I have an idea for a new version of CITO. It is a kind of community cache maintenance.

At the time of writing I have so far found 190 caches but at least 10-15% of them have had damp logs, or rusty trinkets in a puddle in the bottom of the cache while the dry logbook wallows in a plastic bag. It’s a pretty grim scenario and one that is often on the groundsite (groundspeak) forums.

Now, having found a sodden cache and failed miserably to write in the log I could  log my find followed by a “needs maintenance” and cause the CO to have to come out to their cache just to clean it and put a new piece of photocopied paper in or I could do it for them.

I’ve now taken to carrying a Geocache first aid kit with me containing:

·         Replacement log sheets on nano, bison, 35mm and a couple of notebooks for small+ caches

·         Baby wipes for cleaning the paper mache and rust gunk out of containers

·         Log book bag (x100)  - the ones you squeeze the two plastic strips together to seal shut

·         Nappy bags (x100) – for removing the cleaned out debris

The total cost to me was about £3 ($4-$5)

When I get home I dry out the old logs where possible and contact the CO asking if they want the original log or a scan-to-pdf of the log sheets . No one has wanted the log sheet returned and have asked for the scans. That’s fine by me – I don’t have to pay postage.

Each CO I’ve contacted (except one who never replied) has been very pleased as it’s saved them a trek out to their cache. They would still need to go if the container was damaged and someone logged a “needs maintenance” but I like to think I am paying them back for their ingenuity and participation in cache hiding.

After all... I’m on the spot, I can help out, I can make the find more enjoyable to those following me.

By OckmentBells

OckmentBells has only been geocaching since September 2010 but is thoroughly hooked to the point of obsession. Whether it’s quick lunchtime cache and dashes or the occasional weekend hunt for 10 or so it’s a great hobby. With his wife, eldest son (5) and twin sons (3) stealth isn’t always possible so they go for remote caches or forest trails when hunting en-masse.

Comments(1):

1. EXCELLENT Public Service!

   EXCELLENT Public Service! I hope many others follow suit. While in my area it's frowned upon to take cache logs home for any reason, I do much of the same work. I found you can buy thick (at least 4-mil) sealable bags on the Internet: I buy them by the 100s. They protect not only logs, but the swag and trinkets inside caches. I also carry spare logs and paper towels to clean thing up. Sometimes I leave a "bag of bags" so other cachers can spread them around. Again, good work! Thanks!

   Thursday, April 19, 2012 Vince