Unmaintained caches: Honestly people, cachers, tell me, should I just shut up?
I get very grumpy about caches that are out there that are in poor shape … let me rephrase … about caches that are just a piece of trash in the woods. I have talked about it with many geocachers and all of the ones I’ve discussed this with are all of the same impression: it’s very disappointing. Some, more extremists than I am, basically say we should just throw the ”garbage” out and report it missing. I know I have written about it on maritimegeocaching, I have lamented plenty, and here I go again … but probably for the last time.
I have done my share of repairing caches, even if I do not write in the logs every time: Adding a piece of paper when the log is full (for some of our ”favorites” we have done some nice jobs at putting together a ”higher-end” log sheet with colour pictures and all), drying off the cache content, putting another bag for the log, etc, and we of course still do. Things that we consider minor, or as friendly moves. But when the container is in such bad shape that it needs to be totally replaced, that there is more rust/mould/crap in it that anything else, then I think it’s the owner’s move. If nothing is done, I strongly believe it’s a cacher’s job to report it, and if nothing is done again after a while, for the good of the sport, it has to be archived and the spot open to someone else, especially when it’s a spectacular spot. (We have to say that we also did some major maintenance for cachers that were away and could not maintained their cache in a timely or reasonable time frame, here’s an example: GC7142, October11/2008.)
Most of the time when I am out for a hunt, I download a bunch of caches in the GPS, and out I go. What a disappointment when I find a piece of junk and coming back home and realize that has been reported ”needs maintenance” for 6 months+, years!, and nothing has been done (and very often, the owners are still active geocachers!)
Although most have agreed with my thoughts, there are still some that says all is good, maybe just to get their ”found it” log not deleted I dunno (I got some of my logs deleted, so now for piece of garbage, I do not log a find). Here is an example, GC5628 http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?wp=gc5628
Be VERY blunt and honest, should I shut up now? OR should I continue writing this type of need maintenance logs?
Shut up? Probably. This is what I am now thinking. Next time I find one of those, I will not log anything, I will not say a word, I will just be quiet. I am certainly not the kind of taking everyone’s hands to sing Kumbaya when I see things like that just to make sure the owner will not delete my ”find” log. So I guess I am done lamenting and I will no longer say a word … unless you convince me I should not shut up LOL!
On a more positive side, there are plenty of very nice caches out there, very well maintained, and I guess that makes us very happy. Thanks to all of those who believe in this lovely game/sport/activity and that reflect it with their good caching etiquette. If one day I stop taking good care of my caches, people, pls shout it at me! 😉
I agree and you have the right to complain, people need to be responsible for their hides. I know how you feel I had an unmaintained puzzle as my closest cache for a LONG time with many logs stating it was impossible to finish, if your not going to go fix it, at least archive it. Not to toot my own horn but I received a second DNF on a cache today and I replaced the container tonight as I don’t want to be known as someone who doesn’t fix their hides. I have no problem fixing a wet log but if it becomes garbage and has not been acted on by the owner after repeated logs, I agree take it out and place a needs archived log. The unfortunate thing is the people who don’t care also don’t visit these sites but maybe if those of us who do care spoke up in the logs they might get the picture?
i agree keep spreading the word. i try to my best to get out and replace a faulty container and log almost as soon as the cache was reported a problem. I’ve even gone out just to check on them for the fun of it. on a side note it seems the CO for that cache uses insp gadget for the placer of the cache but really it’s hyper-1s. I’ve seen a many caches that at first glance looked like insp gadget’s but are this guy’s. and he’s terrible at maintenance.
We haven’t been in this sport for long and we have a lot of respect for cachers that hides tons of caches. Without them all of this would be impossible. But I also agree with Nemodidi on this issue. It’s not a fun feeling when you find a cache that is literally falling apart. We learned that it’s common practice to change a wet log or a full log and we are doing it as often as we can. But it’s true that when a cache container is at a point where it is almost considered trash, that it’s the placer’s responsibility to repair the cache. I mean there are always exceptions with cachers not beeing in the region and all those sorts of issues.
