View all archived caches on map?

[+ausj81]

Hi,

If you've touched a cache (logged visit/write note) that later becomes archived, you are still able to view it (not on map, but the description) from your history. Otherwise it is completely hidden from view. I assume all archived caches are not actually purged from the database and still exist, so think it would be a cool and interesting feature to be able to view archived caches and descriptions on the map in addition to active/disabled caches. This could give an interesting historical view of cache placement and area counts and a big part of caching for my friends and I is the new locations we discover and so being able to see some archived caches might give some cool extra places to check out. But perhaps it's not as simple as just turning on a flag in the database or there are other concerns, but is there any possibility of that being added at some point as an optional feature? Thanks!

[+T.D.M.22]

You have to realize, depending on where you are of course, that doing that could literally fill up a map. There are cachers who will archive say a micro and put an new cache there as an ammo can. then they move away and archive it, and someone else puts a cache there. It could show 3 or 4 or 5 caches all being at the same location, it could possibly double or triple the caches that show up on the maps. Of course if that's what you want, then it's not a bad thing, but if you where looking for only one or two then it could be a puzzle trying to figure out what is what. You can still see archived caches by searching, my finds, by searching the GC number, or even selecting a specific user and looking at his/her hides.

[+niraD]

It can be interesting to watch the geocaching history of a location unfold. There are a few local parks where I've seen a series of short-lived geocaches. Eventually, someone hides a cache that can survive (perhaps a puzzle nano-cache), and that's what remains.

 

But Groundspeak is unlikely to make it easier to view archived caches. Part of their relationship with land managers is assuring the land managers that once a cache is archived, people will stop looking for it.

[+Bear and Ragged]

Doubt it will happen.

 

A lot of caches are Archived because they shouldn't be there/don't have permission/the Authorities don't want or no longer want them there...

 

Groundspeak Archiving them removes them from show.

Now if you were to show Archived caches on a map, work needs to be done to separate the caches that can't be shown, from those that were Archived for other reasons such as the CO had decided to remove the cache, or a cache just kept getting Muggled. Not Easy!

[+chillypenguin]

I would certainly like an easier way to find archived caches locally, just out of interest. There are a couple of places that I have through of hiding caches, but have since found they have had caches in the past that have not lasted.

[+Lil Devil]

Just turn your time machine back about 8-10 years. Back then the maps had a checkbox where you could turn on the display of archived caches.

 

Somewhere along the line, they got rid of that for various reasons. I highly doubt they will reverse that decision.

 

But at least you have your time machine

[team tisri]

It might be interesting if premium members could view archived caches.

 

If a cache has been archived because it disappeared and the CO couldn't be bothered to archive it themselves or to maintain it then all well and good, but if it got archived because of an unaddressed NM log but is still in place it would be useful to be able to liberate any TBs, remove geo-litter etc. Once the cache is archived if the CO doesn't retrieve it then even though it might be argued the cache remains their property, once it becomes geo-litter it seems we're doing the world a service by removing it.

 

Maybe for a cache that has been archived a new log type, "Removed container" would be useful so others could tell at a stroke if another public-spirited geocacher had already been to the area to remove the geo-litter.

[+The Blorenges]

 

... Maybe for a cache that has been archived a new log type, "Removed container" would be useful so others could tell at a stroke if another public-spirited geocacher had already been to the area to remove the geo-litter.

 

 

And further, maybe the "Removed Container" log could send an automatic email to the CO saying something like, "Cacher X has removed your geolitter from [cache name]. If you wish to have it back, please contact this cacher within 2 weeks. After this period it will be put in the trash, which is where you should have put it yourself."

 

MrsB

 

Or is that going too far?

[stargatekrewe]

Do you use GSAK and are you a member of a local geocaching club (may need to check regional or state level geocaching clubs). You will find someone who has a database of every cache in the state, and possibly a brief history of archived caches. I know a few folks in my state do, one even keeps a few years worth of archived caches. You can always start your own and track them from here forward (hopefully geocaching will be around well into the future). Just don't expect Groundspeak to provide an option to list/search for archived caches for all the reasons above. Ain't ever gonna happen.

 

To address Team_Tisri's concern, just setup an email notification of all archived caches within your designated radius. You will usually be able to tell the likely-hood of a cache still existing by the archival reason or the previous logs. We do it all the time here (some archival logs are hilarious like when an entire building goes missing! lol). I saw a cache get archived because the CO was fed up with maintenance. I then noticed it still had a TB in it. I emailed him about it, he didn't seem to care, so then I went and rescued the bug. Again, GSAK can do this as well, but you won't get notified, it will have to be a habit you start practicing to refresh caches in your database and note the new archivals.

Edited November 13, 2012 by stargatekrewe

[Keystone]

Bear in mind, however, that the sharing of pocket query GPX files is prohibited. A friend could supply you with a list of GC Codes, a chart with a column for owners and cache names, etc.

 

Building an "archived caches" database on your own, with your own pocket query results, would be fine.

[+Bering]

This is not a bad question at all. I am also looking for an option to view archived caches in the past.

 

Some of them are removed due to violations but many are disabled, just because the owner laid out a trail for three months for example.

 

It shouldn't be too hard and it doesn't clutter up the map. Just check your finds and your found disabled caches. If you don't want to see this, just uncheck it. (Like in premium members features, with the layers)

 

Regards,

 

Bering

[+Walts Hunting]

Just turn your time machine back about 8-10 years. Back then the maps had a checkbox where you could turn on the display of archived caches.

 

Somewhere along the line, they got rid of that for various reasons. I highly doubt they will reverse that decision.

 

But at least you have your time machine

My preference would be Dr. Peabody's way back machine.

[+Camborne Round Table]

This is a great idea, ring this idea in to place and I think it could cause a lot a interesting information for people.

[+pksull]

I would love to see the archived caches that I have found displayed on the map. There are trails that I have found some in different sections but now when I look at the trail there are no happy faces. I don't need to be able to click on the cache to get info, just see it on the map to know how well I have done on the trail or park. I like to see my , what can I say

[+Bering]

Almost 4 years later, and still no sign of this feature. Could be so simple to add an extra layer of the archived caches. Hope this topic will get some attention again.

[+Viajero Perdido]

There's no sign of this feature because Groundspeak clearly does not want this feature.

 

As has been discussed, there are good reasons for this.

[+Harry Dolphin]

There's no sign of this feature because Groundspeak clearly does not want this feature.

 

As has been discussed, there are good reasons for this.

 

Groundspeak has intimated that it is to keep cachers from searching for caches that have been archived due to the requests of the property owners. That seems to be a valid reason. But my guess is that it has to do with programming/data usage. But, nope, it's not coming back. Though you can use GSAK for this.

[Blue Square Thing]

You can at project GC as well. I think members there can also show just archived caches if they do enough work on it - I think there was a video posted a while ago to show people how to do that.

 

It's completely fair that Groundspeak appears to be reluctant to allow people to see archived caches on a map, although there is some utility in being able to view them I think.