Short Hints
- pprass
- 10000 or more caches found
- Posts: 911
- Joined: 18 December 03 11:52 pm
- Location: Port Macquarie
We generally don't read the hints unless in a real bother, but we just have to laugh at the ones which are more of a "tell" than a hint, or tell the bleeding obvious eg "amongst the rocks" (No @#$% Sherlock!)
The hints that we really like (and try to replicate for some of our caches) are the short cryptic ones, as they still give the cacher a challenge of some sorts instead of just walking upto the spot and pulling the cache out.
We have mentioned this point on many of our logs when finding caches that have a "tell" rather than a hint, but rarely get any response from the owner let alone an alterations to their hints.
Good thread Alansee.
The hints that we really like (and try to replicate for some of our caches) are the short cryptic ones, as they still give the cacher a challenge of some sorts instead of just walking upto the spot and pulling the cache out.
We have mentioned this point on many of our logs when finding caches that have a "tell" rather than a hint, but rarely get any response from the owner let alone an alterations to their hints.
Good thread Alansee.
My hints will reflect the difficulty of actually reaching GZ,
The last thing a cacher wants after walking 30kms, or climbing 1km up is a cryptic hint, or no hint at all.
After all that effort they want a nice easy find before the slog back to the car
That is why I give an accurate description (even if it is 40 words) and a photo of the cache location as hints.
Cachers can choose to read/look at the hints or not.
A cacher would be most unwise before attempting one of my remote caches, not to have read the cache notes/hints in full, in the comfort of their lounge room or contacted me personally with any questions
This I have learnt over many years experience and talking to cachers who have found my caches.
My newer caches reflect this approach - some of my older caches will be reviewed in time
My hints for remote caches will be as long as required
Kevin
The last thing a cacher wants after walking 30kms, or climbing 1km up is a cryptic hint, or no hint at all.
After all that effort they want a nice easy find before the slog back to the car
That is why I give an accurate description (even if it is 40 words) and a photo of the cache location as hints.
Cachers can choose to read/look at the hints or not.
A cacher would be most unwise before attempting one of my remote caches, not to have read the cache notes/hints in full, in the comfort of their lounge room or contacted me personally with any questions
This I have learnt over many years experience and talking to cachers who have found my caches.
My newer caches reflect this approach - some of my older caches will be reviewed in time
My hints for remote caches will be as long as required
Kevin
- Papa Bear_Left
- 800 or more hollow logs searched
- Posts: 2573
- Joined: 03 April 03 12:28 am
- Location: Kalamunda, WA
- Contact:
Most cache content is, of course, but the intent of the Hint field is pretty clear, I think...Derringer wrote:Personal choice,maybe the information should just be in the text of the cache page
The emphasis is strongly on in-the-field decryption and/or 'giveaway' information, not just another place to put part of the description that you expect cachers to read.Listing entry page wrote:Enter any hints or spoiler information below. This information will be encrypted on the site until a geocacher clicks on a link to unencrypt it, or decodes it on the trail. Text within brackets [like this] will not be encrypted. Please keep your hints short, so decoding it on the trail is easier. If you don't have a hint, leave it blank.
Why would you want to disadvantage and even inconvenience those cachers who (quite reasonably) expect to find spoiler information in that field?
- Marcus Vitruvius
- 5000 or more caches found
- Posts: 297
- Joined: 23 July 07 12:35 pm
- Location: Newcastle, NSW
For me, I stick by a very simple rule of thumb, and that is, if the cache is out in the sticks, that takes some effort to get to, then a precise hint should be given for those that want to use it. If it's an urban cache, or a tricky hide, then a subtle cryptic hint is fine. Even a precise hint can be helpful in an urban setting if the hide is in a muggle infested location. Saves looking too suspicious while searching every nook and cranny. But yes, nothing is as annoying as when you've been searching for an hour or so and you finally resort to the hint only to find that it's completely unhelpful.
- caughtatwork
- Posts: 17015
- Joined: 17 May 04 12:11 pm
- Location: Melbourne
- Contact:
I try to put hints on all my caches. I can't succeed every time though. If the cache is not there, you can read my hints and you will know where it should be. Most of them are giveaways, but not all of them. If the cache is not there (and the hint should be sufficient), then it has probably been muggled and both you and I then know that maintenance is in order.
Even though I don't read hints until I need to or the cache is found, not finding a cache and having no hint means I don't know whether it is still there or not and larger circles of damage occur from myself and subsequent finders.
Think of the environment and place a hint. Short, long, doesn't matter to technology, but relevant is a must.
Even though I don't read hints until I need to or the cache is found, not finding a cache and having no hint means I don't know whether it is still there or not and larger circles of damage occur from myself and subsequent finders.
Think of the environment and place a hint. Short, long, doesn't matter to technology, but relevant is a must.
- Richary
- 8000 or more caches found
- Posts: 4189
- Joined: 04 February 04 10:55 pm
- Location: Waitara, Sydney
Any cache that requires a reasonable effort to get to (like a decent hike) I will generally read the hint and few logs before I go. I'm not going back to the car and then returning! Though with Trimble now on the mobile this is slightly less important as I can usually check onsite if I need to.
I will also read the hints for CBD caches to be less suspicious, know what I am looking for and hopefully be able to grab it quickly between muggles.
Otherwise yes, I try for it. If I can't find then I go back and read the hint.
I will also read the hints for CBD caches to be less suspicious, know what I am looking for and hopefully be able to grab it quickly between muggles.
Otherwise yes, I try for it. If I can't find then I go back and read the hint.