We started to add caches in our hometown, Shippagan. We only have two of them so far but we plan to add a lot more. One thing that we will be sure of is not to add more caches than we can maintain as soon as there is a problem. We like to find caches in good shape and we are looking toward the same treatment to the cachers that will find ours.
For my part, if you find one of my cache in needs of maintenance, please let us know about it so we can take appropriate actions ;-).
denislan
I agree with everything that’s been said here but I also know from personal experience that sometimes you just forget or don’t get to a cache in a good amount of time. I’ve had my Eagleridge View cache disabled for a month now because it needs replaced, but I have just been way too busy to get out and replace the container. It might sound silly where it would only take a few minutes but if you’re a busy person then sometimes it just escapes you.
I’m not justifying people who leave trash in the woods because I am with you, take it out and put a NA log on it. I’m just saying that sometimes people have legit reasons for not getting to their caches.
Plus, I think that at as general rule, people know the cachers who have crappy maintenance habits. I can think of a few that I know don’t maintain their caches very well and usually cringe if I know I’m going to be trying to find one of theirs.
Interestingly enough, this makes me want to go out tonite and fix the one on Jones Lake 🙂
Well, I went out and replaced my Eagleridge View cache on my lunch hour. Thanks for the inspiration 🙂
Congratulation for a good job done! Funny 😉
It’s kind of funny too because I have another cache, Indy’s Blue Crayon, which was recently reported as basically being destroyed but the last finder did a little bit of work on it and told me it was in bad shape. I put a note on the cache saying that the next person who found it could take it with them and I would archive it. It’s not the easiest cache to get to so I wasn’t too keen on going all the way out there to get it. Then Ma & Pa mentioned that it was a cache they wanted to get and didn’t like the idea of me archiving it since it is one that requires a bit of a hike. I got to thinking about it and it’s true that those types of caches are less common now. So, my new plan is to go out and replace the container with an ammo can as soon as I can find the time.
Now THIS really really really is geocaching!!!!!!!
I guess if you dont read your reply before pressing the little “leave comment” icon, you are doomed if you made a mistake. Cant go back to modify.
Disregard the one above, here is what you should read:
Now THIS is geocaching !!!!!!
LOL
I did maintenance on 3 caches today. One required a 1K bushwhack to and from to get to. One was in the Story Teller series out on Sanitorium Rd and the other one was a 4K round trip walk along Gunningsville Blvd. I think I am all caught up now.
which is the bushwhack one?
Thursday I was in Halifax and spent part of the day doing much needed maintenance, since I had a lot of caches that were wet/damaged/missing. Since I don’t live in Hali anymore, and usually have a dozen things to do when I get in to the city, maintenance on my caches there has gotten harder to do, and takes me longer than it should. I disabled 2 or 3 till I could do maintenance since they didn’t sound to be in a condition worth finding. I sometimes get a log saying it’s the person’s first cache find, and I’d like things like that to be a positive experience.
Since I have a lot of caches, I rely on people posting a “needs maintenance” log or mentioning a cache is wet to know that it needs a visit. This I don’t mind. However, I recently had someone post that one of my caches needed maintaining and the log was too wet to sign. Considering I had disabled it over 2 weeks before their visit because of reports it was really wet, I feel notes like that aren’t necessary. If someone’s going to look for a cache the owner has disabled due to needing maintenance, they shouldn’t expect it to be in good shape. Granted, people might work from an old PQ, but if you see it’s disabled when you log it, adding yet another note to say it needs maintenance seems unnecessary.
I go to Bathurst a few times a year to visit my in-laws, and I have to say I’m pretty disappointed in the quality of caches up there. Caches are not maintained. Either the cacher has not cached in a long time (a guy named unknown45), or the person has moved to a new area and has completely abandoned caches in the city. In most cases these caches have had problems for years and nothing done about them. I’m not talking about wet log sheets and such; these are caches that are old ice cream containers that are destroyed by the winter weather, containers with the contents scattered and the lid gone, night caches missing firetacks so people can’t find the final cache, etc. They are not disabled and there is no acknowledgement from the cache owners of any problem despite the “needs maintenance” logs on the cache. My concern is that there appears to be some new cachers in Bathurst area as of late, and I’m afraid that poorly maintained caches (there are quite a few of them) will ruin the experience for them.
