Frequently Asked Questions
And hopefully some NSFAQ - Not So Frequently Asked Questions
Official Geocaching.com FAQ on travel bugs
Official Geocaching.com FAQ on geocoins
Q&A: via Forums (thanks Eartha) and Questions I have been asked
Bonus TIPS below as well
(Italics my own experience/opinion)
1. Is it okay to start my trackable in my own cache?
Yes, any cache at all.
If it is in an official race; rules may vary.
2. Is it okay to revisit a cache to pick up a trackable?
Absolutely, as long as you can help it move towards its goal or just want to discover it.
Just post a note to the cache page instead of a found log.
3. How long can I hold onto a trackable?
Two weeks is the suggested maximum.
If you have it longer, it is common courtesy to email the owner and update them on its status.
If you can specifically help its mission, but not right away... ask the owner what they'd like you to do.
4. How long should I wait before contacting someone holding my trackable?
Wait at least three weeks, and always be friendly. Nothing gets a trackable thrown out faster than a nasty email.
A gentle reminder goes a long way! Some cachers may not cache as often as you do. Or they could be waiting
for a cache large enough/safe enough to leave it.
5. What do you do when someone steals your trackable?
Unfortunately, this happens... never release something you don't expect to go missing.
It may have been muggled, stolen, or something happened to the cache like a fire, flood, tornado, etc...
You may release a PROXY if you are SURE it is gone. It if happens to pop up again, sometimes years later, message the
person who has the proxy and ask them to toss it in the trash so there aren't two travelling.
6. Do I have to trade when I take a trackable?
No! They are meant to travel and are not SWAG/trade items.
My personal opinion, if you are trading - trade away. If you are only picking up, be modest with the amount.
Don't take eight trackables without leaving any. Discovery is a great option instead of picking up in this case.
7. What is retrieve/drop/grab/discover/dip or visit?
Retrieve is for retrieving it from the cache it is logged into.
Drop is for dropping it into the cache you leave it in.
Grab is for grabbing a trackable not logged into the cache you found it in.
Discover is for discovering the trackable at an event, or in a cache, but not taking it.
Dip/Visit is when a trackable gets mileage from caches you find while it is in your possession without dropping it.
8. Speaking of grab, what if the trackable is not logged into the cache I found it in?
Not everyone logs in the field or even right away if they are on vacation.
I usually give whoever dropped it a day or two to do so. If they haven't, or forgot, I will grab the trackable.
I will also dip it in the cache where I picked it up so the mileage is accurate.
9. Why should I "discover" trackables?
I can think of three reasons.
1. It lets the trackable owner know that it is still in play.
2. You may need discoveries for a challenge cache.
3. It will add to your discovery count and/or add a cool new icon as well.
10. Why do I get a message saying "Tracking Number Doesn't Match" when I type the code in?
Most likely the number was entered wrong. Check 1 for I, 0 for O, 5 for S, 8 for B, etc...
With the exception of the prefix (first 2 digits), it will never be O (oh), but 0 (zero).
Also, it will never be I (eye), but 1 (one).
From my experience, I could be wrong.
11. How do I mark a trackable as missing?
We all know how frustrating it is to find a cache that "has" trackables and they are not there!
Only the cache owner and trackable owner can mark it as missing, so let them both know you didn't see it there.
If you own the cache, you can use the "Mark As Missing" option on the trackable page.
If it shows up again, a simple "Grabbing" can get it back into play.
12. Is it okay to mark trackables as "Visited" when I log caches?
This can be a touchy topic. Some trackable owners don't like a lot of visited logs; some don't mind.
I would do it unless the trackable page specifically asks you not to.
I always mark them as visited until I drop them. So far, only one grumpy owner has complained.
13. My trackable has completed its goal, now what?
You can give it a new goal, but do not delete any of its history. That can create some anger from deleted logs.
When mine complete their goals, I change their goal to return home.
14. Can I release multiple items with the same code?
At the same time, NO. This will really mess up drops and retrievals with multiples out there.
It is OK if you need to release a proxy after the original has gone missing.
15. Should trackables be placed in remote/seldom visited caches?
If their mission requests it, YES! If they are in a race, NO!
You can always ask the owner before doing so if you are unsure.
16. Should I add a travel buddy to my trackable?
I have noticed you need to find a perfect balance...
Make it interesting enough people want to move it, but not so cool they want to keep it.
17. Can I discover trackables online?
In the past, this would get a trackable locked on geocaching.com.
It is okay now, IF the owner is the one sharing the code.
You cannot share a trackable's code online if you do not own it or have permission.
Always cover the code when sharing trackable photos online.
18. Can I share a printed list of trackable codes at an event?
If you own those trackables, go for it! I like people to at least look at them before discovering,
but to each his own on this topic.
19. How can I help prevent trackables from going missing?
Placing them in premium caches gives it better odds that the finder knows what to do with them.
Also, if the mission allows, in remote/seldom visited caches.
If dropping at an event, hand it off to someone instead of leaving it on a table.
Some cachers will drill a hole in their geocoin to discourage collectors from keeping them.
20. Can I discover my own trackables?
Yes, you can discover it all day, every day. However, it will never add the icon/count to your discoveries
unless you adopt it to someone else. Then it will move from the owned to discovered column on your profile.
21. If a person logs my trackable using a date prior to the date the trackable was activated,
does that create a giant paradox, destroying the very fabric of the entire universe, or
is the damage more localized to just our own Milky Way Galaxy?
Depending on how far apart the dates are, it should only affect the Caleston Rift.
Too much could also disrupt the Galactic Core... we don't want that!
TIPS
c:geo & trackables TIP
In c:geo, the trackables page will show you how long it has been logged in the cache.
This will help you decide the odds of it actually being there.
Trackable Mission TIP
Putting the mission with the trackable will help cachers know
if they want to take it without having to go online.
Example: I had a coin land within 30 miles of its goal, but then it was taken over 800 miles
in the wrong direction by someone who didn't check the mission first.
Proxies
The nicer the proxy; the better it travels.
If it is too small or has no attachments, it may be overlooked.
Make sure the tracking code is large enough, and it is noticeably marked as a trackable.
I hope you enjoyed!
This tutorial has been brought to you by animjason