Found a cache...isn't listed...can I take it over?

[+Nubster]

So...I stumbled on a cache that hasn't been signed in over 3 years. I searched and there's no info saying who the owner is or what the name of the cache is. The map doesn't show it as an active or disabled cache. Should I leave it to nature or is there a procedure/etiquette to claiming a cache and making it active again?

[+Manville Possum]

So...I stumbled on a cache that hasn't been signed in over 3 years. I searched and there's no info saying who the owner is or what the name of the cache is. The map doesn't show it as an active or disabled cache. Should I leave it to nature or is there a procedure/etiquette to claiming a cache and making it active again?

 

Maybe it's listed on another geocache listing service? Where was it?

[+Nubster]

It's in the town of Romney near the town hall. What other services are there that would have caches listed that don't show up on the official site? Maybe I can find it and contact the owner and see if they want it or if I can make it active again, assuming it's not. It looks to have been semi-popular by the number of signatures. Maybe I'll go back this evening and get some of the names of the most current signatures and search them and their finds and see if I can find the name and owner of the cache. I mean it's nothing special...but it would be a shame to let it just disappear.

Edited August 20, 2016 by Nubster

[+cerberus1]

What other services are there that would have caches listed that don't show up on the official site?

Doubt you'll see a list of competing geocaching sites/services (I belong one other now...) listed on this "official" site.

[+cerberus1]

If it doesn't belong to a competing site (odds are it's not), it's probably just geotrash that was never picked up.

If it's archived, it's already disappeared.

[Keystone]

It's likely that you found the final stage of an archived multicache. I would leave that spot be, as caches near government buildings generally are not permitted under the listing guidelines.

[+Nubster]

Well...figured it out. It's definitely a dead cache. It was a limited time cache to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Civil War. So it went inactive a little over 2 years ago and has since been forgotten. I found the owner so I'll be contacting them to see if they might want to reactivate the cache and if not...if I can.

[+Nubster]

It's likely that you found the final stage of an archived multicache. I would leave that spot be, as caches near government buildings generally are not permitted under the listing guidelines.

 

Considering what this cache is...now that I figured it out...it was definitely placed there with permission. If I am allowed to take it over...I have a great place to move it to that is still very much related to the original theme and goal but it will be at a non-government location.

[+TriciaG]

FYI, if you found it and signed it, as long as the cache isn't locked you can still log it online.

[Pup Patrol]

It's likely that you found the final stage of an archived multicache. I would leave that spot be, as caches near government buildings generally are not permitted under the listing guidelines.

 

Considering what this cache is...now that I figured it out...it was definitely placed there with permission. If I am allowed to take it over...I have a great place to move it to that is still very much related to the original theme and goal but it will be at a non-government location.

 

I'm guessing that you are talking about taking a cache container that belongs to someone else.

 

If you do that, and move it, you need to re-submit it as a new cache listing, and send it for Review.

 

Or you could be talking about asking the cache owner to adopt the listing/container over to you. The CO is the one that needs to initiate the adoption.

 

Of course, if the cache listing is archived, it can't be adopted.

 

Could you provide the GC code so that we can see the listing?

 

B.

Edited August 20, 2016 by Pup Patrol

[Keystone]

It's likely that you found the final stage of an archived multicache. I would leave that spot be, as caches near government buildings generally are not permitted under the listing guidelines.

 

Considering what this cache is...now that I figured it out...it was definitely placed there with permission. If I am allowed to take it over...I have a great place to move it to that is still very much related to the original theme and goal but it will be at a non-government location.

What do you mean by "take it over?" If you mean "recycle the cache container," that's between you and the owner of the prior multicache. If you mean to take over the listing, that's not possible. Archived caches cannot be adopted, and cannot be unarchived for the purpose of adoption. Especially considering that you've expressed a desire to change the final location to a better spot, simply submit a new listing for your design.

[+Nubster]

It's likely that you found the final stage of an archived multicache. I would leave that spot be, as caches near government buildings generally are not permitted under the listing guidelines.

