Hi from a newby, and QQ re. opening caches with stealth!

[BlackAndTabbyFamily]

Hi!

Newbie here - we only started geocaching last weekend, but we're hooked already! I have a pile of printouts for caches we're going looking for this weekend, and we all have our own Travel Bugs ready for release :-)

Quick question though - we found a medium sized cache last weekend, and the kids had a wonderful time unearthing it, opening it, sorting through all the contents, swapping swag and signing the log book. Fortunately, we were in a deserted location, but the thought crossed my mind, how do you open caches discretely (with children!) with lots of other people about?

Any top tips gratefully received!

Thanks,

L

[martybartfast]

First of all, if there are people about then retrieve the cache discretely and take it somewhere else to open it (but make sure to remember EXACTLY where you found it) so that anyone noticing you looking at the box won't associate it with the hide location. It can also help to put the cache box into a bag/rucksack (if you've got one with you) to open it, then anyone seeing you will just think you're rummaging in your bag looking for something.

Having the kids (or dogs) with you is good, as everyone expects kids to be doing silly, pointless stuff and they'll go unnoticed, it's grownups on their own that arouse suspicion h34r:

Oh and wellcome :cheers:

[Bill D (wwh)]

Welcome to caching, and congratulations on your first find!

What martybartfast says.

If the hiding place is not an obvious one, then when you remove the cache put a marker, like a stone for example, in its place to ensure you replace it in the correct spot.

You've got an advantage, caching with children, as they can provide distractions, and as marty says people expect children to be doing silly things anyway.

I mostly cache on my own, and I've had a few situations where I've felt I was being watched by one or more individuals whilst I was signing the log and so on. If they don't move along, I have a drink, and a sandwich if I've got one, then make some imaginary mobile calls. If they still don't go, I put the cache in my bag and walk away, give it a while and then go back and replace it, assuming the people have gone, of course.

[BlackAndTabbyFamily]

If they don't move along, I have a drink, and a sandwich if I've got one, then make some imaginary mobile calls. If they still don't go, I put the cache in my bag and walk away, give it a while and then go back and replace it, assuming the people have gone, of course.

Bill D - good ideas - like the mobile calls idea!

I think I may be worrying unnecessarily, but the plans we have for the weekend involve geocaching around a very popular village! Maybe a big picnic blanket, suitable for impromtu 'picnics' / hiding the cache may be called for?!

L x

[Bill D (wwh)]

Bill D - good ideas - like the mobile calls idea!

I think I may be worrying unnecessarily, but the plans we have for the weekend involve geocaching around a very popular village! Maybe a big picnic blanket, suitable for impromtu 'picnics' / hiding the cache may be called for?!

L x

A big picnic blanket certainly sounds like a good idea! Anything that makes you look just like an ordinary, if maybe slightly nutty () family out for a walk is useful. A tennis ball or something similar can be useful too - a throw n catch game where the ball just happens to go quite accidentally into a particular clump of bushes offers the perfect visual explanation as to why the children suddenly rush in there.

[BlackAndTabbyFamily]

Anything that makes you look just like an ordinary, if maybe slightly nutty () family out for a walk is useful.

Oh - we already look like an ordinary, slightly nutty family!!:lol:

[BlackAndTabbyFamily]

Martybartfast - thank you! Its true, kids are always doing strange & pointless things anyway!

Like the idea (if necessary) of removing the cache a short way away to open more discretely - but does this cause a problem if the 'observers' are actually also geocachers?

Am I unnecessarily complicating things??!!

[Bear and Ragged]

Martybartfast - thank you! Its true, kids are always doing strange & pointless things anyway!

Like the idea (if necessary) of removing the cache a short way away to open more discretely - but does this cause a problem if the 'observers' are actually also geocachers?

Am I unnecessarily complicating things??!!

Cachers eye will tell you/them if you're cachers after the same cache!

600+ caches, I've only been caught twice with the cache in hand by a fellow cacher.

"Am I unnecessarily complicating things??!!" Yes! :lol:

[martybartfast]

Like the idea (if necessary) of removing the cache a short way away to open more discretely - but does this cause a problem if the 'observers' are actually also geocachers?

I don't think so, if they are cachers then they'll probably figure out what you're up to and come and join you! Don't worry you'll soon develop and eye for spotting other cachers in the wild !

I had a similar situation a couple of months ago, when I turned a bend in the path I spotted a family in the distance who quickly moved along the path as soon as they saw me, and stopped about 30 feet away to 'look at the map', as I got to GZ I realised this was where they'd been hovering so I kept walking, saw that they were clutching a GPS and a printout of the cache page so I just asked "did you find it?" I signed the log while they were doing swaps and went on my way after a quick chat, and so I met another group of cachers in the woods.

[Family_Moose]

We had an interesting one on our first "family" day out caching!

Stumbled up another couple who had just found their first cache!

It was a micro cache, which was very well hidden....... we said our hello's had a quick chat then wandered off down the path until they replaced the cache & shouted the all clear!

We got to have the fun of actually locating the cache which was great!

Agree with the children thing too..... having a Noodle who is only just potty trained has it's advantages too, just nip the "adventure potty" out of the bag and offer said toddler a sit, people won't come looking too closely at that!!

[BlackAndTabbyFamily]

having a Noodle who is only just potty trained has it's advantages too, just nip the "adventure potty" out of the bag and offer said toddler a sit, people won't come looking too closely at that!!

:lol: yes - I can imagine most people would turn a blind eye to anything else going on then!

Unfortunately, since my kids are now 9 & 8 I think persuading one of them to sit on a potty, out in the open, might be stretching my influencing skills!

L x

[Tartan Tumchie]

Or what about a Golden Doodle