Feeling Defeated After DNFing a Cache

[+diamonddolljeanette]

Anyone feel defeated when they can't find a cache and have to DNF?

I spent almost a hour looking for this one cache that had a geocoin in it. The beacon was supposed to be this tree with two super thick branches hanging over the Mississippi River. I did my best to practice my tight rope walking on the branches but had no luck at all, couldn't spot it at all. I've never been so frustrated with a geocache and actually pretty disappointed I couldn't get the geocoin.

[+kunarion]

Anyone feel defeated when they can't find a cache and have to DNF?

Sometimes. But it's not so bad as long as I'm not caching with somebody. Because they not only notice how truly very bad I am at it, they suggest other hobbies I should try . I never developed a Geosense, and from what I've seen, I am the worst in the world at finding caches. Ever. I'm the anti-cacher. But I don't let it get me down. I search as thoroughly as possible, log the DNF, then skip it and forget it. Maybe I'll find the next one, and there are a buh-zillion of these things, give or take.

 

Maybe someday I'll make a list of choice ones that I can't find (especially the ones where I'm the only one who ever DNF'd it. Priceless. ), and have an UN-DNF day I'll get especially great hints from the Cache Owners, and go find the caches.

Edited May 17, 2016 by kunarion

[+cerberus1]

Anyone feel defeated when they can't find a cache and have to DNF?

Nope.

Most around here know that if it's smaller than a 30cal ammo can, odds are good I won't find it.

I don't enjoy going after tiny caches, so maybe (really) just too stubborn to give it my all.

Maybe if I didn't spend most my life looking for contraband as small as a match head things would be different...

 

For a few years, some were judging whether their cache Difficulty was accurate by my log.

 

...Though one day an ammo can was unfound for quite a while, and this-guy-who-can't-find-squat read the cache page, to see "other" for size, and found that micro can at the first spot searched.

 

Edited for additional stuff.

Edited May 17, 2016 by cerberus1

[+Pontiac_CZ]

I don't as well. Maybe in my first geocaching years I felt that way sometimes but not now. It's just the way life goes. In average I log a DNF for every 10 finds.

I usually go caching alone (so I only have two eyes) and don't spend on the GZ more than 20 minutes. Sometimes even less when I see like people sitting by the cache and apparently not about to leave in a short time, that's a DNF for me too.

[+Ambrosia]

I never developed a Geosense, and from what I've seen, I am the worst in the world at finding caches. Ever. I'm the anti-cacher.

 

No, I'm the worst in the world at finding caches! There can only be one!

 

We were just on a campout weekend with our Pathfinder group, and I was working with the kids on their geocaching honor. While looking for a cache, I made the comment that I was terrible at finding caches. One of the counselors looked at me like I was crazy.

 

Maybe I am.

[+dprovan]

well, I am defeated, so it's only appropriate that I feel defeated. I don't let it bother me, though.

[+T.D.M.22]

Happens to people all the time. There's the cache I've spent probably 5 hours looking for. It's there, people find, just not me. And then the 4 foot long tube with bright yellow writing on it that too me 45 minutes to find, yet was accidently found by muggles who just walked past. And the cache I (and 2 others) actually stepped on while looking for it, and then watched other cachers walk in and pick it up,

 

But on the other hand, there's a few well hidden or camo'd caches where I've walked right up and found it not even looking at the description or anything, then watch other cachers search and search for it, even giving up.

 

 

It's all part of the game. If you want easy, and never missing, all about getting the points, there's a smartphone game with tons of virtuals. If you want an experience where you may not find it, but you'll go on an adventure anyway, then this is the right game.

 

I mean would you have climbed that tree over the river if there wasn't a cache there? Probably not. So you've had a bit of an adventure, climbed a tree. While your neighbors probably sat at home playing COD, or watching the 11th straight hour of House on Netflix. You didn't find the cache, but you did something anyway.

[97CMA]

Saturday was a defeating day for me. Totally defeated. Three or four different DNFs, a wake up call for me on what I'm safely able to physically not do, the realization I was in over my head. I proudly took the one find I did make, a priceless adventure and licked my wounds.

[+Tassie_Boy]

Anyone feel defeated when they can't find a cache and have to DNF?

