Getting The Upper Hand!

The Cache page offers a wealth of information. (click to enlarge).

Have you ever wanted to get the upper hand in certain situations? Perhaps you are playing a game and losing terribly. You sit there and desperately try to find a way to get the upper hand. As a child, I was always trying to get the upper hand when I played a game of chess with my older brother. I succeeded only once in all my attempts and I suspect he may have let me win. I have witnessed it with my own kids. When playing games with them, they were always trying to get the upper hand. You might be asking what this has to do with geocaching. Well, have you often looked at veteran geocachers and wondered how they are able to find caches quicker than you and have found caches that you were not able to find? Well, there is a way for you to get the upper hand, so to speak, and it is all contained on the cache page. Many geocachers do not pay enough attention to everything that is provided on the cache page. While paying more attention to all of its information might not give you the actual upper hand, it should make you a better geocacher.

The following sections of the cache page deserve more scrutiny as they contain a wealth of information:

• Cache Name – You can often get a clue from the name of the cache. If you see a word in the name that is completely capitalized, it is a good bet that that word is a clue. One example of this is one of our own caches called
• Cache Hider – Sometimes, certain cachers have patterns to how thay hide their caches. Knowing this could give you an idea how to find the cache.
• Hide Date – When was the cache hidden? Much older caches probably have less accurate coordinates so you may want to expand your search a little.
• Difficulty Rating – If you can’t find a cache, check its difficulty rating. A rating of 1 probably means the cache isn’t here. If it is rated a 5, then it is a very tough hide.
• Terrain Rating – A terrain rating of 1 indicates that wheelchairs can get to it. A rating of 5 indicates extreme hiking or special equipment required.
• Related Web Page – Sometimes, the cache owner posts a hyperlink to a related webpage. Check it out as there might be some useful information there.
• The Attributes – Attributes are very important. You may not be finding a cache but the attributes may be telling you that the cache isn’t available 24/7.
• Personal Cache Notes – Might contain some valuable info.
• Inventory – If a cache has some inventory listed, then it is big enough to hold that inventory. The inventory will help alert you to its probable size.
• Maps – Satellite view is extremely helpful. On one particular cache, I kept going to the area and the GPSr told me the cache was inside a private parking garage that was gated. When I looked at the satellite view, I discovered the entire structure was a parking garage and that the cache was on the open, top floor and could easily be accessed.
• Logged Visits – A cache with a lot of consecutive DNFs likely isn’t there anymore. Also, many cachers record certain details such as a place being very wet and needing rubber boots.

As you can see, the cache page offers a wealth of valuable information. Taking a few minutes to look at them can save you from wasting countless minutes hunting for a cache that isn’t there. Give it a try! It will definitely give you the upper hand!

What is your story? How has something on the cache page helped you avoid countless minutes searching for a cache without success. Tell us by leaving a comment below. We would love to hear from you!

Happy Caching!!!

Frank (Jewel)

Paying It Forward!

Would have stayed warmer if I were caching! (click to enlarge)

Last weekend, a combination of household chores, bad weather, and my nephew’s soccer tournament prevented us from doing much caching. We managed to take in the Cache The River #6 event as well as a few quick finds. That was pretty much the extent of our geocaching adventures. As I sat in the chilly temperatures at my nephew’s soccer game, my mind turned to caching and I began to find a correlation between the two. Are you puzzled right now? Surely you are wondering what soccer and geocaching could possibly have in common. Aside from the physical exertion, the running (only if you are trying to race other cachers to an FTF), and being outdoors, soccer and geocaching appear to have nothing in common.

Sure, on the surface, a lack of commonality rings true. However, the one thing that should be common (and I need to stress SHOULD) is teamwork. Some of you are thinking about that right now and most are probably puzzled by that statement. Nowhere in the Geocaching rules or Geocaching 101 does it state that we need to geocache in teams. Sometimes it does help to do the hunt in teams. I was amazed and skeptical when I found a geocacher that has over 80,000 finds. How could one person do that much? I later found out his user account encompasses a team, which makes his numbers make more sense. However, that is not the teamwork I am referring to in this post. The teamwork I am referring to is helping one another maintain caches.

