[Az-Geocaching] Cache Karma

[listserv@azgeocaching.com]

Regan I agree with you about the "same 'ol urban cache so close
together" is not such a great thing. I also think the original intent
of the founders of Geocaching was that caching would take place
PRIMARILY (but not necessarily exclusively) in more rural, remote
areas (They started it in Oregon and Washington, I believe in a
"rural" place) and any "city" caches would at least be creative.

Out of necessity due to geography, it is obvious that most geocachers
(most live in urban areas) must hide urban caches if they are going to
hide any.... EASILY, that is.

Keep in mind that if it wern't mainly for the great number of urban
caches available, that many of the teams with high numbers would not
have high numbers, or would not have them so quickly and easily. 

So if we want to continue the "Big Numbers Race", then urban caches
are a necessary thing that not everybody likes. If we quit worrying
about stats (not a bad idea) and just enjoyed the "finding" and not
the "find", then numbers will go way down as there would be fewer but
more remote and/or more difficult/creative (urban included) caches to
find.

Ain't gonna happen. There will always be alot of easy urbans to do,
unless GC archives them.

My original point, however, still is valid. If NOBODY hid any caches,
there would be NONE to seek. So the people who hide NONE or very few,
yet go find a hundred or two or more, are "riding" on the backs of
those who have taken the time and money to hide the caches that others
find. I am not complaining in that sense, as I enjoy hiding caches, so
I can read the logs of the people who seek it. Also, I personally
would feel guilty about using everybody else's caches for my
enjoyment, and not giving back, if I didn't hide some of my own.

This may be a moot point, as it seems that AZ may be approaching some
kind of saturation point of "good" places to put caches.

With the bulk of the vocal group out of town in Yuma, if may be a few
days before they read this and an "argument" starts! I expect that not
everybody will agree, but I still contend that cache hiding is
important. I'm lucky to be up here and have more "location, location,
location" to work with, I suppose!

Trisha "Lightning"
Prescott

On Fri, 17 Jan 2003, "Regan Smith" wrote:









I know that new cachers get excited about placing a 
cache so others can find it. This is what Evil Fish did and we placed
Nearly in 
Harmony after only our 5th find.
I feel now that after nearly 150 finds 
that people are forgetting  that the reward is not the find but in the 
finding, IMHO placing a Altoids under a park bench is a novel idea but
one 
that has been way over done, I thought when we placed Eating Crow we
could put a 
new twist on this but a new cacher send a private email after not
being able to 
locate the cache and asked simply why place a cache in such a public
place? I 
know that there is a reason for such but is it special enough to bring 
others to enjoy it?
Do all cachers need to place a cache? Currently there 
are 2599 teams/people with atleast one find in Arizona. Do I really 
want to go and find a micro-cache located accross the parking lot from 
another Altoids container? 
Arizona is a large state but not 
everyone can have 767 caches within 75 miles from their 
home
 
How many people read the Guide 
to Creating and Hiding a Cache page?
 
http://www.geocaching.com/articles/making.asp
 
http://www.geocaching.com/articles/requirements.asp
 
I have come to the conclusion that the starting 
thoughts of geocaching need to be more closely aheard to.
from the FAQ page:

Where are caches found? 
The location of a cache can be very entertaining indeed. As many say, 
location, location, location! The location of a cache demonstrates the
founder's 
skill and possibly even daring. A cache located on the side of a rocky
cliff 
accessible only by rock climbing equipment may be hard to find. An
underwater 
cache may only be accessed by scuba. Other caches may require long
difficult 
hiking, orienteering, and special equipment to get to. Caches may be
located in 
cities both above and below ground, inside and outside buildings. The
skillful 
placement of a small logbook in an urban environment may be quite
challenging to 
find even with the accuracy of a gps. That little logbook may have a
hundred 
dollar bill in it or a map to greater treasure. It could even contain
clues or 
riddles to solve that may lead to other caches. Rich people could have
fun with 
their money by making lucrative caches that could be better than
winning the 
lottery when you find it. Just hope that the person that found the
cache just 
before you left a real big prize! 
 
 
 
 
 
 


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"Although no one can go back and
make a brand new start,
Anyone can start from now and
make a brand new ending."
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