What Makes A "Quality" Geocache?

[OldRiverRunner]

Last Friday, I was at a gathering of several geocachers from across Arkansas, all of whom I highly respect. A recommendation was made that we should each hide one "quality" cache every month until the 2007 geocaching event in Clarksville. I thought I understood what was being recommended. But then, over the weekend, I started thinking about what makes up a quality cache. And I also decided this would be a good forum topic.

So, Arkansas geocachers, what, in your opinion, makes up a "quality" cache?

Try to be specific. Don't just name a cache and say it's a "quality" cache. Tell us what about it makes it a "quality" cache for you. Sharing these attributes with one another will help us all understand what pleases other cachers and maybe make all of our future caches better! -- ORR

This is much easier to answer than the question about the #1 favorite cache, especially after thinking about what cache would be my favorite.

The different things that I think make a cache great are:

#1 being someplace interesting that I wouldn't likely have known about or visited if not for the cache. (ie Pedestal Rocks, Kings Bluff, Falling Water Falls)

#2 A clever hide/good camo. (ie Lil Red Overlook, The Great Seal)

#3 obvious effort to make the cache cool (ie I dream of Krispy Kremes)

[flannelman]

That is kind of tough to figure out. Each person will have things that are quality to them. My kids like cool swag and I like to go to out of the way places. I really like the interesting containers that I have found along the way. I seen to find some quality in almost every cache that I have found.

[Gaddiel]

One of the hardest attributes of a cache to assign is "quality". Why? I believe it's because "quality" means so many different things to different people. For example, if one prefers micros, "quality" might be defined as being easily accessible or next to their favorite place to eat.

However, it's my opinion that there are some general things that most of us can agree on that make a cache "better than average". I have a feeling that you're gonna get a long list and lots of different answers in this thread (and that's a good thing!!!) Here's my list:

1) Something different - Creative container, unique hiding technique, etc. Something that's not routine.
2) Accurate coordinates - 'Nuff said.
3) Location, location, location - A great location can turn a dull, ordinary hide in to a spectacular one!

A cache doesn't have to have ALL of these to be "quality" in my book, but it should have at least ONE of them...

I'm sure I've forgotten something...

Wayne

[demonicangel]

Yes, this is a LOT easier to answer than the one about your favorite cache.

In a micro what I look for in quality is something that makes me thing. Be it a puzzle or a very clever hide with special camo that blends into it's surroundings so well that you might make numerous visits (or have to phone a friend) to find it, then it's definate quality. My perfect example of this is the Judge in Clarksville. I have lost track of the many times I visited this place looking for this cache. At the time the hide was so different and unique that it was almost impossible for me. When I finally signed the log on that cache all I could think of was "finally" and "OMG that was just awesome".

If I'm looking for a traditional cache, location is everything. I want you to take me somewhere that I normally would never go on my own. I want to see something unique, amazing or just beautiful. If I'm looking for an ammo can it doesn't have to be all that hard. In fact a walk up and there it is, is perfectly wonderful with me, as long as there is something there that I want to see.

[Geezer_Veazey]

Here we go again! We've travelled this road before from the other direction.

Quality (and lameness) like beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I personally believe that a quality cache is one that is not so difficult that a phone a friend is necessary, especially when I am a hundred miles from home and haven't the slightest idea of who to call. I'm sure that is an opinion that few others would say constitutes a quality cache.

I'm sure that people put out caches that in their own eyes are not quality but also put out others that they do consider quality caches. I'll put out what I consider quality caches and let everyone else that so desires put out what they consider to be quality caches. Let's try not to think that because someone else has an opinion different than ours that they are putting out less than quality caches. I say that only because the statement 'let each one put out one "quality" cache each month' gives the impression that there are no quality caches being placed although I do not know who said it but feel certain that they did not mean to give that impression.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Geezer[/i]

[Geezer_Veazey]

P.S. to my previous post. Do not be inhibited from stating what a quality cache is, in your opinion.

Geezer.

[arkansas_stickerdude]

AMEN Geezer

[Geezer_Veazey]

My apologies to ORR and all the posters to this thread. I reread it and I plainly see that everyone has qualified their post with "in my opinion". Perhaps - no not perhaps, FOR SURE - I should reread first and be a little slower to grab up my keyboard. Please forgive me.

Geezer

[OldRiverRunner]

My apologies to ORR and all the posters to this thread. I reread it and I plainly see that everyone has qualified their post with "in my opinion". Perhaps - no not perhaps, FOR SURE - I should reread first and be a little slower to grab up my keyboard. Please forgive me.

Geezer

So, Geezer, now that you have finished philosophizing , what, "in your opinion", makes up a "quality" cache??? -- ORR

P.S. Here's a summary of the attributes listed so far, so everyone doesn't have to read through every forum log. The order that the attributes are listed is based upon the number of times that particular attribute was mentioned. The number of times mentioned is shown in parentheses following the attribute.

1. Located in a scenic or interesting area (3)
2. Has unique or creative camo or container (3)
3. Hidden in a clever way (1)
4. Contains good swag (1)
5. Has accurate coordinates (1)

Keep the ideas coming and let's build upon this list!