I spent almost a hour looking for this one cache that had a geocoin in it. The beacon was supposed to be this tree with two super thick branches hanging over the Mississippi River. I did my best to practice my tight rope walking on the branches but had no luck at all, couldn't spot it at all. I've never been so frustrated with a geocache and actually pretty disappointed I couldn't get the geocoin.

 

Nup, just add it to the list to try again if I'm back in the area, if anything it just makes the eventual find even sweeter.

[+redsox_mark]

I want to find the cache, so I feel some disappointment when I can't find it. Most of the time I am able to remind myself of the fun of the hunt etc and not feel too frustrated. Sometimes it bothers me more than other times.

Edited May 17, 2016 by redsox_mark

[+J Grouchy]

I don't usually get too bothered by it...EXCEPT when I've posted a DNF and either THAT DAY or the next someone comes along and posts "Quick find. Thanks!" or "TFTC". Then I get doubly mad...for them finding something I couldn't, and for being so flippant and posting an idiotic log about it.

[+NYPaddleCacher]

Anyone feel defeated when they can't find a cache and have to DNF?

Nope.

Most around here know that if it's smaller than a 30cal ammo can, odds are good I won't find it.

 

I not only DNFd a 30cal ammo can but it was a golden ammo can cache (the contain was painted bright gold) in the woods.

 

 

[+justintim1999]

Nope. I spent a half hour last week looking for one of my own caches. I hate it when I can't find a cache and I know it's there....watching me.

[+kunarion]

I never developed a Geosense, and from what I've seen, I am the worst in the world at finding caches. Ever. I'm the anti-cacher.

 

No, I'm the worst in the world at finding caches! There can only be one!

 

We were just on a campout weekend with our Pathfinder group, and I was working with the kids on their geocaching honor. While looking for a cache, I made the comment that I was terrible at finding caches. One of the counselors looked at me like I was crazy.

 

Maybe I am.

[+fuzziebear3]

When I DNF about 3 in a row, then I usually figure the stars and satellites are not with me and probably call it a day.

[+Meow&Purr]

I don't usually get too bothered by it...EXCEPT when I've posted a DNF and either THAT DAY or the next someone comes along and posts "Quick find. Thanks!" or "TFTC". Then I get doubly mad...for them finding something I couldn't, and for being so flippant and posting an idiotic log about it.

 

This is me in a nutshell. I recently logged a dnf after an exhaustive search and BAM someone else comes along and "Quick find, tftc" I went back and still couldn't find it. Sometimes I wonder about me...

 

I don't really feel defeated. Sometimes frustrated esp. if it was one I was really looking forward to but then I realize we had an adventure. We got out and had some fun, saw something new, learned something new, laughed at something (likely lots of things) and we did something that is fun for us both.

[+narcissa]

I've had some DNFs that left me feeling defeated, but those were caches that involved a considerable amount of effort.

[+Michaelcycle]

I'm still averaging about 2/3 of my finds by bicycle or kayak. The cache just gives me someplace to go. If I don't find it I still got what I came for: a bike ride or a paddle.

[+Mudfrog]

I don't usually get too bothered by it...EXCEPT when I've posted a DNF and either THAT DAY or the next someone comes along and posts "Quick find. Thanks!" or "TFTC". Then I get doubly mad...for them finding something I couldn't, and for being so flippant and posting an idiotic log about it.

Yeah, DNFs are part of the hobby so they don't bother me too much. But that next log to come in stating something like "quick find", kinda gets to me a bit.

 

What's fun for me is to eventually go back and find those caches that i DNFed. There's been a few that i obsessed over where it took more than a couple of trips but that feeling of finally finding them makes it all good!

[+J Grouchy]

I don't usually get too bothered by it...EXCEPT when I've posted a DNF and either THAT DAY or the next someone comes along and posts "Quick find. Thanks!" or "TFTC". Then I get doubly mad...for them finding something I couldn't, and for being so flippant and posting an idiotic log about it.

Yeah, DNFs are part of the hobby so they don't bother me too much. But that next log to come in stating something like "quick find", kinda gets to me a bit.

 

What's fun for me is to eventually go back and find those caches that i DNFed. There's been a few that i obsessed over where it took more than a couple of trips but that feeling of finally finding them makes it all good!

