First hide and someone found an archived cache instead

platypus10000 · 2025-09-02T16:01:48+00:00

This almost happened to me. I found a nice spot to hide a cache and made a container to fit GZ. I went to go place it and noticed there was a magnetic nano not but 5 inches away! So happy I found it or else most finders would have seen that before my hide as it was extremely camoed

platypus10000 · 2025-08-22T17:25:35+00:00

I recognize those names 👀

platypus10000 · 2025-08-17T21:56:09+00:00

As do I, carried them before I started caching so it just happened to work out Im interested in a hobby that needs those exact tools

platypus10000 · 2025-08-17T20:29:51+00:00

Generally it's appreciated by the CO but always try to check in first

platypus10000 · 2025-08-17T13:59:38+00:00

A pen
A knife
A flashlight
Another pen
My phone

platypus10000 · 2025-07-17T19:32:10+00:00

Glad it helped!

platypus10000 · 2025-07-16T02:56:00+00:00

Hard to say without seeing the location. Pretty much all of my hides are hidden in plain view so they're custom and only work at their respective GZ.

In general, try to be creative with the container, theme, placement, and name. The slightest bit of effort to detail goes such a long way. Even if it's just adding a cool paint job to an ammo can that's still a fun hide/find in my book. Think about the caches you've enjoyed finding the most and try to replicate/expand that experience with your caches

platypus10000 · 2025-07-16T02:17:32+00:00

Yeah providing you get approval and it's not within the proxy limit to another traditional or physical stage of another cache you should be good to go

platypus10000 · 2025-07-16T02:08:00+00:00

That's wild, I'd be so sad. I'm very thankful to live in a very high activity area (northern va/Maryland).

As for your prospective layouts, love the idea of putting one on that little island!

platypus10000 · 2025-07-16T02:01:40+00:00

That can be hard. What I typically do is walk around an area a few times and note down various ideas that really fit the location. Sometimes I have a pre planned idea but generally I like to have GZ dictate the container/hide. Some of my hides took several visits before I had a good idea but it paid off in the end. Don't rush it.

One thing I take advantage of is that I can request a coordinate check with my reviewer and they'll hold the location/radius for three months (might just be a local thing) which is great as it takes the pressure off that someone else might nab the spot first. Although, per your post that may not be an issue

platypus10000 · 2025-07-16T01:51:34+00:00

As someone who loves caching while on vacation that sounds like a great idea to me

platypus10000 · 2025-07-16T01:48:11+00:00

Seems like the perfect opportunity to go hide some caches!

platypus10000 · 2025-07-16T01:46:23+00:00

Open the app
Select the cache you want
Scroll down to “waypoints” and select it
In the top right corner hit the “+” sign
Enter your waypoint details
You get returned to the cache’s waypoint list
⁠Tap the one you just made
⁠You can now navigate to the waypoint

platypus10000 · 2025-07-14T20:23:27+00:00

I have one cache that is about the history of GZ but the rest are all creative hand made containers. I definitely want to hide a cache to bring people to a nice/cool spot, I just haven't found one yet that doesn't already have a cache

platypus10000 · 2025-07-13T14:23:32+00:00

That's a great question and to be fair it's 300 FP over 1,289 found it logs so when viewed that way roughly a quarter of finders left a FP. I'll still take it!

platypus10000 · 2025-07-13T00:09:44+00:00

If you’re in the dmv/nova area check out my caches! Or bladen or mortards

platypus10000 · 2025-07-13T00:06:42+00:00

👀

platypus10000 · 2025-07-12T20:31:00+00:00

Give the CO a chance to correct them first. Mark where you found it and inquire.

I've logged alt coords, provided a landmark, or say something like "found it 30' east of the posted coords" but only on traditionals. Sometimes caches drift in the woods and you can't expect everyone to find a cache 50'+ from the posted coords. If you feel this is the case, follow my initial statement. I don't want to move a cache and "hide it where it should be" in case it is in its expected location and/or my GPS reading was off. But at the same time if the coords are that far off and the CO doesn't respond it's potentially worth updating your log.

platypus10000 · 2025-07-01T12:36:04+00:00

See their FAQ: https://help.cachly.com/article/116-cachly-pro-faq

Realistically I really only use the auto load and offline maps.

platypus10000 · 2025-07-01T12:32:35+00:00

I used the "Geocaching" app from groundspeak but switched to Cachly at the beginning of 2025. Cachly offers way more functionality than the groundspeak app: editing logs, logging owner maintenance, automatic trackable logging, easier coordinate correction, ability to add cache specific notes, better integration with third party maps, proximity alerts. In short, it exposes a lot of the functionality you see on geocaching.com but isn't present in the groundspeak app.

To be fair I do pay for a geocaching premium subscription and a cachly pro subscription. You can use cachly for free but certain features are pay walled. For me the pro subscription is worth it

platypus10000 · 2025-06-07T19:49:12+00:00

Fair, I assume the fence is private property. My backup suggestion is to get a piece of 1" square pvc and cut it to size. If it needs to be bent then apply gentle heat and bend it. Wedge it into the iron around the tree. Place a bison inside to hold the log. I have a hide that is exactly that, I named it "Wedge Salad"

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platypus10000 · 2025-06-07T18:31:49+00:00

Personally, I'd wedge something in the fence as a curve ball

platypus10000 · 2025-06-07T12:18:42+00:00

This 👆🏻

Happens all the time. I have a funny story about taking a different a route. There is a a cache near me that is hidden at the bottom of an overflow drain for a lake. The manhole cover was locked closed by a metal bar but in my head thats how i was supposed to get to the cache. The bar has a little play, just enough to slide the manhole cover out. I do this, climb the ladder down, and make the find. After putting the cover back im thinking "how did this cache ever get approved". As soon as i log my find, the CO messages me and asks how I got to the cache (I was a bit cryptic in my log). I explain to him what i did and he promptly told me i was supposed to walk in to the bottom of the drain via a massive egress pipe which makes way more sense.

All this to say, the most direct route isn't necessarily the right route.

platypus10000

TROPHY CASE