Logging a cache
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This page contains information specific to Geocaching Australia. |
Contents
Online logging
In addition to signing the paper log in the physical cache container, you should log your find online:
- To provide feedback and information to the cacher owner and other geocachers
- To keep a record of your adventures for historical or statistical purposes
Your textual log allows you to record whatever you like, but you should at least mention what swaps you made (if any) and optionally:
- What time you found the cache
- Other statistics for your own interest (how many caches that day, for example)
- Who you were with
- What you thought of the location, container, hide etc
- A GAFF rating (or similar) to record the level of assistance used in finding the stash
- A comment on the condition of the cache and whether it needs maintenance
- A story of the adventure (being careful not to included any spoilers)
- Any trackables you took or left
- Thanks to the cache owner
Remember to be polite and respectful, and that your log will be available to everyone (including children). Some people write verbose logs; others are brief and use acronyms like:
- TNLN: Took Nothing, Left Nothing
- TNLNSL: Took Nothing, Left Nothing, Signed Log
- TFTC: Thanks For The Cache
Online logs are emailed to the cache owner (and anybody who has the cache on their watchlist). Receiving and reading logs of finds is one of the most rewarding aspects of hiding a cache for many people.
Special tokens can be included in the text of logs which activate certain features when the logs make their way to Geocaching Australia. See below.
You may also wish to upload photos with your log.
Where to log the cache
Please log the cache on the cache listing website that the cache was listed on. You can work out the site by the waypoint. If the waypoint starts with
- "GA": Log it on Geocaching Australia
- "GC": Log it on Geocaching.com
- "SH": Log it on http://www.gpsgames.org
Logging a cache on Geocaching Australia
- Go to http://www.geocaching.com.au
- Log in
- Go to the cache that you want to log. This can be done by entering the waypoint or cache name in the search box
- Go to the Actions menu and click Log this cache
- Enter your log.
- Click on Add to add your log!
- If you want to attach a photo, click the camera icon next to your log.
Logging a Moveable Cache
With a normal moveable cache, there have been some recent changes to how you can log your find and how to log that you have moved the cache to a new location.
First Step: Log your find with a 'Found' log (this will give you your smiley!)
Second Step: When you have moved the cache log a NEW 'Moved' log, adding the new co-ordinates and even a hint in the hint box if you wish. The hints box will update the main hint for the cache so that it will update in GSAK and the like.
GCA log tokens
The following tokens can be included in your log text (even when logging caches on geocaching.com) to activate certain features on Geocaching Australia:
- *Recommended* - to flag the find as a Recommended cache
- *Overall Rating: n* - to record a Rating from 1-5
- *FTF* - to claim the First to find
(You must included the asterisks, but the text is case-insensitive.)
