Publishing my cache.... Timing is everything!

[+FreeSpirit9]

Hey Avid-Cachers

 

I am trying to make a birthday surprise for my partner but I need to time it all perfectly so she can get the FTF...hopefully!

 

Roughly how long will it take to Publish my Geocache once I have posted it for review?

[+niraD]

I am trying to make a birthday surprise for my partner but I need to time it all perfectly so she can get the FTF...hopefully!

 

Roughly how long will it take to Publish my Geocache once I have posted it for review?

It could be minutes. It could be days.

 

If you want to know roughly when it is going to be published, then your best bet is to request the reviewers to publish it on a particular date. See the guidelines section:

https://www.geocaching.com/about/guidelines.aspx#samedaypublication

 

But if you want someone to get the FTF, then your best best is to have the listing published after that person has already found it. There's a series around here that was done that way. The CO just explained that FTF was already taken before the caches were listed here, and encouraged everyone to try for STF.

[+cerberus1]

A few minutes to around seven days, assuming the container/log was hidden with no placement or permission issues.

 

Good luck.

[+Hanoosh]

I am a UK Reviewer and would suggest you submit your cache for review at the earliest opportunity say two weeks before you want your cache published and state in your reviewer note that you would like your cache published on a specific day and time. Whilst we cannot guarantee the time your cache should be published on your chosen day. By submitting it for review say 2 weeks prior to when you want it published, should give time for your reviewer and you to deal with any issues should there be any.

[+hzoi]

If you contact your reviewer ahead of time and work something out for a specific date and time, well and good.

 

Otherwise, I would simply set things up, give her the coordinates, and let her go hunt for it at the date and time of your choosing and then submit the cache for publication later.

 

Either way, I'm not sure how much of an "FTF" it would be if you are stacking the deck to ensure she is the only person who has a reasonable chance at getting it. I might call it a beta test and then let the first member of the general public have a shot at it. But I'll leave that to you to figure out.

 

I guess the main question is, what do you intend to give her, some sort of special experience at the cache (like finding her birthday present inside), or is the "FTF" supposed to be the present?

[+TeamRabbitRun]

Don't cut it too close - many cache submissions, especially from first-time hiders, run into Review delays.

 

If there's a problem with your listing, your protestations that, for example, "her birthday is tomorrow" will likely carry no weight.

[+noncentric]

In case the OP isn't aware - s/he can create a geocache, hide it, get coordinates for it, and then give the coords to their partner WITHOUT using the geocaching.com website. That would probably be the best way to ensure their partner is FTF.

 

Keep in mind that geocaches published on the geocaching.com website should be intended for long-term placement AND the OP should be committed to maintenance of the cache after it is published. Here are the full Geocache Listing Requirements / Guidelines.

 

Just adding this, since the OP just created their account and has no finds/hides.