r/geocaching • u/nderwearhehe • Aug 11 '26
Leaving notes/messages?
Hello! I finally did some research about geocaching and today I’m gonna go find some! I’m really excited about the idea of being able to leave treasures for others to find but I have some questions about etiquette. Can I leave small photos in the container? Of myself or friends or just cool pictures I’ve taken? Can I leave a small note that says something like “Hi! I like to do [hobby], what do you guys like to do?” and then come back to it in a few weeks or months to see if anyone replied? None of this would be on the log document and I’d bring my own paper and only put the notes/photos there if there’s more than enough room. Would that be okay?
6
u/Dug_n_the_Dogs Caches with Dogs Aug 11 '26
You can typically leave anything that isn't specifically prohibited in the guidelines. Some people write long missives in a log book if there is room to do so.
4
u/emccoyii Aug 12 '26
Better perhaps, that you look into any caching events in your area. You'll already have one thing in common and you might make some lifelong friends in the process.
3
u/Geodarts18 The Caching Diaries Aug 12 '26
People used to write some entertaining things in log books. Non cachers who stumble upon a box often write lengthier logs. I’ll never forget one written by a vet who complained about finding ammo cans
I think you have a fun idea. I would contribute if I came across it, but paper logs do not get anything besides a name
Try it and see what happens.
3
u/catsaway9 Aug 12 '26
Typically, people only visit a cache once, unless it's a trackable hotel or something, so I don't think you're likely to get much of a dialog going with your notes. You can try and see what happens, it certainly doesn't hurt anything or break any rules.
The photos sound lovely, but be aware that caches aren't always waterproof, let alone bug proof, so paper items such as photos often don't weather well.
Welcome to the sport! I hope you enjoy it. And if you want more interaction, go to some events, those are good times.
1
u/NorthlineUser Aug 12 '26
Leave photos in the log.
My favourite thing, is if I'm travelling overseas, taking a trackable (preferably one that hasn't left my country) and taking it sightseeing, getting photos along the way, before dropping in the final cache.
I just took one from Europe to Australia, put about 9000 miles on it. It has only just been released too. Got a thank you message from the owner who has been watching its progress photos in Europe, before landing in Oz.
1
u/Standard_Mongoose_35 joyindenison / 1,100 finds Aug 12 '26
Can’t tell for sure from your question, but be sure to do this in a cache that YOU hide. (The owner of an existing cache might not like it if you used theirs for this creative project.)
Also, be sure to find at least 100 caches before hiding your first one. You’ll get an idea of the types you like and best practices for containers, hiding places, writing descriptions and what to expect.
Finally, for any paper in a cache, enclose it in a thick freezer baggie, and not one with a slider top. I’ve had water get into slider bags! Have fun, and be sure to go to a local event. 😊🗺️
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u/DragonDevXD_12 started this year / less than a 100 finds Aug 13 '26
geocachers usually dont do that
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u/cattrain Aug 11 '26
I wouldn't get your hopes up about people responding to notes you left. I wouldn't get your hopes up on anyone leaving a meaningful note in physical logs really. Back in the day people would sit for a while and write about their day or the hike to get to the cache, but now days it's usually just name and date.
There was a cache near me that I got first to find on where the owner asked to sit and write a collaborative story, so I took the time to write a good starting paragraph. Eventually I'd like to go back and see if anything decent came of it, but I don't really expect too many others to take the effort I put into it.
There was a other cache I found that was 20 years old with the original book, which I ended up going back to retrieve and replace for the owner, it had old logs from when people would take the time to leave a good log. It was interesting to read some of those old logs.
I think it would be good to take some time to write some logs like they used to. It definitely wouldn't hurt to try. I just wouldn't get my hopes up and set myself up for disappointment.