Is geocaching dying?

[Gowza]

I think once again it comes down to the quality of caches placed and how previous experience influences future caching plans. I shan't comment extensively on this as there are threads elsewhere dedicated to it... suffice to say I can't stand multis that take me nowhere interesting and after 5 waypoints return me to a point 50m from where I started. A good description changes this markedly and results in mutlis that are extremely rewarding - GCKHBN for example.

I find it annoying they don't go to the interesting places I have researched and written up about and placed a cache at for them.

I wouldn't worry yourself that your multis are not drawing many finds - take solace in the fact that those who are finding them are experiencing something special in doing so and those that leave them are missing out!!

[Richary]

We plan caches in places we go to visit - be they multi's or not and see some very interesting places we would not have seen, so is it just about the numbers now and not seeing interesting places?

I will do the same (as long as I plan on being in an area and it isn't one of the previously mentioned work trips where I have found myself somewhere unplanned due to a service call). If I am visiting an area for a few days, or just doing planned run for the day somewhere then multis are definitely on the list.

Admittedly, if I had to drive 100km to visit an area on a planned day trip, then I am more likely to find a few trads and easy multis than one known to be long (even if good) multi.

[gardengorilla]

I will step up as one of those cachers who shies away from multis...and I'll tell you why. It's not the idea of a multi step cache hunt, it's because of the many mundane multis that I have begun and wasted precious caching time on only to miscalculate somewhere (who knows) along the line...maybe I mis-read the number on a telephone pole..whatever and WHO CARES? When I find a multi that is interesting...for example leads you for a walk around a beautiful area like a lake or series of art or local history without me having to do some mundane math which may or may not work out. My math skills are fine, not to worry..but often it's 'take the third letter of the sign east of the pub' etc. etc. that gets me. The whole point of a multi (for me anyway) is so that you enjoy your 'tour' and not get frustrated in the process. So I have done few multis as a result of this.
As for the original question: personally I have slowed down a great deal since moving to Australia...there are too many multis in WA!!!!

[gardengorilla]

the local coffee chain (Tim Hortons) sponsor them, and supply coffee and doughnuts

That would be very nice, I'd love to attend an event in Canada.

Oh, man I miss Timmies big time

[caughtatwork]

maybe I mis-read the number on a telephone pole..whatever and WHO CARES?

There's the reason I dislike multis in a single sentence.
Make the clues relevant and I'm happy.
Make me count irrelevant stuff and I'll pass thankyouverymuch.

[Fangsoki]

I will step up as one of those cachers who shies away from multis...and I'll tell you why. It's not the idea of a multi step cache hunt, it's because of the many mundane multis that I have begun and wasted precious caching time on only to miscalculate somewhere (who knows) along the line...maybe I mis-read the number on a telephone pole..whatever and WHO CARES? When I find a multi that is interesting...for example leads you for a walk around a beautiful area like a lake or series of art or local history without me having to do some mundane math which may or may not work out. My math skills are fine, not to worry..but often it's 'take the third letter of the sign east of the pub' etc. etc. that gets me. The whole point of a multi (for me anyway) is so that you enjoy your 'tour' and not get frustrated in the process. So I have done few multis as a result of this.

Agreed. My other issue is when Multis are not maintained. I am not just talking about the cache itself - I am talking about, for instance, the sign I am meant to get numbers off is missing... You can spend a lot of time on a multi - only to be thwarted 3/4 of the way through. Multis suffer from the same fate as traditional caches as well - people lose interest or haven't bothered to maintain the cache after constant DNFs and leave it published. (This is my pet hate for all type of caches).

I am not a fan of mystrey caches - like others have said - my mind just doesn't click with them. I really dislike asking for help for caches so I tend to avoid them.

I am amazed at the length between visits of some caches. I'll tackle any traditional - as long as its not on private property. Sure - some caches take an hour or more to get to on foot. I put these caches not being visited down to : folks more interested in driveby caches to pad up their their counts and/or folks physically not able to get to the cache.

