Getting Started with Geocaching

Just signed up for premium

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:53:44 -0800

delete, duplicate submission

Just signed up for premium

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:52:11 -0800

...and made my first PQ about an hour ago. I've set the date to "Saturday" because I plan on going out with my nephew and grabbing a bunch.

But I'm wondering if I'm going to receive my first PQ in time. Does the PQ machine start churning out it's list at midnight on Saturday, and could I have perhaps missed getting in line? Will I have to wait til next week?

I was hoping to get this all set up now (2-3am Saturday morning) to be ready to go come sunrise.

Is there any way to get a PQ forced through if I did indeed miss the queue?

Why would people sign log sheets, but not log on webpage?

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:35:01 -0800

I've placed my first cache a few weeks ago, and I've noticed that there have been 3 visits to the logbook a week ago, but none of them logged a find on the webpage.

I understand maybe if you're out caching for a weekend you wait to log your finds all at once, but 3 in a row without logs over a week seems odd to me.

Thoughts?

Geocoin questions

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:57:07 -0800

Hi All

I visited NZ's oldest active cache today, GC46 (7th in world to boot). I picked up a geocoin SGZNH2.

The whereabouts of the coin is listed as being in the possession of VerPeilt but there are notes that indicated it has travelled through two caches recently. What's the protocol for getting this geocoin back on the move. Contact the current holder and ask him to drop it or just "grab it"?

TIA

Need Help With A Garmin 76CSx

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:08:12 -0800

I found the first part of a multi-cache but I can't enter the coordinates for the second part in my Garmin 76CSx. Any help would be appreciated.

Possibly disturbed cache found--how to report?

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:48:15 -0800

I was out on a mushroom foray and found a Geocache, just sitting in the middle of a field of a pretty well-traveled park--shoebox-sized. I've got the coordinates of it--I didn't move it (or open it)--what to do in a case like this? I was with someone who has experience w/ Geocaching who says they're usually much better concealed--

I have no experience at all in this (just scored a GPS to try to stop getting lost in the woods while mushroom-hunting), but am planning on getting into it very soon, because it looks like awesome fun.

Any feedback on this situation I found is most welcome.

Any idea where I might find this?

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:13:36 -0800

GPX is an extended GPS exchange format that can be read by both EasyGPS and ExpertGPS, as well as various other software applications. The latest version of EasyGPS can be downloaded in the Resource section of Geocaching.com under Geocaching Software. You will need the latest version to read this format.

That was on an email. I can't find the Resource Section. Help please.

Listing finds

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:57:54 -0800

I've seen different user profiles where people have maps that show there finds by state. How would one go about doing this and adding it to my profile?

Maps for Garmin etrex Vista HCx

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:26:39 -0800

We are new to geocaching and I read what I could and bought a Garmin etrex Vista HCx thinking I would have what we needed. When I loaded in a few geocaching locations and started out to look for them the streets were only the main streets and not very useful for navigating. We had borrowed a Magellan unit that had all the streets, and showed a path from point A to point B.

My question: Do I have to purchase another $$ worth of software or something to be able to navigate around with this unit? Any suggestion on what to do, what it will cost, etc.

Cache Names, and Container Opinion wanted.

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 19:51:52 -0800

OK, I have a couple of questions about hiding a Cache of my very own. But first, I want opinions about how well this container I have in mind might work.

It's one of those containers that you can put out on your yard sign to sell your house. It seems pretty weather resistant, easy to open and close, and it also has a way that I could tether it up into a tree or a bush if I wanted to hide it in that way. Of course, I might (most likely) paint it up to be camouflaged rather than just hiding this one as is in this pic.

So there's my first question: Has anyone had any good luck using a container like this?

Second Question: Assuming a good response to my first question, I'd like to ask for opinions/ideas regarding what to Name this Cache if I do decide to go for an official Hide of my own. How do folks come up with the neat ideas for the cache names?

I restored an archived cache and came up with the name 'Archival Revival" and thought that was fairly clever. I'd like to come up with a name equally as clever if I do go ahead and hide this one myself. I have some dim ideas in mind for a name, but nothing that I am happy enough with yet to start to talk about. So... I'm asking you folks for some ideas for the name of the cache.

Loosely thinking, maybe something like "market value"? Reflecting the container's original purpose is what I've in mind with that name.

Well, there you have it. It's an idea I have in mind, and I'm looking for opinions and ideas to go with it. If I choose to go with my own ideas without asking, I'd place this container with the "Market Value" name.

