To archive, or not to archive: That is the question.

As geocache hiders, we are often faced with this question.  I have had to face it several times.  Sometimes it is difficult to find the time to replace the geocache and equally difficult to archive it.  It is a decision that all geocache placers will have to face.

When faced with this dilemma we must put pride aside and do what’s best for the geocaching community.  It may be that if you can’t make time to check on and replace the geocache, you may need to archive it and open up the area for an active geocache.  In many cases, the site will remain available giving you ample time to replace the geocache and ask the local geocache reviewer to unarchive it.

In the case of “event” geocaches, we must remember to archive it shortly after the event ends.  The guidelines published on Geocaching.com is one month.  Many people will download pocket queries to see what events are available in their area.  It is an inconvenience to rummage through events that have long since ended.

How should you react when someone requests your geocache to be archived?  Instead of looking upon it as a strike at your geocaching integrity, you should look at it as an opportunity to make things better.  Look upon it as constructive criticism and see if the problem can be corrected.  It may be that archiving the geocache is the best alternative.  But remember.  An archive post is a legitimate post.  If it weren’t, it would be available to each and every geocacher.

Geocache ethics - Doing geocache maintenance on someone else’s geocache!

Let me preface this by saying this blog posting is as much directed towards myself as anyone else.  I am not preaching, but, rather giving a little perspective on my limited experience with geocaching.  I am sure you have read a log that goes something like this:

Found the geocache.  Couldn’t sign log.  It was so wet it was falling apart.  The rubber o-ring is gone.  Maybe the geocache owner should check on it.

Yes, the one who placed the geocache is responsible for maintaining it.  But, it really is nice when someone helps out!  So what should you and I do when we come across a geocache that is need of a little tinder, loving care?

First, if you are not prepared, you can do very little to help other than report it.  I took a year off of geocaching.  I used to carry a bag of goodies when geocaching.  Of course, the bag contained things like swag, water, wet-wipes, etc.  I also carried several other items that would help in maintaining my own geocaches and any found that needs some help.  Here is a simple list that will help you be the one praised for keeping the sport fun for all.

• Zip-lock bags of all sizes.
• Several paper towels in a zip-lock bag.
• Small bottle of alcohol.
• Paper and small notebooks.
• Assortment of rubber o-rings.
• Three complete geocaches (regular, small, and micro).
• Camouflage duct tape.
• Children’s scissors.
• Swag

This sounds like a lot of stuff to carry, but, you should be able to carry it in a small bag.  It’s probably obvious why you should carry these items.  I will go over a few just for clarification.

Zip-lock bags are used in most geocaches.  They keep the log and swag dry.  The problem is that with time, these bags will wear out.  Maybe the pen or pencil poked a hole in it and the log is getting damp.  You can find the bigger zip-lock bags at your local grocery store.  The smaller ones are a little harder to come by.  I have found all sizes available on eBay.  The prices are usually very good.  I’m sure there are other sources.

Paper towels can be used to clean yourself after searching for the geocache or to dry out a wet geocache container.  I like carrying the blue ones you find in the automotive section.  They are tough as nails!

The alcohol can be used, like the paper towels, to clean yourself of clean out a messy geocache container.  The alcohol based hand sanitizer is great for cleaning your hands, but, can make a messy container even messier.  Alcohol can take the itch away from insect bites, also!

Take a couple sheet of paper and a notepad size notebook.  The notebook can replace a full, missing, or damaged log in regular size containers.  The sheets of paper can be cut to size with the children’s scissors to fit most small and micro size geocaches.  Why children’s scissors?  They will get the job done without poking a hold in your bag.  They’re also very light weight.

The rubber o-rings that come on some of the metal pill containers (bison tube) used as micro geocaches are usually not UV (ultra-violet) proof.  With time when exposed to the UV light in sunlight and weather, they will become brittle and crack.  When that happens, you get a damp log inside.  Take one of these containers to your local hardware store and get some replacement o-rings.  Make sure they are UV rated.  I usually get them a little “thicker”.  They seem to work better for geocache use.

It may seem that carrying around three complete geocaches will be a little bulky, but, if you plan it properly, it will take very little space.  Get two lock and lock type containers.  One medium size and one small.  Also carry a micro container like a 35mm film container or bison tube.  You only need a few swag items.  Make sure you have a couple pens and logs.  You can “nest” the geocache containers together to save space.  If you run upon a missing geocache, you can replace the container and notify the geocache owner that you placed a temporary container.

