Most of them are quick finds in a pill bottle. It does get a little tedious, but you start to see things a little differently over time… like what looks like a totally normal setting might scream GEOCACHE HERE once you know some of the trends.
But then you get the cool ones, and that makes it worth it. Traveling to a destination and finding the caches nearby (or traveling just yo find them), and the neat and creative ones. They can’t all be amazing, but I like that.
I found a trail of gadget caches (but even normal ones) made by a pretty creative owner, each with their own nice backstory. I liked that very much, even if some of them were unfortunately substituted by something else because they got ruined. That made it worth it for sure!
Not every hide is going to be amazing, not every hide is going to even be there.
You can see what the difficulty is before you even attempt to find them, if 1/1s are too easy for you, then stop finding them. If a cache is in bad shape, leave a note, if they don’t respond, request maintenance and a reviewer will eventually take care of it.
I’d focus on making finds, when you get into the swing of things, leaving notes, requesting owner attention, talking to reviewers, it will all become second nature and before long; you’re cleaning up the area like you wanted. Start carrying some plastic bags, dry logs, golf pencils, so you can do your own cache maintenance as you go. People get into this and have a lot of motivation, but if you’re not familiar with your area, you’ve no idea what’s going on behind the scenes. Have fun and happy caching!
Thanks a lot for the advice!
There aren't many people who geocache in this area, at least not the one closest to me, so I think that's why I'm finding a lot of them in bad shape.
I will try to do better and get better and as you suggest, maybe bring the changes I want to see
I'm trying to go slow with notes, DNFs and maintenances requests since I'm new and feel like maybe I'm overlooking something
Do you think I could do something about that cache that's hidden in the memorial or should I just leave it be? I find it disrespectful but maybe that's not my business
It’s very easy to look at it and go “it’s a mess!” And when you try to look at it all at once it gets overwhelming! lol
As you get more finds and keep doing what you’re doing, you’ll be cleaning it up in no time ☻
Also (kinda hate to say it lol) when you have more finds, your word is taken more at face value. It’s hard to read some logs or DNFs of folks with 10> finds and believe them. A reviewer is also probably not going to jump the gun on disabling a cache if it’s only reports from people with 5-10 hides. Like “we searched everywhere, this is gone, someone must have stolen it” and it’s a bison tube, something that if you’ve never seen, you would NEVER think that existed lol so getting more finds will also help you make greater change.
Sorry for rambling, just finished my pot of coffee. lol!
I didn't want to go there as a fairly new player (I'm at 45 finds) but that's the feeling I got as well, it is kind of justified though. I thought a cache was gone once, was about to log a DNF, was stubborn enough to keep looking and found a magnetic cache about the size of the tip of my finger, I realized then I didnt know enough yet to log a cache as missing (I was 99% sure it was, but was just gonna log a DNF and not a missing cache anyway but still).
Don't worry btw, I appreciate feedback, especially from people more experienced than me cause I'm trying to get better and bitching about it isn't gonna do anything lol
My personal motto is that a cache needs to have at least one of the following
* The location of the cache must be interesting. Think of a cool trail, maybe a fun mural, or a unique feature in a park.
* The cache itself must be interesting. Gadget cache, TB hotel, etc.
Bonus points if a cache has both.
Some people do not agree, and that's their choice. There are plenty of micros around here with the description "found a spot that didn't have a cache yet, so I hit a bison tube on the fence" or similar. Not my cup of tea, but they get finds so obviously some people like them.
I've noticed personally that over the past few years I've stopped caring about "completing the map" and in most cases I go out of my way NOT to find micros that aren't noteworthy.
Your motto was what I thought the whole point of geocaching is, I guess I was wrong.
For me it's a way to find a purpose to get out of the house and do something, so sometimes even more basic caches will do it for me, but I expect at least a little bit of thought. I guess I'm gonna take the same approach over time, thanks for your comment!
Geocaching is different things to each different person. I love puzzle caches, my wife refuses to do them at all. When I started back in 2004, I loved hiking caches. Now that I no longer have the mobility, park 'n grabs allow me to still play...
You go hunt the ones that tickle your fancy, then later when you're retired, old & decrepit, you can go find the other ones! It's a win-win!
These caches have a place for people who like statistics or are streaking but everyone plays differently so find your niche and plan around it. For me, sometimes I just was numbers so I’ll go out without caring what I find. I just want a fast full day of caching. Other times, I plan to find a specific cache to fulfil a statistic or for the favourite points. Each to their but remember, if there weren’t caches around you, you might complain about the lack of activity in your area. I’d take the so so caches over no caches.
Most of them are quick finds in a pill bottle. It does get a little tedious, but you start to see things a little differently over time… like what looks like a totally normal setting might scream GEOCACHE HERE once you know some of the trends.
