Multi-stage question

[+GeoRRider]

I was wondering, before putting out a multi stage cache along a route;

A: Do I have to log the co-ordinates of the individual stages as admin only if I am using physical containers?

And B: Am I allowed to log the location of a nearby landmark on the standard cache page if I have clues to the actual location in the stage before that one?

 

I was hoping to deploy it soon.

[+niraD]

You need to log the stages where you (the cache owner) placed something as "stage of a multi-cache".

 

You need to log the stages where you use existing landmarks as clues as "question to answer".

[+GeoRRider]

You need to log the stages where you (the cache owner) placed something as "stage of a multi-cache".

 

You need to log the stages where you use existing landmarks as clues as "question to answer".

 

That was quick. Thank you, wasn't exactly what I meant, but helpful.

[Nomex]

Hi GeoRRider, and Welcome!

 

I took the liberty of looking at your submission in the Review Queue, and will attempt to clarify the Reviewers concerns:

 

1. You chose a Traditional cache type, although you state that the cache is, "not located at the posted coordinates". By definition, a Traditional MUST be located at the coordinates at the top of the Listing page (aka posted coordinates). You will need to change your cache type to properly reflect the type of cache hunt that is involved. Your choices are either a Multi cache, or a Puzzle cache. It's not clear from reading your Description whether you placed a container at the starting coordinates or not. If you did, a Multi would be more appropriate. I didn't see any indication in your Description that the Final coordinates could be derived from some nearby object, or from the Description itself. If you provide further clarification, I might be able to give further guidance.

 

2. As Nirad mentioned, you must enter the coordinates for the Final cache location as an Additional Waypoint. For further instructions on how to go about that, please see the following Help Center article:

 

How do I create an Additional Waypoint

 

Hope that helps. Good luck with your submission.

[+CanadianRockies]

B: Am I allowed to log the location of a nearby landmark on the standard cache page if I have clues to the actual location in the stage before that one?

You're allowed to list the location of nearby landmarks (as "Reference Points") that might be interesting/helpful but have little or nothing to do with determining the location of any stage of the multi-cache. For example, I know of a cache that lists the coordinates of a historic school that was near the cache location.

 

I'm not sure if that's exactly what you meant either.

Edited April 14, 2014 by CanadianRockies

[+CanadianRockies]

A: Do I have to log the co-ordinates of the individual stages as admin only if I am using physical containers?

Whether you mark an additional waypoint as "admin only" depends on how you want to set up your multi-cache.

 

The first stage generally should be at the published coordinates, so everybody will know where to go to begin their search. All the stages, except the final, can be either physical or virtual and can be "admin only" or not, depending on your set up. The final stage must be a physical container that holds (at least) a log. It should be marked as a "Final Location" and its coordinates should be not be visible to other geocachers, so you should either "Hide this waypoint from view except by the owner or administrator" or "Show the details of this waypoint but hide the coordinates." In the latter case, any "Description" that accompanies that stage will be readable by other geocachers (e.g., "watch out for crocs near this stage") but its coordinates will remain hidden from view.

 

Let's say the first stage of your planned multi-cache is a hidden physical container that holds the coordinates to Stage 2, which is a hidden physical container that holds the coordinates to Stage 3, which is a hidden physical container that holds the coordinates to the final container. In this instance, you don't want other geocachers to be able to see the coordinates for either S2 or S3, so both of them should be either "admin only" or "show details/hide coordinates." Also, you'll mark S2 and S3 as "Stages of a Multicache."

 

Here's another way (one of many) to set up your multi-cache. Suppose the first stage (again, it's at the published coordinates for all to see) is a plaque that describes a historic one-room school house. Your cache listing explains how to extract two digits from that sign (e.g., A = last digit of year it opened; B = number of pupils in final class). At Stage 2, one can find an informational plaque for a historic fire house and obtain two more digits (C and D). At Stage 3 is a sign for a historic bakery where two more digits (E and F) can be determined. Your multi-cache listing then explains that the final stage can be found at: S37 50.ABC E144 50.DEF. In this case, you'll want to mark S2 and S3 as "Show all information for this waypoint, including coordinates," so their coordinates will be visible to geocachers and they'll know where to find the plaques. Also, you'll mark S2 and S3 as "Question to Answer."

Edited April 15, 2014 by CanadianRockies