[Az-Geocaching] survey of sorts...

[Bell, Robert]

TEAM CHUMP REPORTING .....

1) How did you get introduced to Geo Caching?
	A: Team GPERS

2) How long have you been a Geo Cacher?
	A: Since Sept 2001

3) What is your present GPS'r?
	A: etrex summit

    a) What was your first GPS'r?
	A: same
	
    b) How many units have you owned?
	A: 1, purchasing the Garmin RINO in the next few weeks though,
         once it is available.

    c) What unit(s) would you recommend to new
cachers?
	A: Garmin with mapping capabilities.

4) How long did it take to locate your first cache?
	A: 5 minutes (Rancho, long gone now... :(  )

5) What has been your most memorable cache?
	A: RIP.  4 caches that day, coke ovens, and a bad ass road
         trip - including driving across the Gila River.  But we
         made it, unscathed!  Lots of other real good ones too though.

    a) Why?
	A: Team Effort, 4 wheeling, puzzle caches. Combined all my favorite
         aspects of the game.  Oh yes, and we got a pie coupon.

6) What has been your least favorite cache?
	A: Locationless ones.  

    a) Why?
	A: They've really gotten some bad ones now.  Some are ok, but 
         for example there are locationless that are "find a US flag
         on a pole" or "Take a picture of a water tower".          
         If you don't need a GPS, I question if it is a cache at all. 

7) What factors dictate which cache you go looking
for?
	A: I go for all of them eventually.

8) How many other Geo Cachers have you met while on a
caching hunt?
	A: Surprisingly, many.  I would say maybe 15 teams.

9) Has that meeting changed the way you cache?
	A: No. (?)

10) When unable to locate a cache how long do you
search?
	A: many factors.  How remote?  Basically as long
         as I have time until I have searched the area
         to my satisfaction.

    a) How many attempts before logging a no-find?
	A: When I feel I can't find it without more info.

    b) Do you contact the cache owner for help?
	A: No.  

    c) Do you ask other cachers for help? 
	A: If at all, only as a last resort.  Matter of pride.

11) When driving around are you tempted to go and look
again at caches you have found before?
	A: No.

12) What has been the best trinket in a cache?
	A: Pottery shards.  Just kidding.  Probably the
         the HP Print server in AZ Techno Gecko.  

13) What has been the worst trinket in a cache?
	A: matchbooks.

14) Do you leave a signature item?
	A: Started leaving Orange Cable Clamps.  

    a) Are you considering your own?
	A:  see above.

    b) Who has the most notable?
	A: Only notable to me are Roping the wind or sand dollar.  
	I can pretty much tell a Libby cache too by now.

15) When in a populated area waiting to retrieve a
cache what things do you do to pass the time?
	A: Like Eric, sit and complain about all the people present. 

    a) While waiting what was the worst thing to have
happen?
	A: They don't leave.

    b) What has been the best thing?
	A: Meet other teams. At Jesse and Jedi we have 5 teams there
         at once a few months back!  Tim (AZFastFeet) I think I've
         run into you what, four times now?

16) Do you practice Cache in Trash out?
	A: When possible.

17s
What's the one piece of advice you'd want to give to
every Neocacher, so they wouldn't have to learn it the
hard way?
	A: Start easy, and do at least a dozen before putting
one out.  Kiss your family goodby unless they start caching
with you because you may not be home much!

What if you get caught by someone?
	A: Talk to the plants and myself.  Ask them what the 
frequency is over and over.  They usually leave.  If you 
don't want to act schizophrenic, the GPS as a cell phone
usually works.  I don't remember ever being caught though.
If you don't act suspicous, its not usually a problem.

How the heck do so many of you find soooooo many
caches?  I know you work for money, so where do you
find the time?
	A: I have topo software on my computer.  I can plot
the caches on the maps and group them together for hunts
and do several at once.  They add up.  Besides, with Loran
leaving, somebody has to make a feeble attempt at chasing
Larry.

Rob
Team CHUMP