 

I have a running bookmark list, appropriately titled "DNFs", that shows all caches that I've tried but have been unable to find. It fluctuates between about 20 and 30 at any given time, and I happily take caches off the list as I go back to find them. I have notifications set up on that bookmark list as well...just to keep reminding me everytime someone finds one of the caches on my list. Currently there are 19 (it was 20, but I just noticed one of them got archived), two of which are disabled.

Edited May 17, 2016 by J Grouchy

[+dprovan]

I don't usually get too bothered by it...EXCEPT when I've posted a DNF and either THAT DAY or the next someone comes along and posts "Quick find. Thanks!" or "TFTC". Then I get doubly mad...for them finding something I couldn't, and for being so flippant and posting an idiotic log about it.

A friend of mine takes particular delight in logging "quick find" when the previous cacher failed. He once told me that he'd noticed I'd posted a particularly annoyed and frustrated DNF a cache the day before, so he made sure to log "Quick find. No problem!" just to razz me even though it took him the better part of an hour to track it down. In addition to just flat out finding that amusing, it also helps me keep a balanced view of my failures.

 

Having said that, I admit I also feel annoyed when it happens, both about them and about myself. I'd be a nervous wreck if I couldn't see the humor is being annoyed.

 

What's fun for me is to eventually go back and find those caches that i DNFed. There's been a few that i obsessed over where it took more than a couple of trips but that feeling of finally finding them makes it all good!

I dread returning to the site of a DNF, and I've been known to avoid an area for months simply because I didn't want to risk failing again. And while I do enjoy eventually resolving the failure, more often than not I end up feeling pretty stupid for not finding it the first time...or the first 5 times.

[+J Grouchy]

I don't usually get too bothered by it...EXCEPT when I've posted a DNF and either THAT DAY or the next someone comes along and posts "Quick find. Thanks!" or "TFTC". Then I get doubly mad...for them finding something I couldn't, and for being so flippant and posting an idiotic log about it.

A friend of mine takes particular delight in logging "quick find" when the previous cacher failed. He once told me that he'd noticed I'd posted a particularly annoyed and frustrated DNF a cache the day before, so he made sure to log "Quick find. No problem!" just to razz me even though it took him the better part of an hour to track it down. In addition to just flat out finding that amusing, it also helps me keep a balanced view of my failures.

 

Having said that, I admit I also feel annoyed when it happens, both about them and about myself. I'd be a nervous wreck if I couldn't see the humor is being annoyed.

 

Yeah, I think folks assume that my nickname means I'm always a grumpy old codger. It probably doesn't help that I vent a lot here in the forums...and occasionally in my logs. Those who know me, however, actually know better. If I really let DNFs and other such stuff get to me, I would have given up on caching LONG ago.

 

What's fun for me is to eventually go back and find those caches that i DNFed. There's been a few that i obsessed over where it took more than a couple of trips but that feeling of finally finding them makes it all good!

I dread returning to the site of a DNF, and I've been known to avoid an area for months simply because I didn't want to risk failing again. And while I do enjoy eventually resolving the failure, more often than not I end up feeling pretty stupid for not finding it the first time...or the first 5 times.

 

For me, it depends. Some places, I really just need to step away for a good long while...maybe let the find count stack up a little to ease the sting of the DNF I posted. Others, I'll just persist until I get it, sometimes the next day or next week.

 

There is one that I've had the misfortune of DNFing twice on a supposedly very easy find. In both cases, however, it appeared that I chose to look after it went missing. Part of me wants to jump up and yell "SEE! I'm not that bad! It was missing both times!!!"

 

Then I remember I'm 41 years old...

[+NYPaddleCacher]

When I DNF about 3 in a row, then I usually figure the stars and satellites are not with me and probably call it a day.

 

I DNF'd the first four out of five (I was able to actually touch the container on one of them though) caches I looked for on fathers day several years ago. It turned out to be one of the "biggest" days I've had.

 

There have been a few threads here asking others how often they DNF a cache. I captured the results a few years ago after 25 or so people responded and it showed that with with that arguably small sample that the average DNF rate was about 10%.

 

 

[+Ambrosia]

<snip>

 

What's fun for me is to eventually go back and find those caches that i DNFed. There's been a few that i obsessed over where it took more than a couple of trips but that feeling of finally finding them makes it all good!

