Paperless Caching

I had an e-mail in the week from someone asking about paperless caching. This is how I do it...

GSAK - I have Geocaching Swiss Army Knife (GSAK) on my PC and also CACHEMATE running on my iPAQ pocket PC. As you probably know, I travel around a bit with work so have numerous POCKET QUERIES set up centred on the places I visit. I have them set to only show caches that are available and not yet found by me. When these queries arrive via e-mail I open them with GASK and add them to the database.

Before exporting my caches to the iPaq or Memory Map, I run a filter with the following options...

The first page ensures that I only export caches that I haven't yet found and are available. The second page removes any caches that haven't been updated in the last week. This should remove any caches that are no longer available but are still in the GSAK database.

Once the filter has run, I can now export this list to the Pocket PC and Memory Map.

Pocket PC - From GSAK I select file | export | GPX/LOC and use the default settings. I export the file into ...My Documents/iPAQ My Documents. This is a special folder which synchronises with the Pocket PC when it is connected. The actual folder name will vary but should be the name you gave your PPC + My Documents (I called mine iPAQ). Once this has synchronised, on the pocket PC I can start CACHEMATE and select import (arrow pointing to files).

...select Start, then select the file which was synchronised with your PC. That should get your caches into Cachemate.

Memory Map - From GSAK, the easiest way is just to use the defaults after running the filter. However, there is so much that can be tweeked to make it a whole lot more useful.

Select File | Export | Memory Map and change the entries that I've circled.


This has the following effects...

Waypoint Name - Short waypoint name and doesn't swamp the map.
Name on GPS - Leave as it is
Waypoint Comment - This adds the clue to the comments which can be read from MM by selcting properties for a cache.
Link - When using Pocket Navigator (Memory Map on the PPC) , double tapping on a cache will open up the correct page in Cachemate.

To really snazz up your maps, you can download Lordelph's Icons and get some nice icons for the different sorts of caches. It's a bit involved installing the macro for this so maybe another blog, another day (when I remember how I did it).


A few words on Memory Map / Pocket Navigator

To get caches from Memory Map on the PC into Pocket Navigator on the PPC you need to need to select Mobile Device (or similar) on the PC and then Export Data to Device. The standard version of Pocket Navigator cannot read .GPX files.

To get maps onto the PPC, zoom the map right out and scroll until you get the area you want to transfer. Select Mobile Device (or similar) and then select Send Visible Map Portion... When the next window pops up, give your map a useful and memorable name otherwise all your maps will be called "From OS 1:50k Great Britain".


There's quite a bit more that can be done, but I've waffled on enough for today. Any queries, you can try contacting me.

Chesterfield

Monday to Thursday, this coming week, I'm being posted to foreign climes (Chesterfield) for a course. I'm not sure whether I'll be staying out as the company hasn't paid the hotel yet and I'm not going to pay then have to wait months to get it back!

Anyway, whether I'm stopping or not, I'm hoping to do a few caches while I'm up there. I've loaded GSAK and Memory Map on to my laptop and with a few Pocket Queries around Chesterfield and the route(s) loaded I've got a database of nearly 600 caches waiting to be found. There's even a cache within 100m of the hotel.

The hotel boasts WiFi so I should be able to log my finds and answer any e-mails but if I am a bit quiet for the next few days you know why.

FRIDAY, I had a bash at Stokesy's MIDDLE ENGLAND series in and around Meriden. On my 7+ mile hunt I bumped into GRAHAM1875 at last. I now know how he can grab caches at all hours!
I was also following Shank's Pony around but never caught up with them. However, when I got back to my vehicle, there was a note under the wiper blade from Shank's Pony - thanks.

I've got to pop out later today for a touch of Brummie Cut maintenance - Only 1 missing this week. A few of the logs are full or nearly so (especially the nanos) so they'll need replacing.

1800

Working with "The Strangler" today and it was my turn to drive. Arrived a bit early so had time to do Ye Old Saracens Head and Grammar School , which just happened to be my 1800th cache!!!!

On the way back from work, we managed to pick up another cache or two (which was nice).

I notice that "Stoksey" has just published HIS Middle Earth series around Meriden. I wonder if Stokesy waited until Graham was on holiday (he'll never go away again!). Normally, I would rush out but Mrs Balders and I are having a french themed evening - Garlic mushrooms, mussels, smelly cheese on a crispy baton, Champagne and Corbiers (tres bon, n'est pas?).

