Can I take over an abandoned cache?

[+TheWalcks]

We found a cache very near home last night. The problem is that the log was completely full and we couldn't sign. I had brought a new log with me, but it turned out to be a very micro cache and I couldn't find a new log in without removing an old log. I thought I would email the owner and see if they would like me to swap out the log (and maybe mail the original log to them if they weren't in the area). Unfortunately, they have not been active for more than a year and I can't email them.

 

Should I just replace the log anyway and hold onto the original? Is there a mechanism in place to "adopt" the cache?

 

Still fairly new at this and don't want to break any rules, so any advice is welcome. Thanks!

[+sbell111]

We found a cache very near home last night. The problem is that the log was completely full and we couldn't sign. I had brought a new log with me, but it turned out to be a very micro cache and I couldn't find a new log in without removing an old log. I thought I would email the owner and see if they would like me to swap out the log (and maybe mail the original log to them if they weren't in the area). Unfortunately, they have not been active for more than a year and I can't email them.

 

Should I just replace the log anyway and hold onto the original? Is there a mechanism in place to "adopt" the cache?

 

Still fairly new at this and don't want to break any rules, so any advice is welcome. Thanks!

If you can't reach the cache owner, you can't adopt it because you need his approval. You can replace the log and leave a note that you did so. Many people feel that this is fine to do, unlike the responses that you are about to receive from the forum.

[Pup Patrol]

We found a cache very near home last night. The problem is that the log was completely full and we couldn't sign. I had brought a new log with me, but it turned out to be a very micro cache and I couldn't find a new log in without removing an old log. I thought I would email the owner and see if they would like me to swap out the log (and maybe mail the original log to them if they weren't in the area). Unfortunately, they have not been active for more than a year and I can't email them.

 

Should I just replace the log anyway and hold onto the original? Is there a mechanism in place to "adopt" the cache?

 

Still fairly new at this and don't want to break any rules, so any advice is welcome. Thanks!

 

No, you can't take over a cache that you deem "abandoned".

 

You can post a "needs maintenance" log. The next step would be to post a "needs archived" log, due to the owner not responding.

 

But you need the cache owner to start the adoption process.

 

Help Center → Hiding a Geocache → Geocache Ownership: A Long-Term Relationship

3.15. Adopting or Transferring a Geocache

http://support.Groundspeak.com/index.php?pg=kb.page&id=54

 

In theory, you could unofficially maintain it, but you won't have access to the cache page. When other people post "needs maintenance", only the cache owner can take care of it and post the required "owner maintenance" log that clears the NM icon.

 

Help Center → Finding a Geocache → Finding a Geocache

3.5. I found a geocache that needs maintenance

http://support.Groundspeak.com/index.php?pg=kb.page&id=551

 

Help Center → Finding a Geocache → Logging a Geocache

4.2. What log type should I use?

http://support.Groundspeak.com/index.php?pg=kb.page&id=534

 

 

B.

[+Chief301]

Putting a new log sheet in a cache is usually considered acceptable, as is doing minor maintenance and repair (dry out a wet container, a little duct tape patch job, etc). I think you should also attempt to contact the CO and offer to return their full log sheet, as you did (some CO's like to keep their old log sheets).

 

It's not your responsibility to maintain other peoples caches, though. If the cache needs attention beyond what you are willing or able to do, post a Needs Maintenance log in addition to your Found log. This will notify the owner of the problem....there is no need to email them directly.

 

If Needs Maintenance has already been logged and it's obvious the CO is unresponsive, you can log a Needs Archived. This alerts your local reviewer that the CO has been notified and is not responding to maintenance requests, and the cache should be archived.

 

If the cache is archived and you think it's still a cool location for a cache, you can create a new listing and place your own cache there

[+TheWalcks]

Thanks for the replies! I think I will replace the log for now (so others will have the opportunity to log their finds) and then put in a needs archived request. If it gets archived, I may just replace because it is a fun little find in a park with no other caches!

[+sbell111]

Thanks for the replies! I think I will replace the log for now (so others will have the opportunity to log their finds) and then put in a needs archived request. If it gets archived, I may just replace because it is a fun little find in a park with no other caches!

Before you request that this cache be archived, verify that you can place a new cache there. Do the guidelines still permit a cache in that location? Are there any local rules or regulations that would now forbid a new cache from being placed (or make the process especially onerous)?

Edited September 16, 2014 by sbell111

[+TheWalcks]

Thanks for the replies! I think I will replace the log for now (so others will have the opportunity to log their finds) and then put in a needs archived request. If it gets archived, I may just replace because it is a fun little find in a park with no other caches!

Before you request that this cache be archived, verify that you can place a new cache there. Do the guidelines still permit a cache in that location? Are their any local rules or regulations that would now forbid a new cache from being placed (or make the process especially onerous).

 

Good thought. I believe it is within all the guidelines, but will double check.

[+uxorious]

Thanks for the replies! I think I will replace the log for now (so others will have the opportunity to log their finds) and then put in a needs archived request. If it gets archived, I may just replace because it is a fun little find in a park with no other caches!

 

Do not start with a needs archived. Because you want the spot is not a reason for NA.

 

Start with a needs maintenance. That will give the CO a chance to take care of it him/her self. I have seen plenty of COs that don't seem to be active for a year or more, who still take care of their cache. (Seen a few active COs that don't take care of their caches. )

 

Of course if you replace the log, it no longer needs either maintenance or archived.

