Post by TermiteHunter on May 2, 2021 23:23:03 GMT -5
You Found It
Now what? You log a find.
First...Did you really find it?
Most of the time this is simple. You found a cache and signed a log, put it back and went on.
Maybe it was a virtual that asked for a pic or some sort of logging password / verification. you will need to do that in a timely manner.
Perhaps a multi staged cache...did you find them all and get to the final?
Sometimes and more often it is just a simple traditional cache and you only found "somethng"
Perhaps where you thought it should be, what appeared to be parts of a damaged cache or an empty container that might have been the cache.
You found a container but were unable to access the log because it required some sort of technique or action you were unable to perform.
As a general rule, if you did not sign a log .. you did not find a cache.
You found what looked like where it should be or parts scattered about.
Did you really find where it was supposed to be? If it was not there you did not find it.
If you found parts and they can not be reassembled including the log you did not find it.
These are times to log a "needs maintinence" type log. Include a story of what you did find.
Maybe you are entirely wrong and it was really over there and not here.
If you found a container and were unable to access the log most likely that is part of the challange to "finding" it and you did not. A DNF is in order.
If you found a container that is obviously the right container and there was no log, add one but ask yourself first, why there would be no log here.
Is it because this is a multi stage cache and you have not yet completed the cache? In that case you are too early to add a log. this stage should direct you to the next.
The log is full. Add an additional log and alert the CO.
There is nothing here. It's a DNF most every time.
There is somethng here but not a complete cache or log. That's a Needs Maintinence or Archive log and not a find.
More often you will find what is the cache. You forgot your pen (Real cachers always carry a pen), the log is very wet or mush that you cannot sign,
OK. Log a find. Be prepared to prove it for the stickler CO. Mention why in your log. If it was too wet or mush make an additional Needs Maint log.
In the end, You should always sign a log of some sort for most cache types. If it is unsignable or full add your own. No big deal.
If you found somethng less than a container or none at all DO NOT just drop a log in it's place.
If a photo is required you will need to add that when you log a find. If you are unable to then you did not find it.
Some require passswords of other verification to log. They will usually stop a successful found it log without the verification.(this is found on TerraCaching and OCNA)
I have found, on occassion, a location where a cache should be only to find a new log from the previous cacher in a baggie where they (and I) thought it should be.
WRONG. Do not assume this is the location (Meets the clue, an indentation where it might have been)
This is the time for a NM log or even an Needs Archived log.
Remember that Needs Archived type logs prompt observation by reviewers on most if not all sites. Add as much information as you can for someone that is not able to come to the site to make a decision as to what needs to be done.
Many will log the find on these non-find caches. Why? because they want to pad those numbers. They are often the ones that drop a log where they think a cache should have been.
Don't be that Cacher. If you didn;t find it, you didn;t find it. It happens. Make the appropriate log be it a Needs maint or Needs archival and let it go. Is one going to make a difference in your find count over the integrity of the cache you claim to have found when you really didn't?
*EDIT*
Once you make that find by signing the log and gathering any other info you may need....
Next is your online log with the listing site.
Post them as soon as reasonably possible. Apps on phone today make that easier in most cases.
If you need to wait till you get home from a trip or something, that is fine.
Many add a placeholder log when traveling with little time to log. The log details are updated later.
Logs should be as mentioned in the Logging section.
Be accurate. Make sure to provide the correct date for any log type if logging at a later time.