I was wondering...

[+johninvandergrift]

Two cachers caching together. One cacher finds the cache. Both cachers sign the log and later log their find online. Do you see where I'm going with this? If only one person "found" the cache then why do they both claim a find. Didn't one cacher just witness a find? Before someone says it, I know there is MORE to this hobby than the "find", but isn't the "find" the MOST important part? Not looking to open a hornets nest here...I was just wondering.

[+BlueDeuce]

If one gets the other to find the cache, who's the smarter cacher?

 

To me it's all fair; at worst it just lowers the difficulty level for the second cacher.

 

Some people will set the rule that no grabbing the cache until all find it. Sometimes it's "Just tell me when you find it" kind of caching.

Edited September 8, 2006 by BlueDeuce

[+Moose Mob]

What feels right to you?

 

Many people feel that as long as you sign the log, it's a find. We don't bog the game down by rules that over limit our fun. There are folks that will insist that they have to "find" the cache in order to claim a "found it" log. In the long run, do what feels comfortable to you. If the cache owner doesn't like it, they can challenge your log. Either way, the goal is to enjoy yourself.

[+johninvandergrift]

I guess that's where I'm coming from. It doesn't feel right to "me". Just wondered how others felt.

[+briansnat]

The way I look at it, your are a team and found it as a team. If the other person wasn't there you probably would have found it anyway.

 

But if it it really feels wrong to you, then you can do what I often do when caching with my wife and iwith a group. When one person finds it, he walks away then announces that he found it and waits while each other person finds it. This actually can be quite entertaining if you're one of the first to find it.

[+Ambrosia]

The thing is, one of the best things about geocaching is the social aspect. It's wonderful to be able to go outside and cache with a bunch of people. But think of the scenario if only the person who actually "found" the cache gets to log it.

 

5 people go caching. They find 10 caches in one day. Only one of them gets to log each of those caches, the other 4 people do not since only one person can "find" the cache. What if you are slower, or have a hard time, and you go the whole day and only get 0 finds? You could try to do what briansnat says and walk away and let the others find it and this works some of the time, but not when people are looking at the same time in the same spot and several see it about the same time.

 

Doesn't that also mean that you could never go back to those caches and find them at a later time because it would be cheating because you already know where the cache is and so cannot "find" it? And even if you could go back later and "find" the cache, isn't that just a bit silly and a waste of time to go to the cache twice just to satisfy someone's idea of a "find"?

 

Sounds like in any case that you're going through a lot of hoops.

 

Umm, in that sort of scenario, I'd possibly not choose to go caching with friends. How sad.

[+Sagefox]

...I know there is MORE to this hobby than the "find", but isn't the "find" the MOST important part?

 

When you have a chance to go around with other cachers the concept people are presenting here will become more clear to you. It really does make sense to consider signing the physical log as a find rather than the one who actually finds it.

[+StarBrand]

As others have said - if it doesn't "feel right" to you than act accordingly but I have no problem with both cachers logging the find. Both were searching and likely worked together in order to get either of them in a position to finally locate it. Caching as a group is an important part of the caching world.

[+tozainamboku]

Two cachers caching together. One cacher finds the cache. Both cachers sign the log and later log their find online. Do you see where I'm going with this? If only one person "found" the cache then why do they both claim a find. Didn't one cacher just witness a find? Before someone says it, I know there is MORE to this hobby than the "find", but isn't the "find" the MOST important part? Not looking to open a hornets nest here...I was just wondering.

 

Who says the "find" is the most important part. Maybe it's the "hunt". Maybe it's going out and enjoying the activity with your friends. I'm sorry if the "find" is the most important part to you. I hope that it doesn't necessarily follow that the "score" (find count) is also important. Unfoturnately, there are many people who put a lot of emphasis on the "score". They complain all the time about the "cheating" that goes on in geocaching because people log a find that they wouldn't count. My advice is to log finds that you are comfortable logging and don't worry about what other people do. Of course, keep in mind that some of the cache hiders are among the people who think the "score", or at least the "find", is important and they have the power to delete logs they feel are invalid.