I dread returning to the site of a DNF, and I've been known to avoid an area for months simply because I didn't want to risk failing again. And while I do enjoy eventually resolving the failure, more often than not I end up feeling pretty stupid for not finding it the first time...or the first 5 times.

 

For me, it depends. Some places, I really just need to step away for a good long while...maybe let the find count stack up a little to ease the sting of the DNF I posted. Others, I'll just persist until I get it, sometimes the next day or next week.

 

There is one that I've had the misfortune of DNFing twice on a supposedly very easy find. In both cases, however, it appeared that I chose to look after it went missing. Part of me wants to jump up and yell "SEE! I'm not that bad! It was missing both times!!!"

 

Then I remember I'm 41 years old...

 

Hey, from one 41 year old to another, I basically do that when I eventually find the cache if it was missing when I dnf'd it. I don't jump up and yell, "SEE!", but I do say something like, "It looks like the cache was missing last time I was here and made my dnf". I can't let it go, even though no one else reading logs probably cares one bit why I dnf'd the thing.

[+NanCycle]

. . . when I eventually find the cache if it was missing when I dnf'd it. I don't jump up and yell, "SEE!", but I do say something like, "It looks like the cache was missing last time I was here and made my dnf". I can't let it go, even though no one else reading logs probably cares one bit why I dnf'd the thing.

 

My standard post for those situations is "It's amazing how much easier the cache is to find when it's actually there."

[+Ambrosia]

. . . when I eventually find the cache if it was missing when I dnf'd it. I don't jump up and yell, "SEE!", but I do say something like, "It looks like the cache was missing last time I was here and made my dnf". I can't let it go, even though no one else reading logs probably cares one bit why I dnf'd the thing.

 

My standard post for those situations is "It's amazing how much easier the cache is to find when it's actually there."

 

Ah, much more lighthearted.

[+BCandMsKitty]

. . . when I eventually find the cache if it was missing when I dnf'd it. I don't jump up and yell, "SEE!", but I do say something like, "It looks like the cache was missing last time I was here and made my dnf". I can't let it go, even though no one else reading logs probably cares one bit why I dnf'd the thing.

 

My standard post for those situations is "It's amazing how much easier the cache is to find when it's actually there."

Our last "found it" log on a previous DNF was "Well, this cache is actually very easy to find, if there's no wedding happening, and some of the party standing right at a window that overlooks GZ!"

 

far from feeling defeated, over our DNFs, we often have the most fun when we can't find a cache. Especially when it comes to logging online and the cache is an easy one, often found. If you can't laugh at yourself in this game, you're taking it way too seriously!

The "feeling defeated" stuff is probably the main reason lots of folks don't log their DNFs!

[+Harry Dolphin]

Our last "found it" log on a previous DNF was "Well, this cache is actually very easy to find, if there's no wedding happening, and some of the party standing right at a window that overlooks GZ!"

far from feeling defeated, over our DNFs, we often have the most fun when we can't find a cache. Especially when it comes to logging online and the cache is an easy one, often found. If you can't laugh at yourself in this game, you're taking it way too seriously!

The "feeling defeated" stuff is probably the main reason lots of folks don't log their DNFs!

 

I guess what frustrates me is going off to a distance to log a new county. Then finding that the series I'm chasing are nasty caches. Coords off. No hint. Lots of finds, but lots of DNFs. Unfortunately, I ran out of time, and only found one cache in that county. Yes. I log my DNFs (one per cache). I'm at 11% DNF. (I prefer two finds per county.) Guess I should plan better, but it is frustrating.

[+baer2006]

Interesting thread.

 

I have logged 550+ DNFs so far, and for most of them, I didn't really feel "defeated". The feeling was more like "Ok, so I didn't find that one. It's part of the game, much worse things can happen."

 

I have DNF'd caches, where the logs before me and after me were "Quick find. TFTC" type of logs. As others have said in this thread, this is somewhat frustrating , because I feel a bit stupid to be the only one not finding an easy cache. OTOH, I know for a fact that many cachers don't log DNFs at all and/or log things like "Quick find" regardless how long they actually searched. So I try to say to myself "I'm sure, I'm not the only DNF and some other finders didn't find the cache quickly" .

