[Az-Geocaching] Re: People ''Finding'' a cache that wasn't there

[Scott Sparks]

> I have to admit I am puzzled.  the last 4 or 5 people to find my cache "It's a Duck's Life" in Tempe
> logged it as a find, even though they were saying they found the "velcro." 


I added the following line to all of my cache descriptions some time ago.

''On-line ''FIND'' logs without a corresponding signature in the log 
book will be deleted.''

And I do check them periodically.

On the other hand, and this is hypothetical, if someone put the effort 
in to actually search for a cache of mine and they found some hard 
evidence that the cache was no longer there, such as the velcro it was 
attached to or some piece of the cache container, AND they can provide 
some proof of that, such as a detailed description or, better yet, a 
digital photograph, then I would allow them the find.  Ater all, it's 
not their fault that the cache or the log book is missing.  (As a cache 
owner, it is _my_ responsibility to maintain the cache and do as much as 
possible to ensure that it isn't missing.)  That should happen only 
once, though, because that would be my cue to either disable the cache 
or go out and replace or correct the missing cache. I have, on rare 
occasions, logged finds for caches that were missing where I found the 
remnants of the container or other hard evidence and only _after_ I 
notified the owner and got their approval.  I have never logged a cache 
as a find when I could ''see'' the cache but couldn't sign the log. I 
think that is just wrong. If I ever find a cache but, for whatever 
reason, am unable to sign the log, I usually post a note and return to 
the cache at a later date and retrieve and sign the log.  And, if you 
look at the stats, you'll see that I have no qualms about logging a 
NO-FIND.  I have more no-finds than anyone in Arizona.  Not that I'm 
proud of that point but I am proud of the fact that I have the integrity 
to be honest and log all of my attemppts, successful or not, unlike some 
people who only log their finds and nothing else.

And, on the subject of cache maintenance, there are way too many caches 
out there that have been dropped and forgotten by their owners.  I'm not 
just talking about the onesy-twoseys by teams that are only active for a 
few months and then drop out of the game.  I mean the active cachers who 
place way more caches than they can possibly mantain effectively.  There 
are some who believe it is a duty to hide lots of caches to make up for 
the large numbers they have found.  I think it is a more responsible 
cacher who does not place more hides than he/she can maiintain 
effectively.  Remember, cache maintenance is not an option, it's a 
responsibility.

-- Sprocket
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