BSA Geocaching Badge and Pamphlet

Here is the new geocaching merit badge and the pamphlet from the Boy Scouts...

When I have a moment I will write a bit more.

A week off.

I needed to take a week off writing because of the many things have came up.  Though I have really enjoyed writing, it really does place about 4th on my list.. Family, caching, work, all seem to be up above it in importance.

Caching

In the caching front I went to three events this weekend and had a great time at them.  There was a lot going on.

I thought I would take a moment and mention what fun they all were.  I stopped at the Halloweenies event in springville. Mostly at the last second.  I forgot that it was going on so I swung by when I had a chance after work. 

Later the next day (Saturday) I had a small event that only had a few cachers up near the Idaho border.  I wanted to meet a few of the people that I had been hearing of.

then Saturday I stopped at the one that was being held in Kaysville.  They were all a lot of fun and I saw a bunch of familiar and new faces.

Springville

Jacobs halloweenies event in springville

Scouting Geocoins

Here are the last colors of coins we will have.

There are a limited number available this month with more coming in 30 days.  (many on this batch will be reserved for the scout jamboree in three weeks.

Testing coordinates

Once and a while a cacher comes to me with coordinates that they would like me to check.  My process is to create a cache pages and test those coordinates.  Quite often i will get a number of those every day.

Unfortunately I am getting really busy.  Actually the entire state is getting really busy with new caches.  Sadly that means that I have been getting behind.  If last year is similar things start slowing down in the next few months. As winter kicks in. 

So if you are needing coordinates checked please create your cache page.  Label it clearly and/or place a note in the description saying that you are doing so.  Then your page is partially created, and i can quickly check the location.   This will save me a lot of time, and hopefully speed up the process.  This has been proving to be the most time consuming thing that I do, and hopefully this can solve that.

Difficulty/Terrain

How do we rate?  Though there is an ideas out there on how to rate them  I thought that I would take a moment and give my opinions and a few things that we look for.

Ultimately it is up to you to rate you caches.  It is your responsibility to determine how difficult your cache is and the terrain that it is in. Everyone will have different ideas, and new people in the hobby will find some caches far harder than someone who has played for some time.

Difficulty

1. Plain Site.  This to me is something like a box sitting on your porch, or something that is really obvious.
2. There are a few hiding places, it might be one of a few spots.  In my opinion this is the majority of caches.
3. Much more difficult.  Lots of places to hide. You may be looking for some time.
4. Kill me now.  You will be spending some time looking for this.  Plan up to an hour.
5. Nuke em hard.  This is near impossible. Only people with serous defects want to look for this.  It could be an extremely hard puzzle, or something that needs tools to solve.  Plan on extra work, extra needs, and multiple trips.

Terrain

1. Wheelchair.  This is the flattest and easiest.  Use this if you could get to the cache and get it in a wheelchair.  If it requires a little stretching, or something go to 1.5
2. Kids.  This would be a cache that you could take small kids to.  It could be a few mile hike on flat ground or something milder.
3. Not for small kids, but perhaps for older kids.  It might be steeper, or longer hike of 3-4 miles that might be really easy
4. Off Trail, extremely long, heavy brush, or poisonous plants.  This might be really rough to get to to a steep hill, or even a flat long hike.
5. Really difficult, and it may require special equipment.  Scuba, rock climbing, boat, or something else needed just to get you to the cache.

Challenge caches

People ask how to rate the cache in the case of a challenge. Officially it should be for that cache not all the challenges that you need to get the cache.   For example if you have a challenge that requires you to find a 5/5 and it is a drive by, seen by all, you should rate it how that cache is.

Wherigo caches

Wherigos are not considered special equipment.  Do not rate them a 5 because you have to have a special player.

Ultimately you decide how to rate things.  You determine how you feel the cache  should be rated.