Rules for claiming a "Find" on Revisited Caches

[+Highcountryhikers]

I have always understood that if you haven't visited a cache in over a year, or if the cache container has been moved by the owner, you are allowed to claim another find (thus qualify for another smilie ). Is that true?

[+Semper Questio]

Technically you can claim another find on any cache at any time if you feel OK with it and the cache owner lets you do it.

 

Personally, I only claim another smiley if it is a traveling cache or if the cache placement, type, or location has changed significantly which makes it, essentially, a different finding experience.

 

The time passing has nothing to do with it. In the past few months I've been going to caches I've visited before with a couple of new cachers. Probably about 200 or so of them. I've not, and will not, claim a find on any of them even though some of them were a real booger to find again. Some I had not been to in over 2 years and the environment had changed considerable in that amount of time - not to mention the "placement drift effect."

[Mag Magician]

We have only done it once. It was a muggled cache, replaced by the owner in a different location, and with a different container. I e-mailed the owner first for express permission, and it was granted.

[+briansnat]

There are no rules regarding what is a "find" in this sport. The generally accepted practice however is one find per cache and if you re-visit it, you log a note mentioning your visit.

 

If the cache is moved by the owner and he wants to allow re-finds, that is between you and the owner. The owner will usually mention this on the page if it's OK with him. If not, you can ask.

 

I don't know why anybody would even WANT to log multiple finds on the same cache (moving caches aside), unless their goal is numbers pumping.

[+StarBrand]

While there is clearly no "rule" my own personal belief is: 1 GC# = 1 and only 1 find.

[+Miragee]

I have always understood that if you haven't visited a cache in over a year, or if the cache container has been moved by the owner, you are allowed to claim another find (thus qualify for another smilie ). Is that true?

Welcome to the Forums!

 

Hmmmm! I wonder where that idea came from. I agree that "I don't know why anybody would even WANT to log multiple finds on the same cache (moving caches aside), unless their goal is numbers pumping." If this were generally accepted in the Geocaching community, I would have almost 200 additional smilies since I have revisited many caches while caching and hiking with friends.

[+webscouter.]

For me once I find a cache it shows up as found on the website. Therefor I don't log another find...even on a moving cache.

[+Stargazer22]

For us, it's simple. One GC# = 1 Find

 

The exception would be that if the owner replaced it with a new one, moved it to a new location, and noted on the cache page that previous finders can come and find it again in it's new location for another find.

But that is so rare, we haven't come across that yet in the 9 months we have been caching.

Time frame would have nothing to do with it.

[+TrailGators]

While there is clearly no "rule" my own personal belief is: 1 GC# = 1 and only 1 find.

This is my belief too.

[+4BOWS]

While there is clearly no "rule" my own personal belief is: 1 GC# = 1 and only 1 find.

 

 

This is our belief also.

[+stepshep]

Markwell has a good picture somewhere on the subject.

 

Found it:

 

Edited December 27, 2007 by stepshep

[+Jeep_Dog]

While there is clearly no "rule" my own personal belief is: 1 GC# = 1 and only 1 find.

 

Yup, same here. I think that is a great rule of thumb.

 

However, a look at my stats will show that there are two less "unique" hides than found logs. This was on one cache that moved (but not a moving cache) - the first time, .24 from the original spot with a new container, the second time .26 from the second spot, different hide and container again.

 

Edit add: In my first year of caching I took an additional "smiley credit" for solving a puzzle or answering a question, et cetera, as offered on cache pages (seemed a popular option back then). Then, I did not know any better. However, I have long since removed the "extra" smiley for those types by changing the log from "found" to "note."

 

Personally, if I move a cache more than 528 feet and use a new container, I archive the old cache cache and submit a new cache listing, since I truly think such a move is a different and unique container. I feel this type of responsible cache ownership takes away the angst/worry/moral/ethical concerns of finders.

Edited December 27, 2007 by Jeep_Dog

[RV'n Iowans]

Got one guy in our neighborhood who likes posting a find each revisit; guess he needs an ego boost!!

 

If you revisit & want to Write A Note about it, that's OK.

[+JohnnyVegas]

For us, it's simple. One GC# = 1 Find

 

The exception would be that if the owner replaced it with a new one, moved it to a new location, and noted on the cache page that previous finders can come and find it again in it's new location for another find.

But that is so rare, we haven't come across that yet in the 9 months we have been caching.

Time frame would have nothing to do with it.

I would add that if should also have a new GC number.

 

When I move one of my caches because of a problem with muggles it retains the same GC number and cache name. If some one logs it a second time I delete the log.

I have never heared of visiting a cache after one year has past to log it again.

[+fairyhoney]

Can you please tell me what a "moving cache" is

[+BlueDeuce]

While there is clearly no "rule" my own personal belief is: 1 GC# = 1 and only 1 find.

 

ayep.

[+webscouter.]

Can you please tell me what a "moving cache" is

 

In the early days of geocaching you could have a cache that was picked up by the finder and moved to a new location.

 

This is the one I found.

 

http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_detai...1a-64101c3b6b77

 

Now archived but there are a couple of still live ones out and about.

[+9Key]

I have always understood that if you haven't visited a cache in over a year, or if the cache container has been moved by the owner, you are allowed to claim another find (thus qualify for another smilie ). Is that true?

This seems like an odd question coming from someone that's cached for a few years and have over 600 finds.

[Keystone]

One topic, one thread. I'm closing this duplicate "find" of the same topic. Please carry on the discussion in the Geocaching Topics forum, to which this subject is better suited.