[Az-Geocaching] A suggestion for caution regarding Urban Caches & Cache Density
Team Cache-Quest
listserv@azgeocaching.com
Mon, 23 Sep 2002 17:44:11 -0700
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I normally keep my opinions to myself on this forum because it is so =
easy to be misunderstood or to hurt feeling, but I guess I'm feeling =
bold today.
I'd like to start by saying that no one has the right to regulate =
another cacher. We all have different motivations or limitations. What =
is an ideal cache for one may not appeal to another. However, we do =
need have constructive and open discussion on tough issues.
I'm personally very concerned about the issues of cache density and =
urban caches. I believe there are two factors working together to pose =
real risk to the future of geocaching. First, geocaching is growing =
rapidly with increased public awareness, especially from those in =
authority. For a long time geocaching was so small it was below their =
radar, now they have heard enough that it has their attention and some =
of what they have heard is negative. The second factor that really =
impacts urban caches is increased security awareness. As much as we try =
not to, cachers can sure look suspicious hanging around and hiding or =
finding containers in any area, but it is especially true in more =
populated areas. Regardless of the reasons, geocaching is being watched =
more closely. Our actions in the field and our comments on this forum =
can influence the future of the sport. =20
For these and many other reasons when you hide a cache, look at it with =
a critical eye. Is there another nearby? What is special about this =
location or cache? Could it be a virtual cache? Is it in a location =
that would cause concern from non-caching neighbors? Would public =
authorities be concerned? Can the cache be retrieved most of the time =
without the cacher being noticed or attracting attention? Have you =
given good instructions about limitations to getting to the cache (hours =
of operation, etc)? Are you willing to maintain and remove it when =
appropriate?
Many areas have a lot of caches. Libby really demonstrated that recently =
with her 45 finds in one day. What is the lifecycle for a cache? =
Should they last forever? I personally don't think so, but I think it =
is pretty rare that a cache is removed by the owner. Usually they are =
lost or stolen. Many of the times I've seen a cacher remove one of =
their caches, it has been because they ended up hurt by comments here or =
in the log. For the caches that are already out there, I suggest we =
start archiving some. It would be nice to show authorities that we as =
cachers are being responsible for maintaining the caches we have.
I'll get off my soapbox now,
Jerry (Cache-Quest)
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<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>I normally keep my opinions to myself =
on this forum=20
because it is so easy to be misunderstood or to hurt feeling, but I =
guess I'm=20
feeling bold today.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>I'd like to start by saying that no one =
has the=20
right to regulate another cacher. We all have different =
motivations or=20
limitations. What is an ideal cache for one may not appeal to=20
another. However, we do need have constructive and open discussion =
on=20
tough issues.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>I'm personally very concerned about the =
issues of=20
cache density and urban caches. I believe there are two=20
factors working together to pose real risk to the future of=20
geocaching. First, geocaching is growing rapidly with increased =
public=20
awareness, especially from those in authority. For a long time =
geocaching=20
was so small it was below their radar, now they have heard enough that =
it has=20
their attention and some of what they have heard is negative. The second =
factor=20
that really impacts urban caches is increased security awareness. =
As much=20
as we try not to, cachers can sure look suspicious hanging around and =
hiding or=20
finding containers in any area, but it is especially true in more =
populated=20
areas. </FONT><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>Regardless of the =
reasons,=20
geocaching is being watched more closely. Our actions in the =
field=20
and our comments on this forum can influence the future of the =
sport. =20
</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>For these and many other reasons when =
you hide a=20
cache, look at it with a critical eye. Is there another =
nearby? What=20
is special about this location or cache? Could it be a virtual=20
cache? Is it in a location that would cause concern from =
non-caching=20
neighbors? Would public authorities be concerned? Can the =
cache be=20
retrieved most of the time without the cacher being noticed or =
attracting=20
attention? Have you given good instructions about limitations to =
getting=20
to the cache (hours of operation, etc)? Are you willing to =
maintain and=20
remove it when appropriate?</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>Many areas have a lot of caches. Libby =
really=20
demonstrated that recently with her 45 finds in one day. =
What is the=20
lifecycle for a cache? Should they last forever? I =
personally don't=20
think so, but I think it is pretty rare that a cache is removed by the=20
owner. Usually they are lost or stolen. Many of the times =
I've seen=20
a cacher remove one of their caches, it has been because they ended up =
hurt by=20
comments here or in the log. For the caches that are already out =
there, I=20
suggest we start archiving some. It would be nice to show authorities =
that we as=20
cachers are being responsible for maintaining the caches we =
have.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>I'll get off my soapbox =
now,</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>Jerry (Cache-Quest)</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
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