Repairing existing Geocaches?

[ArmyMP186]

Hello everyone! My fiancé and I recently gotten into this pretty heavily. We did run into many many geocaches that were damaged or missing. We reviewed the log history and many haven't been kept up for months and some even a year +. Is the creator of the cache only allowed to replace it. I wouldn't mind spending a few dollars to make a new cache to keep the game going. I did try and do research on my own on this question. Any help on answering this would be greatly appreciated! Thanks again!

[+TheIslander267]

Hello everyone! My fiancé and I recently gotten into this pretty heavily. We did run into many many geocaches that were damaged or missing. We reviewed the log history and many haven't been kept up for months and some even a year +. Is the creator of the cache only allowed to replace it. I wouldn't mind spending a few dollars to make a new cache to keep the game going. I did try and do research on my own on this question. Any help on answering this would be greatly appreciated! Thanks again!

 

I would contact the owner of the cache beforehand to see if he has any intention of going to repair the cache anytime soon, and if not, then i would go ahead. Before doing so though, try to get details from the creator about the cache (hiding spot, etc) so it can be placed as accurately and can be as alike to the last cache in that spot as possible.

Good Luck!

[+TriciaG]

"I would contact the owner of the cache beforehand to see if he has any intention of going to repair the cache anytime soon, and if not, then i would go ahead" and log a Needs Archived. When the cache is archived, put your own out there.

 

Better an active cache owner than one who doesn't care anymore.

Edited August 25, 2015 by TriciaG

[+J Grouchy]

Hello everyone! My fiancé and I recently gotten into this pretty heavily. We did run into many many geocaches that were damaged or missing. We reviewed the log history and many haven't been kept up for months and some even a year +. Is the creator of the cache only allowed to replace it. I wouldn't mind spending a few dollars to make a new cache to keep the game going. I did try and do research on my own on this question. Any help on answering this would be greatly appreciated! Thanks again!

 

I would contact the owner of the cache beforehand to see if he has any intention of going to repair the cache anytime soon, and if not, then i would go ahead. Before doing so though, try to get details from the creator about the cache (hiding spot, etc) so it can be placed as accurately and can be as alike to the last cache in that spot as possible.

Good Luck!

 

Absolutely not. If the CO is not performing maintenance, post a "needs maintenance" log. If they continue to ignore it, they've likely abandoned it and you should post a "needs archived" log. You should not be doing the CO's job for him. Doing so only prolongs the inevitable.

[Pup Patrol]

Hello everyone! My fiancé and I recently gotten into this pretty heavily. We did run into many many geocaches that were damaged or missing. We reviewed the log history and many haven't been kept up for months and some even a year +. Is the creator of the cache only allowed to replace it. I wouldn't mind spending a few dollars to make a new cache to keep the game going. I did try and do research on my own on this question. Any help on answering this would be greatly appreciated! Thanks again!

 

This is one of those topics that comes around quite often, and gets quite a workout. It has been one of the more contentious and argued topics going.

 

Some of us would just post the appropriate "Needs Maintenance" log and move on.

 

Others would follow that up after a while with a "Needs Archived" log, if nothing has been heard from the cache owner, and the cache is still in need of maintenance.

 

Some of us believe that maintaining other people's caches is not appropriate. Adding a bit of paper might be okay, as long as the cache owner shows up once in a while to do the maintenance.

 

Others think that continuous propping up of abandoned caches is a "community service". They think that enabling cache owners is some sort of "good thing".

 

It's the cache owner's responsibility to physically visit and maintain their caches.

 

Only the cache owner can maintain the cache listing. If you do repairs to someone else's cache, and it gets damaged again, then new "Needs Maintenance" logs start showing up again. The NM logs create an attribute on the listing that only the cache owner can deal with.

 

Help Center → Finding a Geocache → Finding a Geocache

3.7. I Found a Geocache that Needs Maintenance

http://support.Groundspeak.com/index.php?pg=kb.page&id=551

 

Help Center → Finding a Geocache → Finding a Geocache

3.8. I found a geocache that needs to be archived

http://support.Groundspeak.com/index.php?pg=kb.page&id=434

 

Guidelines

http://www.geocaching.com/about/guidelines.aspx

 

Owner is responsible for visits to the physical location.

 

You are responsible for occasional visits to your cache to ensure it is in proper working order, especially when someone reports a problem with the cache (missing, damaged, wet, etc.), or posts a Needs Maintenance log. Temporarily disable your cache to let others know not to search for it until you have addressed the problem. You are permitted a reasonable amount of time – generally up to 4 weeks – in which to check on your cache. If a cache is not being maintained, or has been temporarily disabled for an unreasonable length of time, we may archive the listing.

