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Original poster

Why am I so shit at geocaching?

35 replies

VivaLeBeaver · 29/02/2012 18:37

OK, trying to get back into it.

I've been to look for 3 caches in my village today and haven't found any of them. I've got a proper GPS which takes me to them, I look at the clue and the logs.

First one today clue is "green bag in the ivy at the corner of the path in graveyard". Only one graveyard, only one path, only one corner though I guess it could be inside or outside of corner/bend. But only ivy on one side, not a lot of ivy at this time of year. I searched both corners, in ivy, under stones, under sticks. Nothing. I looked thinking where would I hide something, etc. All the logs are like "easy find, found straight away, etc".

Next one - clue is - bottom of the post in the ivy. Only one bloody post. Searched all round it nothing.

Its me, I'm shit.

OP posts:
bumpybecky · 01/03/2012 16:36

how big are the containers and when were they last found?

and are you anywhere near me? (south beds) cos I'll come out hunting with you if you like! :)

LilacWaltz · 01/03/2012 16:39

Where in beds are you?? My dc have 'lost interest' and I have lost my 'device'!!

Possible it's been 'muggled'?

LilacWaltz · 01/03/2012 16:40

Hanging in the tree? Have found some that way.

bumpybecky · 01/03/2012 16:41

I'm in Leighton Buzzard, so right on Beds/ Bucks border. But we've done most of the local ones, so might be up for travelling a bit further :)

how old are your dc Lilac? and are you in Beds too?

bumpybecky · 01/03/2012 16:43

oh and the 'in a bag' thing - have you seen any camouflage bags before? they're exactly as they sound - little drawstring bags made from camo material, they can make caches very tricky to spot

Strawbezza · 01/03/2012 23:32

Green or camo bag, in ivy/dead leaves can be impossible to spot. Are the hides rated as easy? How many stars?

Don't give up, but do log your DNF's.

Ask the cache owner or previous finders for a bit more of a clue.

Original poster
VivaLeBeaver · 02/03/2012 07:53

They're all rated as easy, though one was a micro.

Have just logged my DNF's.

OP posts:
ChippyMinton · 02/03/2012 07:54

It might not be there. Were there any other DNF logged?

FWIW I have never found a cache myself but the DC are aces at it.

Original poster
VivaLeBeaver · 02/03/2012 08:17

Well the regular size one has 65 finds and only one DNF. Someone found it last week. I'm nowhere near Beds.

I'm hoping someone local sees my DNFs and takes pity on me.

OP posts:
EssieW · 02/03/2012 08:21

I'm pretty bad at second guessing clues ie I think I know what the clue means but it's actually something else.

I also get more DNF if I use my GPS instead of mt iPhone.

Original poster
VivaLeBeaver · 02/03/2012 11:00

These clues were so obvious I don't think I could have been mistaken. I use my phone and my GPS!

OP posts:
bumpybecky · 02/03/2012 13:41

if it were me I'd put them on my watchlist and wait and see if anyone else finds them, then go out again if they do

they might be missing, or it might just be you

no harm logging a dnf, I've had plenty - one we dnf-ed 3 times before we actually found it (and that was pure luck rather than skill!)

Strawbezza · 02/03/2012 18:07

Do you mind posting the GC codes? Not a problem if you don't want to - I can understand you not wanting us all to see your DNF's Grin

Original poster
VivaLeBeaver · 02/03/2012 20:03

Gc2c9T8
Gc2by5q
Gc2c9X0

Are my most recent three dnfs!

OP posts:
bumpybecky · 02/03/2012 20:24

first one not been found for over 5 months - might not be there

last one LOADS of people have dnfed it - think that one has gone, if it were me I'd post a dnf and then a needs maintenance (if you're not happy being that assertive, I'll post a NM log for you if you like!)

middle one - found recently so probably there, but from the description I wonder if it's a bit of an odd container. I had assumed it was a camo bag around a normal cache (bag just disguise) but now I've read it, it sounds as though the bag is the cache?

bumpybecky · 02/03/2012 20:46

Viva, I'm puzzle obsessed at the moment Blush I've just worked out one near you and have sent co-ordinates. Funnily enough I met the bloke who found it most recently at the event I went to on Wednesday!

Original poster
VivaLeBeaver · 02/03/2012 20:54

Thanks, I didn't notice the dates so that's cheered me up a bit. Will have another go at some next week.

OP posts:
Original poster
VivaLeBeaver · 02/03/2012 20:58

I'm also desperate to find this

www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?guid=136bb349-8506-4d39-a876-d94a628f2e19

Got a dnf here last weekend. But I suspect it might be tricky, from the clue and log I was wondering if it was up in the air, tied to a tree branch. Dangling down, etc. But couldn't see it. It's got 35 favourite awards so must be good.

OP posts:
crunchbag · 02/03/2012 21:04

Ivy and Gorse, a cacher's nightmare :)

After reading the other logs it seems quite a different container, soft no box, so probably not what you were looking/feeling for.

Original poster
VivaLeBeaver · 02/03/2012 21:06

Id read it was in a bag so was looking for that and there was hardly any ivy there, was very thin, scraggly ivy.

OP posts:
crunchbag · 02/03/2012 21:24

Not much ivy to rummage in then. It's frustrating when you can't find it and it seems to be a straightforward cache.

The other one sounds interesting, could be disguised as a rock or piece of bark. We once found one that looked like a pine cone, and one was inside a plastic bird.
The best one was hidden in a box that was padlocked all over with keys attached to it, but the keys couldn't quite reach the locks. Took us ages to figure out how to open it and then DS had a look and just lifted the lid, genius :o

Original poster
VivaLeBeaver · 02/03/2012 21:26

Ah, now I never thought of fake rocks, birds, etc.

OP posts:
Strawbezza · 02/03/2012 21:29

From your original 3 DNF's I agree with bumpybecky that the 1st and 3rd are probably missing. 2nd I think is a plastic document wallet inside a green bag - so it's flat, it's not a box. Also it won't be inside the graveyard because that's against the rules. Is there a path opposite where it could be?

The 'desperate' one does sound as if it's hanging up high, probably on fishing line which is well nigh invisible. If it is, it'll be lashed to a branch or something to allow lowering/raising. Clever cache!

bumpybecky · 02/03/2012 21:36

fake snail shells - well real snail shells, but with a cache inside, not a snail!
fake rocks - the ones kleeneasy sell to hide your keys in!
fake grass - tuft of plastic grass with nano cache underneath

last weekend we found a film can but it was inside a hollowed out log

that last cache you posted does sound very interesting

thenightsky · 02/03/2012 21:38

Viva.. you are Lincolnshire like me? I've never found one yet!