|
Post by jenandjay on Dec 13, 2007 20:38:58 GMT -9
We've noticed that as parks and reasonable cache hiding places get used up in Anchorage and the Valley, caches are now being hid in dubious places. Police and security are having run-ins with cachers because of these locations. After a recent dogwalk in Conner's Park, we located no less than 7 caches along a trail of only about a half mile! While it does show how eager and enthusiatic Alaskan cachers are, we think it diminishes the game/sport. Vacationing outside, we've found fewer caches in geographic areas, but these caches are mostly well thought out and never uses a cachers name in the title. Has anybody else noticed just how many caches are squeezed in here? Front yards, public buildings and other places are becoming more common. I miss a well placed ammo box that has been well looked after in a meaningful and common area without having to play James Bond to get at it. Needed to vent. Thanks
|
|
FLYRFN
Silver Cacher
Posts: 180
|
Post by FLYRFN on Dec 13, 2007 22:05:50 GMT -9
It's a sign that the sport is growing! If you cache in the lower 48 some places have a cache every .10 mile apart, all you have to do is drive to the next department store and lift a skirt.
|
|
|
Post by oleruns on Dec 14, 2007 13:47:34 GMT -9
Sorry, I am guilty of most of those things but the light pole skirts and front yards. Try: Aliens abducted Malcore’s Ducky and see if you like that cache, I have the most effort in that one and I think you'll like it. I name caches for cachers because it's my way of saying thanks for what they bring to the caching game. See you on the trails - Ole
|
|
|
Post by ladybugkids on Dec 15, 2007 0:02:12 GMT -9
I'm glad someone opened a thread on this topic. This thread has the potential to be through provoking and spur some lively discussion. Let's not get too lively, though, and hurt people's feelings. I'll bite and wax philosophically and rhetorically... First, I don't think Anchorage and the Valley are lacking for uncached areas. There are entire sections of the Hillside and Chugach front range that are wide open and would make very good to exceptional cache locations. Interestingly, caches I've placed in similar areas languish while caches in town get hit routinely. That tells me the majority of cachers prefer a more urban experience. Will that discourage me from continuing to hide caches where I do? To a certain extent, yes, because it's discouraging to expend a lot of effort to put together a cache with decent swag and an informative cache page just to have it hang out in the woods or on a ridge with infrequent visits. I'll keep hiding, but not at the rate I could. One of the answers in the geocaching.com frequently asked questions section is, "The location of a cache can be very entertaining indeed. As many say, location, location, location! The location of a cache demonstrates the founder's skill and possibly even daring. A cache located on the side of a rocky cliff accessible only by rock climbing equipment may be hard to find. An underwater cache may only be accessed by scuba. Other caches may require long difficult hiking, orienteering, and special equipment to get to. Caches may be located in cities both above and below ground, inside and outside buildings. The skillful placement of a small logbook in an urban environment may be quite challenging to find even with the accuracy of a gps." Because cachers have made the effort to make thoughtful hides, geocaching has taken my family and me to places we never would have otherwise known about. It has introduced me to people who have become friends. Geocaching also introduced me to geocoins which led to learning how to do artistic design, build a web sales page, and distribute geobling worldwide. But, getting back to the gc.com website emphasis on location...most of the caches I place are in locations most other cachers don't know about, but that I'd be proud to show off to local cachers, visiting cachers, or visiting relatives. Even though I could place at least fifty more caches in Kincaid Park without proximity issues, I won't unless I find a truly unique feature of the park I want to share with other folks because there are already over sixty caches there. Just because Kincaid could support over 100 caches, should it? Are there that many cool and unique locations there? How much is enough? Just because a cacher can place a cache somewhere, should they? Similar questions can be asked about areas of the Anchorage bowl with a high cache density. It's not always evident to me why a cacher chose a location for a cache placement. The hider could help me out by telling something about the location (one reason I really like Earthcaches)...there's a cool birch or spruce tree burl, there's