 

But I had a few DNFs which actually felt like a defeat. Those were long and difficult multi-caches. Difficult to find and/or solve stages, where I almost had to give up several times. But hour after hour I fought myself through to the final coordinates ... and in the end couldn't find the cache. This is when swear words come to mind a lot, and I have to postpone logging the DNF to calm down .

[+on4bam]

I have DNF'd caches, where the logs before me and after me were "Quick find. TFTC" type of logs. As others have said in this thread, this is somewhat frustrating , because I feel a bit stupid to be the only one not finding an easy cache. OTOH, I know for a fact that many cachers don't log DNFs at all and/or log things like "Quick find" regardless how long they actually searched. So I try to say to myself "I'm sure, I'm not the only DNF and some other finders didn't find the cache quickly" .

 

I logged 292 DNFs, some were found later, others I didn't return to. Some of the DNFs were "quick finds" for others, sometimes the cache was gone. It just happens, no need to feel defeated. As with other things in life there's no guaranteed 100% success rate.

 

I've "quickly found" caches that were DNF'd before us too. It also just happens.

 

On the other hand, I've seen "quick find" logs on caches where I saw cachers fail to find a tag then call a friend who gave them final coordinates. I just DNF'd those ... I've also seen "quick find" where the cache was gone (only fixture left). Logs are not always accurate

[+bflentje]

Anyone feel defeated when they can't find a cache and have to DNF?

I spent almost a hour looking for this one cache that had a geocoin in it. The beacon was supposed to be this tree with two super thick branches hanging over the Mississippi River. I did my best to practice my tight rope walking on the branches but had no luck at all, couldn't spot it at all. I've never been so frustrated with a geocache and actually pretty disappointed I couldn't get the geocoin.

 

The thing is, you have to keep in mind that if you DNF a cache, there are about 3 million more just around the corner to find. Don't sweat it as you will never find them all. I've logged over a 1000 DNFs in my long geocaching career and proud of every one of them.

Edited May 18, 2016 by bflentje

[+rickjill]

Anyone feel defeated when they can't find a cache and have to DNF?

I spent almost a hour looking for this one cache that had a geocoin in it. The beacon was supposed to be this tree with two super thick branches hanging over the Mississippi River. I did my best to practice my tight rope walking on the branches but had no luck at all, couldn't spot it at all. I've never been so frustrated with a geocache and actually pretty disappointed I couldn't get the geocoin.

Yes I feel a lot of negative emotions especially when the cache is found very easily by others before and after me. I read the answers your topic received. This thread is going to help me deal with those emotions and not be so serious about an enjoyable game. After all the only thing I really miss by not finding the cache is the log signing and online smiley. The least important part of caching. I am going to be a lot more relaxed about dnfs in the future.

[+Rainbow Spirit]

The usual find rate for me and many others is about 90%. At one cache it took me five visits to eventually find it, and in the mean time between searches others were having no problems finding it! I swear I looked were I eventually found it every time I went there! Just log a DNF and move on...

[+J Grouchy]

Anyone feel defeated when they can't find a cache and have to DNF?

I spent almost a hour looking for this one cache that had a geocoin in it. The beacon was supposed to be this tree with two super thick branches hanging over the Mississippi River. I did my best to practice my tight rope walking on the branches but had no luck at all, couldn't spot it at all. I've never been so frustrated with a geocache and actually pretty disappointed I couldn't get the geocoin.

 

The thing is, you have to keep in mind that if you DNF a cache, there are about 3 million more just around the corner to find.

 

Ummm...unless you can travel the globe and consider 13000 miles "just around the corner," then no...there are not. Maybe 300 - or 3000 - would be "just around the corner" for most people.

[+NYPaddleCacher]

Anyone feel defeated when they can't find a cache and have to DNF?

I spent almost a hour looking for this one cache that had a geocoin in it. The beacon was supposed to be this tree with two super thick branches hanging over the Mississippi River. I did my best to practice my tight rope walking on the branches but had no luck at all, couldn't spot it at all. I've never been so frustrated with a geocache and actually pretty disappointed I couldn't get the geocoin.

 

The thing is, you have to keep in mind that if you DNF a cache, there are about 3 million more just around the corner to find.

