Comments on: Groundspeak Weekly Newsletter – March 28, 2012

By: Cheryldando

Cheryldando — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 00:12:00 +0000

I carry spare zip bags pens and paper in case logs are full,but I have come across a few cache containers that are beyond simple maintenance, soggy logs with all contents wet and smelly, when I have logged the find I see that several people have already put a maintenance log up on the cache site some going back several months ago, if the Co can’t maintain the cache it should not be the cacher’s responsibility. it is impossible to carry enough containers to have one similar to what the cache is. so yes to helping maintain but no to replacing.

By: Jeremy

Jeremy — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 16:45:00 +0000

True. You don’t have to be courteous if you don’t want to.

By: Roughasguts

Roughasguts — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 11:20:00 +0000

Agreed, I think a cache that is missing should only be replaced by the CO not the visiting cacher, if it can’t be found ether post it as a DNF or come back and try again.
Maintenance defenetly, clean it dry it, even replace container, and if the log is wet, replace it and put the old one in a zip lock bag and leave it in the cache if possible.
To me if you ” throw down ” another cache it’s the same as planting a new cache and needs to go through the same process as a new cache and located away from any other cache.

By: eusty

eusty — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 06:57:00 +0000

I kind of agree with you.

I will replace a log etc but anything else is the CO’s responsibility as mentioned in the guidelines.

There is a balance between helping out (which as a CO I appreciate) and just making CO’s lazy. If a cache doesn’t get maintained then it should end up archived…..

By: djbach

djbach — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 04:45:00 +0000

This happened to one of our own caches. We contacted the person who “replaced” the container and told him that we were deleting his log because the cache container was in fact right where it was supposed to be. We then contacted the cachers that found the “replaced” container and told them what happened. We honored all those logs because the cachers found it in good faith. We did encourage any of them that were in the area sometime to try to find the original if they could. And that did happen for one or two, but many of those cachers were from out of town and we didn’t expect them to come back again.

By: Hammerman

Hammerman — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 02:46:00 +0000

Hey Sean, nobody said it’s your responsibility. It’s called helping out. You don’t have to help, but if you do, hey, that’s cool and a thank you to ya. Attitude reflects a lot on personality. I’m very grateful to anyone that offers to replace a log for me if they have the opportunity, and likewise, if a log is full, or soaked, I’d much rather snag a log from my stash or even a piece of paper if I can to keep the cache in play and get rid of the old junk.�
If it comes to a busted cache and I have something to replace it with, I’m glad to help out a fellow cacher and keep that cache in the game for those that have yet to find it. I’m also a certified Geocaching counselor for BSA and I encourage all my students to take a bag with extra things in it to be helpful. Do a good turn daily.

By: Lhhowes

Lhhowes — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 01:02:00 +0000

It makes life interesting, but confusing to find mult. Cache containers at a coor.

By: Dalejosephb

Dalejosephb — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 19:59:00 +0000

The only time I’ve replaced a missing container is when the old one was clearly not there. Example description was ammo can at base of sign (listed as a regular). the sign was there bit the can was not nor was in in the nearby bushes. I replaced it with a small to keep the cache operating and posted a note on the cache page and sent a note to the CO. I replace lots of damaged baggies and add logs I only remove old logs if they are soaked and always offer to send the old to the CO (I never had one that wanted the log) I don’t replace missing pens or pencils as I think it’s the cachers responsibility to bring their own. From time to time I have replaced broken containers if I has something similar with me.

By: Bloodheart

Bloodheart — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 19:51:00 +0000

I’m a newbie cacher and I do maintenance; clean-out cache containers (mud, rust, spoiled swag), I replace logs or add additional log paper, add more swag (it’s poor locally, and I think it’s a nice thing to do…especially for the geo-kids), and re-tape if necessary. I’d not replace the cache containers simply because there’s too much variation in containers to carry enough to do the job, let alone the potential additional supplies if you’re going to account for camouflage.

As far as I’m concerned it’s players responsibility to help keep the game fun for others, and I hold out hope that my efforts will prompt others to do the same as it makes me sad that so few others seem to do any maintenance or keep swag as something people will want to find. I do wish cache owners would be more responsible, we can only do so much for them.

By: Kimmie6886

Kimmie6886 — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 19:50:00 +0000

I agree with you totally! If you can’t maintain your own caches, dont put them out or archive them!