All packed up to head to the Weddingcache! (click to enlarge)

During the Canada Day long weekend, Gem and I decided to go down to Topsail Beach to enjoy some of the sun. I realized that there was a cache or two that we didn’t have, so I went online to retrieve fresh logs for my GPSr. As I read the logs for the Weddingcache (GC82EE), I noticed that the cache was in bad shape. It was a beef bucket but was missing its cover. That meant that everything inside was probably ruined as well. Therefore, I went to the cupboard and grabbed a spare bucket cover. I went to my geocaching tote (yeah, I keep one of those) and grabbed a fresh log, plastic baggie, and some swag. I also took some paper towel, in case the bucket needed to be cleaned out. Upon arrival at the beach, we hiked the 500 meters to the location and found the cache hanging on a tree. It was in really bad shape. We dried out the container, added a new log, salvaged what we could from it, and added some new swag. We sealed it with the new cover and re-hid it the way it was supposed to be. We even placed a trackable inside to entice more cachers to hunt for it.

Become a cache samaritan. (click to enlarge)

The idea of helping another cacher look after their cache could make for a long and heated debate. Some cachers would say it is the right thing to do. Others would argue that it is the responsibility of the cache owner and that they shouldn’t place a cache they can’t take care of. The latter group would be correct in their assertion. However, sometimes certain conditions arise that prevent a cache owner from maintaining their cache. Perhaps they are on a long vacation or gone to a summer home. Perhaps they have moved and forgot to take out the cache. In my case, I have a cache on Random Island called That’s So Random (GC30XG7). The latest logs say it is wet. Due to busy work commitments, I have not been able to get out there to fix it up. I would love it if a cache Samaritan, of sorts, would rescue the cache by drying it out and replacing the log. Now I, in no way, think that it is anyone else’s duty but mine to perform the task. It would, however, be a nice and much appreciated gesture.

I realize that this sentiment is just my own opinion, which is not shared by everyone, but I have been on the receiving end of caching Samaritans several times. I have had cachers show up to find my cache only to find it has been muggled. What did they do? They used one of their own to replace it and logged it as a find. While this gesture wasn’t at all necessary, it is very much appreciated. In fact, once, I had a cache that went missing. I was waiting for some replacements to show up in the mail and disabled the cache until they arrived. It took a few weeks to recieve them and one cacher wasn’t patient enough to wait. They replaced it themselves and signed the log. Regardless of their motives, I thank them for being a cache Samaritan. It is my hope, someday, to be able to return the favor; to work together as a team, so to speak.

Just some of the items I try to take caching. I do forget sometimes. (click to enlarge)

Now, if you are going to adopt this policy of lending a hand when needed, there are some basic supplies you must have with you every time you go caching. You will need something to carry it in such as a backpack. The following is a list of essential items:

• Spare cache containers – it is best to carry a selection of nanos, pill bottles, and lock and locks, if you can fit them in your pack. The little gold nanos can be purchased (6 for $4.50) at Lee Valley Tools.
• Paper towel – For drying out the container; one roll will suffice.
• New log sheets – can be printed by visiting TechBlazer.
• Zip-loc bags – for keeping the log dry.
• Couple of bungie cords.
• Some spare swag.

Most of this stuff can fit in a packsack. If you read the logs on a cache you are hunting for, you can get an idea of what supplies you need. One important thing to remember is to not change the nature of the cache. In other words, don’t replace a regular with a nano. Also, if you fix a cache, don’t forget to write a note on it telling future hunters that it is fixed. You might also email the owner who will be grateful to you.

I suppose if we were to debate this for awhile, someone would come up with many reasons to adopt this practice while others would have plenty of reasons for countering the practice. Some might even say that it is only fitting to help the cacher as a means of payback for taking the time to initially place the cache. However, I have a different take on it. I would look at it as more of a pay it forward kind of deal. You are paying it forward to future cachers who will reap enjoyment in finding the cache intact with a signable log. That is something we all wish for when we go caching – a dry signable log.

What are your thoughts on this post? Do you agree or disagree? Please leave a comment. There is no right or wrong answer here so please weigh in. Since pennies are soon to be no more, give us your ten cents (two nickels) worth.