ak-dsp
Bronze Cacher
Posts: 27
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Post by ak-dsp on Jan 11, 2009 17:03:21 GMT -9
Or me, an older guy who's lost his hair and needs a charge. (Notice: 'needs a charge' ... electricity ... on-topic.)
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Post by NorthWes on Jan 12, 2009 13:04:13 GMT -9
(I am an 'older guy' with grey hair who's used to being made to be in charge of stuff Relax. Soon you might be like me,an older guy with white hair who is no longer in charge. Ack! Between this remark and AKDSP's 'need a charge' remark, I'm getting just the right amount of laugh I needed after a tough Monday morning back at work. Too funny, you two... but so true, eh?
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stoweak
Bronze Cacher
Mr. & Mrs.
Posts: 90
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Post by stoweak on Jan 13, 2009 11:12:56 GMT -9
wow! I don't think I've ever spent so much time sitting here in front of the computer reading through posts on this forum and reading through a posting to a particularly thread so completely, including all the links to other gc.com threads. Perhaps it has to do with being in Anchorage, not able to get out Geocaching yet this trip, plus the dark and cold (although it has warmed up considerably, thank you very much!) this past week or so. I find the idea of hamstercaching disturbing! Any thought of deliberately leaving live animals, regardless of species, somewhere... my first find such as this would certainly put me off searching out any future cache hides that might have this possibility. I am once again thankful that I live where I do and I hope that it never becomes an issue here. What I really wanted to address was something on-topic (what was the topic??? Oh, yes...) I have found both Powerdown and Powerdown II, and both enjoyed and admired the hide. I even have a container ready to place in Valdez this Spring that is similar, but this thread has really got me thinking about the safety issue. When I was looking for Powerdown, I was alone. In my nervousness of walking about alone in the area, and excitement of finding the area without incident, I spotted a likely location and quickly started in dismantling it before I realised it was not the cache container (see my log entry: October 27, 2008 by StoweAK, GC19FC5). After reading so much of this thread, my concern is what message we might be inadvertently sending to our children. I am not thinking about my/our danger so much as the message that we might be promoting. Do we want our children to be around and exploring this type of equipment? I did something stupid, not thinking with my adult (no questions, please) brain, and could have possibly had a problem out there. I would not like to think that younger people without much life experience might do the same, not being schooled in the respect that I feel should be given to such locations/devices/equipment. I think that Geocaching is a great tool for teaching life experiences, but have concerns that certain hides might not be sending the message that we would like them to hear and live by.
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ak-dsp
Bronze Cacher
Posts: 27
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Post by ak-dsp on Jan 13, 2009 12:11:58 GMT -9
While we will probably go after the Powerdown caches, in general I don't think it is good practice to require the use of tools to open a cache, especially a hide near other enclosures, electrical or otherwise. I could envision getting caught in the act of taking the top off the wrong object, and being accused of vandalism, etc. Not to mention that it would be very disappointing to have hiked in someplace only to find you couldn't open a really cool cache without the proper tool. There are times when a cache has been pushed too far into its hiding place such that forceps or some other 'extractor' is needed, but to need a tool to dismantle it ... I think not.
Re: children and learning - I feel kids need to be taught common sense along with everything else. Part of that process knowing when an adult needs to be present (when they are younger), and to have learned from adults what is safe, and what constitutes true potential danger (when they are older).
IMHO there is probably an analogy to be had in the use of firearms. Very young children, or children and adults who have never been exposed to them, should not handle them at all. When a person is old enough to be responsible, they can be taught to handle firearms safely and use them with supervision. At some point, they will be old enough, will have learned enough, and can be trusted to use them safely and responsibly.
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Post by NorthWes on Jan 13, 2009 12:35:23 GMT -9
Oh no... don't tell me you read the entire hamstercaching thread linked to over on gc.com... with all its gruesome photos (zombie hamsters... who'd have known without geocachers to show us!) Of course, I've been accused of cruelty to animals for taking the photo below. Sheesh - cruelty - I know cachers who'd LIVE in an ammo can if they could just fit. Besides - I'd paid too much for this bit of swag to leave her behind for some other (probably less caring) cacher to find. And it was taken on Father's Day - so in my one benevolent act as Father for that year, I allowed this pup to join my 'pack'. AeroAK begins her geocaching career... Day 1' s Lesson: The Ammo Can is your friendI still think ammo cans are the best green boxes there are to use in play! Now - back on-topic: Thanks for your contribution to this discussion!
