Caching as it used to be

[The Hornet]

Several threads have sprung up recently commenting on the supposed "demise" of cache quality. I have tended to go along with the "curmugeon" side of things as I've had the feeling that "fings aint wot they used to be". There seem to be more and more dismal caches in boring locations with little or no contents of note. But that has just been a feeling.

However today it was all brought into focus when I found my first Terracache Carding Mill capers recycled (Back to basics) by Markandlynn.

All of a sudden I was transported back to the "good old days" of caching - a good location, a good cache and really worthwhile swaps. It's only when you see what you've been missing that you realise how things have truly changed. It used to be that good caches like this were common, now they are like hens' teeth.

I just wish there were more Terracaches near me so that I could gauge whether they are all up to this standard.

[Bill D (wwh)]

I've yet to find a Terracache, but I've listed a Locationless and I intend soon to place a Traditional on there - the camouflaged container's sitting beside me as I type but I never seem to find the time to get out there and hide it.

[jacobite]

I have noticed an over all drop in the quality of cahes over the past couple of years, and think part of this could be down to the ever increasing number of caches being placed, leaving cachers with less and less choice. However, there does seem to be a trend toward "a cache for a cache's sake", especially around events. The net result of this is poorly maintained caches and me standing at locations wondering why I'm there!

Give me a bit of history, an interesting location, and I'll show a happy cacher and a log to match

You're never happy, Jacobite.......don't kid yourself on!

[GAZ]

I agree, there are far more poor caches these days. I have found one recently that made me think "why?" Ok, the dog got a walk I suppose! And just today, I had to go to Annan to do a delivery....had the co-ords in the GPSr....but just drove right past....it's in a muggle ridden area, overlooked by houses....AND it was a magnetic nano....no wonder I didn't wanna stop! Maybe next time when the wife's with me.....she can look, I'll sit in the car!

Maybe I SHOULD try other listing sites......oops, that's a hot potato at the moment on t'other forumsopcorn:

[nobbynobbs]

maybe we should start a trend to rate caches in our logs. simple ?/10 at the end of every log.

[The Hornet]

maybe we should start a trend to rate caches in our logs. simple ?/10 at the end of every log.

Exactly, which is why I'm now mentioning GCVote and providing a link on all my logs now.

[Paddygt]

I have found this thread of great interest. I have only just found this site thanks to a link on UKGeocachers and, as a very new novice to geocaching myself with only six finds under my belt, I would like to ask what may not be a simple question.

What is a 'good' geocache?

The reason I ask is that, to me, every cache I have found and even the ones I looked for in vain, have been good caches. I can see the argument that there are too many caches which I suppose has the effect of diluting the hobby but if there were only a finite number would that mean that it would soon end as each one is found?

I accept that maybe a good cache is one that takes you way off the beaten path, sadly it will never be like going into 'the woods' USA style in the UK. But is that really a good cache or a good walk? Please accept my inexperience in all this, remember I am asking a question.

My first cache was a small magnetic hidden under the bottom rail of a fence in a local park. I had to find three locations to finally get the co-ordinates for the final location of the cache and I did it using software downloaded onto my Nokia N95 phone. Certainly not off the beaten track but I thoroughly enjoyed it and it was that first cache that made me want more. The fact that I invested in and have downloaded the nearest 250 caches to where I live to my GPS, and the radius of that circle is not that big, actually made me quite excited at the prospect of being able to find so many without having to travel the length and breadth of the country for my next one.

Now that may make it sound as though I am only interested in getting a high score, I can assure you that that is not the case. I have enjoyed trying to find the ones that, as yet, still elude me but I have not given up on them, I will be back and I will find them one day.

The argument that a cache is put out for the sake of it could, I suppose, be attributed to any but I have yet to find one that made me wonder why it was there. The reason they are all there surely is to be found.

So, after what in my innocence I think, I will return to my original question. What makes a 'good' cache? I do want to know because when I plant my first one, I would prefer it if it satisfied newcomers and old hands alike.

[dodgydaved]

What is a 'good' geocache?

My first cache was a small magnetic hidden under the bottom rail of a fence in a local park. I had to find three locations to finally get the co-ordinates for the final location of the cache and I did it using software downloaded onto my Nokia N95 phone. Certainly not off the beaten track but I thoroughly enjoyed it and it was that first cache that made me want more.

....then that was a good cache for you!

