[Az-Geocaching] Special equiptment (5 rating?)

[Aus Dem Kasten]

I was reading a cache desrciption today that said I needed to bring my 
own pen to log my visit.
I don't have many pens around. I'm a computer geek. I do all my bills 
online. I use a PDA for my organizer, bank balance, notes, and even for 
my grocery list. Why would I want to spend any money on a pen that I 
would barely use.

Perhaps this cache I was reading up on should be rated a 5 because 
"special" equipment is required. What if the lower rating had caused me 
to skip reading the cache description assuming I had everything needed. 
Then what would I do if found the cache? I would just be stuck there 
with my GPS and my sense of adventure with no way to physically prove I 
was there...

Okay, maybe I'm taking this too far. My point is that it seems we are 
trying to be too dependant on the star rating. "Special equipment" can 
be interpreted in many ways. If we considered every interpretation of 
terrain and difficulty then almost every cache would be a 5 in terrain 
and a 5 in difficulty. The specific requirements should be written in 
the cache description, not in the stars. If you do not have what is 
needed move on to the next cache.

Aus Dem Kasten


Mark Heitowit wrote:

>But you can get pictures from a regular camera developed and emailed to you or
>placed on a CD. Then the only special equipment is a computer, and maybe a
>tripod so you can take a picture of yourself.
>
>RopingThe Wind wrote:
>
>  
>
>>I know this thread just kinda went to rest, but, I have a very valid
>>question:  If a virtual cache REQUIRED you to take a picture of you and your
>>GPS (or something like that) in order to receive credit for that cache..
>>then, wouldnt a camera be considered 'special equiptment'? Therefore this
>>kind of cache should be a 5 rated. I dont own a digital camera and have no
>>way of taking pictures at these caches and therefore cannot do these caches.
>>I am not sure why some cache owners dont offer another way for a cacher to
>>get credit by answering a question or two or reciting some information from
>>the virtual cache site.. but, that is another thing. So, if a virtual
>>requires a picture taken.. the rating should be a 5 because special
>>equiptment is required. Just like not everyone has a bicycle, not everyone
>>has a camera either. Just some thoughts I had today.   ;)
>>
>>Scott
>>Team Ropingthewind
>>
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