The Dam at Iphitha Nature Reserve
Geocaching Etiquette - The Cache Hunt
It is assumed that you have the cache co-ordinates, whether it is a traditional cache, the final location of a mystery cache, or a stage of a multicache, and that you are ready to go and find it.
These are not rules, nothing is mandatory - you are free to play the game any way you wish - as long as you follow the Groundspeak Rules, which can be found here.
The Golden Rule
The Golden Rule for hunting for a geocache is a very simple one ...
"After you have left, no one should know that you have been there."
Of course this excludes other cachers and the Cache Owner, as they will see your name in the cache logbook. But the rule is a good one, and applies to both Urban and Trail caches.
OK, let's get down to business - this guide consists of General rules and rules which are particular to urban and trail caches.
General Etiquette
Once you have seen where the cache is - before removing it, take note of how it has been placed (orientation, angles, camoflage etc.). This will help when replacing it.
When replacing the cache, replace it exactly as you found it. Do NOT make the hide easier or more difficult. If a cache is obviously not where it should be, then by all means replace it as you would have hidden it, but then you MUST email or phone the CO and let him know what you have done. Better still, take a photo of what you have done and send this to the CO. Then he can take the appropriate action - i.e. do some maintenance on the placement, or amend the cache listing and/or the hint.
If you find non-family-friendly items in a cache, or food items, please remove them and note what you have done in both your online log and the cache logbook (if there is space).
Consider the size of the logsheet / logbook when filling in the details of your visit. For micro containers, all that is required is your caching name and the date - this is all there is usually room for.
When it comes to a nano container, just write your initials and the date in dd/mm format. By doing this you can triple the amount of entries that the tiny logsheet can take - this saves the CO maintenance trips.
Where there is a logbook in the cache, of course you can usually write something about your experience - the CO will find this of value when he pops along for a maintenance visit. Keep your comments family-friendly. If you wish to comment negatively on a cache, rather do this in an email the CO.
Repairs - if the cache is in need of repair (wet logsheet, torn ziplock, broken pencil etc) then the CO will be grateful if you can do the fixing for him. So always carry some spare logsheets and ziplocks, small pencils, a cloth and a pencil sharpener.
Urban Caches
The biggest problem with urban caches is usually muggles. Learn to be muggle aware. Look all around before retrieving the cache and before replacing the cache. If you cannot retrieve the cache without drawing attention to yourself, rather come back a bit later when you can do so without compromising the cache.
Remember in SA that muggles are very interested in what you are doing and WILL come and investigate after you have gone. The result is a muggled cache.
Caching in a group can usually make retrieving and replacing the cache easier as others in the group can provide some sort of diversion.
Be careful when retrieving magnetised or velcroed caches so that you do not cause damage to the velcro or magnet.
When parking your car, do not obstruct traffic or pedestrians. A 100m walk only takes a minute, so rather park somewhere safe and enjoy a bit of fresh air.
Nature Trail Caches
Caches along nature trails are usually placed a short distance off the trail. Do NOT beeline for the cache, especially if the trail twists and turns. Stay on the trail until you have the cache at right angles, then walk a bit further to make sure there aren't any other bends that will bring you closer to GZ. Once you are sure that you have the point on the trail that is closest to GZ, then carefully go off trail to search for the container. After logging the cache, retrace your steps exactly to minimise environmental damage.
If you need to move rocks and stones to find the cache, then make sure that you do this one by one, and replace each stone as you found it. Don't just toss stones out of the way. Be careful with foliage and don't disturb trees, shrubs and branches more than necessary to make your way to GZ.
Once you are back on the trail, check back along the off-trail area and repair any damage that you may have caused.
Be aware of wildlife. If wildlife is present in the area of GZ, then come back later. Never ever chase wildlife away so that you can approach GZ.
Usually snakes will hear you coming long before you get near to them, and will move away. So never rush along, walk steadily and be aware of your surroundings. When moving rocks and stones, or looking into crevices, be aware that scorpions like to snooze their days away under rocks, so gloves are a good idea. The general rule with scorpions is that the bigger the pincers, the milder the venom (and vice versa).
It is usually an offence to pick flowers or remove anything from a nature reserve. Simple rule - don't do it.
Conclusion
By following these simple guidelines, you will make geocaching a more pleasurable experience for yourself, for the cache owners, and also for other geocachers.
The caches in this series are:-
- GC3QACA - Geocaching Etiquette - Hiding a Geocache
- GC3QE60 - Geocaching Etiquette - Submitting a new Cache
- GC3E5N1 - Geocaching Etiquette - The Cache Hunt
- GC3Q7RH - Geocaching Etiquette - Online Logging
- GC3729Y - Geocaching Etiquette - The Compleat Geocacher