Etiquette When You Have a Cache in Hand

[+whit-lauren]

I'm aware that we should be discreet. If I'm in a high muggle traffic area, I attempt to sign the log away from where I found it, even sometimes holding it inside my bag while I do so.

 

My question is: if you have the cache in hand and you notice others looking around that might be fellow geocachers, what is the etiquette?

 

I've seen some posts that say if you're searching and notice others who seem to be searching, you can ask if they are looking for a cache and join together in the hunt. But if someone already has the cache, what are you supposed to do?

 

If they keep searching, they're obviously not going to find it because it's currently being signed. If you say something, they lose out on the fun of finding it because they'll see you put it back.

 

I haven't run into holding a cache while others search for it yet myself, but my suspicion is I've searched for a cache when someone else was signing it. The owner wasn't maintaining it according to the app and when I came back to search for it again, it was in a place I had already looked.

 

Thoughts?

 

Is it as simple as wait until potential other geocachers leave and place the cache back where you found it and hope they come back at a later time?

 

Also, I live in a city so the likelihood of this happening is greater for me and others in areas with more people/geocachers playing the game

[+cerberus1]

If a buncha people are looking around at others while looking for the cache too, how "discreet" do you think things are?

 

If you're noticing people looking for something in the same area you are, I'd think it'd be best all around to ask,"looking for something?".

 

I don't bother with hides that make you look like you're up to something anymore, but when I did, I just went to the cache, signed it, and put it back, without "looking at" anyone.

If someone was in my way, I'd ask if they were geocaching too, and if they found it.

[+igator210]

Its happened to me.... I'll ask if they want a hint and joke around that I've already found it but they won't. I'll then show them where I found it and ask if they want to put it back.

 

If you wait till they leave and put it back, they will log a DNF, which is technically correct, but they didn't find it because you had it in hand.

[+noncentric]

Regarding stealth: I usually don't worry about people seeing me writing something on a piece of paper, which doesn't seem like a particularly suspicious action. I'm more careful about searching and retrieving/replacing the cache, which are the actions that muggles find more suspicious.

-- Is it odd to see someone looking in the bushes, looking under a bench, lifting up a lamppost skirt, feeling all over a metal railing? Kinda, yeah.

-- Is it odd to see someone holding a piece of paper or a notebook and writing down something? Not so much.

 

Regarding your question about other cachers: It's uncommon for me to see another person apparently looking for something while I have a cache in my hands. That might be because the cache just isn't that 'busy' or because the other cachers are doing a good job of being stealthy.

 

When it does happen, I think they can tell that I've already found it because I don't hide the fact that I'm signing something. They just walked right up to me and said 'did you already find it?', so I didn't have to think too much about what to do. There was a time, during the Block Party, that some cachers came by while I was signing the log on a cache. They walked right up to the obvious hiding structure and started looking around it, so I said 'geocaching?' and after they acknowledged then I told them I already found it and asked 'do you want to sign it, or do you want me to put it back first?'.

 

Personally, I prefer to find caches on my own. When I come upon a cache site and there are already cachers searching, then I'll just hang back until they leave or do another cache and come back later. I skipped a lot of caches during the Block Party because I live close enough to come back to them when less cachers are around.

[+whit-lauren]

Its happened to me.... I'll ask if they want a hint and joke around that I've already found it but they won't. I'll then show them where I found it and ask if they want to put it back.

 

If you wait till they leave and put it back, they will log a DNF, which is technically correct, but they didn't find it because you had it in hand.

 

Thanks! Good thoughts!

[+whit-lauren]

Regarding stealth: I usually don't worry about people seeing me writing something on a piece of paper, which doesn't seem like a particularly suspicious action. I'm more careful about searching and retrieving/replacing the cache, which are the actions that muggles find more suspicious.

-- Is it odd to see someone looking in the bushes, looking under a bench, lifting up a lamppost skirt, feeling all over a metal railing? Kinda, yeah.

