HAVOC Geocaching

Howdy Havocers,

Many moons ago Mix and I joined up with two other established cachers (Lenny & Les) in the central western city of Dubbo to increase cache numbers. For the most part it was Mix and I trying to better each other with good, clever caches being hidden in fantastic central western region spots with occasional hides by other local cachers showing us how it’s done.

From time to time a lame, dismal, pathetic effort would be published usually from a tourist, a misguided local or some school kid with Dad’s GPS. Once all the good spots however became saturated it seemed there was not other choice for new cachers but to start hiding at intersections, under garbage bins and the odd fence post in the middle of nowhere. This I don’t want to happen in the Hunter. The only benifit that arose from this was the amazing puzzle caches, multicaches and a couple of good events.

Hunter cachers. Please don’t make the same mistake of saturating the region with piss poor, lame, dismal and pathetic caches.

Ask yourself:

1. Can I regularly maintain this cache from my home base?
2. Is my cache at an amazing location? (aesthetically, historically, geologically and/or culturally etc)
3. Have I included relevant information for the finder to fully appreciate this location?
4. Is the cache container of suitable quality?

The first is a given. You must be able to maintain the cache or it shouldn’t be approved.

Second to this it must satisfy at least two of the following three points (2,3 & 4).

Thirdly I suggest you have someone try out your cache before you publish it. They may find other ways and errors.

If you have a cache that is a bit ordinary please consider archiving it and collecting it. Aim for positive comments. For me if people write TN TFTC in the log and on the net then there is a good chance they can barely be bothered logging the cache and perhaps I should remove the cache and find a much better spot. Noonans Discovery for example is in a beaut spot, away from the crowds, great view but sadly the place is becoming a bit of a dump. Next maintenance trip I’ll have a look and if its rubbish outweighs its beauty, it will be gone also.

No one is perfect. Although Mix tries hard. Of all those I’ve hidden I’ve archived two thirds of them. Some too hard to maintain. Some have been redeveloped into housing. Some were just on the way to better caches and have since gone to the cache god in the sky.

Please treat my post as food for thought. Have you done a cache lately that just sucked? I’d be surprised if you haven’t. I’ve done a few and logged none of them. When I find a good one I’ll be sure to take the time to log it.

If you’ve read this far thanks for taking the time. I’d be interested in reading peoples comments positive or otherwise.

Bronze.