I'm on a course at Chesterfield next week, I wonder if there are any "Must-Do" caches there or on the way?

Best Mate (Brummie Meet)

July 22 by The Strangler (356 found)
Well as I am co-conspirator, I will be there, sober to start with and I may bring a friend from Avenue Road

1 8 0 0 - nearly

I'm sitting on 1799 caches found - where shall I go for my 1800th?

Brummie Meet 1

The Strangler and I ( in consultation with others) have made an executive decision to hold the inaugural Brummie Meet event at The Old Joint Stock, Temple Row, Birmingham from 7pm on Wednesday 6th August. It will be very informal - just a beer and a natter. There will be no new caches (hold hard Dave), no guided walks, CITO or the like.

It is hoped to hold a similar event in the first week of every third month (August, November, February and May) with different cachers hosting the event each time.

We have decided to make it a proper event so that some people can bump up their numbers (not that I go in for that sort of thing!)

Guardian of the Cache

The mystery of Avenue Road continues. It would appear that our friendly Asian gentleman is taking the small cache with him as he strolls along the highways and byways. I have decided to leave the 35mm film pot in place (when it's there) so that he take it walkies and hopefully leave the new, bigger cache alone.

I loved the logs that talk about the "Guardian of the Cache" and I envisioned a holy man sitting cross legged near the cache giving enlightenment to weary travellers. This inspired me to fire up Photoshop and knock this up...



ALSO - I'm only 10 caches away from 1800 so I must get my finger out and grab a few caches this week!

Strange Happenings at Avenue Road

I have a cache (one of many) hidden near Avenue Road in Birmingham. A few days ago, a few cachers logged DNFs. I popped out on Friday to replace the cache and, lo and behold, the 35mm film pot was there.

Yesterday, "The Strangler" was having a go at the series and this is his log...

On arrival at GZ I stopped and was greeted by an inebriated gentleman. The gentleman was quite drunkenly helpful insofar as he kept telling me where the cache is and that I was playing some sort of game as he regularly watches people looking for it. This got me into a situation where I thought on my two left feet and decided to explain to him that I had just stopped to take a drink and a rest and I did not know what he was talking about. Well he was having none of this so I decided to leave it and log it as a DNF. Anyway the heavens opened so I took shelter under the next bridge. After bagging most of the rest of this series I returned and the gentleman had gone and so had the cache! Seems he did know where it was after all.

So, I checked again this morning, and the cache was indeed missing. I placed a new cache, a little way away, and in case anyone was attempting this cache today, I put a coded message in the original hole saying where the new cache was hidden.

Reports coming in today indicate that the original 35mm cache is back in it's hole (with the clue). People have been signing BOTH caches!

I shall remove the 35mm film pot, probably tonight.

On my way home from work today, I did "Mathew Boulton Woz Ere" in Birmingham city centre and bumped into Andy (of AndyandElaine) who was just leaving the scene of the crime - nice to meet you (shame he wasn't wearing the Brummie Cut T-shirt!).

ALSO - "The Strangler" mentioned that he had met "The Bolas Heathens". Dave has this thing about the "Issac with..." photos that adorn the BH's logs - so I just had to fire up Photoshop...

Issac with... The Strangler

I've noticed that no-one has visited "Kiss Kiss" for a while so I may have to perform a Maintenance Visit this evening!

That's all for now.....

Hidden Train Line

I was working in Bedford today and on my way home (avoiding the M1 - I HATE motorways) I had to pass a couple of caches - pass? I don't think so!

The first was "Salem Tower" a straighfroward traditional cache in a small wooded area. The clue mentioned an old tree stump which turned out to be a manky piece of wood - very old, in fact, it was falling apart with the rot.

The other cache was "Train Arriving?" . Set on a disused railway line. Apparently a local railway club has installed some narrow gauge track but it doesn't look as though they've done much of late.

The cache itself was one of my favourites (mag nano). The whole experience was quite strange - a little surreal.

Containers

I've run out of 35mm film pots so I popped into a chemist near where I was working and asked for some. The kind lady said that they usually throw them away but will keep them for me from now on. She then said that she had some other containers to which I was welcome. These range from little ones about half the size of a film pot up to some pots about 150mm long by 50mm diameter. Result. I've used one of my new containers to replace Bridge 107.