[+Blue Power Ranger]

Two cachers caching together. One cacher finds the cache. Both cachers sign the log and later log their find online. Do you see where I'm going with this? If only one person "found" the cache then why do they both claim a find. Didn't one cacher just witness a find? Before someone says it, I know there is MORE to this hobby than the "find", but isn't the "find" the MOST important part? Not looking to open a hornets nest here...I was just wondering.

 

...so next time I take my kids caching, should I push them out of the way so I can "find" the cache and not them?

 

C'mon this is taking things too far. Can't we let common sense be our guide?

[+dkwolf]

It depends on who I'm caching with, my BIL and I use a one finds-it, all sign it method. My college roomate and I (and his wife) use the find it, walk away, announce you found it, and wait for everyone else. Just depends on the day.

 

Nothing wrong with either way. Both ways, you hunted for it. Just depends on if you're working as part of a team, or as a group of individuals.

[+Always & Forever 5]

 

...so next time I take my kids caching, should I push them out of the way so I can "find" the cache and not them?

 

C'mon this is taking things too far. Can't we let common sense be our guide?

 

Unfortunately, common sense isn't all too common these days...

 

Play the game how you want to, and don't worry about how anybody else plays. Wasn't this the way we were all taught as children??? If you don't like it, quit. Too many 'rules' only make for gummed up workings.

[+Mudfrog]

The thing is, one of the best things about geocaching is the social aspect. It's wonderful to be able to go outside and cache with a bunch of people. But think of the scenario if only the person who actually "found" the cache gets to log it.

 

5 people go caching. They find 10 caches in one day. Only one of them gets to log each of those caches, the other 4 people do not since only one person can "find" the cache. What if you are slower, or have a hard time, and you go the whole day and only get 0 finds? You could try to do what briansnat says and walk away and let the others find it and this works some of the time, but not when people are looking at the same time in the same spot and several see it about the same time.

 

Doesn't that also mean that you could never go back to those caches and find them at a later time because it would be cheating because you already know where the cache is and so cannot "find" it? And even if you could go back later and "find" the cache, isn't that just a bit silly and a waste of time to go to the cache twice just to satisfy someone's idea of a "find"?

 

Sounds like in any case that you're going through a lot of hoops.

 

Umm, in that sort of scenario, I'd possibly not choose to go caching with friends. How sad.

 

I've found many a cache by myself but getting to enjoy the experience with Chicken and/or other good Friends makes it much more enjoyable. Most of the time whoever finds it first will walk away to let the others keep searching. There are times where this doesn't work as well since everyone sees where that person had been looking anyways. I'm a stickler for going by guidelines but even if someone suggested them, i'm not sure how they could be worked into this situation. For us, the main thing is that we all sign the logbook.

[+TheAlabamaRambler]

Two cachers caching together. One cacher finds the cache. Both cachers sign the log and later log their find online. Do you see where I'm going with this? If only one person "found" the cache then why do they both claim a find. Didn't one cacher just witness a find? Before someone says it, I know there is MORE to this hobby than the "find", ...

 

but isn't the "find" the MOST important part?...

 

Not looking to open a hornets nest here...I was just wondering.

 

No, the find is often coincidental to the reason some of us cache!

 

DNFs, for example, are just as much fun as finds because we value the hunt, the company, the place, the caching experience, whatever!

 

Getting too focused on any one detail of the game will likely spoil the whole game for you.

 

As far as the 'ethics' of signing a log someone else found first, the old tired phrase "Play it your way" really does apply.

 

Ed

[+johninvandergrift]

Two cachers caching together. One cacher finds the cache. Both cachers sign the log and later log their find online. Do you see where I'm going with this? If only one person "found" the cache then why do they both claim a find. Didn't one cacher just witness a find? Before someone says it, I know there is MORE to this hobby than the "find", but isn't the "find" the MOST important part? Not looking to open a hornets nest here...I was just wondering.

