Hiding my first cache

Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2012 6:52 pm

I want to hide my first cache and I was informed to contact a reviewer to make sure there are no other cached too close by. Could a reviewer send me a private message and help with this. I also need to know what other steps are needed.

Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2012 7:10 pm

Hiding your first cache is a big step, and it's very rewarding to get those "Found It" logs coming in after it gets published.

Check out the information on geocaching.com about hiding a cache at http://www.geocaching.com/seek/default.aspx The form you will need to fill out is there, too. Since caches need to be a minimum of 0.1 mile (528 feet) from other physical caches, which include puzzle finals and stages of a multi-cache, there might be more of a problem in your Waukesha area than in more rural places. Hopefully, you can find a public spot that is far enough from anything else where people would enjoy visiting.

You can see where existing caches are by looking at a GC map of the area or at a list of caches near certain coordinates. However, you won't know where those puzzle finals and multi stages are unless you have done those caches yourself. Our two reviewers in Wisconsin are WisKid and Bec. Just look for their publication log notes at the bottom of the logs on cache pages and click on their names to contact them. I'm not sure if they can give you answers beforehand or if they wait until you submit a cache to see if there is anything too close or if there are other problems with your cache.

That's just the start of things, so if you don't see any answers by reading something, come back here to ask again. Good luck on your first hide!

Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2012 7:54 pm

I've worked with the reviewers numerous times asking about potential locations. The key to this is building the "shell" of the cache page listing the coordinate. Then email Wis Kid or Bec and ask them to verify there aren't any proximity issues. Just use the GC.com email and give them the GC number of the cache. Even though it's not published they'll verify the location and say yes or no. Then you can complete the cache page and actually submit it.

Posted: Tue Feb 21, 2012 8:19 am

Or, just place the cache and submit it. If there is a problem, we will let you know. The only reason to precheck would be if you were making a complicated puzzle, creating a container which would only fit in a specific location, or placing a container somewhere that you wouldn't want to go back to right away.

Posted: Wed Feb 22, 2012 9:48 pm

Plus, if you mess something up, they aren't TOO mean about letting you know... Wink