-- Is it odd to see someone holding a piece of paper or a notebook and writing down something? Not so much.

 

Regarding your question about other cachers: It's uncommon for me to see another person apparently looking for something while I have a cache in my hands. That might be because the cache just isn't that 'busy' or because the other cachers are doing a good job of being stealthy.

 

When it does happen, I think they can tell that I've already found it because I don't hide the fact that I'm signing something. They just walked right up to me and said 'did you already find it?', so I didn't have to think too much about what to do. There was a time, during the Block Party, that some cachers came by while I was signing the log on a cache. They walked right up to the obvious hiding structure and started looking around it, so I said 'geocaching?' and after they acknowledged then I told them I already found it and asked 'do you want to sign it, or do you want me to put it back first?'.

 

Personally, I prefer to find caches on my own. When I come upon a cache site and there are already cachers searching, then I'll just hang back until they leave or do another cache and come back later. I skipped a lot of caches during the Block Party because I live close enough to come back to them when less cachers are around.

 

Thanks a ton for your thorough and kind response! I appreciate it very much. I've only got 15 caches under my belt but I'm looking forward to finding a lot more and keeping other's tips in mind.

[+Bear and Ragged]

If they sign the cache while YOU still have it, make sure YOU replace the cache. Even if you tell them where you found it.

 

I've signed one cache that was in a fellow cachers pocket.

There were muggles close, I walked past and was going to try on the way back, but when retracing my steps later bumped into fellow cachers who had the same problem but had retrieved the cache and planned to replace it on their return journey!

 

Another time I had the cache in hand to sign and was approached by someone waving a GPS to show he was a cacher!

I let him sign the log, and replaced the cache myself.

[+cerberus1]

If they sign the cache while YOU still have it, make sure YOU replace the cache. Even if you tell them where you found it.

Yeah, after issues similar, one of the many reasons I don't do these anymore.

Can't tell you how many times we were ftf on a cache, and the other 2/3rds had us hang out for the line behind us, when we could be elsewhere.

- Later, I never looked around for anyone unless they were in my way.

 

Even a couple days after placed, no lines, few people, maybe a ftf, and little issue of "stealth" when walking in the woods.

[+dprovan]

Make friends. The beauty of the situation you describe is that interacting with the suspected geocachers couldn't possibly do any harm even if they aren't geocachers. If they are geocachers, just ask them what they'd like you to do. Me, I'd just sign the log before you put it back, but others would want you to put it back while they aren't looking.

 

If they aren't geocachers, you can just say "excuse me" and treat them like any other muggles, or you can teach them about geocaching and show them what the one in your pocket looks like.

[+noncentric]

If they sign the cache while YOU still have it, make sure YOU replace the cache. Even if you tell them where you found it.

Yeah, after issues similar, one of the many reasons I don't do these anymore.

Can't tell you how many times we were ftf on a cache, and the other 2/3rds had us hang out for the line behind us, when we could be elsewhere.

Yeah, I hear you on this one. When I asked 'do you want to sign it, or do you want me to put it back first?', I silently hoped that they'd choose the latter rather than the former. So far, I haven't had to wait too long though. And this has only happened in urban areas during Block Party or FTF's. I've rarely come across cachers while hiking.

[+hzoi]

If you're noticing people looking for something in the same area you are, I'd think it'd be best all around to ask,"looking for something?".

Funny you should mention that. As the first finder and I were coming away from a new cache in a park outside of Montgomery, Alabama, someone else was coming up the path. I asked him if he was looking for something, assuming he was a cacher. He thought I was propositioning another type of recreational activity. That awkward moment inspired this fine puzzle cache elsewhere in the park.

[+Harry Dolphin]

I've always wanted to hide a cache in Pickell Park, in Whitehouse Station/Readington Township, NJ. But it's not in my maintenance area. Named after the lady who donated the land to the township. There are a number of caches there, mostly leading up Cushetunk Mountain overlooking Round Valley Reservoir. But none of the COs have had my sense of humor. Oh, well.