Tuesday, October 2, 2012

How Waterproof Are Your Geocache Hides?

Lock N Lock Geocache Container
There is a very popular saying in Geocaching and it goes something like this: "I use a multi-billion dollar satellite system to find Tupperware in the woods.", and the cool thing is its true. Oh sure Tupperware may not be as popular as in years past though we do traditionally hunt for containers hidden all over this great big planet of ours. In fact, after finding the perfect Geocaching hiding spot and getting permission to place it there, the most important aspect of any Geocache hide is the container itself. With that being said the most important aspect of that container to you is how waterproof it is overall. In other words, how well does it keep the elements out plus how well does it stand up to those very same elements over time?

Anyone can get a cheap Glad transport container, fill it with swag and a logbook then place it somewhere. Yet after a day or two the flimsy plastic warps and the seal gives way to an afternoon shower. What good is that now newly placed Geocache of goo? What do you think the next geocacher is going to think of your hide? I am thinking not very well.  You don't want that right?

Save yourself some unwanted nasty logs and a quick replacement by following some of ole HeadHardHat's suggestions:

- Understand the environment you are placing the Geocache. If your area has wet seasons you need more heavy duty containers with very good seals. 
- If you have extremes with heat and cold remember that plastic warps and can become brittle depending on the outside temps. Make sure your container can handle it.
- If you are not sure how waterproof your container is then do the 'Dunk Test'.  Get a water fillable container that can allow your Geocache to be placed into it and be completely submerged. Then do just that. Fill the larger container with water and then close your Geocache. Hold it under water for at least five to ten minutes. Pull your Geocache out, dry off and then open it. Any water inside? If your container is not going to hold up to this simple test then you need to find another one.

Follow these basic suggestions and you will have a class act of a Geocache to hide. Don't and the logs that get sent your way may not be what you are expecting!

See you out on the trails,

Andy Headhardhat Smith


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2 comments:

  1. Well said, geocaching placement seems to have a huge learning curve. Although the effort of newbies running out to contribute to the game is appreciated, perhaps it will take a few trips out to replace caches before users will learn for themselves what does work, and what doesn't.

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  2. Thanks a lot Andy, for helpful suggestion. I'm glad to learn such tricky lessons. To have a interesting hide and seeks I'm looking forward to utilize these suggestions nicely.

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