 

"Missing" caches...well, just because I didn't find it, that doesn't mean I can know for sure that it is missing.

 

B.

[+narcissa]

Hello everyone! My fiancé and I recently gotten into this pretty heavily. We did run into many many geocaches that were damaged or missing. We reviewed the log history and many haven't been kept up for months and some even a year +. Is the creator of the cache only allowed to replace it. I wouldn't mind spending a few dollars to make a new cache to keep the game going. I did try and do research on my own on this question. Any help on answering this would be greatly appreciated! Thanks again!

 

It is not your responsibility or your right to maintain other people's caches. If you don't have clear permission from the cache owner, don't. Use the Needs Maintenance logs to note caches in poor repair, and use Needs Archived for caches with a long history of neglect.

[Pup Patrol]

I would contact the owner of the cache beforehand to see if he has any intention of going to repair the cache anytime soon, and if not, then i would go ahead. Before doing so though, try to get details from the creator about the cache (hiding spot, etc) so it can be placed as accurately and can be as alike to the last cache in that spot as possible.

Good Luck!

 

What if the cache owner is no longer in the game? What if the cache owner ignores your email?

 

Why not just post a "Needs Maintenance" log?

 

 

B.

[+cerberus1]

Hello everyone! My fiancé and I recently gotten into this pretty heavily. We did run into many many geocaches that were damaged or missing. We reviewed the log history and many haven't been kept up for months and some even a year +. Is the creator of the cache only allowed to replace it. I wouldn't mind spending a few dollars to make a new cache to keep the game going. I did try and do research on my own on this question. Any help on answering this would be greatly appreciated! Thanks again!

I would contact the owner of the cache beforehand to see if he has any intention of going to repair the cache anytime soon, and if not, then i would go ahead. Before doing so though, try to get details from the creator about the cache (hiding spot, etc) so it can be placed as accurately and can be as alike to the last cache in that spot as possible.

Good Luck!

Have you done this yet?

And if you can't get a hold of the CO?

Today, we rarely see pics on cache pages, and if we do it's often a spoiler.

- At least you'll have reference for that custom birdhouse you're about to build for another...

 

To the OP, please don't be a crappy cache enabler.

No offense, but if I started a week ago, I'd log DNF, and wouldn't think of "missing" for a while yet.

[+Manville Possum]

Please leave the maintaince to the cache owners.

[+Mudfrog]

I don't mind helping a cache owner,, sometimes. Drying out a wet container or adding a logsheet if the original is damaged or full. I won't do much more unless i know the cache owner and have his permission to do further maintenance. Speaking as an active cache owner, i would rather do my own maintenance because i know the specifics of the hide,, how the cache is hidden, what container it's supposed to be, etc,,,.

 

Please do not go too far maintaining someone else's cache. If they are inactive, then you are most likely keeping an ongoing problem going. Log a DNF if you can't find the cache. No matter how sure you are that the cache is missing, it may not be. In other words, don't log a needs maintenance on a cache just because you can't find it. If you do find the cache but it has problems, then log a needs maintenance. This is usually as far as you need to go but if you are really concerned, you can always wait a month and then go take a look at the logs to see if any maintenance has been done. A needs archived could be in order if it appears no maintenance has been done after a decent length of time.

Edited August 25, 2015 by Mudfrog

[+cerberus1]

Just had one yesterday.

Cacher normally known for good hides and fun spots, just had another baby, so things are a bit frazzled at home.

Replaced a log with a Rite In Rain strip and o-ring on a large bison for them, until they can get a chance to take a look, and see if another container may be more viable.

 

There's another near me, known to rarely maintain hides, yet puts more out.

- I'll slip a piece of paper with my sig inside that wet container, and log a NM.

 

If you notice it's always the same CO with issues, log an NM and move on.

[+Walts Hunting]

I would contact the owner of the cache beforehand to see if he has any intention of going to repair the cache anytime soon, and if not, then i would go ahead. Before doing so though, try to get details from the creator about the cache (hiding spot, etc) so it can be placed as accurately and can be as alike to the last cache in that spot as possible.

Good Luck!

 

What if the cache owner is no longer in the game? What if the cache owner ignores your email?

 

Why not just post a "Needs Maintenance" log?

 

 

B.

 

If the cache owner has left the game a Needs Archived would be better.

[+niraD]

I carry a few cache repair supplies, and will help out with minor things when I can (extra log sheets, drying out the cache contents, a bit of duct tape, that sort of thing). But I would not replace the container or do any other major repairs without discussing it first with the cache owner.

[+dprovan]

I wouldn't mind spending a few dollars to make a new cache to keep the game going.

Good idea! Go plant a new cache to keep the game going! Just don't consider that act as being related to the maintenance problems of an existing cache.