a wonderful view, there's a nearby eagles' nest, you fell off you bike here, you used to walk through an area when you were courting your significant other, you like to walk you dog here, your high school running or skiing team would train here, the area has a nice interpretive nature trail, it's a pocket park not many people know about, it's next to a gurgling stream where one can meditate, etc. That kind of information is rarely provided on a cache page, so I tend to hunt all caches and sometimes think "huh?" when I reach a location and other times I think "cool!" when pleasantly surprised to discover a hidden gem of a location. I also really like placements that took a lot of thought whether it be a tricky puzzle, clever camo, or a fun placement like many of the night caches. I contrast those kinds of caches with caches that take a long time to find because they are tiny, hidden in a fairly nondescript place with dozens or more possible hide locations, and/or with coordinates outside the normal disagreement between a Garmin and a Maggie. With respect to caches using cachers' names...I think they are a lot of fun. They are placed in good humor and recognize some of the more colorful characters in the caching community. One of the high points of my time in caching was when Oleruns hid "LBK Lost Something." That cache provided me with a real lift because I really had lost something and wasn't having a lot of fun as a result. We have a closeknit caching community in Alaska that knows how to have fun together and these caches are part of the fun. Ultimately, caching is different for everyone and what makes a good caching experience for one person is not the same as what makes a good caching experience for another. That's one of the beauties of the activity and why it has such widespread appeal. There are no right or wrong answers. That's why I didn't name caches I enjoyed or didn't enjoy in this post. One can get an idea of the caches I've enjoyed most from my bookmark lists and my longer logs that feature lots of photos as well as the locations where I hide caches. Everyone has thoughts and opinions on the subject...please share them here.
|
|
|
Post by omgcrew on Dec 15, 2007 13:25:31 GMT -9
Well ... delete...
Caching is a game played differntly by everyone.
I sure hope this thread doesn't stop people from placing caches. Cache on.
|
|
powmia
Silver Cacher
Caches Found/Hidden xxxx/x
Posts: 208
|
Post by powmia on Dec 15, 2007 15:47:53 GMT -9
I don't believe it is the quantity of caches placed at one place or through out the areas, rather, it is the frequency or rate that caches are placed. Possibly decrease the time between placing caches, so that "burn out"...getting tired of caching....does not occur.
|
|
FLYRFN
Silver Cacher
Posts: 180
|
Post by FLYRFN on Dec 15, 2007 16:47:28 GMT -9
I don't believe it is the quantity of caches placed at one place or through out the areas, rather, it is the frequency or rate that caches are placed. Possibly decrease the time between placing caches, so that "burn out"...getting tired of caching....does not occur. Just because a cache is published doesn't mean you have to run right out and find it, does it?
|
|
|
Post by ladybugkids on Dec 15, 2007 18:54:58 GMT -9
I sure hope this thread doesn't stop people from placing caches. Cache on. I certainly hope local cachers keep hiding caches, too.
|
|
|
Post by ladybugkids on Dec 15, 2007 18:58:51 GMT -9
Just because a cache is published doesn't mean you have to run right out and find it, does it? I don't think the majority of cachers cache that way. Unless a cache is on my way to/from somewhere I'm already going, I rarely go out of my way to chase a single cache. It'd be fun to be in the chase for FTFs more often, but that would come at a cost to time with kids, dogs, home, and work. Rather, I usually wait for a cluster of caches to appear in an area and go after several at a time.
|
|
AKEMT
Bronze Cacher
Posts: 22
|
Post by AKEMT on Dec 15, 2007 22:11:14 GMT -9
I am constantly finding parts of Anchorage that make me think "that would be a great place for a cache" and sometimes I even put one in. I like the great mix of new caches and like that I can take a short trip or a long hike, enjoy what I see and bag a cache also. If I get tired of caching, or to busy I just stop tell I have time and then go after more. I have lived here for 35+ years and a lot of it has had me driving Anchorage, but caches have taken me to parts of it that I did not know were there. And I think it will take a long time to overload Anchorage, and the cachers here might put in generic caches (I know some of mine are that way) but others have put in some of the neatest caches and I am sure there will be lots more to entertain us. Cache On!
