[Az-Geocaching] 'can't find vs. 'note'...

[az-geocaching@listserv.snaptek.com]

For what it's worth, I agree in principle with Scott's post on utilizing the 'can't find' designation as opposed to the 'note' log when a cache cannot be located.

I have used both... I have a 'can't find' listed on 'Other Side of the Needle', but have actually found this cache. Problem was, when I first went after it, I was a complete newbie at geocaching - '..Needle' being only the third cache that I had ever attempted. After the 4-5 mile hike, believe me, I was not happy to be skunked at ground zero, unable to find it. 

About seven months later, I made a second attempt, and found it easily. I kept the original 'can't find' as listed, since the time between attempts was pretty signifigant, and I feel that the first failed attempt was owing to my total lack of geocaching experience. Every so often, I'll read that log and chuckle, as a reminder of what NOT to do while geocaching...

Now, on 'Where Eagles Soar' (?name? - it's since been archived..), I did post a 'note' after my first failed attempt, because I honestly thought that it had been pilfered (lots of nosy neighbors were about!), and I had looked right up to sunset (frustration! Damn sunset!). It was less a 'can't find' as a request for confirmation of existense from the owner. Turns out that it was indeed there, and I located it the following week, so I left that 'note' as is. Seems like it's kosher to leave a 'note' if I run out of time/sunlight before completing a search - or, as in the case of 'Ya Skala', I'm forced to vacate the premises by security! (My fault, it was very late...)

There shouldn't be any shame in not locating a cache. My only other 'can't find' is for 'Phoenician View' - a cache practically in my own backyard, just off of a trail that I've travelled over dozens of times! Ah, the irony... I WILL find that one sooner or later!

By the way - my belated congratulations to Team C.H.U.M.P. for breaking the '100' barrier, and to Trisha for her rapid encroachment on the 'Thirty' club! ;)

-Mike-