 

Who says the "find" is the most important part. Maybe it's the "hunt". Maybe it's going out and enjoying the activity with your friends. I'm sorry if the "find" is the most important part to you. I hope that it doesn't necessarily follow that the "score" (find count) is also important. Unfoturnately, there are many people who put a lot of emphasis on the "score". They complain all the time about the "cheating" that goes on in geocaching because people log a find that they wouldn't count. My advice is to log finds that you are comfortable logging and don't worry about what other people do. Of course, keep in mind that some of the cache hiders are among the people who think the "score", or at least the "find", is important and they have the power to delete logs they feel are invalid.

 

Again, Not trying to open a hornets nest.

I agree with you that the "hunt" is also an important part of the hobby. But "personally" the "find" is still the biggie. I cache with my son and daughter. Yes at the end of the day, we had fun getting there and we enjoyed being together but we are out there trying to find something. That's what we're doing, right? I like hiking. Without the "find" wouldn't we just be hiking? Please don't think I'm being critical of anyone. I guess I'm still learning the many faces of geocaching.

[+Mudfrog]

Two cachers caching together. One cacher finds the cache. Both cachers sign the log and later log their find online. Do you see where I'm going with this? If only one person "found" the cache then why do they both claim a find. Didn't one cacher just witness a find? Before someone says it, I know there is MORE to this hobby than the "find", but isn't the "find" the MOST important part? Not looking to open a hornets nest here...I was just wondering.

 

Who says the "find" is the most important part. Maybe it's the "hunt". Maybe it's going out and enjoying the activity with your friends. I'm sorry if the "find" is the most important part to you. I hope that it doesn't necessarily follow that the "score" (find count) is also important. Unfoturnately, there are many people who put a lot of emphasis on the "score". They complain all the time about the "cheating" that goes on in geocaching because people log a find that they wouldn't count. My advice is to log finds that you are comfortable logging and don't worry about what other people do. Of course, keep in mind that some of the cache hiders are among the people who think the "score", or at least the "find", is important and they have the power to delete logs they feel are invalid.

 

Again, Not trying to open a hornets nest.

I agree with you that the "hunt" is also an important part of the hobby. But "personally" the "find" is still the biggie. I cache with my son and daughter. Yes at the end of the day, we had fun getting there and we enjoyed being together but we are out there trying to find something. That's what we're doing, right? I like hiking. Without the "find" wouldn't we just be hiking? Please don't think I'm being critical of anyone. I guess I'm still learning the many faces of geocaching.

 

Just a question, how would you handle this if your son and daughter had their own accounts?

[+GreyingJay]

So if you drop your cell phone somewhere in the woods and we all go help you find it, am I supposed to not say anything if I find it first before you do?

 

When you do a jigsaw puzzle with your family, and they all help you put the puzzle together, do you later claim that the puzzle is incomplete because you, personally, did not put all 1,000 pieces into place?

 

Of course not. In the first example the fact that the cell phone (cache) was found is the important thing. WHO found it, in a team, is secondary -- you all helped look for it, you all get to share in the find. This isn't like the Olympics where 10 people go out and only 1 comes back with the gold because he was 0.01 seconds faster than the rest.

 

In the second, the physical act of solving the puzzle is a secondary goal to having fun and spending time with your family. Who solved the puzzle? Everyone helped. You all did.

 

Otherwise, what is the point of team caching? It reduces to x number of people each independently searching for the cache. Why even bother all coming at once? Why not have 4 people wait in the car while you go hunt, then the next guy, and so on? When I cache in a team part of the fun is the comraderie along the journey, and another part is how each person brings their own unique vantage points and experience to the hunt. We can split up and cover more area. There's the one guy who's better at math, who helps solve the puzzles, while the guy with the sharper eyesight sees the micros better, and the guy who's good at "thinking outside the box" sees the ironic twist, etc, etc.

