Tips
On this page we provide some simple tips on using some of our products.
Applying the Camo
Geocache Labels
Preparing your Geocache Micros
Inserting a note into a Magnetic Nano Geocache
Hiding a Magnetic Micro/Nano Geocache
Preparing a Geocache
Choosing a Location for your Geocache
Geocache Maintenance
Setting a Nightcache
Finding a Nightcache
Applying the Camo
Geocache Labels - Top
1. Our camo labels can be moistened with water to make them easier
to apply for a smooth finish. Simply wet the adhesive side of
the label and gently sponge over the front to push out any air
bubbles. The applied labels should then be gently dried to achieve
a nice finish.
2. To remove any trapped bubbles, prick with a pin and push out
the air/water with your fingers
3. To apply the micro label accurately onto a 35mm film pot, align
the centre of the label's lower edge with the bottom edge of the
film canister first. Then slowly stroke the label onto the film
pot around both sides.
We have found our labels work best with the shiner/smooth surface film canisters. If yours are textured, the labels may not adhere as well. To help this, use a little sticky tape to hold the ends of the label in place.
Preparing your Geocache Micros - Top
1. Always remember to write the name or waypoint of your cache
onto the Camo Geocache labels. This allows them to be referenced
back to an owner via the geocaching.com website.
2. Make sure small stubby pencils have a bright colour so they
do not get lost in the long grass if they are dropped!
3. Keep micro logs rolled up with small elastic bands to give
more space in film pots for other small objects.
4. To ensure a grey top film pot is water-tight, check the lid
is properly pushed down on all sides.
5. Try to hide a micro in a standing-up position and away from
exposure to rain to prolong its life.
Inserting a note into a Magnetic Nano Geocache - Top
1. Use a strip of paper that is no more than 6mm wide. If
you do use a wider strip, then fold along its length to reduce
its width.
2. Fold down one end to create a pull-tab
3. Carefully roll up the entire strip tightly
 
4. Insert the rolled note into the top half of
the Magnetic Nano cache
5. Screw back onto its magnetic base
Hiding a Magnetic Micro/Nano Geocache - Top
Although magnetic caches are extremely versatile and have more
hiding options than a normal cache, the following tips are still
useful to bear in mind.
1. Avoid placing in areas where they may be brushed off by movement
of people or animals
2. Do not place in areas where if they are dropped can become
a hazard or cannot be retrieved, e.g. on the underside of a bridge/gantry.
3. For obvious reasons, do not carry your magnetic geocache near
your credit cards.
Preparing a Geocache
1. Whatever container you choose, make sure it can keep its contents safe and dry. The best containers are the metal ammoboxes or the lockdown-lid plastic boxes found in most good kichenware/home shops. If in doubt, use resealable bags to keep contents dry and moisture out, throw in a few silica gel sachets to help this.
2. Clearly mark the container to indicate its purpose. Fill in one of our geocache labels and stick on the front of the container, or write on the details using a good quality permanent marker pen.
3. It is essential that a logbook is placed in the cache. Cachers do not always remember to bring a pen, so placing one in the cache is a good idea.
4. It is entirely optional what goodies you place in the cache to offer as swap items for finders. Generally make sure they are of a good quality and of some interest to finders. Do not include anything that is old, broken or boring!
5. The person who finds your cache first deserves some recognition for their efforts. Add a special item that can be kept as a reward for their efforts. A FTF certificate is a great item to include to mark their achievement, giving details of the cache and authenticated using your signature.
6. Trackables (travel bugs and geocoins) are great items to add as they can attract the attention of geocachers who want to move them on.
Choosing a Location for your Geocache - Top
The location for your geocache is very important because it should be interesting and pleasant for people to visit. It needs to be situated in a spot where it cannot be found by accident, but not impossible to find. In UK geocachers have the benefit of many different terrains and environments to choose from so there should be something to suit for everyone. Always consider the types of places where you would enjoy visiting yourself, this is far more important using a location that simply offers a good hiding spot.
Remember, people will spend time and money travelling to look for your geocache, so make sure you make it worth their while!
Geocache Maintenance - Top
Maintenance visits are essential to keep your cache in top condition for new finders. The frequency of these trips depend on how often your cache gets visited. Cache contents will need clearing or replacing and problems fixed.
If there are regular visitors, read the find logs to note any problems they report so you know what to take when you check your cache. Take a spare container if the original is leaking, add a few sachets of silica gel to keep the contents dry, add a new pen if the original one has gone missing, and apply proper markings or a label if the cache has been found by accident in the past. Don't forget to record your maintenance visit on Geocaching.com, as visitors will appreciate a well looked after cache.
Setting a Nightcache - Top
Nightcaches are one of the most exciting types of caches to set but require careful consideration and preparation. You need to think about what visitors will have to go through to seek your cache in the dark, and be sure everything has been done in such a way that ensures their safety. Even the easiest routes in the day can prove tricky at night, so make sure you try out your cache properly in the dark first before publishing.
1. Be careful to avoid any hazards that are obvious at day but are difficult to spot at night. These may include wire fences, ditches, mud spots, low hanging branches.
2. Position the reflective Nightcaching Waymarkers in spots that are not easily seen during the day. These could include locations above head height, tucked in the join of two branches of a tree, or fixed in an exposed hole of a log beside a path.
3. Make sure each marker is firmly fixed in place. If in doubt, place two markers for the same location so that if one gets knocked off by a swinging branch or falls out due to the wood swelling or cracking then the other will still be in place to guide potential cachers.
4. Position each reflective marker so it faces the direction that the visitors will approach from. This will help maximise the light that gets reflected back.
5. Do not forget that visitors will also need to find their way out after finding your cache. Help them by placing reflective markers facing the opposite direction for each marked location. Alternatively, create a circular trail so visitors follow a different route back to their starting point.
6. Use coloured reflective markers to indicate halfway points or the final leg of the trail. Alternatively, position a number of reflective markers, e.g. one above another, to mark any location of significance such as the reaching the target spot.
Finding a Nightcache - Top
1. Most important, bring a geocaching partner!
2. Take everything you need to stay warm and safe when finding a cache at night. This includes a powerful torch/flashlight plus a spare and spare batteries, warm clothes, mobile phone, printed cache details (a useful alibi proof in case of muggle questioning), a watch, map of the local area and bag with strong fastenings to avoid items being lost.
3. Have plenty of time to find the cache. Do not underestimate how much more difficult it can be to find a cache in the dark.
4. It is useful to set your GPSR to track your route in case you need to rely on it to get you back out of the area.
5. Look above AND below your eye level when travelling in the dark so you do not walk into low branches or fall into ditches.
6. When you are looking for the next reflective waymarker, hold the torch/flashlight beside your head at the same level as your eyes. Light reflects back from the Nightcaching Waymarkers at exactly the same angle as they are received. Holding the light source as close to your eyes as possible will give the brightest reflected light.
7. Always check the ground carefully before you leave a cache site in case you have dropped anything.
8. Remember, there are many animals that like to venture out at night. So if you see a pair of reflected light dots, check they do not belong to something first before heading towards it! :)
Tips may not
be reproduced without expressed written permission from Box64.com.
|
