Pocket Queries: am I doing something wrong?

[LoisInTheForest]

When I got the bug, I registered with GC.com in November 2003 but various circumstances (helping run our family’s pub until late 2006 – holding a part-time working from home job as a website manager and steadily worsening back problems – no apathy or laziness involved at all, oh no) subsequently conspired to curtail my geocaching activities.

The mobility difficulties stemming from a couple of naff spinal nerves and discs have been significantly alleviated by surgery a few months ago and (having flipped up the lethargy switch as well) I have recently recommenced my geocaching efforts. However, I often find it quite difficult to walk more than moderate distances to find a cache – at the moment, 2 to 3 km over flattish terrain is about my limit, and that’s usually with a walking stick (varying degrees of necessity for this), although I am starting to think I might be able to use my mountain bike again which would open up somewhat greater distances (as long as there was some way I could get on the bloody thing without a mounting block and off it without falling over sideways).

So, although it’s not anywhere near as bad as it might be, I need to establish which caches I’d be able to do fairly easily. I’ve just submitted a PQ to list up to 200 caches near my home location with difficulty and terrain ratings of 1 or less (are there any rated a half, I wonder?). On submitting the query, the automated message says that it currently returns 0 results. Am I doing something wrong? I’ve set the following criteria for the PQ: Days to generate: Friday; Run this query every week on the days checked; Show me 100 caches of any type; Any container; That I haven’t found; And terrain is less than or equal to 1; Within United Kingdom; From My Home Co-ordinates; Within radius of 100 miles; Placed: None Selected; Output to my account’s e-mail address; In .GPX format (compressed). When I got the zero message, I tried different terrain and difficulty ratings and still got zilch!

I’d be grateful for any advice/suggestions. Maybe I could get those jolly nice folk at GC.com to add the search criteria “decrepit old codger with a stick/with a bike/without a bike”!

[markandlynn]

Copy one of these but dont use the date ranges just make sure everything else matches.

http://markandlynn.croaghan.com/Pape...hing_guide.PDF

Id recomend asking for 500 caches and up your terrain to at least 1.5.

Make sure no other boxes have inadbertently got ticked as well.

[LoisInTheForest]

Thanks so much for your help, it's much appreciated. Actually, I do keep GSAK up to date with UK caches but, as I hadn't used the program's filtering facility to any great extent before, I didn't even think to look at it! Another old codger moment!

[Bear and Ragged]

Also.
Don't check "Day to Run" until you've run the PQ.

If you've set things 'right' you should get a page saying "This has *** caches, view on nearest search page" or similar.

If it's what you're after, now edit and select "Day to Run" -saves using actual PQ's until you're ready.

[nobbynobbs]

i'd set the terrain at 2. green fordv go is rated as a 2 but the terrain isn't that bad unless it's been really wet.

it'll give you a starting point.

[FuzzyBears]

Having similar problems to the OP I have found the best tool for sorting caches is Memory map (or the streetmaps map on GC).. We get our nearest 450 caches that we haven't done in a PQ transfer these to MM via GSAK /Lord Elf's wonderful icons.... You can then see how far from parking and a rough idea of terrain... what type of cache and if you set the export right the T/D setting for the cache...
I have seen T1 caches with a 5 mile hike and T2 caches which are just up a short banking from a lay-by
Then with a quick click you can go to the cache page and check the details

Having the same set up on a PDA allows for drive by caching if you have time to spare on a journey .. We picked up 5 on the way homeon Saturday all within 1k from the road. and have done 15 in a day without going more than 1.5k
Not a cheap solution but a good one IMO
Dave

[t.a.folk]

I've got rubbish legs so we check the distance needed to walk for traditionals on Street map or paper Ordance map .
About 800 metres each way is my comfort distance .
Also check the contour lines for gradients .
And check cache details for mention of stiles.
All very time consuming ..but needs must these days .

Multies we sometimes do in stageson different days .
Have already done the final stage of your Lakeland Plastic .

[LoisInTheForest]

Thanks again for all the helpful comments. I've recently started using MM to check distances from car parks etc. Glad you've nearly completed Lakeland Plastic, t.a. folk! Are you doing it backwards? You won't be the first if you are!

[Dave Gerrie]

Thanks so much for your help, it's much appreciated. Actually, I do keep GSAK up to date with UK caches but, as I hadn't used the program's filtering facility to any great extent before, I didn't even think to look at it! Another old codger moment!

if you need a hand with some GSAK filters, feel free to give me a shout - I may even be able to rustle up something appropriate for you and e-mail it over.

Dave
purple_pineapple