 

Others would follow that up after a while with a "Needs Archived" log, if nothing has been heard from the cache owner, and the cache is still in need of maintenance.

I'd discourage filing an NA on top of your own NM. The NA should be a second opinion, confirming independently that the cache should be considered for archival based on all the available information, including the NM. An NM followed by an NA by the same cacher starts to smell like a vendetta even when it's done with the best of intentions. Although, admittedly, I'm fortunate to cache in an area where I can expect such a second opinion when appropriate.

[+narcissa]

I wouldn't mind spending a few dollars to make a new cache to keep the game going.

Good idea! Go plant a new cache to keep the game going! Just don't consider that act as being related to the maintenance problems of an existing cache.

 

Others would follow that up after a while with a "Needs Archived" log, if nothing has been heard from the cache owner, and the cache is still in need of maintenance.

I'd discourage filing an NA on top of your own NM. The NA should be a second opinion, confirming independently that the cache should be considered for archival based on all the available information, including the NM. An NM followed by an NA by the same cacher starts to smell like a vendetta even when it's done with the best of intentions. Although, admittedly, I'm fortunate to cache in an area where I can expect such a second opinion when appropriate.

 

It depends on the circumstances. If it's in a busy area, I'd agree with this. When it's a cache that doesn't get much traffic, it could go a very long time without that "second opinion" so it might be best to log an NA after a couple of months have gone by.

 

You're less likely to ruffle feathers if you are careful about your wording. Hitting the NA button because "It's time to open up this space for other caches" is egregiously rude and quite different than "It looks like the cache owner hasn't logged on since 2012 and this cache is in very bad condition."

 

Someone recently hit NA on a cache around here that has a history of "going missing" when it is actually just hard to find. The person who hit NA was just another cacher who couldn't find it, and wanted the cache owner to go out immediately to confirm that it was there. After dozens of pointless maintenance visits based on similar complaints, the cache owner responded by archiving the cache with a note that says "Archiving as requested." There was actually more than one container in the hiding spot when the owner went to retrieve it. So the cache is gone, and the person who hit the NA log has made himself look stupid by being so aggressive.

Edited August 25, 2015 by narcissa

[+NeverSummer]

Hello everyone! My fiancé and I recently gotten into this pretty heavily. We did run into many many geocaches that were damaged or missing. We reviewed the log history and many haven't been kept up for months and some even a year +. Is the creator of the cache only allowed to replace it. I wouldn't mind spending a few dollars to make a new cache to keep the game going. I did try and do research on my own on this question. Any help on answering this would be greatly appreciated! Thanks again!

 

This is one of those topics that comes around quite often, and gets quite a workout. It has been one of the more contentious and argued topics going.

 

Some of us would just post the appropriate "Needs Maintenance" log and move on.

 

Others would follow that up after a while with a "Needs Archived" log, if nothing has been heard from the cache owner, and the cache is still in need of maintenance.

 

Some of us believe that maintaining other people's caches is not appropriate. Adding a bit of paper might be okay, as long as the cache owner shows up once in a while to do the maintenance.

 

Others think that continuous propping up of abandoned caches is a "community service". They think that enabling cache owners is some sort of "good thing".

 

It's the cache owner's responsibility to physically visit and maintain their caches.

 

Only the cache owner can maintain the cache listing. If you do repairs to someone else's cache, and it gets damaged again, then new "Needs Maintenance" logs start showing up again. The NM logs create an attribute on the listing that only the cache owner can deal with.

 

Help Center → Finding a Geocache → Finding a Geocache

3.7. I Found a Geocache that Needs Maintenance

http://support.Groundspeak.com/index.php?pg=kb.page&id=551

 

Help Center → Finding a Geocache → Finding a Geocache

3.8. I found a geocache that needs to be archived

http://support.Groundspeak.com/index.php?pg=kb.page&id=434

 

Guidelines

http://www.geocaching.com/about/guidelines.aspx

 

Owner is responsible for visits to the physical location.

 

You are responsible for occasional visits to your cache to ensure it is in proper working order, especially when someone reports a problem with the cache (missing, damaged, wet, etc.), or posts a Needs Maintenance log. Temporarily disable your cache to let others know not to search for it until you have addressed the problem. You are permitted a reasonable amount of time – generally up to 4 weeks – in which to check on your cache. If a cache is not being maintained, or has been temporarily disabled for an unreasonable length of time, we may archive the listing.

 

"Missing" caches...well, just because I didn't find it, that doesn't mean I can know for sure that it is missing.

 

B.

I love the way you presented this response. +1, bravo, yes.

 

Use the Needs Maintenance and Needs Archived logs without fear of retaliation. Geocache owners are responsible for their listings and geocache sites, not someone else.

