Cache proximity

1queenand4jokers · Senior Member

Cache proximity

ertyu · Senior Member

I've also noticed lately that proximity has shrunk dramatically, even beyond the stated rules. While I also enjoy being able to find several caches at a time without burning a tank of gas, at least some distance or variety is appreciated.

TurdleEggs · Senior Member

I think you can break this topic down to urban and rural caches. I agree completely with what 1queenand4jokers say about several caches attracting hunters to an area better than one lonely cache out there in the country. Morden is proof of that. I don’t think there are any proximity problems in the rural setting though. I’ve got a couple of lonely caches that’d I’d like to place more caches by in the hopes it would bring Geocachers out there. But only if there’s a good location – I wouldn’t place a cache just for the sake of placing a cache.

In and around the city there are some areas which warrant a higher cache density. Around The Forks is an example because there are so many monuments, parks and special places downtown that a traveling cacher (or even a local cacher) would probably appreciate being brought to. Birds Hill Park is another area that can support a lot of caches, just because there are so many different trails and features in the park.

As hiders we need to watch that we don’t go for quantity over quality. It might seem easy if we’re in a hurry to drop a cache near another cache just because we know the area. I think this is fine if there’s another great spot to show off, but less interesting if it’s three trees down from another cache. There’re still plenty of great places in and around Winnipeg to place caches – we’re not at cache-saturation yet!

Peter and Gloria · Senior Member

GC.com guidelines say that caches must be 0.1 miles apart (528 ft or about 161 meters). Unfortunately, approvers don't always keep track of final coords fo Mystery or Multi caches as well as they should. OR Some cachers may change their final coords after it has been approved.

There have been several caches in Winnipeg well under the 528 ft minimum. There is no need for them to be that close together. When they get too close together, you may actually find 1 cache when looking for a different one.

As Turdle Eggs said "There’re still plenty of great places in and around Winnipeg to place caches – we’re not at cache-saturation yet!"

TurdleEggs · Senior Member

How's this for cache density? It's from Mt Doug in Victoria (N48 29.599 W123 20.713) - and they're all at least 161 m apart!

Complements of the VIGPS forum thread http://www.vigps.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=503

Dragonfreys · Senior Member

Interesting topic. I'm curious as well why there aren't more active cachers in Brandon or Portage especially since they have some of the earliest cachers. It seems like it only takes a few keen cachers to light up a place like Morden, Swan River or The Pas, so it is really surprising that there isn't a single one within Brandon City limits. We're there enough that we are contemplating a cache or two, and have a few ideas. If anyone knows of a reason why there aren't any caches in Brandon we would be keen to know.

Cheers, Dragonfreys

TurdleEggs · Senior Member

I don’t think there’s a town ordinance against caches There’s several in the Brandon Hills - the trails there are popular for hiking, biking and skiing so I guess that’s where Brandon hiders like to place caches (at least the senior geography class).

I’m sure if one or two caches get placed in Brandon, it’ll gain some momentum. Brandon’s got some nice parks, forests, river banks and rolling terrain so there’re plenty of good hiding spots in the city.

bevro · Veteran Member

One of my New Year's resolutions was to start placing caches along # 1 and #2 (and maybe #3) highways in the southwestern part of the province where I seem to end up every other month. I will probably be picking some minds next Sunday evening on the logistics of setting up long distance caches without having to make too many visits.

Be prepared to be pestered.

Dragonfreys · Senior Member

Well, we started small in Brandon with our first micro, but found tons of cool places for caches there. The locals better get started before we take them all

The skating oval next to the river off 18th St is in good shape if anyone wants to combine activities.

1queenand4jokers · Senior Member

bevro wrote:

One of my New Year's resolutions was to start placing caches along # 1 and #2 (and maybe #3) highways in the southwestern part of the province where I seem to end up every other month. I will probably be picking some minds next Sunday evening on the logistics of setting up long distance caches without having to make too many visits.
Be prepared to be pestered.

