As Cache Owners (CO) we have the responsibility to ensure that Geocaches don’t become trash, a nuisance to society, or a disturbance to nature. Most geocaches require attention every now and then. At first, a CO may have a negative feeling when their cache is reported as Needs Maintenance. This is a common emotion since our first reaction is probably something like “How could anything happen to it?, I just checked on it last week”.
Why we need to maintain our caches:
Needs Maintenance!
- “Geo Litter” – The Earth has enough problems with waste without having Geocaching adding unsightly refuse in our parks, streets, and neighborhoods. When you go to check on your cache bring trash bags and clean the area. This is our playing field as much as it is where we live.
- Perceived threats – In this day and age, terrorism is not just something that happens in a Third-World country. Cache Owners must do everything in their power to keep their containers hidden in such a way that the average uninitiated citizen cannot mistake it for a possible threat. Caches that become exposed and reported to authorities are usually dealt with by serious and violent means.
- “Geo Trails” – Caches that are placed in nature may introduce harmful foot traffic. When hiding the cache always evaluate its impact on the environment. If new paths are being worn into the countryside then it is possible that the container has been moved or replaced improperly.
- Good game play – We need to keep caches in good working order for our fellow cachers. No one wants spend an hour to find a cache and not be able to sign the log. Also, if the cache is just plain missing, you will not be in good light with the hunters and seekers that wasted time looking for something that wasn’t there! Finds are called Smileys for a reason.
How to know your cache needs attention:
Usually Geocachers are pretty good about reporting true issues with a container but they will not always take the extra step to file a “Needs Maintenance” entry. Good Cache Owners will review all the logs on the cache’s page to make sure that all is well. Make use of the email you are sent with each logging of your cache. Don’t just look at the subject and say “Great, someone else found my cache”. Read the whole log just in case they said “Found it, but the log was too wet to sign”. Also, be on the lookout for consecutive Did Not Find (DNF) logs. This could be a red flag that your cache went missing in action.
Reviewing logs is no substitute for physically checking on a container. Go to your caches, open them, inspect the log, check for unwanted contents and place them back just as you did originally. Think ahead and bring replacement parts (containers, logs, magnets, etc.) with you. This will save you some time and leg work!
Cache maintenance is a vital part of our hobby and we must be vigilant in our responsibilities. When you hide a cache think of those people who will be looking for it. Do you want them having a nice experience or one that takes a little away from the game?