Part 3 - Hiding a cache
Submitted by rediguana on Mon, 2007-02-12 21:42.
- 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.