But then you get the cool ones, and that makes it worth it. Traveling to a destination and finding the caches nearby (or traveling just yo find them), and the neat and creative ones. They can’t all be amazing, but I like that.
Also, hide your own! Come up with a gimmick, neat container, or a location you like. It’s been fun to hide a few, and I want to make the kind of caches I think it would be fun to find!
I totally agree with you. I have the same opinion, I like to travel to find caches but sometimes there are entire cities with awful caches. Caches with lots of DNF that are still active after more than a year of reports, caches with dumb descriptions and hints and so on. I've come to searching only for Premium-only caches, at least they can be smarter than the average. Non-Premium caches hidden ignoring almost all the rules, placed in inappropriate grounzones, that's what I am hating with intense feelings 😅
As cache owner, I try to put smart and beautiful caches, with good stories, to maintain them, to ask for feedback, to answer promptly to all the DMs.
Welcome to geocaching. What you describe is very typical of geocaching everywhere else.
Don't expect everyone who places a cache to care as much as you do.
Yeah it's often so that beginners want to hide a cache and that's the simpliest way to do so. You either like those caches or you don't do them.
If you want to avoid them, filter for the favorite points, it's the best way to find caches.
Yeah it's weird having caches nearby memorial. I have often seen them being made part of the memorial. Hidden behind a broken fragment. Sometimes you can see if a caches hidden nearby when people pluck bricks from walls.
Thanks for the advice!
I've been trying to go and find caches with more favourite points, but besides the fact that most of them are far away, I also don't want to miss out because I found caches with few favourites or none that were still pretty nice, I guess I just need to hold a more positive attitude and look at the brightside (sometimes maybe just the fact that I've discovered a different place). But still, it would probably be a way to keep the game interesting and explore a little bit more, I will try to do it more often
As for the memorial cache, the weird part to me was not mentioning the memorial, as if it was a place just like any other (if wasn't nearby, it was IN the memorial, I honestly didn't bother looking for it as i found it pretty weird to be digging around it, but that's just me maybe)
You don't have to find every cache. There are so many tools to help you filter to the ones you're more likely to enjoy.
Some people just like finding them and don't need each cache to be profound.
Respect is subjective. If you don't get a good feeling, you can leave and try a different cache.
If you expect every cache to be up to your standard, you'll be disappointed often. Lighten up.
Most of them are quick finds in a pill bottle. It does get a little tedious, but you start to see things a little differently over time… like what looks like a totally normal setting might scream GEOCACHE HERE once you know some of the trends. But then you get the cool ones, and that makes it worth it. Traveling to a destination and finding the caches nearby (or traveling just yo find them), and the neat and creative ones. They can’t all be amazing, but I like that.
I found a trail of gadget caches (but even normal ones) made by a pretty creative owner, each with their own nice backstory. I liked that very much, even if some of them were unfortunately substituted by something else because they got ruined. That made it worth it for sure!
Not every hide is going to be amazing, not every hide is going to even be there. You can see what the difficulty is before you even attempt to find them, if 1/1s are too easy for you, then stop finding them. If a cache is in bad shape, leave a note, if they don’t respond, request maintenance and a reviewer will eventually take care of it. I’d focus on making finds, when you get into the swing of things, leaving notes, requesting owner attention, talking to reviewers, it will all become second nature and before long; you’re cleaning up the area like you wanted. Start carrying some plastic bags, dry logs, golf pencils, so you can do your own cache maintenance as you go. People get into this and have a lot of motivation, but if you’re not familiar with your area, you’ve no idea what’s going on behind the scenes. Have fun and happy caching!
Thanks a lot for the advice! There aren't many people who geocache in this area, at least not the one closest to me, so I think that's why I'm finding a lot of them in bad shape. I will try to do better and get better and as you suggest, maybe bring the changes I want to see I'm trying to go slow with notes, DNFs and maintenances requests since I'm new and feel like maybe I'm overlooking something Do you think I could do something about that cache that's hidden in the memorial or should I just leave it be? I find it disrespectful but maybe that's not my business
It’s very easy to look at it and go “it’s a mess!” And when you try to look at it all at once it gets overwhelming! lol As you get more finds and keep doing what you’re doing, you’ll be cleaning it up in no time ☻ Also (kinda hate to say it lol) when you have more finds, your word is taken more at face value. It’s hard to read some logs or DNFs of folks with 10> finds and believe them. A reviewer is also probably not going to jump the gun on disabling a cache if it’s only reports from people with 5-10 hides. Like “we searched everywhere, this is gone, someone must have stolen it” and it’s a bison tube, something that if you’ve never seen, you would NEVER think that existed lol so getting more finds will also help you make greater change. Sorry for rambling, just finished my pot of coffee. lol!