My 2c anyway...

[Rabbitto]

maybe I mis-read the number on a telephone pole..whatever and WHO CARES?

There's the reason I dislike multis in a single sentence.
Make the clues relevant and I'm happy.
Make me count irrelevant stuff and I'll pass thankyouverymuch.

I agree (but that is 'two' sentences )

[CraigRat]

This thread should be renamed to "Is the Urban Playground Multi Micro dying?"

[Zalgariath]

I think the nature of caches people find depends on how they are caching. When Im at home in Sydney my favourite cache is whichever one is closest to home unfound I like systematically clearing the city suburb by suburb. In doing so you encouter every type of conceivable cache from nasty nanos, to mega-multis, good ammo trads and interesting puzzles. Over time Id reach out further and further into the bush to start grabbing some great hiking style caches. Now however I travel constantly for work, often driving hundreds of clicks in a day so Ive had to change tact. I cache on the fly with little to no prepartaion, so I wont spend the time chasing anything really other then Trads that wont take too long. I'll do a quick one or two step multi if the blackberry has signal and I can read the clues, and if time allows to get off the beaten track will detour into small towns or for a slightly longer walk. So I could be accused of being a driveby specialist at the moment but hey, its either that or not cache at all! People cache to have fun, we all do it in different ways. Thats not the point, there is no "Right Way" to find caches.

At the end of the day there is only one question to ask. It has nothing to how you cache, your numbers, your preferences of type and style. The only important question to ask has nothing to do with finding... its to do with hiding. Before adding another mint tin / nano / random numbers multi etc to the world. Stop, look, and think, "Will this hide bring a smile to those who will find it?" There can be any number of reasons to answer YES to this, and while only a few have to do with the cache type, all have to do with the experience it brings your fellow cachers.

To cache for numbers is not an offence. To hide for numbers is criminal.

(Pointless mint tin hider ---> <--- Me!)

[noikmeister]

I think the key things is that there are many, many games within geocaching. You may look at these infrequently found caches in amazing areas and wonder why. From your perspective it seems strange, but from the perspective of the numbers hound going all that way for a single smiley is strange.

I have 72% traditional, 13% puzzles and 12% multis. Coming from Canberra, you run out of traditional cache quickly and are compelled to develop some puzzle-craft or stop caching.

A game I have started recently has been find the most unloved cache in the ACT. I have managed to knock off 3 so far.

In terms of hiding, I have slightly different philosophy to *blossom. I like to hide caches, but there aren't many "special" places left in the ACT without venturing deep into the bush. But I really, really hate crap caches. So I think there are 2 reasons for hiding a cache:
1: A "special location". Make it reasonably easy so you get people to come.
2: A great idea/hide/concept. The final location might not be to crash hot, but if you have a really good idea for a cache (usually a puzzle) then you have to hide it somewhere.

[Richary]

To cache for numbers is not an offence. To hide for numbers is criminal.

Very well said. Maybe that should be on the front page of both GC and GCA

[CraigRat]

To cache for numbers is not an offence. To hide for numbers is criminal.

I want this on my tombstone

[Zalgariath]

To cache for numbers is not an offence. To hide for numbers is criminal.

I want this on my tombstone

Only if the dates on it are used as part of a well constructed intersting multi though yes hahaha

[noikmeister]

To cache for numbers is not an offence. To hide for numbers is criminal.

I want this on my tombstone

Only if the dates on it are used as part of a well constructed intersting multi though yes hahaha

Gold!

[If]

Naw!! Geocaching is alive and well

Caching styles have changed though.
There is a lot less interest in the more challenging caches (such as multis and unknowns) and a lot more emphasis on simple traditionals.

Fortunately there is still a goodly number of cachers who go the extra mile to keep a supply of quality cache hides with a bit of effort put into the construction, or requiring a bit of extra effort for the finders to keep the entertainment levels up

I like hiding those sort of caches as it keeps the crowds from overwhelming the hiding locations

Happy caching

PS: well said Zalgariath