Stash Notes

[pprass]

After a few days caching around the North Coast of NSW (from Coffs Harbour to Yamba and inland a bit) we noticed that quite a few caches have been released without a Stash Note in them. I was sure that a Stash Note was a mandatory requirement when placing a cache - is that no longer the case?
I remember a discussion ages ago that went like this - a container in the bush without a stash note is just trash!

[caughtatwork]

Geocache
A container hidden that includes, at minimum, a logbook for geocachers to sign.

http://www.geocaching.com/about/glossary.aspx

Looks like a stash note is not mandatory. Just the log book.

[Cheesy pigs]

Technically even a log book/sheet isnt mandatory

[Yurt]

Technically even a log book/sheet isnt mandatory

Technically we won't need the cache next!

Oh wait, virtuals?

[Cheesy pigs]

touche

[pprass]

Geocache
A container hidden that includes, at minimum, a logbook for geocachers to sign.

http://www.geocaching.com/about/glossary.aspx

Looks like a stash note is not mandatory. Just the log book.

Yep - and even the placing of the cache guideline doesn't mention it - http://www.geocaching.com/about/guidelines.aspx

[pprass]

Technically even a log book/sheet isnt mandatory

So is that why "Munzees" were invented?

[caughtatwork]

Technically even a log book/sheet isnt mandatory

So is that why "Munzees" were invented?

And virtual caches and locationless caches and BITCode caches and codeword caches.
Lots of non-GC type caches don't require a logbook.
But at the GC site, I would always include a stash note.
Even though they fall out, turn into mush when wet, get lost, become rubbish in the wind I still include one.

[pprass]

...But at the GC site, I would always include a stash note...

So do I in the hope that a muggle who stumbles across one of our caches will read it and not trash the cache! Wonder how many times that has worked

[Bunya]

So do I in the hope that a muggle who stumbles across one of our caches will read it and not trash the cache! Wonder how many times that has worked

I guess if that's all they do, we just don't know about it.
However, I'd say once or twice a year, on average, a muggle has found one of my caches, read the stash note, joined the game because of it and logged the find.
Not all stay in play for long, but some do.

[LouiseAnn]

A cache of mine was found by a heap of children muggles, I kind of got the feeling they found the cache, brought it to their mum, who must have read the stash note, and them they all signed the log. King of cute really. Them a few months latter some teenage muggles found it and smashed it up to get the magnet..... Much less cute.

[gmj3191]

I think it would be useful to make a small selection of stash notes of various types and sizes to help in putting one together for that special cache you've just made.
Classified by size, suitable for laminating etc.
Is there somewhere in the wiki where we could stick our best examples for sharing around?

[caughtatwork]

I think it would be useful to make a small selection of stash notes of various types and sizes to help in putting one together for that special cache you've just made.
Classified by size, suitable for laminating etc.
Is there somewhere in the wiki where we could stick our best examples for sharing around?

http://wiki.geocaching.com.au/wiki/Stash_note

[Tuena]

I purchase the stash notes from the GCA shop & use them in all cache sizes other than ammo boxes which are the largest I've hidden. The stash note for the latter I obtained from GCA as I recall. I also carry them around in case I meet a muggle who expresses an interest & I give him/her one.

[gmj3191]

I don't like using Stash Notes which say something along the lines of ...

"if this cache becomes a problem please contact us " and then not having a proper contact facility.
A web page might eventually work but only after the involvement of others and some investigative work along the way.
So I prefer to have my own but it would be handy to have a template where you can put in your own email, phone, etc contact details.

I might try and upload some to that page.