 

Ummm...unless you can travel the globe and consider 13000 miles "just around the corner," then no...there are not. Maybe 300 - or 3000 - would be "just around the corner" for most people.

 

And in some places there may less than 3 "just around the corner"

 

 

[+dprovan]

And in some places there may less than 3 "just around the corner"

A geocacher in that area would feel defeated whether they found the cache or not.

[+NYPaddleCacher]

And in some places there may less than 3 "just around the corner"

A geocacher in that area would feel defeated whether they found the cache or not.

 

I have found caches in several places like that and can assure you that finding the only cache within 100 miles didn't lead to any feelings of defeat. I've also DNF'd the only cache within 70 miles but just being in that location more than made up for not finding the cache.

[+redsox_mark]

I tend to describe how I feel with a DNF as "Disappointed". The amount of disappointment can range from very small (and overall feeling happy) to frustration depending on the situation.

 

Friday I set out to find a series of 8 caches plus a bonus. I found the first 7, then DNF'd the 8th.. which meant I also could not do the bonus. That was mild disappointment for me.

 

The next day the CO checked the cache I DNF'd and it was missing, he/she replaced it.

 

That gives me a slightly guilty feeling. I was pleased that "it wasn't me", and hopefully I'll find it next time. But I feel guilty that I am pleased that someone's cache was missing.

[+on4bam]

Friday I set out to find a series of 8 caches plus a bonus. I found the first 7, then DNF'd the 8th.. which meant I also could not do the bonus. That was mild disappointment for me.

 

Off topic but missing just one value for the bonus N51 2A.BCD W002 5E.FGH doesn't look as you can't find it.

[+dprovan]

And in some places there may less than 3 "just around the corner"

A geocacher in that area would feel defeated whether they found the cache or not.

I have found caches in several places like that and can assure you that finding the only cache within 100 miles didn't lead to any feelings of defeat. I've also DNF'd the only cache within 70 miles but just being in that location more than made up for not finding the cache.

Right. The 3 caches argument was used to counter the lots-of-caches-in-the-sea reason for not feeling defeated, so it was a given they felt defeated even if you wouldn't.

[+bflentje]

Anyone feel defeated when they can't find a cache and have to DNF?

I spent almost a hour looking for this one cache that had a geocoin in it. The beacon was supposed to be this tree with two super thick branches hanging over the Mississippi River. I did my best to practice my tight rope walking on the branches but had no luck at all, couldn't spot it at all. I've never been so frustrated with a geocache and actually pretty disappointed I couldn't get the geocoin.

 

The thing is, you have to keep in mind that if you DNF a cache, there are about 3 million more just around the corner to find.

 

Ummm...unless you can travel the globe and consider 13000 miles "just around the corner," then no...there are not. Maybe 300 - or 3000 - would be "just around the corner" for most people.

 

You miss the point just to be argumentative..

[+whit-lauren]

Anyone feel defeated when they can't find a cache and have to DNF?

I spent almost a hour looking for this one cache that had a geocoin in it. The beacon was supposed to be this tree with two super thick branches hanging over the Mississippi River. I did my best to practice my tight rope walking on the branches but had no luck at all, couldn't spot it at all. I've never been so frustrated with a geocache and actually pretty disappointed I couldn't get the geocoin.

 

I'm a noob and I feel a bit disappointed when I can't make the find. But I try to keep in mind that 1.) I'm new to the game and it takes time to get used to searching and becoming used to certain hiding spots/caches and 2.) The experience of finding and exploring new places is really rad regardless if I find a cache or not. Still is a bit annoying when logging a DNF but I've gone back to a few after a few days or weeks and found them and it was a great feeling!

[+colleda]

Anyone feel defeated when they can't find a cache and have to DNF?

I spent almost a hour looking for this one cache that had a geocoin in it. The beacon was supposed to be this tree with two super thick branches hanging over the Mississippi River. I did my best to practice my tight rope walking on the branches but had no luck at all, couldn't spot it at all. I've never been so frustrated with a geocache and actually pretty disappointed I couldn't get the geocoin.

 

I'm a noob and I feel a bit disappointed when I can't make the find. But I try to keep in mind that 1.) I'm new to the game and it takes time to get used to searching and becoming used to certain hiding spots/caches and 2.) The experience of finding and exploring new places is really rad regardless if I find a cache or not. Still is a bit annoying when logging a DNF but I've gone back to a few after a few days or weeks and found them and it was a great feeling!