Why camouflage duct tape?  Well, with duct tape and WD-40 you can fix anything!  You can also use the camouflage feature to repair a camo job if needed.

Bringing a geocache back to good health gives you a rewarding feeling.  The geocache owner will be grateful and you will be making the sport better for everyone.  Now I must get my geobag ready so I won’t be such a hypocrite!

Geocache Ethics – Signing the log.

When you find a geocache, you should sign the log.  If you found a regular geocache, there is probably a pretty good size log book.  I have seen everything from a wire-bound notepad to a full size composition book.

Micros are another thing altogether.  All micro size geocache have very small logs.  Some are so small you can only put your name or initials!  Those who place micro geocaches usually have to do maintenance often to replace the logs.

When I was geocaching I came across a micro with a limited space log.  Here is what I found.

Two geocachers used prepared labels for logging purposes.  On regular size geocaches, this would be fine, but, on a micro geocache, it causes excessive maintenance from the geocache owner.  The two logs are taking eight lines.  Is it really that difficult to just write your name?

When you are geocaching, please remember that the geocache owner has to maintain the geocache.  If you cause needless maintenance requirements, the owner may just think it isn’t worth it and archive the geocache.

Geocaching ethics.

I am sure many of you have read the news articles where the local bomb squad was called out to dispose of a "suspicious object" and it turned out to be a geocache. In almost all cases, the container was larger than a micro and hidden on private property without permission.

An example is the Walmart parking lot geocache. Two things could keep the public from calling in the suspicious package report. Don't hide anything larger than a micro on private property that is being frequented by the public and get permission from the property owner!

Most of us who hide geocaches are guilty of not getting permission to place it on private property. The Walmart parking lot is private property! Ask the manager if it is ok to hide it there. You will probably get a "no", but at least you respected the property owner and you protected yourself from possible criminal prosecution.

Our sport is growing to a point where we are on the radar scope of the local law enforcement authorities. Sooner or later, a geocacher is going to be charged with a crime for placing a geocache. Don't let it be you!

Do you "preserve" or "pilfer" the geocache?

When Dave Ulmer created and placed the first geocache, one of the rules was "take something, leave something". He didn't say so, but it should be implied that when you do trade, you trade equal or better.



I placed a large geocache a little over a year ago. In it I placed about $50 of good, new items. I wanted it to be a very pleasant surprise when they found the "Big Store" of geocache swag. After several months I stopped by to check on the cache and to my surprise the cache had been pilfered. No, everything was not taken, but most of the very good, new items was traded for used McD's toys and plastic army men.

So, I did what any geocache owner would do. I restocked the cache with many new items. Several high quality baseball hats were placed in the cache. Now, these were not the cheap hats, but even if they were, they would be worth $5.00 each!

Another few months went by and I checked on the cache again. PILFERED! I just don't understand it. After examining the logs I surmise the following:

Geocachers are not prepared for trading items. They have their GPSr, camera, cellphone, but not much else. When they arrive at the geocache, they see the nice goodies and decide to "just take one". Also, some geocachers cache in groups. Maybe it is their friends, or maybe children and their friends. When the children see all the goodies, they must have one.

Now understand, I don't blame the children. They are just doing what kids do. The adults are the ones who totally miss a teaching experience. BEFORE going geocaching with the children, the parents/adults should explain to the children what it means to trade fairly. The adults should encourage the children to pick a couple of their own toys that they really like. That way, when they trade, they are trading equal or better. If the adults arrive at the cache with the children and the adult was ill prepared, they should explain to the children what fair trading is and since they didn't bring anything nice to trade, they would have to come back another time when prepared.

But, I think, what really happens is that the privacy of the moment just "excuses" the parents/adults from having to exercise parental responsibility. I know it is difficult to tell a child no, but that's part of parenting! Not teaching a child when not to do something is just doing that child a disservice.

The lesson to learn is that if you go geocaching, be prepared to trade or don't take anything from the geocache. Parents should prepare their children in advance so the geocache is not pilfered. If you find the geocache and are not prepared to trade equal or better, then just sign the log and take nothing.

We all need to take care of the geocaches we visit. Be prepared with trade items, blank logs, paper towels to clean out damp caches, etc. Make sure the experience of the next geocacher is better than yours!