|
|
|
Post by FrostG1anT on Dec 16, 2007 9:15:51 GMT -9
I cache mostly when I have the time (although sometimes the urge to chase the FTF will emerge and I will run out and try to beat the almighty FTF hunters to the prize). I personally enjoy every aspect of the game I have seen so far. I like easy traditional cache, skirt lifters are even fun sometimes (some have taken me into parts of town I wouldn't normally go). I really enjoy a challenging hide. I really enjoy the ridge caches as they give me more mountains to climb and I do thoroughly love a good hill. I myself am a big fan of puzzles and so I find puzzle caches to be some of the most enjoyable. I like ammo cans (there should be more of these in the woods as they hold up the best and require the least maintenance for the owner and unless the challenge is supposed to be difficult after the hike the ammo can is ideal for wilderness locations. I like smalls, and micros and nanos, a particularly well placed nano can be supreme fun. I am guilty of placing some of these and they are a frustration point to some, but people keep chasing them so I can only assume that deep down they are really something that people enjoy finding as after they are found many have told me how they enjoyed them even though it was nasty evil, but it is all in fun. I enjoy earth caches as they allow you to get out and learn something and can be placed in areas where a container cannot go. Everyone plays this game differently and that is something I think is pretty cool. There are over 46,000 people playing this game globally and even though we are spread across the globe we are united in a similar passion. It is incredibly exciting to see new Cachers discover the game and find something for the first time. The joy and excitement they beam with is one of the things caching is all about. Whether I hide something or find something I find enjoyment in it.
This game has taken me places I would otherwise never have gone and allowed me to revisit places I have not thought about since my youth. I am always amazed at when I go out and step off a trail, even 10' and discover something magical that I have passed by without taking notice of for my entire life. I often wonder "how did they find that, how did they know that was here?" I am thankful of the other Cachers who take me on these journeys of discovery and allow me to witness, experience things that if it weren't for caching I would never have the opportunity to see. I have gone places, done things, and seen things I would never have done without this game.
It will be a long time before Anchorage is out of space for caches. I have cached in the States and can truly say that I enjoy caching Alaska the best. In the States there are so many caches that are not maintained, or poorly placed. There are several that are located in the owners yards, and unless the cache page gives detailed directions to where and what the cache is hidden in someone's yard in a residential neighborhood I will probably drive right on by. But that being said, my wife and I got the opportunity to meet a cache owner in Utah and have a 3 hour chat with him. It was one of my favorite caching experiences and we made a friend that day because we ventured into his yard after his cache.
No matter how you play the game there is something for all of us in this sport and I for one will be playing this game for a long time to come. I often refer to it as hiking with a purpose. I now use the parks in Anchorage when before the game disc golf and hiking Flattop were the only times I ever used the parks in town. Now I am in the parks three to five times a week. That's my two cents worth, thanks for listening. Cache On!
|
|
|
Post by NorthWes on Dec 19, 2007 13:03:35 GMT -9
We've noticed that as parks and reasonable cache hiding places get used up in Anchorage and the Valley, caches are now being hid in dubious places. ... I miss a well placed ammo box that has been well looked after in a meaningful and common area without having to play James Bond to get at it. Needed to vent. Thanks (quote edited to summarize by NorthWes...) Gosh I'm glad you two opened this thread! This topic is the subject of much angst in the national forums, boiling down to a few fiercely-defended points of view (my summaries follow - these are my impressions only and aren't meant or implied to mean they represent anyone else's point of view, including those of the OP folks). I'm listing them here to help sharpen this discussion (and by the way - these aren't MY views!): A) Geocaching has run far from its original roots (of primarily rural-based full-size [read 'ammocan'] type caches) and needs to refocus on the 'traditional' cache; B) Geocaching is an evolving game with lots of room for innovation - so the various forms of puzzle caches / fiendish micros / "James Bond" public challenges are all acceptable variations from the 'traditional cache'; C) Geocaching has allowed a virulent form of caching to grow unchecked - the 'microspew' of microcaches 'placed' willy-nilly, as if they'd been thrown from a car window in passing without regard to the aesthetic 'value' of the placement (as examples, the lightpole skirt cache, the filmcan in the weeds cache, the nanomagnetic stuck to a traffic sign cache...); D) Geocaching.com's placement rules are too strict and inhibit the possibility of even more fun playing the game. I'm of the opinion a good