 

I wouldn't mind the idea of each person saying "found it" and waiting till everyone else finds it, but then what do you do if you're just having a bad day and you can't see it? Everyone else has found it long ago and are either laughing at you or are getting impatient because they want to sign the log and get going. Meanwhile you feel stupid, embarrassed and humiliated. If someone gives you a nudge, do you consider that cheating because you didn't find it yourself? Do you post a DNF while everyone else on your team posts a find? Do you turn your back while everyone else signs the log and puts the cache back?

 

You are certainly entitled to play your own way, and if this is fun for people, then go for it. But don't invite me along on that kind of a team hunt, I wouldn't enjoy it (because I'm usually the dumb one )

[+parker313]

My family goes caching all together. I'm the only one with an account - all my husband cares about is tracking stuff down, this computer stuff is just incidental to him (lucky for me, I love it!). We aren't a "caching team", this is MY account... So, if we're all out caching and he's the one that actually finds it, should I not log it?

 

Again, if you have a problem with it, don't play that way, but don't worry if others are - it doesn't affect you in the least.

 

I think the puzzle analogy above is a very good one.

Edited September 8, 2006 by parker313

[+Moose Mob]

Expanding on what has been said already... geocaching is what you make of it, and you can get out of it what you want.

 

Some caches are about the location. Most of the cahes here in the desert can be seen 100 feet away. Heck, we have been known to toss an ammo can in a sagebrush and call it good. The "find" is not the challenge, it's climbing the hill in 120 degree temperatures. It's checking out that ghost town. In those cases, all present are expected to sign the log to state that they have visited the location. "Found it" means you found the location and signed the log, not found the microcapsule stuck behind a fake ivy leaf.

[+The Leprechauns]

Again, Not trying to open a hornets nest.

I agree with you that the "hunt" is also an important part of the hobby. But "personally" the "find" is still the biggie. I cache with my son and daughter. Yes at the end of the day, we had fun getting there and we enjoyed being together but we are out there trying to find something. That's what we're doing, right? I like hiking. Without the "find" wouldn't we just be hiking? Please don't think I'm being critical of anyone. I guess I'm still learning the many faces of geocaching.

 

Just a question, how would you handle this if your son and daughter had their own accounts?

I'd love to hear the answer to this. Since the OP is local to me, if he ever hides a cache I would like to know if I need to blindfold my daughter, who has her own account.

 

On second thought, even that won't work. I spent Labor Day weekend caching with a group that included a geocacher who is legally blind. He beat the group to 8 or 10 of our finds, both micros and regular sized. It is an amazing thing to watch, and somewhat humbling. I guess if there was a "one find" guideline, I wouldn't go caching with him again because he might feel bad about being beaten to the dozens of other caches that we hunted for, like the one where we got into a footrace and he tripped over a rotten log on the trail to ground zero. Or maybe I would just stop carrying a rotten log in my backpack, just to be fair.

[uintahiker]

I've gone caching numerous times with friends, and personally I don't care if someone only counts the first person to find it in a group. Quick! everybody all pitch in and buy someone a "Doesn't play well with others" t-shirt. Lets extend the irrational thinking and now the person who got the "First to find" is the only one who truly "Found" the cache. It's all about the experience of getting out, and being on location to sign the logbook. Just because someone else "found" it first and hauled out an ammo can or film bottle and hauled it out of it's cairn of rocks or what have you before you could does not make your find less of one. You were there, felt the cache, looked inside, signed the logbook, and participated in putting it back in place. Sounds good enough to me!

 

*I will add as a note, that when I've found the cache already I take a secondary role and let the others do the looking while I observe.

 

**I think the enjoyment of being with others while doing what we love more than compensates for the satisfaction of saying "I found it all by myself".

 

***Any Air Supply fans here? "I figured it out, all I needed was someone to show me."

[+Ambrosia]

Again, Not trying to open a hornets nest.