 

Now, we can be nice and "help out", but it is best in that case to contact the owner first. If they say, "Go ahead", then go ahead. If they don't respond, post NM. If they don't respond in a few months, post a NA. Then the Reviewer and owner can hash it out, and the guidelines will help with the final decision.

[+dprovan]

I'd discourage filing an NA on top of your own NM. The NA should be a second opinion, confirming independently that the cache should be considered for archival based on all the available information, including the NM. An NM followed by an NA by the same cacher starts to smell like a vendetta even when it's done with the best of intentions. Although, admittedly, I'm fortunate to cache in an area where I can expect such a second opinion when appropriate.

It depends on the circumstances. If it's in a busy area, I'd agree with this. When it's a cache that doesn't get much traffic, it could go a very long time without that "second opinion" so it might be best to log an NA after a couple of months have gone by.

I agree there are exceptions, including one for infrequently visited caches, but that has two sides: if the cache is infrequently visited, then there's not really any rush to archive it, so even though it will take a lot longer to arrive, it might still be worth waiting for.

 

You're less likely to ruffle feathers if you are careful about your wording. Hitting the NA button because "It's time to open up this space for other caches" is egregiously rude and quite different than "It looks like the cache owner hasn't logged on since 2012 and this cache is in very bad condition."

For sure. NMs and NAs should be written to help a cache get fixed -- whether that's likely or not -- not to complain about a cache being broken, and certainly not because the cache is in your way.

[+Crow-T-Robot]

Hello everyone! My fiancé and I recently gotten into this pretty heavily. We did run into many many geocaches that were damaged or missing. We reviewed the log history and many haven't been kept up for months and some even a year +. Is the creator of the cache only allowed to replace it. I wouldn't mind spending a few dollars to make a new cache to keep the game going. I did try and do research on my own on this question. Any help on answering this would be greatly appreciated! Thanks again!

 

Lazy cache owners prey on this mindset. Why bother with maintenance if someone is going to come along and do it for you eventually "to keep the game going". All you're keeping going is a junk cache that should be archived. If you're willing to spend a few dollars, spend them on creating and maintaining your own cache.

 

Personally, I don't even like the mentality of "if the cache owner gives you permission, go ahead and replace the cache" or replacing a full log or some other minor touch up to the cache. Now, many people would view replacing a cache with permission or replacing a full log as an acceptable means of helping a CO, but I don't. There are almost 3 million caches listed on geocaching.com and a sizable portion of those caches are the "set it and forget it" variety. The number of cache owners who forgo maintenance and depend on the community to baby their cache is on the rise and I'd rather not partake in that culture.

Plus, when you become familiar with CO's and their habits, you know that two things are possible: 1-it's an attentive owner who cares about their cache or 2-it's an owner who you know doesn't take care of issues and their caches get routinely archived by reviewers because of non-communication. In the first case, an attentive owner will fix the issue themselves, so I know the problem will get fixed without my help. In the second, anything I do to help is just enabling a lazy/absent owner and the problem will still exist after I do my good deed and keep a junk cache alive longer.

[ArmyMP186]

Hey thank you for all the replies. I was just curious. Not trying to step on toes. Figured I could try.

[+narcissa]

Hello everyone! My fiancé and I recently gotten into this pretty heavily. We did run into many many geocaches that were damaged or missing. We reviewed the log history and many haven't been kept up for months and some even a year +. Is the creator of the cache only allowed to replace it. I wouldn't mind spending a few dollars to make a new cache to keep the game going. I did try and do research on my own on this question. Any help on answering this would be greatly appreciated! Thanks again!

 

Lazy cache owners prey on this mindset. Why bother with maintenance if someone is going to come along and do it for you eventually "to keep the game going". All you're keeping going is a junk cache that should be archived. If you're willing to spend a few dollars, spend them on creating and maintaining your own cache.

 

Personally, I don't even like the mentality of "if the cache owner gives you permission, go ahead and replace the cache" or replacing a full log or some other minor touch up to the cache. Now, many people would view replacing a cache with permission or replacing a full log as an acceptable means of helping a CO, but I don't. There are almost 3 million caches listed on geocaching.com and a sizable portion of those caches are the "set it and forget it" variety. The number of cache owners who forgo maintenance and depend on the community to baby their cache is on the rise and I'd rather not partake in that culture.

Plus, when you become familiar with CO's and their habits, you know that two things are possible: 1-it's an attentive owner who cares about their cache or 2-it's an owner who you know doesn't take care of issues and their caches get routinely archived by reviewers because of non-communication. In the first case, an attentive owner will fix the issue themselves, so I know the problem will get fixed without my help. In the second, anything I do to help is just enabling a lazy/absent owner and the problem will still exist after I do my good deed and keep a junk cache alive longer.

