Comments on: Geocaching Bomb Scare -or- Smart Geocaching

By: Josh W

Josh W — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 22:11:48 +0000

One of my geocaches “Hidden Deep” was blown up by my local bomb squad. Thankfully no charges were filed against me.

By: admin

admin — Wed, 05 May 2010 21:43:44 +0000

lol good points there, Andy. However, I think the “alarmists” are muggles who obviously don’t know anything about Geocaching, which is where the issue stems from.

You’re right, just use common sense and have fun.

By: Andy Grant (we4grants)

Andy Grant (we4grants) — Wed, 05 May 2010 21:35:41 +0000

You know, I’ve only been caching for three years, but GIVE ME A BREAK.

1) Clearly label caches if they are remotely in the open.
2) Use common sense when hiding
3) As a rule, I always check with the local authorities when I’m hiding outside of my area, and make sure to let them know about GC. Besides, aren’t we only supposed to hide within 25miles of home or if we have a partner cacher who lives there and can maintain?
4) Screw the terrorists. I refuse to let some dumb a$$ who bastardizes his own dogma to fit his purposes ruin my fun.

Yes, we have to be safe. Yes, we have to use common sense. Yes, we have to follow the rules. But please, would the alarmists go find another sport or hobby?

I may not always agree with GC Rules and GC Reviewers. Our local reviewer here in Colorado sometimes has a bit of a deity complex, but that’s OK. Keep it simple, and leave the drama for your mama.

Sgt. Rick Martinez makes a good point, but somebody should have educated Anaheim police a LONG TIME AGO. There are 470 caches within 5 miles of Anaheim; over 3,000 within 15 miles.

Geocaching can be a fun, family sport. Let’s remember why we cache in the first place.

By: mojave_rattler

mojave_rattler — Tue, 04 May 2010 20:22:07 +0000

There was an incident like this a few years ago here in southern Nevada to include the local police, fire department, and bomb squad. It lasted a good 3 or 4 hours before they determined the container was a geocache. I don’t place very many urban caches so I don’t have to worry as much about my caches being considered as a possible bomb threat.

By: emily preece

emily preece — Tue, 04 May 2010 20:18:23 +0000

I didn’t think you were complaining, either! All the points you brought up were valid and need to be reiterated every so often.

Hey, Josh — in additon to your “free” caching logs that we can download and print, how about creating a sheet that we can download and cut up into “business-card” sized “Introduction to Geocaching” ?…… We could then print them out on card stock, cut them up and carry them around to hand to muggles when we bump up against them.

Just an idea..

By: serf050505

serf050505 — Tue, 04 May 2010 19:49:00 +0000

I always carry around information sheets that explain exactly what I am doing, what I am looking for and if they are curious I show them how to play the game. I also point them to the website so they can get more information. This seems to help them understand and not be afraid or think I am nuts. I have also found that many begin to play and it keeps down on the muggles.

But I am from the south so that may make a difference?

By: Pamela

Pamela — Tue, 04 May 2010 19:03:46 +0000

I didn’t think you were complaining!

By: Guy

Guy — Tue, 04 May 2010 17:23:11 +0000

With the sate of affairs in the USA, are they on high alert or paranoid, blowing up a geocache, having toy bunnies, charred and smoking doing summersaults, these are the stories the bad guy’s want to hear because it shows your country is scared.
Because of this, the guidelines in Canada for placing caches (which are reviewed by American reviewers – at least in B.C.)we have the same restrictions, but not the same threat level, we are getting caches rejected that would not be a problem here, because even the reviewers are paranoid, and when they turn your cache they quote incidents in the USA!!!, I am not in the freaken USA!!!

If you place an ammo tin beside a tree in the family court carpark, yes, expect it to get blown up, McToys and fluffy bunnys strewn. People are paranoid because they are uneducated, how do we educate them?, force them to watch splinterheads, but more importantly if you have a cache that could be mistaken to be a bome, well if it is beside a trail miles from anywhere, chances are it wont get blown up, if it is a nano near a public building, chances are it won’t get blown up, and MARK THE DAMN THING CLEARLY, Muggles doesn’t know, muggles is scared. Muggles has it drummed into him/her to report anything suspicious, don’t let muggles get into a position where he will call 911, easy EH!

By: admin

admin — Tue, 04 May 2010 16:57:29 +0000

I’m not complaining, Pamela. Not at all actually. This post was written to 1. let those people who haven’t heard about the recent bomb scare know about it and 2. provide a simple reminder to be stealthy.

Sorry if you took it as a complaint. Happy Caching.

By: Pamela

Pamela — Tue, 04 May 2010 16:52:39 +0000

I remember a long, long time ago when caching used to be fun… Now all I hear are cachers (mostly newbies) complain about where caches are hidden, private property rights, the lack of cache description (I don’t get this one – isn’t trying to find it the whole point?!)and so on.

There are many people in my area so afraid to even place a cache for fear of being bitched at by other players. Last time I checked, there are rules and regulations for everyone to read and follow. If the cache is approved by the reviewer just find it and be quiet about it. If you feel uncomfortable for any reason, move on to the next cache. Stop whining about it!

People placing caches should have common sense about high traffic areas. It’s SUPPOSED TO BE A CHALLENGE. Go there at night to find it if you can’t practice stealth during the day! For the most part, there will always be muggles – use your common sense! Carry cards that explain caching! Don’t look like some suspicious freak. Hiders – Identify your cache containers in case of suspicion! Is it really that difficult?

C’mon people. Stop taking the fun out of an incredibly enjoyable game!

Pamela aka skitpero