Musings about Geocaching: Well, a hint would be nice

After several days of marginal weather, the sun came out and I took off. I had several caches ready to be hidden so I did that first and took pictures of the beautiful flowers that were out in the area.

The meadow where my new cache is located had a profusion of a type of white lupine.

After hiding my caches, I headed over to Old Highway 80 where there is a new string of caches. I hoped to add ten or more caches to my total after that walk of more than two miles. The very first one in my GPSr didn't have a description in the Palm (Actually it did, I just didn't figure out how to access it until later.)

At the next one the past logs were recent, so I had confidence the cache was there. That is why I looked for more than half an hour. However, the cache was simply located in area with too many rocks and trees and poison oak and way too many nooks and crannys. I walked around those rocks and carefully through the poison oak several times and left "geo trails" that make it look like a whole herd of Geocachers had been there. In fact, here is what my "Track Log" looks like:

Since the "Hint" section of Cachemate in my Palm is blank . . . I reluctantly moved on to the next cache location.

This time I didn't look for more than about 10 minutes. There were just too many possible places to hide a small container and, once again, the "Hint" section of Cachemate is blank . . .

Before I moved on, I stopped the search to take some pictures of the flowers that were blooming.

One of the other ones I searched thoroughly was one that had experienced problems by other Geocachers. I found a suspicious looking pile of rocks, and read Chuy's log several times as my GPSr sat on a rock getting a secure reading at what should have been the cache's exact hiding spot.

Was this where the original cache was located?

At the next location, it took me only a little while to find the cache. I was so dejected as I started the search, it was a good thing I found it or I might have been giving up this game/activity/sport/obsession . . .

Obsession . . . hmm. Not an easy thing to give up, even after discouraging DNFs.

At the next cache location, I put down my pack, walked a couple of feet and saw the cache hiding spot. Finally. I'm not blind afterall.

I found the last one in the series almost as easily, but didn't find "The Anchor." Once again I couldn't find the description in my Palm, but even if I had it, I don't know that it would have helped because once again, the "Hint" section in Cachmate is blank . . .

Since other people found the containers today, I know they are there, and since I found a couple of them very easily, I know I'm not completely blind, but . . . a hint would be nice.

A little editorial about hiding caches

I enjoy getting out to search for Geocaches. I love following that little arrow and watching the numbers go down. Once I arrive at the location, I enjoy the hunt for the cache. I really enjoy finding the container, no matter how large or small. However, going out on a search and not finding the cache after a lengthy, serious search is not very fun.

I guess my philosophical question at this point is "Why do hiders put out a cache?" Is it to motivate people to get out and see a bit of nature? Is it to frustrate the seekers? Is it to challenge the seeker to "think outside the box?"

Regardless of the reasons, shouldn't the cache be "findable." If someone drives out to the country and walks along a trail only to arrive at a jumble of rocks, poison oak, shrubs, and trees that the GPSr says is the location of the small container, shouldn't that person ultimately be able to find the cache? Shouldn't there be a hint for the stumped cacher?

Without a hint, and after a very serious search, what is the motivation to return to the site?

It isn't to not have fun for another half an hour . . .

I have hidden four caches so far and I'm writing the descriptions for two others. I want the cachers to find my caches. I don't want them to make a trip to the location and not be able to find the "treasure."

That just doesn't seem like fun for me, or them. Just my humble opinion . . .