Stumbled upon unknown Geocache?

[JustDSM]

I'm brand new to Geocaching so I'm hoping to get some input/information on what actually brought me to this site..

 

While out walking my dog in the desert this afternoon, I stumbled upon a box 'buried' in a rock pile and thought I might have stumbled upon someone's stash! But it looked like a cache and had a sign in register. The box looked like it had been there for some time completely undisturbed and there was no evidence of any foot traffic at all. The register was blank. I signed in and went about my walk. Excited about the incident, I figured I'd like to get into this as a way to get me and my dog out more.

 

Looking to log my first find, I'm having trouble finding the cache listed in the database here. The box I found was within 150ft of 32.413690º -106.768630º but I'm not finding a record of it being cache listed in the database here. Any suggestions/ideas on what is going on/what I should do?

 

Thank you!

[Pup Patrol]

I'm brand new to Geocaching so I'm hoping to get some input/information on what actually brought me to this site..

 

While out walking my dog in the desert this afternoon, I stumbled upon a box 'buried' in a rock pile and thought I might have stumbled upon someone's stash! But it looked like a cache and had a sign in register. The box looked like it had been there for some time completely undisturbed and there was no evidence of any foot traffic at all. The register was blank. I signed in and went about my walk. Excited about the incident, I figured I'd like to get into this as a way to get me and my dog out more.

 

Looking to log my first find, I'm having trouble finding the cache listed in the database here. The box I found was within 150ft of 32.413690º -106.768630º but I'm not finding a record of it being cache listed in the database here. Any suggestions/ideas on what is going on/what I should do?

 

Thank you!

 

It could be a newly-placed cache that hasn't been published yet. Or it might be a cache that did not meet the Guidelines, and was not published.

 

Go to this cache page, and look at the Geocaching.com map:

 

http://coord.info/GC2JGJB Dona Ana mountain bikers cache

 

Is that one in the vicinity of where you found this box?

 

One thing to take note of:

 

http://support.Groundspeak.com/index.php?pg=kb.page&id=208

 

1.3. WGS-84 and HDD(D)° MM.MMM Datum and Format

 

Why do we use WGS-84 and HDD(D)° MM.MMM Datum and Format?

 

Most GPS receivers are set coming out of the box with WGS-84 and HDD(D)° MM.MMM Datum and Format. Using this setting will be less likely to confuse new GPS owners.

 

1.2. Convert Decimal Coordinates to DDD MM.MMM

http://support.Groundspeak.com/index.php?pg=kb.page&id=207

 

B.

[JustDSM]

 

It could be a newly-placed cache that hasn't been published yet. Or it might be a cache that did not meet the Guidelines, and was not published.

 

Go to this cache page, and look at the Geocaching.com map:

 

http://coord.info/GC2JGJB Dona Ana mountain bikers cache

 

Is that one in the vicinity of where you found this box?

 

One thing to take note of:

 

http://support.Groundspeak.com/index.php?pg=kb.page&id=208

 

1.3. WGS-84 and HDD(D)° MM.MMM Datum and Format

 

Why do we use WGS-84 and HDD(D)° MM.MMM Datum and Format?

 

Most GPS receivers are set coming out of the box with WGS-84 and HDD(D)° MM.MMM Datum and Format. Using this setting will be less likely to confuse new GPS owners.

 

1.2. Convert Decimal Coordinates to DDD MM.MMM

http://support.Groundspeak.com/index.php?pg=kb.page&id=207

 

B.

 

Thank you for taking the time to provide some insight. The cache I found has been there for some time due weathering on the synthetic material the container was made (UV degradation) and due to the positioning, had the box been moved or open it would have disturbed the 'patina'. I'm confident this cache has been there for some time. I'll have to research the guidelines, and perhaps get this cache up to snuff to get it listed.

 

Before I posted I looked into possible caches and that is the nearest cache to the one I found however the description does not match the box/contents I found.

Edited January 17, 2016 by JustDSM

[+ecanderson]

Could also be the final for a multi-cache or a 'mystery' cache. There are several of each within a short distance of your coordinates.

 

If you would note the last signature and date, if legible, go to the finder's records to take a peek at what they might have found in that time frame.

[Keystone]

The OP states that "the register was blank," which I took to mean an empty logbook.

 

If so, it's interesting to note that (1) there's no published but unfound caches (including puzzle caches) within two miles of the specified coordinates, and (2) there are no unpublished caches (archived or pending) within two miles of the specified coordinates.

