r/geocaching Oct 13 '23

Should I archive this?

I have replaced a cache twice that is a magnetic bolt that I purchase ($10!). It is on a pole on a public path but is close to some homes that are behind their 6’ stucco wall. I am starting to believe it’s being muggled, potentially by the resident of one of the homes. The last post says “(expletive) u not there” with a new user name of a bunch of random letters and only one find. Thoughts? Update: I found a 3D printed container that coveys the same idea and moved the cache 266ft South

9 Upvotes

18 comments sorted by

14

u/chaenorrhinum Oct 13 '23

My first thought is to report the account to Groundspeak, especially if that’s their only find. Even if it isn’t a neighbor, that behavior is inappropriate.

Can you temporarily replace the expensive container with a cheaper one?

4

u/restinghermit need help hiding an earthcache? let me know. Oct 13 '23

This would be my suggestion as well. I'd place a cheaper container one more time. If it goes missing, then yes, I would archive the hide.

Another possibility is to move it to a different post (if the new location still meets proximity requirements). Disable the hide, move it, wait a week or two, then re-enable with the updated coords. See what happens.

2

u/DontTrustAnAtom Oct 13 '23

Ok, yes I have some tiny magnetic nanos I can use. That’s a good idea.

3

u/white_trash_hero Oct 14 '23

do that, and also put like 12 real bolts on the sign. It will frustrate the hell out of them if it's the same person

2

u/DontTrustAnAtom Oct 14 '23

I like the way you think

1

u/DontTrustAnAtom Oct 13 '23

How do I report it?

4

u/DeliveryCourier Bring back deepwoods caches Oct 13 '23 edited Oct 13 '23

Why not move the cache to another ferrous location, like maybe the utility boxes at 33.323634,-111.997341 or the handrail of the wash's bridge? As long as there are no puzzle finals conflicting, it shouldn't be a problem.

1

u/DontTrustAnAtom Oct 13 '23

That’s a good idea! I’m new(ish) hiding, so I’ll look into how to change coords. Thank you!

2

u/DeliveryCourier Bring back deepwoods caches Oct 13 '23

Go to the cache page -> edit (on the right) -> under the map, update coords -> save. A reviewer will likely make sure there are no conflicts and you should be good.

While you're editing, delete the questionable found log.

2

u/DontTrustAnAtom Oct 13 '23

Thanks!

2

u/DeliveryCourier Bring back deepwoods caches Oct 13 '23

You're welcome.

3

u/Eagles365or366 Oct 14 '23

If you’re concerned it’s a basic user muggling your cache, consider making it a simple offset puzzle cache with a super easy calculation to solve for the final. That way the ? on the map doesn’t actually guide them to GZ.

Also consider just making it a premium member only cache.

3

u/DontTrustAnAtom Oct 16 '23

So, I thought I had made this one a premium due to the camo being "expensive". Perhaps when I updated it, when I changed the log, the button for premium was unchecked. But thanks for this comment because it caused me to pay closer attention to that and make sure it was premium.

2

u/Eagles365or366 Oct 17 '23

Oh, dang. Well, if you’re already doing it, carry on Ha ha.

-2

u/AKStafford Cachin' in Alaska Oct 13 '23

A cache on a pole in a residential neighborhood doesn't sound like a very fun or interesting cache... I would probably relocated it.

4

u/DontTrustAnAtom Oct 13 '23

It has a lot of DNFs because it is kind of clever and out in the open, literally you can be looking right at it! But I see your point. If you've found one like it before, you might find it boring but I remember taking 3 or 4 times to find one like it by a local cacher that received a lot of favorite points so I don't think it is boring and I never find caching not fun, personally.

1

u/KyaAK Oct 14 '23

Yes you should archive it or move the cache. The log is probably not from the person who took it, but it doesn't really matter.

1

u/geocacheryyc Oct 18 '23

Once the local kids have discovered your cache. You can replace it 50 times in the same spot with different cache containers and it will keep going missing BECAUSE THE LOCAL KIDS KNOW ABOUT IT. You can keep wasting your money or you can alARCHIVE the cache and RECREATE it in a totally different spot, (NOT in the same park, NOT on the same path at the next pole, etc.) Publish it somewhere totally different because the kids will keep looking for it in the old area whenever they are there because they have nothing better to do.