cache placement does one or more of several things - it either highlights a favorite location the cache owner wants to share (from my placements - traditional caches such as 'Serenity View' or 'Three Forks of the Montana'), highlights a place a visiting cacher on a travelers' itinerary might want to stop and enjoy (my placements along the Seward Highway - ammocans & decons alike, or the 'Lake Hood Walking Path', or the 'MicroShip' caches along Ship Creek), highlights a creative urban placement that lets you experience the 'secret agent' dead drop in a very public location, or challenges the cacher to solve a puzzle that makes the hunter do more than follow the 'arrow' to the hide (and let it be said, I'm in no way good at puzzles...). Like Ladybug Kids, I either say 'wow!' when I finally find a creative hide or stunning location or say 'why did I spend time on this?' when I find a less well-thought out placement. Frankly, my personal preference for cache containers is the ammocan - well stocked, dry, with a satisfying sound when it's opened - large enough for a TB, small enough to hide. I prefer more 'wildland' style park placements (but still haven't done the hillside caches Ladybug Kids mentions) but vigorously chase the microplacements around town as time allows. A recent experience of mine in the Las Vegas area illustrates the OP's comments very well - as a visitor to Vegas, I wanted caches that fit my definition of 'quality' (the ammocan... hidden in a place of stunning beauty... or at worst a cache that had easy access, was 'clean' as an object, and didn't subject me to police scrutiny). I targeted and found quite a few of those 'quality' caches. I also encountered a slew of hides that were nothing more than a wadded-up logbook in an often-broken small container (altoids tin or keykeeper) 'tossed' at the foot of a signpost or bush along the road - I'd found them, so I signed 'em, but they're not being entered into my 'memory hall of fame' that keeps me caching. Incidentally, there was a strong cross-correlation between the quality of the hide and its distance from where you could reasonably drive the average family vehicle. If it was a drive-up, it had about an 80% chance of being a 'lame' cache hide. If the hide required me to walk over twenty yards from the vehicle, its chance of being a 'quality' hide went up exponentially. Anchorage seems to follow this trend, although our rate of 'lameness' is much lower and our caches seem to be better maintained. I believe there's a bit more creativity here than I've seen in the places I've cached outside, as a whole. As far as density goes, I have no problem with dense placement areas IF they ascribe to my preferences for quality cache placements. Geocaching.com sort of frowns on building 'power caching trails' where a string of caches are placed for the sole purpose of allowing a cacher to grab (for example) ten caches in a one mile traverse of a bike path. I've cached on Power Trails... they can be mind-numbing in their 'sameness' or their lack of creativity, just as caching down a route which offers only lame/broken caches produces yawns and dissatisfaction. However, when an area has a string of creative and unique placements along a hiking trail, there's a real joy in the experience. I did a 5-cache hike over a two-mile stretch in Red Rock Canyon west of Vegas (including an old cache dating from 1/1/2002 - GC123) which delighted me at every turn and every find. As FrostG1ant commented, there's plenty of room for folks anywhere along the spectrum of caches offered (in terms of size and density of placement). I'm fond of saying the best caches are more about the journey and less about the find - I think we do a disservice to fellow cachers and the game as a whole when we don't consider the cache placement as just one element in the caching journey, and don't strive to make our placements challenging or rewarding or educational (Yes - I'm a major fan of earthcaches - I've earned my Platinum Earthcachemaster Pin, and have to say that fully 90% of the earthcaches I've done are terrific in their 'wow' factor in terms of what I've learned or experienced). It would be a shame to see more and more cachers venting frustration with less-than-best hides as the OP folks are doing here (with full reason to vent!). Of course, the quick stop'n'grab caches do appeal to us when the weather's inclement or we're building numbers towards a milestone... and I play the game that way too from time to time! In summation, I have to say I agree in principle and detail with much of what the OP have said about cache quality. As cache placements are considered, perhaps what the placer needs to ask themselves is something like "Would this be a place I'd be proud showing off to an Alaskan Visitor?" or "Would this be a place where I'd have no problem explaining to a police officer what's going on here?"... and of course, "Am I following geocaching.com placement guidelines?". We're fortunate with our extensive city park and trail system in having great places where we're allowed to place caches. The Anchorage Convention and Visitors Bureau had no problem touting geocaching (meaning our geocacher's cache placements!) as a destination activity for visitors; as cache placers we need to ask ourselves 'does this placement reflect well on the game and on our town?' Thanks for the opportunity to talk up quality in cache placements!
