I agree. Everyone plays the game according to their own preferences, whether it be going after only tough hikes, difficult puzzles or simply logging as many finds as possible, so this just limits our options. I'm especially surprised that they opted not to grandfather existing caches and instead made the change retroactive.<br>
<br>While TPTB were updating the guidelines, I was surprised to see that they didn't remove the following section from the guidelines for Mystery or Puzzle Caches:<br><br><i>Challenge caches incorporate special logging requirements and are listed as Mystery/Puzzle
caches. Typically they require the seeker to have previously met a reasonable geocaching-related
qualification (Waymarking and Wherigo qualify too, of course) such as first finding
a cache in every county in your state. If you are thinking of creating such a cache,
please include a note to the reviewer demonstrating either that you have met the
challenge yourself, or that a substantial number of other geocachers would be able
to do so.</i><br><br>In light of the new guideline, that <i>"Cache finders
can choose whether or not to attempt or accomplish optional tasks"</i>, what's the purpose of putting out a challenge cache if cachers aren't required to complete the challenge to log the find? Why have any ALRs at all?<br>
<br><br><div class="gmail_quote">On Sun, Apr 5, 2009 at 9:33 AM, MEL HOCKWITT <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:melhockwitt@msn.com">melhockwitt@msn.com</a>></span> wrote:<br><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="border-left: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; padding-left: 1ex;">
<div style="border-style: none; padding-left: 10px; font-weight: normal; font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); padding-top: 15px; font-style: normal; font-family: Verdana; text-decoration: none;" name="Compose message area">
<div>
<div>Looks like taking the fun out of caching is on the way. Too many
rules have killed many an organization and put bad tastes in the mouths of the
members.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>My thoughts.</div>
<div>Mel</div>
<blockquote style="border-left: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 5px; margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 0px;"><div><div></div><div class="h5">
<div style="font-family: arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;">----- Original Message ----- </div>
<div style="font-family: arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"><b>From:</b> <a title="mailto:shadowace.az@gmail.com" href="mailto:shadowace.az@gmail.com" target="_blank">ShadowAce</a> </div>
<div style="font-family: arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"><b>To:</b> <a title="mailto:listserv@azgeocaching.com" href="mailto:listserv@azgeocaching.com" target="_blank">listserv@azgeocaching.com</a> </div>
<div style="font-family: arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"><b>Sent:</b> Sunday, April 05, 2009 9:03
AM</div>
<div style="font-family: arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"><b>Subject:</b> [Az-Geocaching] Helping to
spread the word ...</div>
<div><br></div><a title="http://forums.groundspeak.com/GC/index.php?showtopic=218388" href="http://forums.groundspeak.com/GC/index.php?showtopic=218388" target="_blank">http://forums.groundspeak.com/GC/index.php?showtopic=218388</a><br>
<br> Alternate
Logging Requirements No longer allowed.<br><br>So Any cache listed as a ? with
Alternate Logging Requirements needs be altered or archived because "You must
find and prove you have found 40 caches on a Friday" is now changed to "come
find my cache, sign the log and claim a find"<br><br> Please make sure
you note the changes to the guidelines dates April 2009:<br><br>
<ol type="1">
<li value="3"><b>A section called <a title="http://www.geocaching.com/about/guidelines.aspx#loggingofallcaches" href="http://www.geocaching.com/about/guidelines.aspx#loggingofallcaches" target="_blank">Logging of All Physical Caches</a> has been added to the
guidelines.</b> </li></ol>
<div>QUOTE</div>Geocaches can be logged online as Found once
the physical log has been signed.<br><br>If it is appropriate for your cache
location or theme, you may ask the cache seeker to accomplish an optional and
simple task, either close to the cache site (normally within 0.1 miles or 161
meters) or when writing their online log. For example, wear the goofy hat
inside the cache container and upload a photograph. Cache finders can choose
whether or not to attempt or accomplish optional tasks. Cache owners may not
delete the cache seeker's log based solely on optional tasks.<br><br>This
guideline change applies immediately to all logs written from April 4, 2009
and going forward. Older caches with "additional logging requirements" (ALRs)
are not grandfathered under the older guideline. If you own an existing cache
with mandatory additional logging requirements, we request that you:<br>
<ul>
<li>Cease deleting logs based on additional logging requirements.
</li><li>Review your own cache listing to see if the ALR can be made into an
optional and simple task, or whether it must be removed altogether.
</li><li>Adjust your geocache listing by editing the text then contact a reviewer
to change the cache type, if
appropriate.</li></ul><br></div></div>____________________________________________________________<br>Az-Geocaching
mailing list <a href="mailto:listserv@azgeocaching.com" target="_blank">listserv@azgeocaching.com</a><br>To edit your setting, subscribe or
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visit:<br><a href="http://listserv.azgeocaching.com/mailman/listinfo/az-geocaching" target="_blank">http://listserv.azgeocaching.com/mailman/listinfo/az-geocaching</a><br><br>Arizona's
Geocaching
Resource<br><a href="http://www.azgeocaching.com" target="_blank">http://www.azgeocaching.com</a><br></blockquote></div></div>
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