A good cache is one that you enjoy a lot - and of course it will not be the same for everyone.

I have done good caches which were a lovely walk; which took me to a great viewpoint. Virts that took me to places I did not know existed - or places that I knew were there but might not have visited them were it not for the virt.

The frustration of of not finding a micro on a busy yacht marina on the IOM and going "Doh" when I found another one hidden by the same cacher and realised that I had had the first cache in my hand without realising it.

Teasel's late lamented cache in Bracknell that was a hollowed out cherry branch in a pile of other branches.

Yup, it's whatever you enjoy - others may not but you did - that's what makes it a good cache

[L8HNB]

I accept that maybe a good cache is one that takes you way off the beaten path, sadly it will never be like going into 'the woods' USA style in the UK.

There are some caches where you can get away from it all, just got back from Scotland and we found some great caches up there where we were miles from anywhere, as indeed there are all over the UK, you just have to look that bit harder. Oh, were both mid 50's amd really do need the exercise, so exercise mad we 'aint - LOL.

I think there seems to be the old school who get a bit jaded with run of the mill stuff and the newer cachers who enjoy every new challenge, because that is what it is, new.

We've been caching since early '06, so not exactly old hands, but not exactly newbies either - after the first go for anything phase we have become somewhat more selective in what we look for. We especially like to get out of our own area and see what other challenges are out there - caches, in our experience, on the whole tend to similar in an area, go else where and you will find different challenges.

Main thing is, enjoy what you are doing. Select and set caches that you and others, hopefully, will remember when they crop up in geoconversation, another great part of the hobby.

[Paddygt]

Thanks for the comments so far, I can see that it is very much what I thought, horses for courses.

I have no doubt that eventually I will settle on a certain type and I doubt it will be Nano size as most of the ones I have failed to find are nano types and, maybe my inexperience, I just cannot work out where the heck they could be.

If it is that small, then it has to be attached to something obvious. I have stood there constantly checking my GPS and staring at a hawthorn hedge with nothing obviously different about any part of it.

Now given that I am looking for something the size of a thimble and also given that I may be be only within 20 feet or so I just give up. Trouble is, when I get home, I keep thinking I must have missed something so I need to go back. As these are local, that isn't a problem so I suppose given that they are still on my mind and I still want them, it cannot be a bad thing.

[esim]

With 253 caches within 10km of our home I'd agree that it's getting a bit overpopulated in Wiltshire.

Many of the rings that are placed now are nice walks, however they could just as well be multi's rather than 23 individual caches. Many of them could be converted to a multi that leads you to a great location.

I remember the joy of finding my 100th cache within my target (1st year of caching) as it had been a challenge. I've found my 500th cache :socool: last weekend, but the joy of that was not much really as you can now pick up 50 on a day's walk.

If you consider placing a cache, make it an interesting multi with a good story to it. :wub:

[martybartfast]

Many of the rings that are placed now are nice walks, however they could just as well be multi's rather than 23 individual caches. Many of them could be converted to a multi that leads you to a great location.

I'm in two minds about this, I agree in principle, but the big advantage of a ring is that you can see before you set out where you're going to be going, decide whethrer it's within your capabilities and work out how long it will take you. I've had several multis which I've had to pass by because I wasn't sure of what I was letting myself in for before starting, so I think it's important to state on a multi page how far the walk is, and where it will leave you, and what sort of terrain is involved.

[Happy Humphrey]

...
Many of the rings that are placed now are nice walks, however they could just as well be multi's rather than 23 individual caches. Many of them could be converted to a multi that leads you to a great location.

I remember the joy of finding my 100th cache within my target (1st year of caching) as it had been a challenge. I've found my 500th cache :socool: last weekend, but the joy of that was not much really as you can now pick up 50 on a day's walk.

If you consider placing a cache, make it an interesting multi with a good story to it. :wub:

Clearly, a series of caches is going to be more popular than the same caches arranged as a multi. But as you appear to support the "multicache" version, perhaps you'd be kind enough to explain why the same caches are better as a multi. Many of them could be converted to a multi, but why would you? As far as I can tell, there's no difference except that the multi has a few disadvantages.

Back on the general topic, it appears to me that there are still plenty of "caches-as-they-used-to-be" being created. Perhaps more than ever.

It's just that there are many variants of the game being played nowadays, so for every cache that appeals to the connoisseur of a particular type, there are several that don't.