Now that I am a civilian again, I suddenly feel the freedom to make suggestions without having the responsibility to make it happen!

I have noticed a growing number of caches that are probably orphans, the cache owner has either moved on to other activities, or literally moved on - moved to another area or state. I am afraid that this may become a growing problem. I think that Geocaching.com has made some efforts to determine caches that need to be archived and may have promoted some cache adoptions. I noticed that Allen Lacy has recently adopted the Lake Lanier cache. If an orphaned cache is not adopted, and it is deteriorating, then there needs to be a way to retire it ... someone needs to retrieve it. It may be time for the GGA members to address this issue more formally, set a few guidelines, at least kick it around a bit and determine what Geocaching.com's position is.

FWIW,
CharlieP

GC.com has been doing a few things with this. They are trying to assist more with cache adoption. Eventually the local administrator should be able to assist with this but for now you must write the contact address. If the cacher will not respond to emails then it is usually transfered over. It is best when the cacher will say yes to the transfer, and that has happened too. I think cache adoption is a cool thing on some of these older caches in great places and have assisted with a few myself. Here are a couple.
Dwarf Sumac
Cameron's Rocky Mountain High

As far as caches that just need to be archived, some cachers will email me from time to time with suggestions for caches that need to be archived. I have emailed the cacher about the cache and have archived some of them. You can write to the local administrators and we will look at them. Sometimes the owner will go and correct the cache with a little nudge (or a hint that the cache is about to be archived ). One of the keys is being able to go out and get the remains if at all possible.

Luck of the Irish, http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?ID=59177, is one of those caches that either needs to be archived or adopted. I have attempted to adopt it, and some have suggested it should simply be archived since if I am able to adopt it I plan to move it a few hundred feet.

You can read the thread here:

http://ggaonline.org/eve/forums?a=tpc&s=7156023341&f=7446039551&m=8566077304

Either way, I believe this particular cache needs to have something done about it.

quote:

---

Originally posted by mtn-man:
...[and I] have assisted with a few myself. Here are a couple.
http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?guid=3169720d-11ee-4e44-8e35-b477ceaa94f6
http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?ID=4450

---

Mtn-man, you adopting what are, for you, vacation caches? Shame!

I believe mtn-man has served as an agent in these cases by having the caches adopted by people who reside near them. He does not own either one of them.

Mtn-man's adopted cache is closer than those.

quote:

---

Originally posted by AllenLacy:
Mtn-man's adopted cache is closer than those.

---

Yep, and a virtual too! Of course, I've been there and know what the target is. There was no verification question when I took it over. Oddly enough, the cache was originally created on my wife's birthday!

It looks like there is not enough concern about this to do anything specific at this time. Based on mtn-man's response, a reasonable policy at this point would be for a cacher wanting to adopt a cache to first attempt to contact the owner, and then go from there.

FWIW,
CharlieP

CharlieP, your assessment is right on. Cache adoption works best if the original owner is willing to send you and TPTB at gc.com a request for change in ownership. Otherwise, it is necessary to show an indication that the owner is not responsive to e-mail and has not visited the web site recently.

If you have a specific case in mind, or should one come to mind, erik, mtn-man or I can help grease the skids for you.

I had a couple of caches in mind, but since I made my initial post in this thread, one of the long-lost owners has taken action to re-instate his cache. I will give the other one a while longer, a lot of cachers come out of summer retirement in the fall when the weather cools.

CharlieP

We (hubby & I) rented a rowboat on 11/23/2003 and rowed over to the island this cache was located on. About 10 - 15 feet away from the cache, we stepped on a yellow jacket nest. Suffice it to say, it was NOT a pretty sight!

We made a note of it on the logs. I have emailed the cache owner twice stating that it needs to be removed & archived ASAP. I have heard nothing from the cache owner.

At the January GGA meeting, I spoke with mtn-man about this. He suggested I write this note asking someone to "adopt" the cache & remove/archive it.

If you approach the cache from the 128-feet side of the island, it may be possible to remove the cache safely. NO guarantees, though.