 

In some places cachers and cache owners arrange to help each other. It's mutual.

[+BAMBOOZLE]

Hey thank you for all the replies. I was just curious. Not trying to step on toes. Figured I could try.

 

I think your heart is in the right place and I have assisted in cache maint. where ever we have traveled in the U.S. adding SEVERAL hundred new logs and repairing or replacing too many containers to remember. I carry a sack full of different size logs and an assortment of containers in the truck and my wife and I carry a few logs on our person. I understand and respect the objections of others on this forum but this forum isn't real, everyday caching and I've gotten tons of emails from CO's thanking us for the maint.,....trust me when I say the vast majority of CO's will appreciate what you do and a dry log or repaired container may continue to be found by players for months or years more.

[+narcissa]

Hey thank you for all the replies. I was just curious. Not trying to step on toes. Figured I could try.

 

I think your heart is in the right place and I have assisted in cache maint. where ever we have traveled in the U.S. adding SEVERAL hundred new logs and repairing or replacing too many containers to remember. I carry a sack full of different size logs and an assortment of containers in the truck and my wife and I carry a few logs on our person. I understand and respect the objections of others on this forum but this forum isn't real, everyday caching and I've gotten tons of emails from CO's thanking us for the maint.,....trust me when I say the vast majority of CO's will appreciate what you do and a dry log or repaired container may continue to be found by players for months or years more.

 

Tossing in a logbook to tide someone over is a whole different ball game than de-facto cache adoption.

[+cerberus1]

I think your heart is in the right place and I have assisted in cache maint. where ever we have traveled in the U.S. adding SEVERAL hundred new logs and repairing or replacing too many containers to remember. I carry a sack full of different size logs and an assortment of containers in the truck and my wife and I carry a few logs on our person. I understand and respect the objections of others on this forum but this forum isn't real, everyday caching and I've gotten tons of emails from CO's thanking us for the maint.,....trust me when I say the vast majority of CO's will appreciate what you do and a dry log or repaired container may continue to be found by players for months or years more.

Really?

Please explain.

[+Chief301]

I carry camouflage and black duct tape when I go caching, as well as spare log sheets and ziplock bags. I will patch a cracked container or replace a logsheet or baggie on occasion, but that's about it. I replaced a container once but it was a bad move because the CO quit years ago and I realize now that that cache should have been just left to die.

[+BAMBOOZLE]

I replaced a container once but it was a bad move because the CO quit years ago and I realize now that that cache should have been just left to die.

 

Hey Chief....maybe its just me but I think you did good. I've cached your area and its a lot like mine. There is a 95%+ chance that had you not fixed that cache no one was going to put out a new one there. By fixing it folks can continue to enjoy it...maybe they still are

[+BAMBOOZLE]

I think your heart is in the right place and I have assisted in cache maint. where ever we have traveled in the U.S. adding SEVERAL hundred new logs and repairing or replacing too many containers to remember. I carry a sack full of different size logs and an assortment of containers in the truck and my wife and I carry a few logs on our person. I understand and respect the objections of others on this forum but this forum isn't real, everyday caching and I've gotten tons of emails from CO's thanking us for the maint.,....trust me when I say the vast majority of CO's will appreciate what you do and a dry log or repaired container may continue to be found by players for months or years more.

Really?

Please explain.

 

In over 12 years of both attending and giving events and meeting folks on the trail I have not heard the type of strong opinions regarding various geocaching topics....the forums are like the " super-analytical few "......nothing wrong with that , I just don't see it in the field.

If you mentioned a partially buried cache, tacks in trees, or horrible micro's you'd usually get a puzzled look.

[+L0ne.R]

I think your heart is in the right place and I have assisted in cache maint. where ever we have traveled in the U.S. adding SEVERAL hundred new logs and repairing or replacing too many containers to remember. I carry a sack full of different size logs and an assortment of containers in the truck and my wife and I carry a few logs on our person. I understand and respect the objections of others on this forum but this forum isn't real, everyday caching and I've gotten tons of emails from CO's thanking us for the maint.,....trust me when I say the vast majority of CO's will appreciate what you do and a dry log or repaired container may continue to be found by players for months or years more.

Really?

Please explain.

 

In over 12 years of both attending and giving events and meeting folks on the trail I have not heard the type of strong opinions regarding various geocaching topics....the forums are like the " super-analytical few "......nothing wrong with that , I just don't see it in the field.

If you mentioned a partially buried cache, tacks in trees, or horrible micro's you'd usually get a puzzled look.

 

People often don't say what they really think when they're face to face.

