quote:

Originally posted by ~erik~:
One negative aspect of those who log caches they haven't found it that it may lead others to hunt for a cache that is gone, or has bad coords, thinking that if someone recently found it then it must be there. People can get hurt that way, or if nothing else then they can waste their time. Once we loose that time we can never get it back.

That has never bothered me. I guess because the 5th geocache I went out was missing. I know it was missing because when I found what I was pretty sure was the correct spot I took a picture. When I got back I checked it against a spoiler picture and it matched. Well except for the fact the spoiler picture had an ammo box in it and mine didn't. It was too close to the trail and I am sure a mundane found it. That made me realize even it the last found log is completely legit and the finders put it back exactly as they found it, it may be gone by the time the next hunter shows up. This is just a fact in geocaching.

But the fact it may be gone doesn't bother me, because then as now I never go after a geocache where the only pleasure is finding the geocache. If I don't find it for any reason, I should have had one or more of the following: a nice walk, a scenic view, good company, the fun of using a gps (yes I still think they are cool). Now if it is there, I get to read the logbook, look through the SWAG and sign it.

Now if it was a multi, I probably would have seen several places, if it was a puzzle, I got the fun of solving it, some times by myself, sometime as a member group. Now if I hide a multi or puzzle I would like the finders to have the same fun. But if they blatantly post, that they short circuited it by getting the coords of the puzzle cache or final stage from someone else I would prefer having the option of deleting the log. Now if they don't post that fact or talk about it, I will never know and of course their log will stay.

The Groundspeak Weekly Newsletter today has a reminder about the ALR:

A Reminder about Additional Logging Requirements

The Geocaching Guidelines were changed in April 2009 to remove Additional Logging Requirements (ALRs) from all physical caches – such as taking a photo at the cache site or answering a question in your log. These actions should now be considered optional tasks. Geocaches can be logged online as Found once the physical log has been signed.

We have given cache owners a few months since this guideline change to update cache listings. Going forward, reviewers will check on caches that still have ALRs and will contact the cache owner to ask that the description be modified. If you own a cache that still has an ALR please review the Guidelines to learn how to remove or change your requirements.

Does this mean that ALRs, indicating proof of being physically on the site of the cache, need to removed now? Or are we in GA going to not be policed?

quote:

Originally posted by JMTBuzz:
...
Does this mean that ALRs, indicating proof of being physically on the site of the cache, need to removed now? Or are we in GA going to not be policed?

A signature on the cache's physical log is proof of being physically on the site.

Submitting photos with or in support of a "found it" log can be an optional activity, but a "found it" log may not be deleted by a cache owner if the photo is not submitted.

There was no exception granted for Georgia or any other location. Sorry.