[+TheWalcks]

I should have mentioned that there was a needs maintenance logged 3 months ago that wasn't cleared. I will log another one to see if that causes any activity. I can replace the log and keep my eye on it for a bit before moving to the next step. Thanks again

[Kenbirds]

I found a cache that is a real mess, just a wet baggie full of moldy items and logbook which I couldn't sign. I posted a needs maintenance log stating the issue, and then logged a found it. I then realized that almost a year ago to the day, somebody else posted a needs maintenance that wasn't cleared. The co hasn't been active for almost 3 years. Should I post a needs archived now, or wait a while?

[+Panther&Pine]

I found a cache that is a real mess, just a wet baggie full of moldy items and logbook which I couldn't sign. I posted a needs maintenance log stating the issue, and then logged a found it. I then realized that almost a year ago to the day, somebody else posted a needs maintenance that wasn't cleared. The co hasn't been active for almost 3 years. Should I post a needs archived now, or wait a while?

An Needs Archived would be fine. The CO is gone most likely.

If you can, after it is arbiter to and get the trash.

[+cerberus1]

I found a cache that is a real mess, just a wet baggie full of moldy items and logbook which I couldn't sign. I posted a needs maintenance log stating the issue, and then logged a found it. I then realized that almost a year ago to the day, somebody else posted a needs maintenance that wasn't cleared. The co hasn't been active for almost 3 years. Should I post a needs archived now, or wait a while?

No need to wat a while, NMs going back to '12, with the last maintenance just a finder who placed another baggy as the container.

NA it.

[+TriciaG]

(Explain why in your NA log: "NMs posted for 2 years with no response from the CO. CO hasn't been active for almost 3 years.")

[Kenbirds]

Thanks for the quick replies. I've entered a Needs Archived request. I was thinking of taking this one over, but on second thought I'd rather put one in a better location near this one. Maybe later.

[+Panther&Pine]

Thanks for the quick replies. I've entered a Needs Archived request. I was thinking of taking this one over, but on second thought I'd rather put one in a better location near this one. Maybe later.

If it makes you feel like others understand, I've been working to get a cache that hasn't been at the listed coords for years archived. It is a traditional that is over 150 feet from the posted coords and the owner hasn't logged into the site in years, the cache page clearly calls it an offset cache. I've logged two NAs on it this year, my Note from years ago was deleted(years ago for pointing out the offset nature of the cache) and no reveiwer note.

[+Chief301]

Thanks for the quick replies. I've entered a Needs Archived request. I was thinking of taking this one over, but on second thought I'd rather put one in a better location near this one. Maybe later.

 

You can't just take this one over. Adoptions have to be initiated by the owner, who in this case appears to be MIA. If it is archived you can place your own new cache at the location, but you can't assume ownership of the existing cache.

 

Even if you decided to take over maintainance duties of someone else's cache, you would not be able to log in under their profile, so you would not be able to clear Needs Maintainance attributes, receive notifications on it, etc.

[Kenbirds]

I know I can't adopt a cache without going through the proper channels, I just thought that since the CO has been inactive for so long I would just replace the baggie with a proper container and then look after it for awhile by keeping it on my watch list. But, as I said, I think there's a better place nearby for one, so I'll just wait and see if this one gets archived.

[Kenbirds]

Well, it didn't take long for the cache that I logged as NA to indeed be archived. Now I notice it doesn't show up on the map on the website, yet it does still show up on the smartphone app. How long before it disappears from there as well?

 

Also, if I wish to place another cache in the area, but in a better place, how far does it have to be from another existing cache for it to be acceptable? Thanks for your assistance to an eager newbie.

[+Bear and Ragged]

Well, it didn't take long for the cache that I logged as NA to indeed be archived. Now I notice it doesn't show up on the map on the website, yet it does still show up on the smartphone app. How long before it disappears from there as well?

 

Also, if I wish to place another cache in the area, but in a better place, how far does it have to be from another existing cache for it to be acceptable? Thanks for your assistance to an eager newbie.

 

Well worth reading the guidelines Geocache Listing Requirements / Guidelines

 

At least twice, if not three or more times!

 

(Part of the submission process is clicking to agree that you HAVE read them!)

Edited October 1, 2014 by Bear and Ragged

[+Chief301]

You should carefully study the Guidelines first as Bear & Ragged pointed out, and most of your questions will be answered.

 

The answer to that particular question, however, is 528 feet, or 1/10 of a mile. ?

[Kenbirds]

Well...thanks folks.

 

Can anybody answer my first question, or are there some guidelines that I should look up about that one too?

[+colleda]

I should have mentioned that there was a needs maintenance logged 3 months ago that wasn't cleared. I will log another one to see if that causes any activity. I can replace the log and keep my eye on it for a bit before moving to the next step. Thanks again

 

If you replace the log and if that was the only problem with it, then it no longer needs maintenance. Leave log in it and sign over other names and leave as is. Then log an NM which, if not acted upon you can later log NA.

[+TriciaG]

Well, it didn't take long for the cache that I logged as NA to indeed be archived. Now I notice it doesn't show up on the map on the website, yet it does still show up on the smartphone app. How long before it disappears from there as well?

Depends on the app, perhaps?

 

If it's stored offline on someone's phone, it'll stay there until they refresh/reload the listing.