[+cerberus1]

I think your heart is in the right place and I have assisted in cache maint. where ever we have traveled in the U.S. adding SEVERAL hundred new logs and repairing or replacing too many containers to remember. I carry a sack full of different size logs and an assortment of containers in the truck and my wife and I carry a few logs on our person. I understand and respect the objections of others on this forum but this forum isn't real, everyday caching and I've gotten tons of emails from CO's thanking us for the maint.,....trust me when I say the vast majority of CO's will appreciate what you do and a dry log or repaired container may continue to be found by players for months or years more.

Really?

Please explain.

 

In over 12 years of both attending and giving events and meeting folks on the trail I have not heard the type of strong opinions regarding various geocaching topics....the forums are like the " super-analytical few "......nothing wrong with that , I just don't see it in the field.

If you mentioned a partially buried cache, tacks in trees, or horrible micro's you'd usually get a puzzled look.

Okay, I kinda understand what you're saying.

Around here, a partially buried cache eventually has someone place an NA.

Tacks in trees are allowed. Heck, Groundspeak even sells those.

- But nails aren't, and eventually someone points that out with an NA too.

 

And I sorta agree, seems most just log a find and move on.

When I ask about it with others though, they're not puzzled at all, they say they simply don't want to get sucked into the drama that may come from saying anything "publicly" about it.

They still find it wrong, just don't want to get involved.

[+cerberus1]

People often don't say what they really think when they're face to face.

sorry to the OP for going a bit off-topic, but I agree.

Went to a CITO once where the event got taken over by a park super (from the event host), and she required forms filled out with actual name, address and even drivers lic #.

I asked (in the usual way - out loud) if that lady walking her dog, who just picked up a can and dropped it in the bag had to fill one too.

"No. This is an organized group"

"Okay, I'll just stroll around and pick up garbage if I happen to see it. That okay with you?"

"No. Please leave." That was quick...

"Happily." Their loss.

I apologized to the event host, who not only understood but agreed, yet said nothing.

 

For two days after, I got thank you emails from attendees for saying what they were thinking.

- Funny part was, a finned regular on these forums used his caching name and fake everything else, and was able to stay.

So yeah, I agree, people don't always have the intestinal fortitude to say something directly to another.

[+SkipperL]

I am fairly new and I am curious. How is someone supposed to get in contact with a CO when you're in the middle of nowhere? Also, are caches monitored by the system somehow so if they are inactive or in disrepair for an extended amount of time it gets achieved automatically or is that the responsibility on the geocacher somehow? I've found some that haven't been found in well over a year in good condition and bad. If a CO does not respond to a MN, email or message, what then? Like I said, just curious.

Edited September 2, 2015 by skipperl

[+TriciaG]

If a cache is in bad shape, log a NM (Needs Maintenance) log on it. This will alert the CO. If there are already NM logs on the cache and the owner hasn't done anything about it, log a NA (Needs Archived). This alerts the Reviewer, who will read through the logs to see what's up, then if needed, temporarily disable the cache listing for a specified period - about a month, usually. If the CO STILL doesn't do anything, the reviewer will archive the cache.

 

Caches are monitored by the community. It's up to US to log NM's or NA's if the cache is in disrepair. (A cache being "inactive" - i.e. not found for a long time - isn't a good reason to request archive, unless it's also in disrepair or has some other issue with it.)

 

Hope this helps!

[+SkipperL]

If a cache is in bad shape, log a NM (Needs Maintenance) log on it. This will alert the CO. If there are already NM logs on the cache and the owner hasn't done anything about it, log a NA (Needs Archived). This alerts the Reviewer, who will read through the logs to see what's up, then if needed, temporarily disable the cache listing for a specified period - about a month, usually. If the CO STILL doesn't do anything, the reviewer will archive the cache.

 

Caches are monitored by the community. It's up to US to log NM's or NA's if the cache is in disrepair. (A cache being "inactive" - i.e. not found for a long time - isn't a good reason to request archive, unless it's also in disrepair or has some other issue with it.)

 

Hope this helps!

 

Thank you, Yes, very clear. Time to get out there again.

[+niraD]

How is someone supposed to get in contact with a CO when you're in the middle of nowhere?

I generally go home and send the CO email once I am no longer in the middle of nowhere. Or I go home and post a Needs Maintenance log once I am no longer in the middle of nowhere.

 

Once, when the cache's camouflage came apart in my hands, I used my smartphone to post a Needs Maintenance log and to send private email to the CO. But that was the exception to the rule.

 

Also, are caches monitored by the system somehow so if they are inactive or in disrepair for an extended amount of time it gets achieved automatically or is that the responsibility on the geocacher somehow?

For reference, see the Help Center article I Found a Geocache that Needs Maintenance.

 

The short version is that geocachers post Needs Maintenance logs and Needs Archived logs. Needs Maintenance logs set the Needs Maintenance attribute on the cache, and when the CO posts an Owner Maintenance log, the attribute is cleared. Needs Archived logs alert the local volunteer reviewers that there may be a more significant issue, so they can take action if needed.