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Post by NorthWes on Jan 13, 2009 12:36:49 GMT -9
While we will probably go after the Powerdown caches, in general I don't think it is good practice to require the use of tools to open a cache, especially a hide near other enclosures, electrical or otherwise. I could envision getting caught in the act of taking the top off the wrong object, and being accused of vandalism, etc. Not to mention that it would be very disappointing to have hiked in someplace only to find you couldn't open a really cool cache without the proper tool. There are times when a cache has been pushed too far into its hiding place such that forceps or some other 'extractor' is needed, but to need a tool to dismantle it ... I think not. Re: children and learning - I feel kids need to be taught common sense along with everything else. Part of that process knowing when an adult needs to be present (when they are younger), and to have learned from adults what is safe, and what constitutes true potential danger (when they are older). IMHO there is probably an analogy to be had in the use of firearms. Very young children, or children and adults who have never been exposed to them, should not handle them at all. When a person is old enough to be responsible, they can be taught to handle firearms safely and use them with supervision. At some point, they will be old enough, will have learned enough, and can be trusted to use them safely and responsibly. I agree whole-heartedly. Good comparison.
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stoweak
Bronze Cacher
Mr. & Mrs.
Posts: 90
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Post by stoweak on Jan 14, 2009 21:35:33 GMT -9
While we will probably go after the Powerdown caches, in general I don't think it is good practice to require the use of tools to open a cache, especially a hide near other enclosures, electrical or otherwise. I could envision getting caught in the act of taking the top off the wrong object, and being accused of vandalism, etc. didn't get caught, but did just that! Not to mention that it would be very disappointing to have hiked in someplace only to find you couldn't open a really cool cache without the proper tool. yep, did that too. Thought I knew the TOTT to bring Re: children and learning - I feel kids need to be taught common sense along with everything else. YES !!! IMHO there is probably an analogy to be had in the use of firearms. Very young children, or children and adults who have never been exposed to them, should not handle them at all. When a person is old enough to be responsible, they can be taught to handle firearms safely and use them with supervision. At some point, they will be old enough, will have learned enough, and can be trusted to use them safely and responsibly. we agree!
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stoweak
Bronze Cacher
Mr. & Mrs.
Posts: 90
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Post by stoweak on Jan 14, 2009 21:39:23 GMT -9
NW - I love that photo! and yes, the posts weren't good, kinda like a horror movie - you cover your face, but peek through your fingers 'cause you can't seem to look away. LBK helped straighten me out on some of the other gc.com posts. whew! p.s. I remember another great photo that you posted on a cache site that showed AeroAK flying, paws not touching the ground!
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ak-dsp
Bronze Cacher
Posts: 27
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Post by ak-dsp on Jan 14, 2009 21:45:49 GMT -9
We are planning to make a visit to Valdez this summer to do some caching. How are the opportunities? (all sizes, including LPCs) Note: To keep this on-topic, here is a helpful hint that was passed on to me by a retired lineman at about age 12: When approaching an object you suspect might be electrified, touch it first with the back of your hand. As the current will cause the muscles to contract, your arm will be pulled away from the object. Many people who have received severe electric shocks do so because the object (e.g. an electrified fence) is grasped with the fingers. The current causes the muscles in the fingers to contract, and the person is unable to let go. I have never been in a situation where this hint ever saved me from a shock, but I have used it on occasion when I thought it might be warranted.
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stoweak
Bronze Cacher
Mr. & Mrs.
Posts: 90
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Post by stoweak on Jan 14, 2009 22:19:54 GMT -9
there are close to 100 caches hidden there and many along the highways getting to Valdez. In Valdez, there are a few that are out on islands in the water-you need a boat, but most are in and about town and you just need your legs. I am hoping to be able to put together an event for Valdez this year, possibly over the July 4th holiday. and there are all sizes and containers.
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Post by arcticbutterfly "Akbfly" on Feb 2, 2009 4:13:06 GMT -9
Being the urban cacher I am, I will make sure that none of my caches are on any electrcal devices or such. However, If there is a conduit box conected to a tree in the middle of the woods, I see no reason for something like that to be inactivated.
I agree with omgrew with the wow factor of what this thread had turned into. I think that this is and was a very good learning experience for all of us and should be taken just as so. In turn, thank you for the information and it will be used wisely by myself and children.
arcticbutterfly - akbfly ;D
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