Logging at the Cache:

The real reason for logging at the cache is to provide some level of proof that the cacher actually found the cache.   As a minimal requirement it lists the date and geocacher name.   A tfth is quite appropriate.   The date is required to cross-check with the posted log.   Is any more required?   In my opinion, that is all that is required.   I have had the opportunity of picking up a number of logs when the log book fills up or when the cache is archived and the logs don’t make for exciting reading.    An occasional comment is interesting, but really, who reads them?   The one exception to the rule is for a cache at the end of a long hike.   Hikers sometimes like to site and read the logbook as they have lunch and rest.   This is similar to a logbook at the top of a mountain.

Logging Online:

For  many people, logging online is just a way to get a smiley.   What they sometimes forget is that the entry becomes part of the “living history”  of that cache.   Many cachers read through the listings to get a sense of the cache, to get more information about it, to get a sense of what other cachers experienced, to prepare for the find, to look back to remember details, and to be part of the culture of that particular area/cache/hide.   Cachers are therefore obligated to contribute to the cache listing by saying something interesting, by saying something positive, and by building the “culture” of that cache.   This is not always easy.   If you have found a lot of caches that day, it is hard to be original.  If the cache is not very interesting, then it is hard to find things to say.   But we need to try.   TNLN TFTH  does not meet these expectations!

Let’s use a principle.   If the cache has taken a lot of work or time, if it is clever, if it is interesting, if it is unique, or if it has taken you to a special spot, take the time to show your appreciation by doing some creative writing online.   Be grateful and positive.   Say something interesting or tell a short story about the adventure.   Contribute back with a good log!

Please join us in Salmon Arm, BC on Saturday, July 16th 2011

Link to the website.

Mark your calendars!

The KPNieders thought they would be the ones to add this to their FTF list on August 28th.  After looking in cold wind with fresh snow on the ground they bounced back down the mountain over a road that looks like it used to be a creek bed.

Not a pair to give up!  On Aug 29th they invited me to come with to attempt the mountain again.  The road near the top is no where near level as we bounced up, over, around, and down.  I personally think the bears threw all the rocks from their path onto the road.

Having been forewarned, I had my mittens, toque, and warm clothes ready for the top.  I can only imagine what the view would be like if it hadn’t been windy, snowy, and cloudy.  The other mountain tops peeked through the clouds now and then.  First I went into the lookout to sign their guest book which KP had done the day before.

Now to start looking.  With an additional hint from the cache owner, we started to hunt for the elusive cache.  We were looking all over the rock piles and in the bushes.  It paid off!  KN found the cache!!  We were First To Find!  We believe that one number in the original coords is wrong.

Now imagine our surprise as we were getting ready to put the cache back to have another vehicle show up.  Glad they got out of the jeep without gps’ because we had just made it very easy for them to find the cache if they were cachers.

We went up to speak to them (can’t be rude when you are the only 5 people on top of a mountain).  They had randomly chosen that road to drive up and were throwing snowballs over the slope (gave me an idea).  The 2 guys were nice enough to take our picture.

With all the snow on the ground, couldn’t miss an opportunity for a snowball picture.  The snow packed so nicely I made a snowman instead.  PN helped me get him dressed up then we moved him beside the inshutuk (sp?).  Not to be outdone, KN started to make a snowman too but his was bigger and had a hat, arms, buttons!  As we started to head down the road again I looked up and “someone’s” snowman fell while mine stayed upright. lol

The only wildlife we saw were a squirrel & birds.  Where are the bears when you want to see them?? (At a nice safe distance).

Now to bounce our way down again.  Trick to not hitting your head on the window as you bounce side to side is to have it open.  lol

Nenners

A function that I do use is Tracking.   The transmitter sends a message every 5 minutes (or whatever sequence you choose).   When I turn this on, my partner can go to the site that we have set up and see my route as it happens or later at home.

We don’t use the Spot in the City, but it is a good device to have along for explorations in the bush in all 4 Seasons.

For more information on Spot, go to: Find Me Spot

Plan to Go Geocaching on 10-10-10

We want to see how many geocachers can go geocaching on a single day! We’ve chosen 10-10-10, since the date represents 10 years of geocaching and 10 years of Groundspeak in 2010. Bring your friends, bring your family, bring your worst enemy (if that’s what it takes) and let’s see if we can beat the previous record of 56,654 accounts logging on April 18, 2010. Even one log counts since we are counting how many accounts log a cache rather than the number of caches logged.

There is an answer for Geocache owners to help cachers - Geochecker.

For the puzzle solvers, here is what they have to say:

“On various puzzle caches, you will find a link to this site, with some encoded information. You simply follow the link to this site and enter the coordinates and submit the form. You will then be told if the coordinates entered match the code in the link.

If you don’t find a link to this site on your puzzle nemesis, contact the cache owner and suggest this site. But don’t bother with the form below – you’ll just end up checking your own solutions! Naturally your own answers would agree with themselves… that really won’t help, will it?

Once you have a correct solution, we even make it easier by providing a Google Maps overview of the cache location. How much easier can it get?”

Cachers and Puzzle Makers go to http://www.geochecker.com/

For the Cache Owner, information is added to an online form and the site creates the HTML code which you can simply copy to insert into your cache.

Congratulations to all!

1. Obtain a copy of GSAK.   Its free, but you will have increasing nag screens.   Use it for a while and either pay for its use ($20 for a lifetime license) or uninstall it.

2.   Either download gpx files from a pocket query or enter new waypoints.   I prefer to create a new data base for this kind of work (Database>new>name the file).

3. Export (File>Export>Map Source File) the file and note where the file is located.   The name of the file will have a .gdb extension.

4. Open Map Source.   When you buy a Garmin GPSr this program is usually provided free.   It comes with a basic map and sometimes has Trips and Waypoints Manager.   I have chosen to buy the TopoBC maps too, which you can order as an online download or as data card.   It is only good for one computer or one device at a time.

5. Open the exported file (File>Open>pick the file).

6. You can zoom  in or out to create whatever map size you want.   You can rename your caches or not.   If you have TopoBC, there is excellent detail and the map prints well.

This is my favorite way to print geocaching maps.

1. Google Earth can display geocaching maps which you can resize and print.   Google Earth is free, but you will need to download the Viewer first.    Go this link to see how to do this.

2.   Another way to do this it to add the waypoints yourself directly into Google Earth, which is a one-at-a-time process, but still reasonable.

3. You can also save the view, email it, or see it in Google Maps, all of which are useful.

4. My favorite way to create a map in Google Earth is to first create a pocket query through Geocaching.com.   I then create a new (small) database in GSAK (Database>New>provide file name) and import the pocket query caches into that data base.   I then export the database into Google Earth.   There are several file export formats that will work – GPX, Garmin Points of Interest File (GPI), GDB (Map Source), and others, and each will provide a different look, so users have to try the ones that work best for them.