Just thought I should pass on the news that MADSTARs will be moving at the end of the year. As many of the HAVOC crew know there are some of us that do not have the power to determine when we relocate. MADSTARs is in the same situation that I am and he has been posted with effect January. When I found out I sent him an email and he indicated that he was planning to fix/visit all his hides and then once 3 DNFs had been posted, archive them. I think this would be a shame as he has made a HUGE contribution to caching in the region and for the hides to disappear over time would be disappointing.
I have offered to”adopt” some of his caches but I cannot take on all his hides and ultimately I might find myself in the same situation in a year or two. I guess I am asking if there are others in HAVOC willing to take on some of MADSTARs hides. The thing to keep in mind is there are a large number of caches in the Nelson Bay area. If we can get a few people to share the responsibility for maintaining the caches it shouldn’t be too big a deal to keep them all active IMHO.
Final points to consider:
1. I am after an indication from cachers that are SERIOUSLY interested in taking on some of the caches.
2. Please think carefully about it as I don’t want to set up a situation where people put there hands up only to find that they are not actually in a position to maintain the caches.
3. Most importantly MADSTARs has not agreed to anything as yet and I want a solid plan before anything happens.
Ultimately I feel it would be a shame to have all the work done by MADSTARS go to waste. There is no plan in place as yet but I am keen to do all I can to ensure the survival of as any caches as possible for the LONG TERM. Please think about it and let me know if you are interested in taking on responsibility for some of the caches.
Cheers
Subi-two
Sorry to see him leave but I guess in your lines of work it is inevitable at some time.
I’d be happy to adopt or even just take on a maintenance roll for his caches down newcastle way if he desires.
A ‘mad’ STAR is BORN
KABOOM
TRIPLE 0
Green Machine
Sacred Grove
STARBOARD
PORT
Dry Dock
would all be easy for me to maintain for him, and possibly a few others if need be.
To Madstars, enjoy your new posting, atleast you will have a new area to clear out (or populate) caches in.
Hi Mike and Celeste,
I spotted a note on a Madstars cache a few days ago and had sent them a note also. I have been thinking about this for a while and also have the somewhat unique position of having been in the same position.
I personally don’t feel that caches should be taken on by other cachers, and I have done this in the past but think it is better to archive the cache and create a new listing. My reasoning is two fold. A cache placement is a very personal thing. I have seen caches taken on by others and the hide changes and goes from what it was to something very different. Also if the cache isn’t officially adopted and the original cache owner looses interest the “maintainer” can’t take a cache offline or any of the normal owner functions.
The second is to me that a cache is supposed to have a life span. If any of my South Coast or Canberra caches are muggled, I archive them. This allows current local cachers to take over the location with a new hide.
You are right, MADSTARS have some great hides in good spots but if thee cache dies of natural attrition then why not let a different, more local cacher take over a hide in the location. I would love to see some of the new peninsula cachers have the opportunity to place a different hide given an archived cache.
I would happily help Geoff with a cache check but I feel that if a cache goes then let it be archived and taken over by someone else.
My two cents…
I am probably of the same view as Big Matt.
Just let them run their course. If Geoff has some he particulary wants to keep and there are problems he can use this site to ask for someone to repair it.
I know that PD186 is from the Bay and is keen. He told me that he had plenty of ideas when he first got involved. I then crushed them for him when I explained about National Parks policy.
Sorry to see madstars moving on but that is life and I assume that he is in the defence force if he doesn’t have a choice about moving.
I am in a position that I could take over some of his caches around the bay. It would be best if there are any special caches that he wanted to keep going and ones in that can’t be replaced because they are in national park area ect I could adopt otherwise as others have pointed out as his caches get archived then this would open up the area for others.
I know that the caches I have placed are special to me but I don’t think I would want to pass them on to anyone if I was to move on.
Team Rocket can take on a couple Newcastle caches, most of us close to the Lake so Port Stephens ones are probably a bit too far, we haven’t even been able to hunt up there yet! If they do get muggled though, it probably will be best to archive them and plant new ones nearby.
Let me know if you want us to take over any of them and we’ll look after it for the madstars!
Thanks to all for sharing your opinions. I appreciate your openness. My motivation for wanting to keep as many quality caches running is kinda selfish. We started this game about a year ago. To be honest we really stared with MADSTARs event last year, by which we have logged almost 700 in the 12 months since. A major part of our motivation and addiction came about from caching in the Nelson bay area. I know from experience that I am yet to find an area that has so many QUALITY caches. I understand the if a cache dies in the Forest does anyone hear it fall concept, but for me the hardest part of setting up and maintaining a good cache is setting up a good cache. Maintenance is relatively easy, at least until you need to maintain a hide.
I have been working on a cache for a year now, yes I am not joking, a multi that is only now starting to come together, what I hope will be a quality cache. When I move I hope someone will take it on due to the amount of time I have invested (if I get it published before I leave). So where am I going with this burst.. I guess, I know how much effort has been invested by MADSTARs and I know if I don’t own a cache I will not maintain it. It is that simple. MADSTARs has said he will archive caches so people can post a listing to suit themselves, that means you can personalise a hide. The hard work of putting together a cache has been done and as a bonus the wider cache community can continue to enjoy. To me it seems like a win for all. A cache already in place (to customise if you want to) and a hide for the community to enjoy for the longer term. I understand if you don’t agree but I figured I needed to explain my motives…. mind you that’s like entering the twilight zone so be afraid.
Better sign off sleep deprivation starts tomorrow.
cheers subi-two
Apologies for the repost
I have had the privledge of working my way though finding some of the many MADSTARS caches in the area, and want to share my appreciation for taking me to some great locations around The Bay.
They have also done a great job of promting our local area through geocaching.
They have also done a great deal for the share price of Nestle’ by consuming copius amounts of confectionary.
You will be missed MADSTARS.
Please keep up the good work.
(when you do go, can we send you off with a tag from each of us to race back to a MADSTARS / HAVOC cache?)
Having a tag race back sounds like a great idea
I am going to get as many shares in Nestle as I can so when he starts hidding more of these m&m containers around his new home I can make some money out of him.
But on a serious note could HAVOC set up a profile that can adopt caches from people (like madstars and subi two when he gets posted) when they move on or stop caching.
I would think you would have to limit the amount to make sure only the quility caches are adopted and ones that can’t be replaced Eg in national park areas ect.
Then the HAVOC members can maintain them. Say the web site adminstrator could ask the nearest member to the cache to check on it when maitenance is needed.