My thoughts on Munzees

2012-02-01T18:46:00.001-06:00

I just wanted to post my views on Munzees. I'll make it short and sweet. Basically it's a lazy version of geocaching. You find a container containing a QR code and scan it with the Munzee app on your smartphone. That's it. You don't even need to write a log though that option is available.

The one bad thing about Munzees is that they don't seem to have placement rules like geocaching does. In geocaching, the rule is that caches have to be at least 528 feet apart. Munzees just have to be 150 feet apart. However, there is nothing that prevents Munzees and Geocaches from being practically next to each other. I found one Munzee that was just 30 feet away from a geocache that I previously found and that can pose a problem, especially for newbies. Some may not be able to tell the difference between the two.

Another thing about Munzees - there is no difficulty level or terrain level listed on the page of each munzee. A player has no idea what he is looking for when he gets there. At least with a geocache page, a D/T is listed as well as a cache description, size, and hints.

Munzees are not my thing. Probably never will be, but at the moment, I'm looking for local munzees in my area so I am aware of their locations when I decide to place a cache in the future. I have no intentions of putting a cache near a munzee that is already there. I also will make sure if a munzee is placed near my cache, I'll be sure to make an adjustment by either moving my cache a few feet away from the Munzee or if that's not possible, make sure my cache container does not look like that of the nearby Munzee's. This will reduce any chances of confusement.

Overall my thoughts on Munzees is that I feel it is just a passing fad and will eventually die with time as not everyone has a smartphone.

Types of caches I won't do

2012-01-21T13:44:00.001-06:00

I decided to start blogging again about my geocaching adventures.

Today I wanted to re-write about types of caches that I won't do for the most part. I'll talk about cache types as well as cache locations, sizes, etc. I wrote about this in my previous blog, which has since been deleted. I decided to write about this again.

Let's start with cache types. Of my 990 total finds as of today, 900 of them are traditional caches. Just 36 are puzzle finds and 32 are multi caches. The rest are rare caches like events, virtuals, letterboxes, earthcaches and wherigos. I won't get into those right now as I want to discuss puzzles and multi-caches.

Let's start with puzzles. Of my 36 puzzle finds, I estimate about 75% or so are field solves, meaning I gather information off a marker and go to find the final. The other 25% are solved at home. And those were the easy ones like Sudoku puzzles, simple internet searches, etc.

I'm not about to waste my time trying to solve most of the puzzles listed on the geocaching website as most of them make me go ...

Fuck that. I would rather just grab my GPS and go out the door and go find the caches instead of sitting at my computer and going...

If a puzzle is simple enough, yeah, I'll give it a shot. Otherwise, no. Anytime I download a pocket query, I filter out the blue question marks. Areas like Green Bay and Appleton are so saturated with those, it is not even funny. I'll discuss that in a future post another day. Right now, for me, puzzles are just not fun.

Another type of cache that I try to avoid for the most part are multi-caches. I find one stage that contains the coordinates to the next stage or the final. Those are actually less common than puzzles and I really don't mind doing multi's. The problem with multi's is that I have no idea where the next stage is until I find the first way point. Some multi's require the cacher to drive across town for the next stage. Hell, some stages are across the country. I make sure to read the page before I attempt the cache. If the multi is along the same trail, sure I'll do it. But if I have to go out of my way to get it, I might put the coords in my GPS to attempt the final another time or I'll just ignore it.

When I first started geocaching three years ago, I had a pocket PC with a bluetooth GPSr. The software I was using to cache made it a little difficult to enter manual waypoints. So I avoided multis because of that. Entering multis on my current GPSr, a Garmin ETrex Venture HC, is so much easier. I can enter coords in seconds and off I go. But as I have said, I have no idea where the next stage will take me.

Maybe someday I'll go on a run focusing solely on multi's, but for the most part, I generally avoid those.

Now let's talk about locations when geocaching.

Cemeteries - For the most part, I avoid cemeteries with the exception of Sweetlife's WSQ caches. I just don't think cemeteries should be a geocaching playground. A cache should not be placed in a cemetery just for the sake of placing a cache in a cemetery. With Sweetlife's series, most of them are either just off the grounds or very easy finds. I can grab and go and not attract attention and still take the time to look at some markers.

But when I have to hunt and hunt for a bison tube in a pine tree next to several markers, that's where the problem lies. I should not have to search for a cemetery cache and I especially should not have to do so next to a marker. Hell, there was one in Manitowoc that has a micro in a pine tree - with 4 gravestones surrounding it. I walked away from that one without attempting to find it.

Cemetery caches is a touchy issue and I believe geocaches in cemeteries are banned in one state if not more. I cache in cemeteries with discretion. If GZ is next to markers or appears to be tough to find, I walk away.

Roundabouts - I have never attempted roundabout caches for the simple fact that it is unsafe and in a super high muggle area. One has to cross the street to get to the middle of the roundabout then try and find the cache while dozens of cars are circling the roundabout wondering why that moron is in the middle of the roundabout looking for something. Personally I feel roundabout caches should be banned, Thankfully I've only had to encounter one such cache and I just drove by it without stopping.

Intersections and roadside - Most intersection and roadside caches should be easy to find IMO despite the muggle factor. I found a magnetic keyholder under a park bench once in a high muggle area. All I had to do was sit, bend down like I was tying my shoe, and retrieve the container. But if is something I have to search for, I won't bother. I feel like 1000 eyes are watching me if I attempt to search. Based on the D-rating, I'll either attempt it or avoid it. I obviously won't try D3-D5 caches in a high muggle area and I'll at least make a half assed effort in D1-D2 caches to determine if it is something I can still find despite the muggle factor,

There was one cache in Gillett hidden inside a bush - at the side of a highway with several cars going by. I did the half assed effort thing and determined I would have to do a real search there in order to find the cache. With dozens of cars going past me, I decided against it and just walked away. I didn't even log the DNF.

Pine Tree micros - Whether in the city or in the woods, pine tree micros are tough. But it is even tougher when there is a row of several pine trees standing next to each other and with the typical GPSr having an accuracy of about 30 feet, it could be in any one of them. If I had a team with me, I might still make the attempt. But looking for a micro in 5 pine trees is like looking for a needle in a haystack. Fuck that. I just walk away from that too. I'll still attempt single pine trees though - within reason.

To sum it up, everyone plays the game their own way. I play mine and I just wrote about it. How do you play yours? Feel free to comment below.

Adventures of a Deaf Geocacher

My thoughts on Munzees

Types of caches I won't do