But I figured that I'd also ask for some Opinions first. Realizing that I'm a newbie when it comes to hosting a new hide, I also was looking for any advice/suggestions.

So.... What say you? I'm Open to ideas at this point.

My first cache is a Multi - Need cordinate advice

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:40:13 -0800

I am a completely new to the Geocaching game and just went ot looking for the first time today.
My first Cache is a Multi consisting of 3 WP's and a the final Cache - Maybe it's too big of a mouthfull, but it sure does look interesting.

I have located WP1 which was a nano and as expected it contained a new set of cordinates.
The new cordinates are given as N xx and E xx (where xx is the value)

WP 1 is listed as:
N 55� 32.010 E 009� 29.228 on Geocaching.com

I my GPS (Mobile, HTC Magic with "Geobeagle" and "Radar") they show up as:
Latitude: 55 32.010 og Longitude: 9 29.228
(Values automatically downloaded via Geocaching.com)

I assume WP2's cordinates should be entered as like this:
Latitude: 55 N-cordinat.000
Longitude 9 E-cordinat.000
(where N og E-cordinat are the values retrieved from WP1 )

This is where the doubt sets in.

When reading about the cache it seems some people has walked the trip (approx 3 km's) while others have driven it mad measures it as approx 1 km. This makes sense as the several of the surrounding roads are non pedestrian friendly and has to bewalked around. The cache hider also states that the multi is "within a limited area"

It the cordinates are entered as suggested above WP2 is showing up are being more thatn 16 km away and this does not really ad up.

Can anyone let me know if im going about this the wrong way when entering the new coordinates or if what I am doing seems reasonable.

Regards

nanoflower

How Can I Be Notified Of New Caches

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:48:56 -0800

Is it possible to create a pocket querry where I can be notified when new caches get hidden nearby? I mean, can I get an email that says "There is a new cache hidden within 20 miles of your home coordinates"? Something like that . . . Seems like it would be hard to ever get a FTF if there isn't something like this available to cachers . . .
Thanks for your input,
Matt

Crossed out Cache Names

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:33:09 -0800

Just getting into Geocaching, and doing recon and research online. I have come accross a few Cache names that have a line through the name. I can still access all the details about this particular Cache but does it mean it is gone, archived, or under maintenance???
Please help.Thanks
NineMileNuts

Downloading cache info on Garmin Legend

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:15:37 -0800

I can download cache coordinates--no problem. But can I download the other info about the cache, like the description and hints? I haven't figured this out . . . I thought that by becoming a premium member this was a possibility . . . Explanation would be greatly appreciated!
Matt

No GPS - is it still possible to geocache

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 09:55:48 -0800

I have a friend who wants to geocache without buying a GPS. Is it possible to do it with just a compass and a map? Is is too difficult to still be enjoyable?

Geocaching Ideas for Christian Summer Camps

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 06:55:52 -0800

I am new to Geocaching and we are adding geocaching as an activity but we need ideas..
Thank you!

building a "route"

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:14:38 -0800

Okay, there is a challenge I want to get started on. This one to be exact: http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_detai...01-9eced6c3a089
Is there an easy way to load those 30 caches into a map, either on my iPhone or on my mac and look at them?

D/T Bingo Cards

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:11:27 -0800

I keep seeing references to these on logs of finds. What are they? What is their purpose?

Visit log missing

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 10:16:44 -0800

The web page for GC1C3M5 has nothing in the upper right hand corner for me to log my visit. I'd like to log my visit. Please help me.

Help with queries, gpx, routes, etc?

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:17:15 -0800

I'm so frustrated and hope someone can help. I have a new Garmin Oregon 300. I am a premium member of geocaching.com. I am quite technologically able of figuring out new devices and programs. I have read my owners manual and most of geocahing.com's web site - both of which are very little help and quite confusing to newcomers.

I am amazed at how dificult it is to figure out query's and gpx files and how to use them on my gps. I've created pocket queries, saved them, opened "easygps", sent them to my gps. But my cache's still don't always show the description. I've also created routes and checkmarked the found geocaches and sent them to my gps, but still no descriptions. I know they have descriptions - I can read them online. I know my gps is capable, I've sent other caches directly to my gps and can read them.

When I do pocket queries and send them to my gps, should they be in a separate file or just listed as geocaches?

I also created a route and wanted to send that to my gps. When it saved and opened in easygps it wouldn't let me send it to my gps without naming every waypoint. I'm obviously doing something wrong.

I just want to simply mark a route I want to take, find geocaches along it, and have my gps receive that info and guide me on my way. Am I asking too much?