.  There is another cache close by that is a 2002 hide and has just recently been adopted by another cacher .

When we first walked up to the cache site  Buttle Lake had only small ripples on the surface but during our walk we noticed that in the trees the wind was picking up so we did not tarry as branches were starting to fall.  When we returned to the parking area there were white caps on the lake.  So off we went to Myra Falls to  grab the remainer of the caches out there.  On the way back we stopped at Ralph River Campground and because the gate was locked we managed to wear the dogs out a little bit more.  After leaving there the rain had started so we called it a day and noticed on the drive back to Campbell River that there was wet snow in the rain. 

Yes opportunistic is right.  And timing can be everything. 

A couple of FTF's make the drive worthwhile

Was just heading out the door to take the JR's for a short walk when I get notification that there were some new caches.  I quickly hook up the Garmin and download two caches up in the Buttle Lake area of Strathcona Park in my old hiding grounds.  Turns out both of them are more or less right were I shut down a couple of park caches this spring. One of them is hidden in exactly the same spot.  Oh yeah, a drive, two FTF's and a lovely but short walk with the JR's.  I get home and go to log them and discover two more out in Ralph River.  Well, not going back out today but a general excuse for another rainy day drive and a walk under the trees.  So glad that another cacher has picked up the ball and started hiding in the Buttle Lake area  Great trails and scenery.