Guide to Geocaching in NZ

This document was recently created in a collaborative process on the forums to provide a handy reference document for people placing and finding geocaches in New Zealand. This is the first release of what is likely to be an often updated document.

Introduction

This document was developed collaboratively on the NZ GPS forums to provide a reference that provides advice on placing and finding geocaches.

Note that this document is not meant to be seen as a formal set of guidelines or rules. Each geocache listing service will have their own set of rules and guidelines that apply to caches listed on their service.

Finding - General

• Avoid damaging vegetation on the way to and from a cache - this will allow vegetation to recover and stop tracks being formed. If vegetation has been flattened around the cache, try to ruffle it up to make the cache location less obvious, but without further damaging the vegetation if possible.
• The conditions at the cache will change. If you think something has changed that the cache owner should know, put the details in the cache log, or email them the details.
• When packing the cache up, ensure that all the contents are in sealed plastic bags and placed entirely within the cache so the plastic isn't caught in the airtight seal when closed.
• Start recording your log immediately below the previous finder if possible rather than starting a new page. Rule a line at the end of your log. This will save page space in the logbook.
• Carry resealable plastic bags to replace torn cache bags and store additional trinkets. It is helpful to those who follow you if you can provide new bags to maintain the contents in a cache.
• When storing a pencil, place the tip into the pencil sharpener. This will stop it puncturing the plastic bag and letting water in.
• Carry spare supermarket bags and gardening gloves to collect any litter whilst caching.
• Use tracks where possible when navigating to a cache. It is an easier walk and better on the surrounding environment.
• Bring your own pen or pencil in case the cache doesn't have any or they are broken/don't work.

Finding - Exchanges

• Consider leaving more than you take, this makes the cache better. However don't leave the cache packed full.
• Make sure you don't leave items of lower quality in the cache when making exchanges.
• If the cache is themed, then any exchanges made should be within the theme of the cache. If you are not able to make a themed exchange, consider not making an exchange to ensure that the cache maintains its theme.
• If the cache is full, then make sure to exchange out large items to make more space in the cache.

Placing - Cache

• Consider how finders will approach the cache when placing it in vegetation. Try to ensure that there is a means by which finders can approach the cache causing minimal damage and disruption to vegetation.
• Use containers that have an airtight seal, and ideally sealed with four clips. Don't use ice-cream containers, curry containers etc as they don't have a seal and water gets in. Waterlogged cache are no fun for cache finders.
• Carefully consider the appropriate size container for the environment you are going to hide the cache in. Small containers should be limited to urban environments. There are few reasons to use anything less than a 700-800mL container in the country. Larger caches are needed for placing Travel Bugs in, and are less frustrating to find. Don't hide small containers in a area where there are lots of hiding spots; use a larger container to limit the search area.
• When recording the location of the cache, consider factors that may impact the accuracy of the reading - gullies, canopies, poor satellite constellation. Consider making multiple readings on different days if possible, using averaging if your GPS supports it, and connecting an external antenna for better reception. Consider placing the cache in a location where the finder is able to get better GPS coverage.
• Don't place the cache container inside a plastic bag. It will get holes and be ripped by rocks and/or sticks. The bag will not protect the cache from water, and it will eventually become rubbish. Use an air-tight cache instead.
• Ensure that all the contents of a cache are bagged. If/when water gets in the cache this will stop the items being water damaged. Consider double-bagging the logbook.
• Use free form logs rather than predesigned forms. This will help save space. People are good at leaving the basic details such as name, date/time, comments and items exchanged.
• If you are placing a simple/traditional cache consider making it a letterbox hybrid. The caches then becomes dual-purpose as it can be used by geocachers and letterboxers. Consider upgrading caches already in the field, or as they are archived and replaced. Wrap the stamp in a paper towel and place in its own plastic bag. It is recommended not to leave an inkpad in the cache, rather suggest finder brings own pad. If leaving an inkpad make sure it is double bagged.
• If you are considering using software as part of the means of finding you cache, make sure it works on multiple platforms - including Windows, Macintosh and Linux. There are often many free solutions that will work on all platforms.
• It is not possible to force finders to make an exchange with your cache as many people choose to only make an entry in the logbook.
• If the cache is themed, then any exchanges can be asked to be kept within the theme of the cache.
• Use terrain and rocks to protect the cache - you can further protect the cache from water by using rocks to deflect the rain and help drain the water off the cache.
• Consider making remote caches logbook only. Do this if you expect the cache to not be visited very often, or cache exchanges are impractical - such as on a long hike.
• Test the cache co-ordinates in mapping software or a web-based mapping site before submitting the cache.
• Do not ask the finder to complete questions once they have found the final cache. The cache is complete once they log their find in the logbook. Questions are only appropriate for virtual caches, or as part of the path to finding the logbook cache of a multi-cache.
• Pencils are the best option for placing with cache logbooks. Leave a pencil sharpener for placing over the end of the pencil to stop it puncturing plastic bags. Consider shortening the pencil to make it easier to fit in the cache.
• Travel Bug friendly caches are preferably 1L+ and are of the simple/traditional variety.
• Choose a suitable logbook design for the cache. Spiral bound or stapled notebooks are preferable. Don't use notebooks with glued spines as these will come apart with use and/or moisture. Left/right folding notebooks are easier to log than top folding. Continuous rolls of paper seem to work well in micro-caches. Don't use loose sheets of paper for logs as these get out of order.
• Micro and mini-caches are most suitable for urban areas as they are easier to hide and less likely to be found by muggles. Ensure that there are a reasonable number of Travel Bugs friendly caches available though.
• Consider placing a plastic shopping bag in a 35mm Film Container and placing it in a geocache. It can be used to finders to collect rubbish on the way out from the cache.

Placing - Webpage

• If there is no container and logbook, it is a Virtual cache. Multi-cache and Mystery cache types should only be used if there is a container and logbook at the final cache location.
• Consider Pocket Query users - some formulas can get mixed up or not be as easy to read when the cache page is distributed by a pocket query. Try and make the formatting of your formulas as simple as possible. If you page makes references to the background image, you may want to provide a little more guidance in the text or hint as these images are not downloaded in pocket queries.
• If there are 3 or more additional waypoints that are useful - such as carparks, waypoints or different legs of a multi-cache, please provide a link to a GPX file containing the coordinates. It is quicker to download the waypoints rather than enter them manually. If you don't know how, the Society can help, including with hosting on the gps.org.nz website.
• Hints on the cache page are there to allow you to find the cache relatively easily. It should be specific and can direct you to the cache. If you can't provide a specific hint that directs a finder to the cache, then consider placing the cache in a location that is better suited to hinting at its location, and possibly marking the cache location it in a subtle manner. Also, more detailed hints should be provided for caches that are time-consuming to access and may not be easily returned to.
• If you are placing a cache that utilises a number of pictures, please provide a link to a zip file that contains all the pictures for download. This makes it easier for people to place the images on their PDA. If it is a geometry cache, name each file with the waypoint and distance - e.g. A125.jpg, A400.jpg, B235.jpg.

Placing - Management

• Have a plan for recycling the cache. Most caches have a limited lifetime. After three years, consider archiving the cache and recycling it into a new cache at another location. When archiving a cache, consider consulting with other geocachers, as they may have good reasons for keeping the cache active such as historical significance or a lack of nearby caches.
• If you get a number of negative logs for a cache, investigate the reasons and consider modifying or archiving the cache.