[Pup Patrol]

Could also be the final for a multi-cache or a 'mystery' cache. There are several of each within a short distance of your coordinates.

 

If you would note the last signature and date, if legible, go to the finder's records to take a peek at what they might have found in that time frame.

 

The OP said there were no sigs on the "register", so it wouldn't be the final of a multicache or a "?".

 

Maybe it is just an old, forgotten cache, that was never sent to the Reviewer.

 

Neat find. That area isn't completely devoid of caches. Wonder what the story is.

 

Good luck and hope you enjoy your new hobby.

 

B.

[+Manville Possum]

Could also be the final for a multi-cache or a 'mystery' cache. There are several of each within a short distance of your coordinates.

 

If you would note the last signature and date, if legible, go to the finder's records to take a peek at what they might have found in that time frame.

 

The OP said there were no sigs on the "register", so it wouldn't be the final of a multicache or a "?".

 

Maybe it is just an old, forgotten cache, that was never sent to the Reviewer.

 

Neat find. That area isn't completely devoid of caches. Wonder what the story is.

 

Good luck and hope you enjoy your new hobby.

 

B.

 

I checked a couple of the alternative sites and saw that TerraCaching is active in the area.

[+ecanderson]

The OP said there were no sigs on the "register", so it wouldn't be the final of a multicache or a "?".

Ah, right. The "register was blank" just registered. It would be if the CO had ever installed a fresh log in the cache. Wouldn't be a first for me, I can tell you, but no way to look up a recent finder's name, I'll grant you.

[+vw_k]

It may be worth contacting a local reviewer such as RockyMtnReviewer and asking if they know of a cache that was submitted with those co-ordinates. It could well be a cache that was submitted and never published, or archived having never been found.

 

There are other cache listing websites online too so maybe it is listed on one of those instead of geocaching.com

[+The A-Team]

It may be worth contacting a local reviewer such as RockyMtnReviewer and asking if they know of a cache that was submitted with those co-ordinates. It could well be a cache that was submitted and never published, or archived having never been found.

Keystone already did this above:

...there are no unpublished caches (archived or pending) within two miles of the specified coordinates.

[Keystone]

In addition, Rocky Mtn Reviewer is happily retired from volunteering for Geocaching.com. To ask a question of the current local reviewer, look for caches published recently in the area. Find the "Published" log at the bottom of the recent cache listing.

[+hzoi]

Heh. Just up the road a ways from us. Try this cache, located 82 feet from your coordinates.

 

This log excerpt from Mr. Waldo might sound familiar:

 

On the way back, I decided to CITO a large piece of plastic (dubbed a sled by mwwilsons). I also found a cache log sheet that was similar to the one in the cache, but it had been signed by someone on Jan 17th with the following log, "Found with no GPS while walking my dog. Surprised me!". The log and and another sheet of paper with "Good Job! You're #1", and "The V-Bug is yours" on it was with the log. Both pieces of paper were up on top of the hill where the big plastic "sled" was.

 

edit: no, wait, that's your cache. OK, now I'm stumped.

Edited January 25, 2016 by hzoi

[+J Grouchy]

The OP states that "the register was blank," which I took to mean an empty logbook.

 

If so, it's interesting to note that (1) there's no published but unfound caches (including puzzle caches) within two miles of the specified coordinates, and (2) there are no unpublished caches (archived or pending) within two miles of the specified coordinates.

 

The final of an unfound multi-cache, maybe? The two mile rule doesn't apply to those, right?

[+hzoi]

The OP states that "the register was blank," which I took to mean an empty logbook.

 

If so, it's interesting to note that (1) there's no published but unfound caches (including puzzle caches) within two miles of the specified coordinates, and (2) there are no unpublished caches (archived or pending) within two miles of the specified coordinates.

 

The final of an unfound multi-cache, maybe? The two mile rule doesn't apply to those, right?

 

There aren't any unfound mystery or multi caches within the Las Cruces area, at least not that I could find.

 

edit to add: I don't see any unfound caches anywhere near that one. There are five traditionals within 50 miles and one pending event. Closest is this one over 3 miles away, which apparently has bad coordinates. Could possibly be it, but the description doesn't seem to match the area the OP describes. OP found the cache in question in a rock pile, not inside a mesquite bush.

Edited January 28, 2016 by hzoi

[+J Grouchy]

My only other thought is maybe it was listed on the "other" caching site that went away. I remember seeing a number of caches listed there that were never logged as found (likely the reason for the site's demise).