|
|
|
Post by jenandjay on Dec 20, 2007 17:37:45 GMT -9
Thanks for all the views. I hope we weren't being to pessimistic. There are great caches here in Southcentral AK. One of our favs was "Save the Cheerleader, Save the World". We are not die-hard geocachers...only 200 finds and about 5 hides...I guess we're traditionalists as NorthWes pointed out. We love finding your hides and we should show up at the event caches that you hold regularly. You are all great people and we love reading your logs for caches we hope to hit. As you say: Cache On!
|
|
|
Post by blazingpathways on Jan 5, 2008 19:43:44 GMT -9
I started geocaching in late April and it took me several months to understand what geocaching would become for me. It has become a place I find community, a way to get me out and explore and exercise (I just don't do the treadmill thing well), something that I can do with my partner, something that allows me to set goals for myself and feel accomplishment when I attain them, and a way to learn about the world I live in. It has been amazing to see how little I knew about Anchorage after 3 years and how much I'd gotten into the ruts of certain commutes. In the 4th year, with geocaching as an aid, I've found trails, parks, businesses, learned an amazing amount through working puzzles, have gotten into better physical shape, and found an outlet for my creativity when making travel bugs.
There were only two occasions where I felt disappointed in a cache and both times were times when I was trying to meet a goal of so many caches in a day and I was pushing too hard. Once, there were two light pole skirt caches in close proximity. If I were to go to those caches again, I am sure I would feel different if it were daytime, not raining, and maximum stealth and creativity were required. The second time was when I found a cache too easily, because I was in the mood for testing my abilities and I tackled a 1/1 - which would have been a true gift when I was starting out, when I needed to make numbers, or when I just wanted to cache in a certain area.
I have been amazed at how well the caches are maintained in this area; how willing cachers are to help each other with maintenance and adoption; and how quickly problems are resolved.
The issue of placement and safety, though, is an important one. I really like when someone puts in the cache description when stealth is required. The one time I had a "run in" with the police while seeking a cache was due to my own "stupidity" and being a newbie of sorts. I was looking for a magnetic micro on a busy corner, in daylight. That was my first mistake. My second mistake was in not taking along someone else to provide cover. My third mistake was in not noticing that the police station was located on the opposite corner. The fourth contributing issue - not mistake - was taking on a hide that proved to be above my ability. And the fifth issue, was being so geocache-involved that I forgot the world was going on around me and that someone else might see my actions in a different light. Luckily when asked by the police officer what I was doing, my reaching in and taking out my GPS didn't cause alarm!
I especially like the variety in cache experiences and not knowing what will be there until the find is in hand. Sometimes I like the hunt for the FTF - where my only hope appears to be in the urban setting. It is fun to do long days of caching and to do quick jaunts before or after work.
I an enamored with TB's and love caches that are large enough to hold them. I'd definitely like to see more of these. I also prefer not to have to be stealthy. I am not very good at stealth (must have been a not too good spy in a past life) - I need my geo buddy or the cover of darkness for that.
I love micros and nanos and the frustration they give and the sweet success (sometimes).
I love how this sport/game gives me the opportunity to expand my thinking. My first find of a hide in a fake rock was after find 300 - I never would have thought it!
When I was with family and friends in Missoula, I showed off the number of caches in Anchorage with a sense of pride.