I agree with you that the "hunt" is also an important part of the hobby. But "personally" the "find" is still the biggie. I cache with my son and daughter. Yes at the end of the day, we had fun getting there and we enjoyed being together but we are out there trying to find something. That's what we're doing, right? I like hiking. Without the "find" wouldn't we just be hiking? Please don't think I'm being critical of anyone. I guess I'm still learning the many faces of geocaching.

 

Just a question, how would you handle this if your son and daughter had their own accounts?

I'd love to hear the answer to this. Since the OP is local to me, if he ever hides a cache I would like to know if I need to blindfold my daughter, who has her own account.

 

On second thought, even that won't work. I spent Labor Day weekend caching with a group that included a geocacher who is legally blind. He beat the group to 8 or 10 of our finds, both micros and regular sized. It is an amazing thing to watch, and somewhat humbling. I guess if there was a "one find" guideline, I wouldn't go caching with him again because he might feel bad about being beaten to the dozens of other caches that we hunted for, like the one where we got into a footrace and he tripped over a rotten log on the trail to ground zero. Or maybe I would just stop carrying a rotten log in my backpack, just to be fair.

And on top of that, I was able to cache with you guys over the phone on one of those caches......you in North Carolina, and me in Washington! Isn't group geocaching great?

 

....and don't worry everybody, I logged the cache as a note, not a find.

[+Team Snoopy]

The easiest solution would be to cache alone! Never let anyone else go with you and if perhaps you run into, or someone runs into you at a cache, leave right away so you can find it on your own!

[Cavalier53]

Two cachers caching together. One cacher finds the cache. Both cachers sign the log and later log their find online. Do you see where I'm going with this? If only one person "found" the cache then why do they both claim a find. Didn't one cacher just witness a find? Before someone says it, I know there is MORE to this hobby than the "find", but isn't the "find" the MOST important part? Not looking to open a hornets nest here...I was just wondering.

 

Who says the "find" is the most important part. Maybe it's the "hunt". Maybe it's going out and enjoying the activity with your friends. I'm sorry if the "find" is the most important part to you. I hope that it doesn't necessarily follow that the "score" (find count) is also important. Unfoturnately, there are many people who put a lot of emphasis on the "score". They complain all the time about the "cheating" that goes on in geocaching because people log a find that they wouldn't count. My advice is to log finds that you are comfortable logging and don't worry about what other people do. Of course, keep in mind that some of the cache hiders are among the people who think the "score", or at least the "find", is important and they have the power to delete logs they feel are invalid.

 

Again, Not trying to open a hornets nest.

I agree with you that the "hunt" is also an important part of the hobby. But "personally" the "find" is still the biggie. I cache with my son and daughter. Yes at the end of the day, we had fun getting there and we enjoyed being together but we are out there trying to find something. That's what we're doing, right? I like hiking. Without the "find" wouldn't we just be hiking? Please don't think I'm being critical of anyone. I guess I'm still learning the many faces of geocaching.

 

Just a question, how would you handle this if your son and daughter had their own accounts?

 

The true "finder" logs a find. Both get to sign the logbook. I think.

[+Sagefox]

 

The true "finder" logs a find. Both get to sign the logbook. I think.

 

Humm.... Two new cachers from Vandergrift, both in favor of "only the finder records a find"?

 

As I mentioned earlier, once you experience the fun of caching with a group (of registered cachers) you will likely see things differently. Until you get some experience out in the field these questions will seem quite academic to you. The real world will give you a different perspective. You might end up with the same opinion but I think chances are you will change you position.

[Cavalier53]

Again, Not trying to open a hornets nest.

I agree with you that the "hunt" is also an important part of the hobby. But "personally" the "find" is still the biggie. I cache with my son and daughter. Yes at the end of the day, we had fun getting there and we enjoyed being together but we are out there trying to find something. That's what we're doing, right? I like hiking. Without the "find" wouldn't we just be hiking? Please don't think I'm being critical of anyone. I guess I'm still learning the many faces of geocaching.

