>From: "Cordell Harris" <>
>Reply-To: listserv@azgeocaching.com
>To: listserv@azgeocaching.com
>Subject: [Az-Geocaching] Geocaching hints
>Date: Wed, 24 Jan 2007 06:23:09 -0700
>
>Since I'm involved to a certain extent (it's my cache that started the
>rant), but not so thin skinned as to take it personally.... Here is
>how I see it.  Caches generally fit three broad categories: 1) The
>standard ammo box type container in a non-urban setting. (as someone
>said; "in the desert under rocks").   2)  Then, all other containers
>and mysteries hidden in non-urban area.  Followed by 3) LUMs, Lame
>Urban Micros.

I didnt mention the name of the cache or the cache hider in my post for that 
reason! But since you came forth! :) My post wasnt a 'rant' really. That 
cache experience, along with an email I got from another cacher yesterday 
that couldnt find a cache on Sunday... both made me think about the 
decrypted hints. I know my caches never had hints on them. But lately, as I 
have been doing more hiking caches... it has crossed my mind lately about 
the need to at least give some kind of direction to the location of the 
cache. I just dont think it's fair to send someone all the way up the top of 
RTW-1 cache only to not find the cache. There is an error in GPS 
positioning, between the hider and the finders GPS, that can be up to 30' or 
more off. With that, I added hints to my caches. This error range could 
indicate the cache is on top of a cliff or it could be at the bottom. I 
agree with Jared in that it is indeed about the journey and the location. 
Although, as much as I enjoyed the journey (or the hike in this case) out to 
a cache, I have now seen it and would like to explore another spot or a new 
trail around our beautiful state. The journey is as much a fun part of 
wilderness caching as is the location. One thing I particularly enjoy about 
wilderness caches is that you have to find the route to get to it. Its not 
always obvious. You can walk straight to it, only to find a canyon 300' 
before you get there blocking your access. I like pre planning with mapping 
software and google earth and the like and that is all a part of wilderness 
caching. With that, the cache hide is really all about the journey and the 
location... not the find itself.

I dont think all wilderness caches should be or have to be ammo boxes... 
although they do hold up great to weather and even fire, as has been proven 
in the past, and animals will likely not drag one off! I think it is fun to 
find a fake cactus plant laying on the ground amongst all the others out 
there too. Thats a very creative hide for a desert environment and its 
perfectly ok to be creative
. But the tougher the hide, should call for a bit of direction in a decypted 
hint (the hint is ONLY if a cacher chooses to look at it... after an hour of 
searching, they will probably want to see it!!!).

As far as DoubleBoogies caches goes (the one I couldnt find yesterday)... I 
actually found the suspect location (as evidenced by an item laying there 
that was likely holding the cache) within a few minutes of searching. But 
since I had hiked over 2 miles out into the desert, I felt it only fair to 
myself to continue my search in case that what I did find was not where the 
cache was. There was a good number of rocks to search under. So I continued 
to search. Oh and yes, I did use the 'geocaching hotline' too! (this doesnt 
always work though, since you may be out of cell phone range). I came to the 
realization that maybe an animal made off with the cache and so I even 
expanded my searching, hoping to still find it nearby. I am more interested 
in seeing a hint to help me determine whether a cache is even there/gone 
missing, rather than to just have a hint to find it quickly. After an email 
from the owner, that was indeed the cache. It would have been an easy find 
that would not have needed a hint anyways really. Although, the hint would 
likely narrowed my thought process down (in this case, knowing it was indeed 
missing).

I must say, that I did enjoy the search on this cache alot more than I have 
in the past while trying to find urban caches. I was out in the desert alone 
where there wasnt a constant flow of people walking or driving by and I 
could search and not have to go into a so called 'stealth' mode. While 
searching, I was enjoying the views and the fresh smells of the desert plant 
life and just simply being in the great outdoors and not searching behind a 
store garbage can or in a wal mart parking lot! With that, I still very much 
enjoyed the experience. For that, I think Doubleboogie's cache achieved its 
goal (to get me out there to enjoy the location). Still, I sure would like 
to have had a smiley face on my log! ... and no, I would never dream of 
claiming a 'find' on this cache unless my name was in the logbook!

In fact, tomorrow morning I will be making the hike back out to this cache 
with the cache owner and I will get my name in that logbook yet! :)

Scott
Team Ropingthewind

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