Geocaching
From GotWiki
Now you're out in the field, and headed to the nearest cache. Or, perhaps you're en route to a distant destination, and plucking off all the "I Hate I-5" rest stop caches along the way. Whatever the setting - you've got all the caches loaded in the GPSr, and are in search of one.
Of course, you may find yourself using CacheMate to look up the cache details (type, container size, description, etc) - or even read previous logs, or decrypt the hint.
Once you find it (and I know you will find it) - it's time to take a few extra steps before moving on to the next cache. You need to mark this cache as Found, in CacheMate: You should be within the NotFound database, and inside of the record for the cache you're hunting. CacheMate includes several 'pages' of information on each cache: the Overview, Information, Description, Hint, Log, and Previous Logs. There are lots of options within CacheMate that effect it's operation - but for now:
On the "Log" page: Check the "Found" checkbox. This marks the cache as found, and also changes its category to Found. You can check the Mark Time button, and mark your start and/or finish times - or there's an option to have CacheMate populate the finish time when you mark the cache as found. This is very important, as this time stamp is what will enable you to log your caches in 'found order', later. You'll also want to add any notes you may have: I usually include something about the container and/or the hide (e.g. LPC for Lamp Post Cache, ammo box inside tree, hide-a-key on guardrail, Tupperware under geo-pile), plus notes on any Travel Bugs or geocoins I may have exchanged.
If, while you're out caching, you realize that you forgot to mark one, or the time - no worries, you can do it after the fact (but the longer you forget, the harder it is to remember). I try to be disciplined and mark them as "found" in CacheMate as soon as is practical. I usually have my Palm with me when finding a cache, but sometimes, I've left it in the car.
Now, as you are out caching around, you can confirm you current find count in CacheMate by selecting the "Found" category (top right-hand corner drop down, when viewing the list of caches), and then either counting them, or using the menu:
Record -> Record Count
Which will tell you exactly how many caches you have (marked) found.
Repeat as desired. While these processes may seem a bit overkill for just going out for 1 or 2 caches - then become lifesavers when racking up 10, 20, 30 or more caches in a day.
On to Post Caching
Back to Caching Processes