What I wish was different: I wish challenge caches were still allowed. I'd created the 12 days of Christmas as a challenge cache and had outlined it as doing 12 caches of your choice and then having the 13th cache be the final. I'd patterned it after a Washington cache I was doing and I hadn't read all the placement rules carefully enough. What a downer when the cache wasn't posted and I had to go about recreating it. I've also really enjoyed some of the virtual caches and webcams and miss those opportunities. In these cases, I could see where they could get out of hand, but it would be nice to have the option.
Thanks for opening this discussion.
|
|
Broccili
Bronze Cacher
Vehicle TB212QR "Powerstroke"
Posts: 67
|
Post by Broccili on Apr 16, 2008 13:44:01 GMT -9
Newbie here. High density caches. One mile stretch... 8-10 caches... seems like the perfect training ground for a rookie to learn how to use the GPS... After that... only a chance to pad the stats?
With that in mind... my youngin and I are a bit ROOKI-fied... need to do mass caches - oh and pad our numbers (grin). Highest density of caches in Anchor-town is....
|
|
|
Post by ladybugkids on Apr 16, 2008 18:21:21 GMT -9
In urban Anchorage, I think the easier question to answer is where are there not ten caches in a one-mile stretch... Ruth Arcand, Kincaid, and Far North Bicentennial Park off either Campbell Airstrip Road or Elmore Road offer opportunities for the new cacher to rack up twenty or more finds in an evening. Alternatively, one could cruise town snagging park and grabs for as long as one can stand it. I suspect a persistent cacher could run up close to 100 finds in a day of caching around town, especially with 'round the clock daylight coming up.
|
|
|
Post by oleruns on Apr 16, 2008 19:41:29 GMT -9
Notice the group of to find caches - Nice group LBK, you'll have a 20 cache night soon!
|
|
|
Post by akteamroper on Apr 22, 2008 20:55:40 GMT -9
As for the valley caches this area is untapped and tons of areas to hide quality caches. Look forward to more adventures LBK might take myself and akdogmom on. As long as it doesnt involve a wrecker and the constant harrasment i have gotten from my oops. Jen and jays caches i have done so far have been well thought out. As for naming caches after fellow cachers im with ole its sort of a way of showing respect and kudos to a fellow cacher.
|
|
|
Post by akglassfuser on May 1, 2008 21:47:03 GMT -9
I'm just hoping that it warms up and the price of gas goes down so that someday someone will find my placed caches in Hope and SnowRiver. :-)...I figured those were untapped and then it turns out its too far to drive to I think since nobody has attempted them yet and they've been there a month. Do you think maybe the tourists will be the FTF?
|
|
|
Post by omgcrew on May 2, 2008 6:01:16 GMT -9
I have a feeling the one in Seward will be found today.
|
|
|
Post by ladybugkids on May 2, 2008 6:35:30 GMT -9
Do you think maybe the tourists will be the FTF? As alluded to by OMCrew, I suspect a member the Caines Head Event crew will snag the FTF on the Snow River cache. Don't be discouraged...you placed caches in two very nice places and they will get visited by tourists and Alaskans, alike. You clearly had Briansnat's1 philosophy in mind when you placed the caches: " When you go to hide a cache, think of the reason you are bringing people to that spot. If the only reason is for the cache, then find a better spot." I'm holding out until more snow melts so I can hunt up the caches placed higher up in the mountains around Hope and along 6 Mile River. I look forward to hunting those caches later this summer. They will be refreshing to hunt, especially after the past two nights of my Anchorage efforts which featured a dead cat, human feces, lots of garbage melting out of the snow, drunken muggles and a jacket torn by barbed wire. Cache on!!! 1Briansnat was named the 2007 US Geocacher of the Year. He is known throughout the northeastern US for his quality cache hides in the New Jersey highlands and other nonurban locations. I've hunted some of his caches and they always feature a view, a lake, a running stream, a good fishing hole, or other local feature I would have missed if it handn't been for the cache.
