You've looked up a cache listing, read the cache description, followed your GPS, and located the container.
You found a cache! Congrats!
....now what?
To log a physical cache, there are 2 steps that MUST be followed.
1. Sign the log included in the container.
2. Log in to Geocaching.com and post a log to the cache's listing.
Sounds easy enough, right?
A few things to remember:
-ALWAYS BRING SOMETHING TO SIGN YOUR NAME ON THE LOGBOOK.
Pen, pencil, marker, rubber stamp, whatever you choose. Saying "I didn't have a pen" can result in your online log being deleted.
-WRITE SOMETHING WORTHWHILE IN YOUR ONLINE LOG.
Your log is essentially an email that is sent to the cache owner (CO). Posting "TFTC" (Thanks For The Cache) on a difficult cache is like a slap in the face.
Some tips for writing a good log:
•Tell your story, if there is one. Maybe you explored a part of the area you've never been in before. Maybe you encountered some wildlife. Maybe you drove right up to the cache and were able to sign the cache without even leaving your car. It doesn't have to be an essay, but if you experienced something cool, let others know about it.
•Report the condition of the cache. Is the container in good condition? Is the log wet? Is it missing? Let the CO know, so they can take care of any issues.
If you don't find the entire container, and can't sign the log as a result, log as Did Not Find (DNF). DNF logs are not a badge of shame; they are actually vital to geocaching, as they alert the CO that there may be a problem with the cache. Finding pieces of a destroyed cache should be logged as "Needs Maintenance," not "Found It."
•Avoid spoilers. Don't give any extra details or hints about where the cache is, or what seekers might be looking for. That's the CO's responsibility, and they usually put a lot of thought into what they reveal in the cache's description. If you decide to take pictures of your caching adventures, please avoid posting any photos that may provide spoilers of the cache's appearance hiding spot.
•One rule of thumb that some cachers use: The length and detail of the log is determined by the difficulty and thought of the placement. A quick "Park and Grab" (PnG) often results in a short log, while a long hike and search or unique cache might result in a play-by-play account.
Some examples of bad logs:
•" " (Yes, some people post nothing. This is a huge insult to the CO.)
•"tftc" (Put a little thought into it!)
•"Found it!" (well, duh.)
Some examples of good logs:
•"Quickly found while out with kc9gbo. Cache in great shape. TFTC!"
•"HIking in Hixon today, exploring a trail I've never been on before. After searching for a few mintues, I spotted the cache in a great hiding spot. Signed the log and moved on. Thanks for bringing me here!"
•"What a view! We took in the sunset over the river after signing the log. Then the skeeters were eating us alive, so we practically ran back to the car. TFTC!"
Cache is a larger camo-taped peanut butter jar in the hollow of a tree branch just off the trail. Should be pretty easy to find. Make sure to write down the number written on the lid of the jar; you'll need it for the final exam.
To pass Lesson 1, make sure you sign your name on the cache's log and write an appropriate online log.
Experienced Cachers: Feel free to add an example of a good log submitted to a cache you own, or to just rant about how much you despise bad logs.
The Geocache Notification Form has been submitted to Jayne Collins of the Wisconsin DNR. Geocaches placed on Wisconsin Department of Natural Resource managed lands require permission by means of a notification form. Please print out a paper copy of the notification form, fill in all required information, then submit it to the land manager. The DNR Notification form and land manager information can be obtained at: http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/parks/findapark.html