[+SkipperL]

How is someone supposed to get in contact with a CO when you're in the middle of nowhere?

I generally go home and send the CO email once I am no longer in the middle of nowhere. Or I go home and post a Needs Maintenance log once I am no longer in the middle of nowhere.

 

Once, when the cache's camouflage came apart in my hands, I used my smartphone to post a Needs Maintenance log and to send private email to the CO. But that was the exception to the rule.

 

Also, are caches monitored by the system somehow so if they are inactive or in disrepair for an extended amount of time it gets achieved automatically or is that the responsibility on the geocacher somehow?

For reference, see the Help Center article I Found a Geocache that Needs Maintenance.

 

The short version is that geocachers post Needs Maintenance logs and Needs Archived logs. Needs Maintenance logs set the Needs Maintenance attribute on the cache, and when the CO posts an Owner Maintenance log, the attribute is cleared. Needs Archived logs alert the local volunteer reviewers that there may be a more significant issue, so they can take action if needed.

 

Thanks for the input and the link, much appreciated. I'd rather ask then get it wrong. The reason I asked about getting hold of the CO was that prior posts stated not to do much of anything to the cache without the CO's permission. I didn't see how that was possible in the field and I wouldn't be going back to that cache after the fact. Oh, and I have a very limited data plan so email would be difficult and a lot of the time I rely only on my GPS. Thanks again. Note:Just got back from an outing and found another cache needing repair. I posted my found status, then a NM entry with an explanation and I was on my way. I love it when a plan comes together.

Edited September 2, 2015 by skipperl

[+paleolith]

An additional issue arises though: you log NM, then NA, and the cache gets archived. Who deals with the trash? You are very likely the only one who notices that there's trash left behind, since once the cache is archived, it no longer shows up on searches. If you take the trash out before it gets archived, you'll be accused by some here of stealing the CO's property. If you wait, you may have to make an extra trip to deal with it, or else leave the trash in place. I don't see that fixing up the cache is necessarily the poorer choice.

 

I've replaced a few cache containers. Most were very old, well-liked caches. In retrospect, I would have made greater efforts to contact the COs before replacing, but I think the result would have been the same. More recently, I replaced a missing container after corresponding with the CO, who could not do so due to family issues; it was in an area where new cache placements are no longer allowed.

 

I've also removed a cache before it got archived at least once. The one I remember had been total trash for a couple of years, unloggable, with no response from the CO. I could have waited, but my visit was on one of the few occasions it was dry rather than a gross sodden mass. If someone wants to condemn me for taking the CO's plastic juice bottle and roll of cash register tape, so be it. It was already trash: CITO.

 

Edward

[+SkipperL]

An additional issue arises though: you log NM, then NA, and the cache gets archived. Who deals with the trash? You are very likely the only one who notices that there's trash left behind, since once the cache is archived, it no longer shows up on searches. If you take the trash out before it gets archived, you'll be accused by some here of stealing the CO's property. If you wait, you may have to make an extra trip to deal with it, or else leave the trash in place. I don't see that fixing up the cache is necessarily the poorer choice.

 

I've replaced a few cache containers. Most were very old, well-liked caches. In retrospect, I would have made greater efforts to contact the COs before replacing, but I think the result would have been the same. More recently, I replaced a missing container after corresponding with the CO, who could not do so due to family issues; it was in an area where new cache placements are no longer allowed.

 

I've also removed a cache before it got archived at least once. The one I remember had been total trash for a couple of years, unloggable, with no response from the CO. I could have waited, but my visit was on one of the few occasions it was dry rather than a gross sodden mass. If someone wants to condemn me for taking the CO's plastic juice bottle and roll of cash register tape, so be it. It was already trash: CITO.

 

Edward

 

That's an interesting point. A couple weeks ago I found an undocumented cache in fair shape. I didn't know what to do with it so I emailed a CO that had a run of caches in that area with the coord's in the event he may have lost one or know what to do with it. I never heard back from the CO so the cache may still be out there. A little different than your scenario but I feel bad leaving that cache and it's many miles away from my location.

[+J Grouchy]

How is someone supposed to get in contact with a CO when you're in the middle of nowhere?

I generally go home and send the CO email once I am no longer in the middle of nowhere. Or I go home and post a Needs Maintenance log once I am no longer in the middle of nowhere.

 

Once, when the cache's camouflage came apart in my hands, I used my smartphone to post a Needs Maintenance log and to send private email to the CO. But that was the exception to the rule.

 

Also, are caches monitored by the system somehow so if they are inactive or in disrepair for an extended amount of time it gets achieved automatically or is that the responsibility on the geocacher somehow?

