Geocaching Australia

SecretSquirrel-BJC wrote:I don't care if people use FDF or not. FDF

New cachers can't get a chance?

In Greater ACT, I beg to differ. There are some pretty aggressive new FTF hunters out there who are keen to give longer term FTF hunters a real run for their money. Jusojara, wink inc, McKenna to name just three, and there are others.

Im guessing they only get a chance because the "usual" are out doing something or the GZ is near home/work etc..
its usually the same old FTF cachers...

I read this comment by agap2 on a cache I was FTF for at 10pm last night: "Missed the FTF and as per local forum discussion, FDF is pretty sad!!"

I didn't know what it meant and initially thought I was being insulted or worse, the cache placer was being insulted. I was wondering what I'd done wrong.

Now I know it's about the FDF terminology. I'm in favour of it. If not a FTF, I still take personal pleasure in knowing I found the cache as soon as I could on the day it was published. I think cache placers also enjoy seeing that others have made the effort to see their cache very soon after the listing. I know I do.

FTF is obsessive.
FDF is compulsive.

well said c@w.

I agree with Ninasclan...if you want to claim an FDF in your log because it makes you feel good - do it. There is no rule against it. But GCA already records those anyway.

McKenna has moved up from compulsive to obsessed - good to see more addicts on the streets of Canberra. "Hi my name is ..., and I am addicted to caching..."

NTSTROM FTFs (20.0 %)

1 13/02/2007 0 days GC10FXJ Dummy Spit
2 29/04/2007 0 days GC12DWV Rice Fields
3 2/07/2007 0 days GC140EB A Lesser Monumental Quest # 2
4 19/08/2007 0 days GC14TNA Bird Nest #1
5 21/09/2007 0 days GC15YFW Bloodhound #1
6 24/09/2007 0 days GC1643V BL 63 Mk 2
7 24/09/2007 0 days GC1644G SCHOTY
8 2/10/2007 0 days GC16C8N Turbo to Steam
9 13/12/2007 0 days GC17X7E Mitchell's Lucky Dip
10 30/12/2007 0 days GC183ZW Crater Lake
11 28/01/2008 0 days GC18YX6 Retta Dixon Home
12 26/02/2008 0 days GC19M2T Palmerston Shootout #1
13 29/04/2008 0 days GC1BPGD Palmerston Shootout # 3
14 29/04/2008 0 days GC1BPHX Anula Park # 2
15 29/04/2008 0 days GC1BPHB Leanyer Recreation Park
16 5/05/2008 0 days GC1BXE6 Kak-a-dooo
17 6/05/2008 0 days GC1BYVV Left on the Shelf
18 12/05/2008 0 days GC1BXED Jabiru Lake
19 12/05/2008 0 days GC1BXHQ Majestic Mirrai
20 12/05/2008 0 days GC1BXG8 Nice Nourlangie
21 12/05/2008 0 days GC1BXH2 Nicer Nawurlandja
22 26/06/2008 0 days GC1DHKX Bicentennial Park
23 18/07/2008 0 days GC1E8ZG Test Tube Baby - Lee
24 18/07/2008 0 days GC1C774 Test Tube Baby - Luke
25 18/07/2008 0 days GC1E8Z7 Test Tube Baby - John
26 18/07/2008 0 days GC1E872 MIA
27 18/07/2008 0 days GC1E8ZB Test Tube Baby - Howard
28 30/09/2008 0 days GC1GP0K Almost 360 degrees
29 30/11/2008 0 days GC1DPQF J.A.B.S. Kakadu
30 30/11/2008 0 days GC1JC79 Can you hear the whistle blowing?

Now thats what I call obsessive and compulsive.

http://www.caughtatwork.net/geocaching/ ... &state=ACT

Mtrax, the graph above shows that you have 21 FDFs which isn't much more than some of the so-called "newer" cachers.

I think this graph just illustrates how many people don't bother the FDF as this is seen to be 2nd rate so why bother ...
I'm a person in this category, I will only go on a FTF if there is a even chance of getting one. and these days unless you head off late night or a 5am rise.. forget it.
I think the FTF for 90% of the people caching is something they feel as too difficult. and even those "other" log they are surprised when they get it..

aaarrgh!

with 274 first to plunders,i think i could be called compulsive!!

mtrax wrote:I think this graph just illustrates how many people don't bother the FDF as this is seen to be 2nd rate so why bother ...
I'm a person in this category, I will only go on a FTF if there is a even chance of getting one. and these days unless you head off late night or a 5am rise.. forget it.
I think the FTF for 90% of the people caching is something they feel as too difficult. and even those "other" log they are surprised when they get it..

If I get a FTF... yay! if not I enjoy the journey which is why I'm doing it, not for the numbers... It's ironic how we almost need an excuse to get out of the house a lot these days....

mtrax wrote: its usually the same old FTF cachers...

mtrax wrote: unless you head off late night or a 5am rise

Are you talking to me (really needs the accent and attitude to work.)

perhaps think of it this way in most Olympic sports there 1st,2nd 3rd but with geocaching there is 1st and.... not first.

mtrax wrote:perhaps think of it this way in most Olympic sports there 1st,2nd 3rd but with geocaching there is 1st and.... not first.

Assuming people are playing the game that way, I really don't care for numbers as much as other criteria and if people want to race why don't they do orienteering or something of that sort?

I must admit it is difficult to get a FTF on a cache in Brisbane these days, but I ocassionally fluke one
In latter years I have focused more on chasing the FTF on the more difficult caches that pop up.
That is: Caches in the nearby country areas which involve a bit of a drive (weekdays off work help here), or
Caches on top of mountains, on islands or anywhere else out of reach of pirates, aaaargh

In any cache learning how to nab FTF's is part of the geocaching apprenticeship.
Those just starting out shouldn't be too disappointed, but rather encouraged by the dedication of some of the more 'obsessed' old hands out there
It takes a while to figure out some of the tricks, like instanotifications from the website, quick downloads straight to the GPS/PDA and of course where to buy pyjamas that will stand up to the rigours of an unexpected early morning FTF chase (saves valuable minutes not having to change clothes)

What happens for those that dont wear jarmies

Mr Router wrote:What happens for those that dont wear jarmies

<p>
They get difficult-to-explain scratches
<p>
...or arrested