Well we have caches placed along the Yellowhead Highway from here to Yorkton. We drive this route about 5 times in a year and have some other relatives that do so as well. We've had to have help on two caches, 1 in Neepawa where a local cacher was quick to help out thankfully and Peter and Gloria replaced the log sheets in the Poratage area one when they did it. For log sheets/books asking the next cacher to supply one can help. For cache maintenance you have to disable it for a bit if it becomes snowed under or needs fixing until you can reach it. If you leave it in place you can always put in a note for the next cacher to bring duct tape, a better container etc. That being said when you place long distance caches you must 1) choose a completely waterproof container - ie tobacco, lock n' lock 2) find a location that is NOT obvious to locals so it will get stolen - so choose the less obvious evergreen, row of willows near a popular site or monument rather than right at the monument itself.

Re: Containers -Magnetic containers work well but not altoids since they rust through. Try duct taping a Lee Valley rare earth magnet to the outside of a small lock n' lock or other small rubbermaid/sealed plastic cocontainer (glue lets loose) and find a good spot that has some natural protection from other steel from direct rain/snowfall. One film canister we hid we tied to a metal bracket and duct taped the string onto the canister itself so it was VERY secure. Put all items in ziploc bags if you're using a large pail with a lid since for some reason the lids can loosen with temperature changes. THat is why lock n' locks and tobacco containers are better. Screw on lids are awesome.
3rd - be quick and prompt to listen to cachers who report problems at the site. Post new co-ords if an experienced cacher suggests you should, disable immediately if someone says the container is wrecked and/or post a note for the next cacher to bring a large ziploc or another temporary container til you can drive the route again.
4)Carry extra containers along to help out other cachers in the same way.
If you drive there 4-5 times a year it is enough to maintain them I think.1-2 might be a bit too little. Just definitely add enough log sheets or log books. And encourage cachers to help themselves to larger swag if the container is reported to be too full of stuff. Nothing worse than someone leaving a container slightly open because it is too full. And pray that the cachers who do the caches you leave will have lots of COMMON SENSE!!!
And there you have our two cents worth on distance caching. I'd say go for it if you can meet these requirements.

1queenand4jokers · Senior Member

Dragonfreys wrote:

Well, we started small in Brandon with our first micro, but found tons of cool places for caches there. The locals better get started before we take them all The skating oval next to the river off 18th St is in good shape if anyone wants to combine activities.

Good going! It is a big city and high time we invade it! And we love the look of the caches you've been creating - hope to do them sometime. Summer holidays perhaps. We are wondering if you in Riding Mountain and those cachers in Thompson/Flin FLon would want to attend or create a corresponding event (satellite site you might call it) when we have Winnipeg event caches for the MBGA. Are there enough cachers in the two districts so that you could have events at the same time and be able to log gathering as a group (albeit smaller group) of cachers simultaneously? Pictures from your events could be posted on the same site? Just an idea so we include more Manitoba cachers even if separated by distance...

Dragonfreys · Senior Member

1queenand4jokers wrote:

We are wondering if you in Riding Mountain and those cachers in Thompson/Flin FLon would want to attend or create a corresponding event (satellite site you might call it) when we have Winnipeg event caches for the MBGA. Are there enough cachers in the two districts so that you could have events at the same time and be able to log gathering as a group (albeit smaller group) of cachers simultaneously? Pictures from your events could be posted on the same site? Just an idea so we include more Manitoba cachers even if separated by distance...

We can't speak for other cachers, but we were thinking of organizing an event cache in our area towards the end of March (last weekend of spring break). It may be better to stagger dates for events so that cachers from different areas can drop into events from different regions if it works out for them. We were thinking if we make the event attractive enough that we may even draw a few cachers out beyond the perimeter into undiscovered country. Conversely we will likely wish to participate in an event cache in Winnipeg one of these times.

Just some thoughts,

Dragonfreys

Lizardo · Senior Member

I would make every effort to attend a cache event in other areas of the province. We love to go camping and explore other areas. Count us in Dragonfreys!