For reference, see the Help Center article I Found a Geocache that Needs Maintenance.

 

The short version is that geocachers post Needs Maintenance logs and Needs Archived logs. Needs Maintenance logs set the Needs Maintenance attribute on the cache, and when the CO posts an Owner Maintenance log, the attribute is cleared. Needs Archived logs alert the local volunteer reviewers that there may be a more significant issue, so they can take action if needed.

 

Also, many reviewers will occasional "sweeps", checking for caches with NM logs or other potential problems (long string of DNFs for low difficulty, etc.) and, in many cases, disable them with a roughly 30 day countdown for the CO to address the problem.

[+SkipperL]

How is someone supposed to get in contact with a CO when you're in the middle of nowhere?

I generally go home and send the CO email once I am no longer in the middle of nowhere. Or I go home and post a Needs Maintenance log once I am no longer in the middle of nowhere.

 

Once, when the cache's camouflage came apart in my hands, I used my smartphone to post a Needs Maintenance log and to send private email to the CO. But that was the exception to the rule.

 

Also, are caches monitored by the system somehow so if they are inactive or in disrepair for an extended amount of time it gets achieved automatically or is that the responsibility on the geocacher somehow?

For reference, see the Help Center article I Found a Geocache that Needs Maintenance.

 

The short version is that geocachers post Needs Maintenance logs and Needs Archived logs. Needs Maintenance logs set the Needs Maintenance attribute on the cache, and when the CO posts an Owner Maintenance log, the attribute is cleared. Needs Archived logs alert the local volunteer reviewers that there may be a more significant issue, so they can take action if needed.

 

Also, many reviewers will occasional "sweeps", checking for caches with NM logs or other potential problems (long string of DNFs for low difficulty, etc.) and, in many cases, disable them with a roughly 30 day countdown for the CO to address the problem.

 

I just read up on the geocache reviewers in the help section. Your info addresses my question directly, thanks. I need to do more reading in that section.

[+dprovan]

The reason I asked about getting hold of the CO was that prior posts stated not to do much of anything to the cache without the CO's permission. I didn't see how that was possible in the field and I wouldn't be going back to that cache after the fact.

My response to this is that you shouldn't even be considering replacing the cache just because you're there. If you aren't friends with the CO so you can't call him from GZ, and you didn't notice the problem and discuss it with the CO in advance, then just log your DNF or NM or NA and move on. I would claim the main point of the "not without contacting the CO" mantra is to discourage people from replacing caches on the spur of the moment.

 

To emphasize this, I'll point out that if you replace the cache, then technically you didn't find it, so you shouldn't think that, whether you get permission or not, that you can log it found. (Of course, in reality you can log it found because everyone in that situation does log it found, but logically it doesn't actually make sense.)

 

Also, many reviewers will occasional "sweeps", checking for caches with NM logs or other potential problems (long string of DNFs for low difficulty, etc.) and, in many cases, disable them with a roughly 30 day countdown for the CO to address the problem.

I claim that reviewers do sweeps only because the local cachers aren't being sufficiently vigilant, so the reviewers are forced to take such unilateral action.

[+SkipperL]

The reason I asked about getting hold of the CO was that prior posts stated not to do much of anything to the cache without the CO's permission. I didn't see how that was possible in the field and I wouldn't be going back to that cache after the fact.

My response to this is that you shouldn't even be considering replacing the cache just because you're there. If you aren't friends with the CO so you can't call him from GZ, and you didn't notice the problem and discuss it with the CO in advance, then just log your DNF or NM or NA and move on. I would claim the main point of the "not without contacting the CO" mantra is to discourage people from replacing caches on the spur of the moment.

 

To emphasize this, I'll point out that if you replace the cache, then technically you didn't find it, so you shouldn't think that, whether you get permission or not, that you can log it found. (Of course, in reality you can log it found because everyone in that situation does log it found, but logically it doesn't actually make sense.)

 

Also, many reviewers will occasional "sweeps", checking for caches with NM logs or other potential problems (long string of DNFs for low difficulty, etc.) and, in many cases, disable them with a roughly 30 day countdown for the CO to address the problem.

I claim that reviewers do sweeps only because the local cachers aren't being sufficiently vigilant, so the reviewers are forced to take such unilateral action.

 

I never said I was considering replacing a cache anywhere in my statement, which I wouldn't even consider to begin with, maybe just a temporary log or stick a cracked container in a zip lock bag for protection. I was just asking advice not a rant, geez. I currently find a cache in disrepair, log it as found, enter a nm and attempt to contact the CO when I get home. If I took your reply incorrectly I apologize a head of time.

[+dprovan]

I was just asking advice not a rant, geez.

I'm sorry you thought I was ranting. I don't really care what you do.