Here are the steps,
- First of all,5a great title is
key. The title of a cache page should be snappy and grab your
attention. Often the title of the cache is the initial inspiration
for a hide. Clever names can also contain clues for where or how a
cache might be hidden. Sometimes, it will simply reflect what's in
the area. Either way a good cache name can go a long way toward
setting the tone of your cache.
- Then, you have to decide what size cache you want to place.
There are a lot of options. Everywhere from a Micro (like a bison
tube - size 1) up to a Large (a bucket for example - Size 4). There
are also Sizes for "unknown", or "not chosen" but for purposes of
our discussion, we'll refer to the more traditional types of cache
sizes.
- Next, some thought could be given to including images in a
cache page. These can be images found on the web, or photos taken
on site. Photos and graphics help spruce up a cache page and make
it a bit more fun.
- It is always a good idea to include attributes on your cache
page. Attributes help cachers anticipate what they might find when
they get to the cache. For example, will they have to find parking?
Wil lthere be water? Is the cache kid-friendly? That sort of
information can take a lot of the guess work out of a caching
excursion.
- On that same topic, it's often a good idea to include
Additional Waypoints on your cache page. THese waypoints can
reflect just about anything - Parking, Water, Trailheads that might
not be obvious when viewed on a map or satellit image.
- Next it's very important to select the appropriate terrain
rating for the cache. Terrain reflects the type of hiking a cacher
will be doing. They also help suggest whether a cache might have to
climb, swim, or participate in other activities where it would be
wise to have someone along with them.
- Difficulty rating also help give cachers an idea about what to
expect. Difficulty can be based on the hide itself, the difficulty
of a puzzle needed to gain the coordinates, or both. It's important
to take things like this into consideration when planning your day.
Higher difficulty probably means more time spent on the
cache.
- Once you have determined all these attributes, you may then
delve into the cache page itself. And there are a few things to
know before hand! Geocaching pages can accept HTML code in
order to make their cache pages pop! For example on this cache page
I have utilized very basic code to insert a bulleted list. But the
possibilities extend far beyond that. Google is full of great
resources for helping learn basic HTML code that can go a long
way.
- In the cache description, you have two fields to fill in. THe
first is called the "Short Description" This can serve a sort of
summary for the cache itself. The uses are limited only to the
imagination, but some folks use it to post initial important
information (such as "The cache is not at the posted coordinates")
or other messages. There is a character limit in this
field.
- The "Long Description" is generally where the "meat" of the
cache page goes. This can include everything about the cache
itself, its history, etc. There is no character limit in the long
description.
- The "Hidden by" section is significant because it allows you to
change the name of the person displayed. A lot of folks will use
this to indicate more than one hider, or some will use it, as I did
on this page, to create a sort of pseudonym appropriate to the
cache page. The sky is the limit.
- If you wish, you also have the option of adding an additional
background to the cache page. Maybe something relevant to the cache
itself.
- Finally, You may add a hint to the cache page if you wish. A
hint can be anything from a vague suggestion as to where the cache
is, to a more direct "here's where it is" approach. It's entirely
up to you, the Cache owner to decide how much (if any) information
you want to give out.
So there ya have it! Everything you ever wanted to know about
how to write a cache page, but were afraid to ask. I hope you
learned a lot about it and I hope this helps you in the future.
Just remember, the single more important aspect of ANY cache is
coordinate accuracy. Accurate coordinates are also a must. Of
course, I have given you those too. Happy hunting!
You can check your answers for this puzzle on
Geochecker.com.