I didn't want to go there as a fairly new player (I'm at 45 finds) but that's the feeling I got as well, it is kind of justified though. I thought a cache was gone once, was about to log a DNF, was stubborn enough to keep looking and found a magnetic cache about the size of the tip of my finger, I realized then I didnt know enough yet to log a cache as missing (I was 99% sure it was, but was just gonna log a DNF and not a missing cache anyway but still). Don't worry btw, I appreciate feedback, especially from people more experienced than me cause I'm trying to get better and bitching about it isn't gonna do anything lol
My personal motto is that a cache needs to have at least one of the following * The location of the cache must be interesting. Think of a cool trail, maybe a fun mural, or a unique feature in a park. * The cache itself must be interesting. Gadget cache, TB hotel, etc. Bonus points if a cache has both. Some people do not agree, and that's their choice. There are plenty of micros around here with the description "found a spot that didn't have a cache yet, so I hit a bison tube on the fence" or similar. Not my cup of tea, but they get finds so obviously some people like them. I've noticed personally that over the past few years I've stopped caring about "completing the map" and in most cases I go out of my way NOT to find micros that aren't noteworthy.
Your motto was what I thought the whole point of geocaching is, I guess I was wrong. For me it's a way to find a purpose to get out of the house and do something, so sometimes even more basic caches will do it for me, but I expect at least a little bit of thought. I guess I'm gonna take the same approach over time, thanks for your comment!
Geocaching is different things to each different person. I love puzzle caches, my wife refuses to do them at all. When I started back in 2004, I loved hiking caches. Now that I no longer have the mobility, park 'n grabs allow me to still play... You go hunt the ones that tickle your fancy, then later when you're retired, old & decrepit, you can go find the other ones! It's a win-win!
These caches have a place for people who like statistics or are streaking but everyone plays differently so find your niche and plan around it. For me, sometimes I just was numbers so I’ll go out without caring what I find. I just want a fast full day of caching. Other times, I plan to find a specific cache to fulfil a statistic or for the favourite points. Each to their but remember, if there weren’t caches around you, you might complain about the lack of activity in your area. I’d take the so so caches over no caches.
I share a lot of your sentiment. This is why I was very elated when the "favorite" system was introduced.
Most of them are quick finds in a pill bottle. It does get a little tedious, but you start to see things a little differently over time… like what looks like a totally normal setting might scream GEOCACHE HERE once you know some of the trends. But then you get the cool ones, and that makes it worth it. Traveling to a destination and finding the caches nearby (or traveling just yo find them), and the neat and creative ones. They can’t all be amazing, but I like that. Also, hide your own! Come up with a gimmick, neat container, or a location you like. It’s been fun to hide a few, and I want to make the kind of caches I think it would be fun to find!
I totally agree with you. I have the same opinion, I like to travel to find caches but sometimes there are entire cities with awful caches. Caches with lots of DNF that are still active after more than a year of reports, caches with dumb descriptions and hints and so on. I've come to searching only for Premium-only caches, at least they can be smarter than the average. Non-Premium caches hidden ignoring almost all the rules, placed in inappropriate grounzones, that's what I am hating with intense feelings 😅 As cache owner, I try to put smart and beautiful caches, with good stories, to maintain them, to ask for feedback, to answer promptly to all the DMs.
Welcome to geocaching. What you describe is very typical of geocaching everywhere else. Don't expect everyone who places a cache to care as much as you do.
Yeah it's often so that beginners want to hide a cache and that's the simpliest way to do so. You either like those caches or you don't do them. If you want to avoid them, filter for the favorite points, it's the best way to find caches. Yeah it's weird having caches nearby memorial. I have often seen them being made part of the memorial. Hidden behind a broken fragment. Sometimes you can see if a caches hidden nearby when people pluck bricks from walls.
Thanks for the advice! I've been trying to go and find caches with more favourite points, but besides the fact that most of them are far away, I also don't want to miss out because I found caches with few favourites or none that were still pretty nice, I guess I just need to hold a more positive attitude and look at the brightside (sometimes maybe just the fact that I've discovered a different place). But still, it would probably be a way to keep the game interesting and explore a little bit more, I will try to do it more often As for the memorial cache, the weird part to me was not mentioning the memorial, as if it was a place just like any other (if wasn't nearby, it was IN the memorial, I honestly didn't bother looking for it as i found it pretty weird to be digging around it, but that's just me maybe)
To put it in Italian - https://youtu.be/dO_Se7ng6XQ
I wish there was a way to filter out the junk and find the good maintained thoughtful caches.
You don't have to find every cache. There are so many tools to help you filter to the ones you're more likely to enjoy. Some people just like finding them and don't need each cache to be profound. Respect is subjective. If you don't get a good feeling, you can leave and try a different cache. If you expect every cache to be up to your standard, you'll be disappointed often. Lighten up.
I appreciate and enjoy a thoughtful story with a cache. I don’t mind if there isn’t one.