|
|
|
Post by ladybugkids on May 2, 2008 6:40:48 GMT -9
Ruth Arcand, Kincaid, and Far North Bicentennial Park off either Campbell Airstrip Road or Elmore Road offer opportunities for the new cacher to rack up twenty or more finds in an evening. I suspect a persistent cacher could run up close to 100 finds in a day of caching around town, especially with 'round the clock daylight coming up. PioneerWoman and TundraQuad from Fairbanks found twenty-six caches on Wednesday night in four to five hours of effort, starting at Ship Creek and then moving on to the north and west sides of Far North Bicentennial Park, verifying the first statement and confirming the second is definitely possible.
|
|
|
Post by omgcrew on May 2, 2008 9:49:33 GMT -9
I have a feeling the FTF has already been grabbed and the person is waiting for others to log it.
|
|
|
Post by akglassfuser on May 2, 2008 21:37:26 GMT -9
I have a feeling the FTF has already been grabbed and the person is waiting for others to log it. Being pretty new to caching...why do this? Thanks for the positive encouragement everyone.
|
|
|
Post by ladybugkids on May 3, 2008 0:16:39 GMT -9
I have a feeling the FTF has already been grabbed and the person is waiting for others to log it. Being pretty new to caching...why do this? Some caches get pleasure from keeping the FTF race alive even when it's over. You can read FTF Debate thread over in the geocaching.com forums and form your own opinion of the practice.
|
|
|
Post by FrostG1anT on May 4, 2008 0:31:01 GMT -9
I have a feeling the one in Seward will be found today. Sadly it was not. After much looking by five of us with a gz that centered in an area with many many possible hiding places we spread out to approx. 400' and came up with nothing. The owner of the Hostel drove over to question what we were doing and why we were on his property, we explained as we thought permission was given to place this here. He let us be, but was not real happy with us being on his land, even though the cache is not. We spent about an hour looking before giving up. This one may be gone as someone has been cutting trees in the area, even though it is in a reserve. Good luck to whoever can find it, it is either missing or one of the best hides I have seen to date. Cache On!
|
|
|
Post by akglassfuser on May 4, 2008 20:25:51 GMT -9
That's a shame. I did get permission from the hostel owner,....I'm sorry the manager who works a week on week off was not inviting. I will talk with the hostel owner and re-confirm the permission. Sorry for the unhostel like welcome.
|
|
|
Post by akglassfuser on May 5, 2008 23:24:57 GMT -9
Well I'm relieved that the SnowRiver Hostel cache was found yesterday...and it sounds like the hostel manager was a little more welcoming this time to the cacher. I was about to deactivate it. I will contact the hostel owner again to see if she's had any recent communication with her employee (the manager) The cacher who found it posted their coordinates. Mine were bouncing all over which was why I put it as more difficult. I think the trees and the mountains don't help much.
|
|
|
Post by akglassfuser on May 7, 2008 12:17:58 GMT -9
I'm wondering if I should post a more helpful hint since 2 groups have driven that far and came up empty handed. I'd posted it more difficult than it is because my GPS was all over the place with the trees and mountainside. It does sound like the hostel manager has become more used to the idea and is warming up to visitors. (Hostel managers should always be warm to visitors...but I understand caution as well) Any suggestions? Sorry to be a nuisance as a newcomer. This is probably why Frostg1ant said "find 50 before hiding one".
|
|
bilder
Bronze Cacher
Posts: 18
|
Post by bilder on Jun 1, 2008 19:56:48 GMT -9
As someone who has been out of caching action for a couple of years I have been surprised with the number of caches in the area. When I first started caching, there were under 400 caches in town with a pretty even split between regular sized and micro. Even then, micro's were usually the 35mm canister or altoids tin. Seems that ultra small containers are all the rage these days.
This has also been noticed by my kids. While I enjoy a well hidden micro, they usually hate them since there is no "loot" to trade. I am sure this is true with most kids. For the young ones- large caches rule.
I have long held the opinion that if you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem. Therefore, I swear that I will work hard to come up with hides that are evil, twisted, and cruel and yet make use of full size containers. I will still toss in a micro or two just to mess with your heads though. Not going to let you all off that easy.
|
|