I know this will probably set people off, but hear me out. It is just something that I have noticed, found a little annoying and I am also guilty of.

It’s Geo-Litter.

Now, I am not talking about a cache that is archived on GC.com and the physical cache is left in place. I don’t think that is a major issue right now, Granted it could be, but that is not what I am addressing. I am talking about the Cyber Geo-Litter out there. When a cache is temporarily archived and just left there hanging…And Hanging…And Hanging for months and even years at a time.

Now Yes, I am guilty of this. I have 4 caches right now that need to be addressed and I have scheduled time this week to take care of them. I will either replace them or Archive them. I have given myself a deadline to get that achieved. But I can only fix my own.

I recently started caching more frequently. Gas prices being what they are and the fact that I am still not back to the query/paperless stage yet, I use the nearest cache functionality of GC.com a lot. I have to sift through pages of inactive caches with promises of “I’ll get out there Next week” from a year ago. Meanwhile, these temp archived caches are eating up real estate that could be best used for caches that could be done. Though that brings up another problem… If we clean up the area is someone going to swoop in and throw out a bottom load of micros that will go missing with in a short amount of time and then the problem starts all over…I don’t know. But right now there is a lot of Caches out there that Cache owners need to do maintenance on or just plain Archive. Me included.

I could have done examples but chose not to. I think we all know what I’m talking about. We can all agree that life sure gets in the way of caching. But we as cache owners have responsibilities and this is one of them.

Here are the caches that I need to address and will take care of one way or another:
Micro Mission #1
Micro Mission #2
Micro Mission #3
Lunch Break # 10 Woodside déjà vu

When I get them going I will come back here and let you all know they are good to go.

I have a cache that is both archived *and* temporarily disabled. Will this create a problem on a query?

no.

quote:

Originally posted by gossamyrrh:
I have a cache that is both archived *and* temporarily disabled. Will this create a problem on a query?

Nope, archived caches are excluded from pocket queries. There's not even a way to include them if you wanted.

As to the OP topic, from previous GS forum threads, I think the concensus was to post an SBA log to bring such caches to a reviewer's attention. The overworked reviewers will also often know if there is an extenuating circumstance for a prolonged disabledment. Serveral reviewers will also do periodic reviews of all prolonged disablements and request and update, and then will archive non-responders.

My first thought when I saw the term "geo-litter" was for caches that are disguised as roadside garbage. There's jut no accounting for taste.

Yes, I understand there is a "needs to be archived" button. And I have used it on occasion. EXAMPLE

But...Wouldn't it be a lot easier and efficient if the readers of the GGA boards handled their own "problem" caches? Then the Caches that have been abandoned - (Which would then be a much smaller number) - can be addressed.

I have noticed a sad trend of people using that "needs to be archived" or "needs maintenance" buttons at the drop of a hat...DNF, Log is wet or coords are off 20ft.

I (along with many others) carry extra ziplocs, pens, logs and yes even containers to fix a cache. It is one of those things that in theory everyone agrees should be practiced, but in reality don't do it. I can show examples of that, but I won't. I only wanted to single myself out as the example and let everyone else step up on their own.

Then this thread would be a heads up of sorts to people that the cache is back up or gone.

I've got some in the Chattahoochee National River Area corridor that were removed by the NPS. I've disabled them, but not archived them.

I don't think anyone else will be putting caches in those spots anytime soon, but if you'd like to discuss archiving them contact me off line and we can talk about it. Hopefully they don't confuse too many people in this day of pocket queries, but let me know....

Thanks,
~erik~

I unarchived mine the week they started pulling caches. I knew that I wouldn't be able to put The traditional back where it was so I archived it again. The other 3 micros I may be able to do something with, but I think I may archive them as well, but put new caches out instead.

I'm guilty too. Went to GC and looked at my caches and had some disabled that I laid to rest today. Should have done it sooner. Thanks Slay for the reminder

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Trez,

Ug...ek...oh..must resist reply...

quote:

Here are the caches that I need to address and will take care of one way or another:
Micro Mission #1
Micro Mission #2
Micro Mission #3
Lunch Break # 10 Woodside déjà vu

I went ahead and rearchived the 3 micro mission caches. I thought it was best to start over since My original plan to ressurrect the Micro Mission series fell apart.

I did however put a new cache in the area of MM 1. So I archived 3 planted 1. Tomorrow I hope to replant woodside and Mine will all be cleaned up.

Thanks Trez for updating yours. Every little bit helps. By the way which ones did you archive?

OK I have repaired, replaced, moved and then re-enabled woodside Lunchbreak #10. All my stuff is up and ready.

I will be picking up an ammo can tomorrow on my journeys. I have contacted The owner of Glorious Warrior and Offered my assistance to get that cache up and running again. I still haven't heard from Jonsai about enordilap. I have made him the same offer. If anybody knows him or nows how to get a hold of him please pass on the message.

Thanks.

Thanx, Slay ... this brings up a good topic. And she defined the term Geolitter, Ken, so no comments about lame caches being litter - .
I am going to Va in 4 weeks and started looking at available caches in the Smith Lake area. There were a few caches that have been 'hanging' for awhile, as well as one that is clearly in a No Trespassing area at the dam, placed by someone from Ga. I posted a note for maintenance/archive for them. I have used the 'button' before, but got scolded for pressing the button on quite a few in the S. Louisiana area (after Katrina). Now I try to use the Maintenance button first and contact the owne. If I get no response in 7 days, I hit the Archive button. And I always check the 'Is Active" button when creating my PQ's. This eliminates those that are not available for whatever reason.
I guess since I haven't been able to get out much lately, I have too much free time at the computer. So for all of us 'Locals' ... it's time to do some maintenance. Our fingers are on the 'Button'.

Thanks for starting this thread, Slay.

I am guilty of leaving two caches "temporarily disabled" for waaaaaay too long. I have archived the listings as of this morning, and will be pulling the physical remains this week if all goes well.

Life has gotten busy, but I should have taken the time to clear up these items before now.

Thanks again for the prompt for us to police ourselves and make room for fresh caches to be placed.

Regards,

- Mark (S-4-C)

Hey Mark...
If you need any assistance pulling those caches, give me a shout.

Thanks Slay,

I expect to have the cans pulled this week. I'm already working out a plan to get assistance if life throws some curves, but I'm waiting to get an email before working on another alternative.

This may throw the discussion off-topic a little, but it's too perfect a segue...

Is it appropriate, as a cache owner, to allow logging of a smiley for retrieving an archived cache, as long as the cacher hasn't logged that cache earlier *AND* has prior approval from the owner? What's the consensus?

It's your cache, S-4-C. If someone is pulling it for you, they still have to find it first before they can remove it. I don't see a problem with it. Wish I was over in that area to help with the removal since I never finished it, either

Then again, there is always a chance for v2 in the future

T1

quote:

Originally posted by Thorny1:
... Then again, there is always a chance for v2 in the future

T1

I'm currently working on a (hopefully) worthy replacement for this cache. All of the plans have been worked out, but it's gonna take a few months to work out the details.

The good news is that there won't be nearly so much driving involved. The bad news, on the other hand, is that there's going to be a few puzzles to be worked out.

Now I'm going to put my gun away, return to my seat, and pretend that I didn't just hijack this thread.

S-4-C

quote:

Is it appropriate, as a cache owner, to allow logging of a smiley for retrieving an archived cache, as long as the cacher hasn't logged that cache earlier *AND* has prior approval from the owner? What's the consensus?

It's your cache you can approve or not. It's up to you what you think appropriate and right.