"A is for Attributes"

The RGV Geocachers meet every Thursday morning to share Geocaching stories, tips and tricks of the game as well as provide help with solving mystery/puzzle caches. Buying breakfast is always optional, but the fun and fellowship is a given.

We're meeting at the Country Omelette, 3420 N 10th St, McAllen, TX 78501 at 9:00 am **NOTE** the newest time change. Now that we're no longer avoiding a noisy exercise class nextdoor to the restaurant, we're returning to our original start time of 9:00 am. Hope everyone can join us.

I'm starting an alpha series of titles for our meet and greet that highlight a term used in Geocaching. Today's first event is: "A is for Attributes."

Attributes communicate what to expect at a cache location. Cache owners may identify attributes before submitting a cache listing for review. Identified attributes will appear on the right side of a cache listing page. See a full list HERE.

Attributes are those pesky and helpful add-on items assigned to our Geocache hides. Attributes may be either Positive or Negative.

There are SIX subcategories of attributes:

Permissions (9 options) (ex: Dogs Allowed / Not Allowed); Conditions (27 options) (ex: Scenic View Yes / No); Equipment (11 options) (ex: Climbing Gear Required / Not Requierd); Hazards (8 options) (ex: Ticks Present / Not Present); Facilities (11 options) (ex: Wheelchair accessible Yes / No); and Specials (4 options) (GeoTour Yes / No).

Most COs tend to ignore or just assign a few attributes; however, there are challenge caches that require finding "X" number of caches each with 15 (the maximum allowed to be assigned) attributes; or with "X number of caches with a specifice attribute such as "Motorcyles" allowed. Assigning attributes to your cache page is another way to help make the game safer and more fun.

What was the most interesting experience you had where you wish the CO had alerted you to an attribute?