 

Considering what this cache is...now that I figured it out...it was definitely placed there with permission. If I am allowed to take it over...I have a great place to move it to that is still very much related to the original theme and goal but it will be at a non-government location.

What do you mean by "take it over?" If you mean "recycle the cache container," that's between you and the owner of the prior multicache. If you mean to take over the listing, that's not possible. Archived caches cannot be adopted, and cannot be unarchived for the purpose of adoption. Especially considering that you've expressed a desire to change the final location to a better spot, simply submit a new listing for your design.

 

Yeah...basically...take the cache and recycle it into a new cache but in keeping with the original theme. I have messaged the owner though they haven't been on here for a while either...so not sure if they would respond. When I initially made the post before I figured out the cache...I was just wondering if there was a rule or etiquette on doing what I'm doing if the owner was not able to be found. I mean it would be easy enough to take the physical cache and just "claim" it but I don't want to be one of those guys. It's pretty clear that the owner has no intention of coming here to reclaim their $1 piece of tupperware and fake rock...so hopefully I can put it back into circulation.

[+Nubster]

It's likely that you found the final stage of an archived multicache. I would leave that spot be, as caches near government buildings generally are not permitted under the listing guidelines.

 

Considering what this cache is...now that I figured it out...it was definitely placed there with permission. If I am allowed to take it over...I have a great place to move it to that is still very much related to the original theme and goal but it will be at a non-government location.

 

I'm guessing that you are talking about taking a cache container that belongs to someone else.

 

If you do that, and move it, you need to re-submit it as a new cache listing, and send it for Review.

 

Or you could be talking about asking the cache owner to adopt the listing/container over to you. The CO is the one that needs to initiate the adoption.

 

Of course, if the cache listing is archived, it can't be adopted.

 

Could you provide the GC code so that we can see the listing?

 

B.

 

GC4HAB2...and I did log it and got the credit...lol...might as well, right.

[+colleda]

It's likely that you found the final stage of an archived multicache. I would leave that spot be, as caches near government buildings generally are not permitted under the listing guidelines.

 

Considering what this cache is...now that I figured it out...it was definitely placed there with permission. If I am allowed to take it over...I have a great place to move it to that is still very much related to the original theme and goal but it will be at a non-government location.

 

I'm guessing that you are talking about taking a cache container that belongs to someone else.

 

If you do that, and move it, you need to re-submit it as a new cache listing, and send it for Review.

 

Or you could be talking about asking the cache owner to adopt the listing/container over to you. The CO is the one that needs to initiate the adoption.

 

Of course, if the cache listing is archived, it can't be adopted.

 

Could you provide the GC code so that we can see the listing?

 

B.

 

GC4HAB2...and I did log it and got the credit...lol...might as well, right.

Looks as though the CO has archived his series caches but has not collected them up. There have been finds logged on quite a few of them after being archived.

[+Nubster]

Yeah...I sent them a message but nothing back yet. Just want to see if they were going to pick up the cache...which I doubt since they are 4+ hours away and it's just a small lock & lock box.

[+Ben0w]

Be VERY sure it's not a game piece of another geocaching listing service ("official" is just a clever marketing term used by Groundspeak). The only one who can ensure this, is the owner. This is the reason why the listing code of any listing service should be posted on the cache...

 

If he/she doesn't respond, it's a tough decision between "maybe used for another game" and "geolitter I can take over", with multiple factors included. As well as it is bad to "steal" a container there is no point in leaving an abandoned container around which then could be considered a piece of trash.

 

Use your best and honest decision making abilities, maybe check with other local cachers what they mean about. Good luck!

Edited August 25, 2016 by Ben0w

[+Sagefox]

Yeah...I sent them a message but nothing back yet. Just want to see if they were going to pick up the cache...which I doubt since they are 4+ hours away and it's just a small lock & lock box.

It's been archived for about 22 months so I wouldn't be too worried about removing it. All their caches are archived and they have not been active for quite a while. You can go get it now or the next time you are close by. Send them another note saying you have it if you think that is necessary. If they simply forgot about it and want the container back you can arrange that with them later.