Multi-cache newbie

[+73ponys]

Hi,

 

I've been geocaching for only a short time (few months), and have found and logged about 50 so to date. I've also started hiding my own caches, and have published 2, set another two for review, all part a series of five related caches, and am planning the lucky last at the mo

I was hoping to do a multi-cache and have it all sorted... well, sort of. I've come a bit stuck and am hoping there will be someone clever here who can answer my question:

 

When I come to upload the coords and details on to geocaching.com, I'm asked if each point is virtual or if there is something there. Just to clarify - there might be a field puzzle to show the next set of coordinates or something (might not either ), but as there is no logbook that means these points are virtual? Otherwise, what constitutes virtual??

 

I intend to only have a log book at the final location. The other spots might have, (for example) coordinates to find in invisible ink.

 

So, am I right?

 

Thanks in advance

 

73ponys

[+wmpastor]

A virtual waypoint or multicache stage is where you add nothing - a Cacher gets info from a pre-existing sign, for example. There is no issue with a virtual waypoint being too close to another cache.

 

If you add something, anything, to a stage, it's not virtual. Then you have to keep the required distance from other caches.

Edited August 1, 2016 by wmpastor

[Pup Patrol]

Hi,

 

I've been geocaching for only a short time (few months), and have found and logged about 50 so to date. I've also started hiding my own caches, and have published 2, set another two for review, all part a series of five related caches, and am planning the lucky last at the mo

I was hoping to do a multi-cache and have it all sorted... well, sort of. I've come a bit stuck and am hoping there will be someone clever here who can answer my question:

 

When I come to upload the coords and details on to geocaching.com, I'm asked if each point is virtual or if there is something there. Just to clarify - there might be a field puzzle to show the next set of coordinates or something (might not either ), but as there is no logbook that means these points are virtual? Otherwise, what constitutes virtual??

 

I intend to only have a log book at the final location. The other spots might have, (for example) coordinates to find in invisible ink.

 

So, am I right?

 

Thanks in advance

 

73ponys

 

Only the final container has a logbook. The logbook has nothing to do with determining whether a stage is a "virtual" or "physical" waypoint.

 

The Help Center thoroughly explains this:

 

Help Center → Hiding a Geocache → Review Process: Hiding a Geocache

1.17. Stages and Additional Waypoints

http://support.Groundspeak.com/index.php?pg=kb.page&id=72

 

1.13. Saturation Guideline: Hidden, Virtual and Additional Waypoints

http://support.Groundspeak.com/index.php?pg=kb.page&id=232

 

B.

Edited August 1, 2016 by Pup Patrol

[+73ponys]

 

Only the final container has a logbook. The logbook has nothing to do with determining whether a stage is a "virtual" or "physical" waypoint.

 

The Help Center thoroughly explains this:

 

Help Center → Hiding a Geocache → Review Process: Hiding a Geocache

1.17. Stages and Additional Waypoints

http://support.Groundspeak.com/index.php?pg=kb.page&id=72

 

1.13. Saturation Guideline: Hidden, Virtual and Additional Waypoints

http://support.Groundspeak.com/index.php?pg=kb.page&id=232

 

B.

 

Sorry - was simply seeking clarification.

[Pup Patrol]

 

Only the final container has a logbook. The logbook has nothing to do with determining whether a stage is a "virtual" or "physical" waypoint.

 

The Help Center thoroughly explains this:

 

Help Center → Hiding a Geocache → Review Process: Hiding a Geocache

1.17. Stages and Additional Waypoints

http://support.Groundspeak.com/index.php?pg=kb.page&id=72

 

1.13. Saturation Guideline: Hidden, Virtual and Additional Waypoints

http://support.Groundspeak.com/index.php?pg=kb.page&id=232

 

B.

 

Sorry - was simply seeking clarification.

 

The links to the Help Center will provide clarification. Groundspeak has put a lot of work into the Help Center...it's an invaluable tool and can save you a lot of time and hassle.

 

Is it not better to do your research thoroughly than to depend on other people being correct? Are the answers/information from Groundspeak not what you want?

 

B.

[+73ponys]

Absolutely.

However, I was also under the impression that other geocachers might be keen to share their thoughts, and be therefore be a supportive community.

 

Sometimes being able to discuss stuff with people who are experienced adds to the experience.

(If those people are positive)

 

Thanks for shooting me down and putting me in my place. I have apologised already - it won't happen again.

[+Walts Hunting]

Absolutely.

However, I was also under the impression that other geocachers might be keen to share their thoughts, and be therefore be a supportive community.

 

Sometimes being able to discuss stuff with people who are experienced adds to the experience.

(If those people are positive)

 

Thanks for shooting me down and putting me in my place. I have apologised already - it won't happen again.

I am sorry if you don't think reading the guidelines is helping. That is always a good place to start before asking questions here.

[Pup Patrol]

I wasn't "shooting you down". That's your perception of some words on a screen.

 

There's not much to discuss. The Guidelines and the Help Center are quite clear on saturation issues, physical vs virtual stages/waypoints, etc.

 

This is a very supportive community. Ask a question, get some answers....especially here in the Getting Started forum. Some of us have had our wrists slapped for not being gentle to the beginners. Some of us just talk straight, and that is somehow construed as being "mean" or "shooting someone down".

 

I've often said, when faced with questions about fishing regulations, that one should never just take the answers from strangers on the internet as gospel. Stuff happens. Typos happen. Misunderstanding of the regs happens. Regs change.

 

That's why it's always better to go to the source. That's why research of your own is best.

 

I'm sorry you misunderstood my posts. I stated some facts in the form of links to the very place where you will find your answers. My second post asked some questions. Nothing vindictive or malicious in either post.

 

B.

Edited August 1, 2016 by Pup Patrol

[+niraD]

The general answer has already been provided, so let's look at your examples:

 

Just to clarify - there might be a field puzzle to show the next set of coordinates or something (might not either ), but as there is no logbook that means these points are virtual? Otherwise, what constitutes virtual??

A virtual waypoint means the cache owner hasn't left ANYTHING there. A logbook would make a waypoint physical, but so would anything else left by the cache owner: a tag with coordinates on it, a tag with other information that is used as part of the multi-cache somehow, a container with a physical puzzle inside, a container with a note inside, a fake rock with coordinates engraved on it, etc.

 

So what is the field puzzle like? Does it use only existing sculptures, monuments, bollards, picnic tables, benches, vista point telescopes, etc.? Or does it use objects placed by the cache owner (you)?

 

I intend to only have a log book at the final location. The other spots might have, (for example) coordinates to find in invisible ink.

Coordinates in invisible ink sounds like something left by the cache owner, not something that already exists at the location.

 

And as a practical matter, fluorescent ink/paint tends to fade over time, especially when exposed to sunlight. The caches I've seen that use it tend to protect the fluorescent ink/paint somehow, for example, by putting it inside a container of some kind. (I'm not familiar with any other types of "invisible ink" that have been used for geocaches.