 

And don't you just love that "doh" and facepalm moment when you finally spot it?

I do.

[+Team_Vod]

I have not yet felt defeated when I do not find a cache. But I have through the practice of searching for and actually finding cache's learned more and more of what to look for and how to look for cache's. As such my ratio of cache's found to not found, when I search for more than one cache in a day, has become better.

 

With urban caching I am starting to wonder if there are more places and ways to hide a cache than say out in the woods or country? As such this could reasonable make finding a cache trickier and more challenging in some respects. In a city there are the natural features, trees, streams, creeks, rivers, ponds, etc along with all of the man made objects and structures. While there is indeed less of the natural items there could be enough along with the abundance of man made items to make better hiding spots thus making finding trickier.

[+redsox_mark]

I felt a bit defeated yesterday evening.

 

Puzzle cache which involves calculations and doesn't have an obvious answer, and no geochecker. SO I had coordinates which I believe are roughly right, but could be off a bit. (Depends on assumptions made in the calculations).

 

GZ - no hint other than it is approx 2 metres from the road, and it is something about the size of a nail driven into the ground. (Guideline violation, I know).

 

GZ was the verge of a road with weeds/long grass. No obvious features. Muggle who lives across the street telling me "it is gone" (I believe he thinks this because he saw the one finder "find it" and doesn't understand the game).

 

Almost literally a needle in a haystack.

[+J Grouchy]

I felt a bit defeated yesterday evening.

 

Puzzle cache which involves calculations and doesn't have an obvious answer, and no geochecker. SO I had coordinates which I believe are roughly right, but could be off a bit. (Depends on assumptions made in the calculations).

 

GZ - no hint other than it is approx 2 metres from the road, and it is something about the size of a nail driven into the ground. (Guideline violation, I know).

 

GZ was the verge of a road with weeds/long grass. No obvious features. Muggle who lives across the street telling me "it is gone" (I believe he thinks this because he saw the one finder "find it" and doesn't understand the game).

 

Almost literally a needle in a haystack.

 

Sounds like a few caches (and COs) we have around here...

[+dprovan]

I felt a bit defeated yesterday evening.

 

Puzzle cache which involves calculations and doesn't have an obvious answer, and no geochecker. SO I had coordinates which I believe are roughly right, but could be off a bit. (Depends on assumptions made in the calculations).

 

GZ - no hint other than it is approx 2 metres from the road, and it is something about the size of a nail driven into the ground. (Guideline violation, I know).

 

GZ was the verge of a road with weeds/long grass. No obvious features. Muggle who lives across the street telling me "it is gone" (I believe he thinks this because he saw the one finder "find it" and doesn't understand the game).

 

Almost literally a needle in a haystack.

Oddly, in situations like that, I don't really feel defeated. In fact, I consider myself quite clever when I get to the point of realizing I'm not having fun because it isn't fun, so I should go look for some other cache that's reasonable. To feel defeated in a situation like that would be like feeling defeated when looking for a cache that hasn't been placed. Or feeling defeated when your softball team shows up for a game and the other team isn't there, so you can't score any runs.

[+whit-lauren]

Anyone feel defeated when they can't find a cache and have to DNF?

I spent almost a hour looking for this one cache that had a geocoin in it. The beacon was supposed to be this tree with two super thick branches hanging over the Mississippi River. I did my best to practice my tight rope walking on the branches but had no luck at all, couldn't spot it at all. I've never been so frustrated with a geocache and actually pretty disappointed I couldn't get the geocoin.

 

I'm a noob and I feel a bit disappointed when I can't make the find. But I try to keep in mind that 1.) I'm new to the game and it takes time to get used to searching and becoming used to certain hiding spots/caches and 2.) The experience of finding and exploring new places is really rad regardless if I find a cache or not. Still is a bit annoying when logging a DNF but I've gone back to a few after a few days or weeks and found them and it was a great feeling!

 

Absolutely! Especially when I'm getting used to placements of caches and a previous DNF for me was one of the most basic hides. Doh indeed!

 

And don't you just love that "doh" and facepalm moment when you finally spot it?

I do.