 

Just a question, how would you handle this if your son and daughter had their own accounts?

I'd love to hear the answer to this. Since the OP is local to me, if he ever hides a cache I would like to know if I need to blindfold my daughter, who has her own account.

 

On second thought, even that won't work. I spent Labor Day weekend caching with a group that included a geocacher who is legally blind. He beat the group to 8 or 10 of our finds, both micros and regular sized. It is an amazing thing to watch, and somewhat humbling. I guess if there was a "one find" guideline, I wouldn't go caching with him again because he might feel bad about being beaten to the dozens of other caches that we hunted for, like the one where we got into a footrace and he tripped over a rotten log on the trail to ground zero. Or maybe I would just stop carrying a rotten log in my backpack, just to be fair.

And on top of that, I was able to cache with you guys over the phone on one of those caches......you in North Carolina, and me in Washington! Isn't group geocaching great?

 

....and don't worry everybody, I logged the cache as a note, not a find.

 

Please Please Please know that I am doing nothing more than trying to learn more about something I'm really starting to get into. The last thing I want to do is disrespect anyone. I have a lot to learn and that's what I'm trying to do. Thank you for the feedback.

[+Blaidd-Drwg]

I felt somewhat guilty the first few times that I cached with others. Consequently, I added the 'Team' in front of my user name. Although about 2/3 of my finds were solo, I like to let folks know that I don't always do it that way. That being said, I believe that if there are multiple account holders in a cache hunt, then they can all log the find.

[+BlueDeuce]

Good grief.

 

You know OP, if you go caching with other people it's ok to say, "Hey, if you find it before I do, don't tell me where's it at. Or at least walk away and say you found it."

 

Now if your fellow cachers get bored waiting for you to find it on your own, that's something you'll have to deal with on your own.

 

Flip side is that the act of caching is just as fun as finding, hence why we don't quit after a couple DNFs. (right? ) Find a 1/1 on your own, find a 3/3 with buddies, was one better than another? Don't know, it depends on how much fun you had searching for it.

 

Now, logging an event 100 times then you are a dirty rat ba.....oops. off topic.

Edited September 9, 2006 by BlueDeuce

[+Cache Heads]

What if I have a GPSr, you don't. I lead you to within 10' of the cache and then you find it? Who gets the credit? You wouldn't have found it without my GPSr. right?

 

Seriously, I've always thought that if a bunch of us go out to find a cache, the cache gets found and we all end up signing the log, we all get smileys If you saw it and you signed its log, you found it.... IMHO

[+BlueDeuce]

What if I have a GPSr, you don't. I lead you to within 10' of the cache and then you find it? Who gets the credit? You wouldn't have found it without my GPSr. right?

 

Like I said, who's the smarter cacher?

[+Davispak]

I cache with the kids and to keep them having fun we play "Ollie Ollie Oxen Free" sorta. Once someone finds it, they walk away a few steps then say found it!. This narrows the area down for the others but doesn't give the hide away. we then wait til we all find it. mainly do this for my 8 year old who was getting upset she could not find some, now she is sometimes better than me at it. ( BTW I rock at finding them) Just another way to do it I think.

[+Night Stalker]

If we were to only let the true finder log the cache, how as a cache owner am I supposed to know which logger that is. It may not be the first person to sign the log. In our group it sometimes is the unlucky person who gets to sign the log for the whole group if we have nothing special to say about a cache.

 

Depending on my caching partner the finder will walk away and say found it so he (Renegade Knight) can laugh at me while I scramble to find it before I get harrassed to much. If I am caching with my wife, no way, I really enjoy eating a home cooked meal to much to be that stupid.

 

[nonaeroterraqueous]

Nonaeroterraqueous is 2 people. If the actual finder is the only one to get credit...oh, man, I need to go back and cut all our finds in half!

[nonaeroterraqueous]

No! Wait! I need to...go back and double our finds. Can we actually do that? Hmmm...