I've noticed that one or two people are claiming finds on Brummie Cut without actually signing the log. They cite muggles for preventing them from retrieving the cache. Well, it's their conscience but surely overcoming muggles is part of the game? Each to their own.

With the very slow response of Geocaching.com yesterday, Monki and Stevo185 logged yesterday's finds today. The towpaths must have been awash with cachers yesterday!

The list of local caches is steadily growing - I'll have to have a session one day but there's overtime available and THAT pays the bills.

Drumfest

No caching today for Team Balders; we've been to Drumfest at the NEC. I've just got back and a quick look at my inbox tells me that 2 teams have done the Brummie Cut series today. I also received an excellent photo of Andy (of andyandelaine) sporting a most magnificent T-shirt.

I had a bit of a chat with "The Strangler" yesterday concerning the Brummie Meet - nothing concrete yet but we're on the case.

Any ideas for a venue?

I've also been out this evening doing a spot of Brummie Cut maintenance.

Brummie Meet

Those who look at the forums may have noticed a posting, about a week ago, suggesting a regular (every 2 - 3 months?) get together in Birmingham.

Judging from the responses, this is a good idea but although people are interested no-one wants to bite the bullet and actually organise it.

My good friend The Strangler and I are willing to bite the aforementioned bullet. We are looking for a pub close to the city centre which is fairly quiet (until we get there) mid-week (ie. Tue, Wed or Thu). It will be very informal and we'll probably make it an official geo-meet (although it's not about the numbers!!!)

ANY help, ideas or comments are welcome.

Where's it gone

I was working with "The Strangler" today and, although I'd already done it, he wanted to have another go at Llamas' Retreat. We made our way to GZ but couldn't find it. It was nearly 2 years ago when I found it and couldn't quite remember where it should be but I thought that I had a good idea. (Back home, I notice that the last two logs were DNFs so maybe it has gone!)

However, this episode raises a couple of questions....

a) Have I done too many caches that they tend to blur together and I can't remember the details of any one cache.

b) Am I loosing my touch

c) Is my memory going

d) What was the other question !

Done the series - Got the T-shirt

I've had a request for a T-shirt design so I've knocked one up. It looks a bit like this ...
... and can be downloaded from HERE

Geocaching Series

I know that I wasn't first to put out a power trail , but has anyone else noticed that the current trend is for people to put out a series of caches?

I think that caching goes in cycles. A while ago, it was all puzzle caches with setters trying to outwit each other. Then it was Motorway Mayhem and more recently Sidetracked.

What could be the next trend?

Brummie Cut - GREEN

Those who have done this one - should I change it for something with a stronger magnet?

Balders Birthday Bash

Following the success of the "Almost Valentines Day Cache" in February, I'll be organising another in late November to coincide with my *0th birthday.

Mega

I'm off to the Mega in August with HillHappy1. We're going up on the Saturday, staying at York youth hostel on Saturday and after the event, coming back Sunday afternoon. I must meet HH1 to discuss arrangements (note to self).

I was wondering if there are any caches (or a cluster of caches) either on the way up or around Harrogate / York.

I'll load the Wherigo app. onto my PDA and have a go at the one near the venue.

Brummie Cut - missing cache

Curzon Street

I had a cache hidden near Curzon Street, at the bottom of some steps, tucked away under some vegetation. The cache went missing and I replaced it. A day later, I went out to check all the caches in the Brummie Cut series and couldn't find this one cache. I looked a couple of times but just couldn't see it.

I took the step of archiving the cache and placed a new cache about 100m away.

AJIGEO managed to find the missing (and now archived) cache today about 1m from where it should have been. Oh well, too late now!

I wish that finders would, before picking up the cache, take a good look at where the cache is and how it is placed. Then when they have signed the log etc. they should be able to replace it as the owner intended. I was about to replace another of my (micro) caches yesterday before I spotted it in the wrong place! That's today's moan over with.

Welcome

Hi and welcome to the geo-world of team balders.

I have recently hidden a series of 26 caches around some of the canals of Birmingham. I included a link to a webpage specifically for this series (LINK).

I also thought that it would be an idea to jot down a few thoughts concerning geocaching which don't really fit on a cache listing. I chose Blogger as (I hope) an easy way to jot down my thoughts and ideas and share them with fellow cachers.

Please feel free to comment and add your tuppence worth.


Kev