KCSearcher's Feb29 2012 #01 Experiment Traditional Geocache

This is 1 of the 29 caches in KCSearcher's Feb29 Experiment series to test First To Find (FTF) sharing. Cache is 35mm size. Parking is within 300 feet. Log FTF ASAP, using smart phone if available, to prevent others from wasting time and gas on a futile FTF attempt. Read on for hypothesis and experiment details.

I have placed 29 caches for publication on 2/29/2012 so that cachers can fill in their caching calendar by getting a find on 2/29. In addition, there are some cachers that need an FTF on 2/29 to help complete their FTF blackout bingo. Remember, leap day only comes around once every 1,461 days.

My working hypothesis is that cachers are generally sharing people. For at least 29 cachers to have a chance at getting a First To Find on 2/29, they will need to share and only get one cache in this series as the First Finder on 2/29. Will the FTF hounds be able to control their passion and eagerness to pile up FTF’s, or will they be greedy and go after them all? If they are sharing, there will be at least 29 different cacher names to sign the FTF. I say “at least” because it is possible to share an FTF if the cache was found when more than one cacher was searching and one of them makes the actual find.

I also need to get my Caching Karma to become 1.00 or greater and in turn give thanks to those that have hidden some of the caches I’ve found. What a better way than to place some caches nearby for those that have made this game / sport fun for me.

Happy Hunting.

RESULTS based on logs posted thru 3/10/2012 and my FTF validation trips on 3/3 - 3/5:

Thank You Nomex!!! First of all, a BIG Thank You to Nomex for helping me word the cache page correctly, holding the locations, and then releasing them all at once shortly after 12:30 AM on 2/29/2012.

Hypothesis Proved? Not 100%. I decided to grade the results on an A - F scale where A = 100% - 92%, B = 91% - 83%, and so on. There were 25 unique user names as "First to Find". There were 29 caches so that calculates to an 86%, or a solid grade of B. Even though not a perfect score, I'm going to interpret this as most of the cachers shared with others.

Cache Owner validated FTF Users based on actual paper log entry:

Please consider visiting all caches in KCSearcher's Feb29 2012 Experiment series. This link will take you to a list of those caches.

My Caching Karma (at least this part was successful) by the end of day on:

2/28/2012: 0.9966 (6,242 finders of my caches / 6,263 my finds)

3/10/2012: 1.0486 (6,587 finders of my caches / 6,282 my finds)

Observations:

# Muggled prior to 2/29/2012: one-half see log

Stats through 3/10/2012:

Cacher with most finds: camper248 with 20

Cache with the most finds: KCSearcher's #29 Feb29 Experiment with 20

Cache with the fewest finds: KCSearcher's #19 Feb29 Experiment with 1

Awards:

Cacher With The Most Finds On 2/29/2012 Award: jhhwild and MCL1080 with 6 each

Just Do It Award: see log and see log and see log

Let’s Get Going Award: see log and see log and see log

Able To Follow Directions Award: see log

Milestone Award: see log

Cacher Hassled Bummer Award: see log

Most Clever User Name Award: see log

Early Exit Polls Award: see log

Prediction Too Low Award: see log

Funniest Log Award: see log

To The Point Award: see log

Best Story Award: see log

So Happy Award: see log

Happy FTFer Award: see log

Most Thankful Award: see log

Mission Completed Award: see log

Biggest Disappointment Award: see log

Most Disorienting Photo Award: see log

Nothing Deters Cachers Photo Award: see log

Prettiest Photo Award: see log

It’s Really Not That Hard Photo Award: see log

Spoiler Photo Award: see log

Hardest To Verify FTF Award: see log

What’s This FTF Fuss All About Award: see log

Next experiment: I’ll maintain these and archive each one only after they have been muggled 3 times (3 strikes and you’re out). I’ll update the results annually on the first weekend in March following the last day of February of each year. Wonder how many will be around on 2/29/2016?

13 STRUCK OUT as of 05/07/2022! 3 times muggled = strike out and archive.

Please consider visiting all caches in KCSearcher's Feb29 2012 Experiment series. This link will take you to a list of those caches.