[+briansnat]

What about if I'm with my wife and I suggest that she check out the hollow tree while I look under the boulder, and she finds it? Do I get credit for the find because it was my idea? And because it was my idea should she get credit?

[+tozainamboku]

And on top of that, I was able to cache with you guys over the phone on one of those caches......you in North Carolina, and me in Washington! Isn't group geocaching great?

 

....and don't worry everybody, I logged the cache as a note, not a find.

 

You mean they didn't bring the portable Fax machine to fax you the log to sign and fax it back?

[+Ambrosia]

And on top of that, I was able to cache with you guys over the phone on one of those caches......you in North Carolina, and me in Washington! Isn't group geocaching great?

 

....and don't worry everybody, I logged the cache as a note, not a find.

 

You mean they didn't bring the portable Fax machine to fax you the log to sign and fax it back?

Oh, man!

 

That one less smilie is really driving me crazy, too.

[CoyoteRed]

Or maybe I would just stop carrying a rotten log in my backpack, just to be fair.

 

* Cleans monitor of coffee *

[CoyoteRed]

...but isn't the "find" the MOST important part?

 

For some, yes. For others, hardly.

 

Here's something to chew on. Cache needs two people. One to ascend and the other to belay. Who gets the find?

 

Point is some caches require a team effort. Okay, well, "require" is not really accurate, but unless you're a serious outdoorsman (gal) or in great shape, then some caches simply aren't meant to be done alone. Even Indiana Jones had a little help now and again.

[+Bad_CRC]

I'm a newbie, but it suprises me how much people seem to care about how others play the game.

 

is there a prize for the winner or something? I've seen several of these types of threads and I don't understand why someone would be concerned about whether other people get a "find" or not. I figured the only person you are playing/scoring against is yourself.

 

I've taken my gf caching to caches I had already found, and let her find them on her own, and we've also gone to new caches and found them together. we both found the cache, we both record it on our list of finds.

 

I did record one as "found" that I had already found before when it was marked as missing, because i didn't know how uptight some people get about that stuff... I wouldn't do it again.

[+xplorer7]

Seems absolutely fine to me, but the beauty of the thing is that it's entirely up to the parties involved. "Play it your way" was never more apt than it is for this situation.

[+johninvandergrift]

I have learned much from my initial post on this subject. That WAS the idea. I think it's clear that what makes caching appeal to such a broad base is the ability to "do it my way" and still stay within the spirit of "the find".

Some backround that lead to my initial post is this.

 

I rushed out to a newly listed cache one evening not far from my home. It was a very well hidden micro just off of a parking lot. After searching for quite a while it was getting dark. I decided to rush home and get my flashlight to complete my hunt. Upon returning I searched for quite a while longer before finding it. I felt good that this cache had not eluded me and my hunt was entertaining. After signing the log and beginning my exit from the parking lot, I noticed a car driving quickly to the area I had just left. My curiosity peaked, I turned around and parked at distance not to be noticed by these fellow cachers. There were sites being searched in many many areas. This was indeed a tough find. After a while, the yell of a find went out to all that came running. It was found. It was after reading the log later I saw multiple finds listed by the group. It just got me thinking that's all.

 

Thank you all for your input.

[+Mudfrog]

To me this is a legitimate gray area of geocaching so it's pretty much one of those "do what feels right to you" things. We usually try to use the if one person finds, they walk away, others continue searching routine. This doesn't always work,,, case in point below.

 

Last night we hurried to the big city to try for a FTF knowing that others would be doing the same. We arrive, begin our search, and about two minutes later, hear more voices coming closer. Now it's really getting fun!The cache owner is one of these cachers so she's watching and smiling as the other 4 of us look for the cache. Turns out i get lucky and spot the container first so i raise it up just for her to see with the intention of rehiding quickly so the others can continue their search. Well, she hollars out that i had found it so that cut the search short for everyone else. So, did this make any difference or take away from our fun? NOT AT ALL!

 

Almost forgot,,, in addition to all the great comraderie, this was a find for everyone!!!