I have only been geocaching for 5 months now so I am still new to this.I have come across a few caches that needed help.One that had fallen
( JIM52), one that needed a new log and a micro that went missing (Ma & Pa),I think one by #1 Scout and Rev Slippery.I left a log on the cache page and sent an e-mail to the cache owner.They were fixed very shortly after.I have also seen one or two others that have not been maintained and there was no reply from the cache owner.I don’t really get discouraged by these caches but do wonder why they choose not to maintain them when they are still active geocaches.I hate to see a geocache archived knowing I can’t turn it into a smiley face.Some of these caches are very easy to get to.I know people have busy lives but if they want to geocache and place caches they should commit to it and do their part to maintain their caches.I now carry baggies and note books with me to fix log book problems, commom thing, for the “respectable” caches.I did what I could for Zors “Indy’s Blue Crayon”.I am really glad to see he kept this one alive.I like the harder to get to caches.I have respect and thanks for the geocachers who place their caches and maintain them.It gives me a hobby to pursue.To the others, maybe you should find another hobby.
I don’t see any problem at all. None at all. But maybe I;m just old and senile.
If the cache is wet, just wet dry if out. ( bring a cloth with you when you cache.
If it is fallen put it back.
If it needs a log book ( carry some they just need to be sheets of paper ) replace it.
If it is trash moldie or destroyed by animals.
Take the cache out. Note this in your log.
E-mail the cache owner that you have his cache.
If he doesn’t answer in a week throw it away, he
will probably tell you to anyway.
If you see that the cacher hasn’t cached in 6 months
post a needs archiving log on the cache and
geocaching will archive the cache.
I’m sure he or she will be thankfull. That way he can
archive if he wishes and know the cache is gone.
This will leave the area to another cacher to use.
If he wants to fix the cache he can do so.
I sometimes go for archived caches where I don’t see a log that
the owner has removed them. I then remove them and inform the owner.
One more piece of trash removed from the woods.
Below is my log for GC25TAD A Cache for Nicolas
May 30 by jim52 (11387 found)
Went to see if the cache was still there after the caching breakfast today.
I removed the cache for you .
If you would like your cache container please contact me.
Thanks for the cache.
In a closing note I would like to say if you find one of my
caches that you think is in really bad shape – please please
remove it and note that in your log or e-mail me.
I will then decide if I will go back and replace it or archive it.
And I will thank you for that.
If anyother cachers fell the same way please post here and say so.
I don’t think I agree that there is no problem. The biggie is not about a cache that is fallen that needs to be replaced back on its branch, or a logbook to be change or water to be dried out; I like to think that every cachers outthere do that.
I think you presented very wise comments, and it makes perfect sense; although I never felt comfortable in throwing the ”garbage” away but I like your practice of contacting the cache owner. If this (removing super old not maintained cache) is acceptable within the geocaching community and a well-recognized practice, I’m certainly in!
While I’ve decided to go out there and revamp some of the caches in desperate need (FunkyNassau if you read this, I’ll do it for some of yours so to get you the kick in the butt you need to get back in the sport! LOL …and you will need to pay me another beverage for it), I may adhere from time to time to the ”remove and discard” the real bad ones.
Going with all what I’ve said earlier, and putting Jim’s input into perspective (as well as Tetagoucher’s in previous threads on another site), I think this all puts an end to my beef. (I know some of you will say FINALLY, LOL!)
I decided to go out there and revamp, maintain and completely change some of the worst in locations that I like.
I started this a.m. and did what I believe to be one hell of a good job on two of them.
Please have a look at the picture in GCJD2D. This is what I was talking about when I was referring to a problem. But I’ve decided to fix it, again either by taking the trash out or by changing the whole cache to a brand new one. We will not put any caches of our own in the Moncton area, but we will try to keep up some maintenance or clear up the trash if need be.
I am now at peace with the issue 😉
I guess you are no longer at peace with this issue 😉