MnGCA

rosebud55112 · Geocacher Joined: 03 May 2008 Posts: 97

Let me lay the groundwork by saying I love mystery/challenge caches (nearly 20% of my finds combined), and that I even own a couple. But I've noticed recently a trend to duplicate existing challenge caches, or to "nearly" duplicate existing challenge caches, with perhaps a slight change in a required number. Sometimes a slight change in a single number can significantly alter the likelihood/ease of qualifying. I have no issues in those cases. But sometimes it seems to me that the universe of people who qualify for Challenge A and those who qualify for Challenge B are practically defined to be the same cohort.

I guess I always thought that there was some type of understanding that a single type of challenge should not be duplicated within a state. Admittedly, that means something different to cachers in RI than it does to those in TX, but it seems like that's gone out the window.

I guess I thought I read that about the "Fizzy" Challenges--does it apply there?

I know I sound like a curmudgeon here, and no one is forced to qualify for or find any cache they don't want to, but is duplication that necessary?
Am I the only one who finds this odd?

(And I file this under "Another Reason I'm Too ***** To Be A Volunteer Reviewer"; people complaining like this. I don't think the reviewers need to put a stop to it; I imagine that job is thankless enough and difficult enough as is.)

Again, I appreciate people putting out challenging Challenge caches. The idea of duplicating existing Challenges (particularly in the same part of the state) just strikes me as odd.

WestSideDaddy · MnGCA Board Joined: 06 Apr 2010 Posts: 549

It's like movies and books. All the good plots have already been used so all that is left is derivative works.

I've seen a few of the "almost there" one and I like those ideas.

King Boreas · Posted: Fri Mar 09, 2012 8:26 am Post subject:

Examples?

dornole · Geocacher Joined: 03 Apr 2006 Posts: 359

Well ideally Groundspeak would have "Challenge" as a real and actual cache type vs. a lame non-caching thing. Then it would be a lot easier to search for challenges to see if a similar one had already been done when thinking up a challenge hide.

pfalstad · Geocacher Joined: 02 Feb 2006 Posts: 967 Location: Edina

WestSideDaddy · MnGCA Board Joined: 06 Apr 2010 Posts: 549

AerosmithPA · Posted: Fri Mar 09, 2012 12:01 pm Post subject:

Just throwing this out there...

If you really break it down, what is a challenge cache except a traditional cache with a twist? It all boils down to who did the leg work to be able to sign the log. I guess in this light there may be little difference between the challenge cache and a premium member cache.

rosebud55112 · Geocacher Joined: 03 May 2008 Posts: 97

AerosmithPA · Posted: Sat Mar 10, 2012 12:06 am Post subject:

Please don't read too much into the example I laid out (premium caches). That was just an example. My point being is that a challenge boils down to a single log book and a single smiley. Once you open the floodgates, they are open. I could have used any example to any extreme, such as disallowing more than one birdhouse cache in a park. I don't know of any GatR's or Fruitcakes in this state who wants to be that cop.

With all of that being said, I do appreciate your original post, because I do think the best way to police any caches which may be, um, of questionable nature (for lack of better term), is in an open forum such as this. Groundspeak has GREAT guidelines which make the game fun and socially acceptable. The reviewers can't inspect them all, so it is up to the cachers themselves to do the reviews of caches which are of top grade, and those which may not be.

Sharknose Bunnies · Geocacher Joined: 29 Jun 2009 Posts: 297

I think the new Earthcache Alphabet Challenge is a MN duplicate as well, but Boreal Walker's original one is quite a ways outside of the metro area.

There are two "same cache name" challenges in Saint Paul now as well.

My general reaction was "Huh?" but that's about as far as it went. Not sure I have an opinion on it one way or the other. If it's only a handful of cases I don't think it's a big deal.

pfalstad · Geocacher Joined: 02 Feb 2006 Posts: 967 Location: Edina

I suppose it's no worse than having a particular type of puzzle duplicated (white text, elements, ...). Smile

bflentje · Geocacher Joined: 29 May 2006 Posts: 3673

I say who gives a rip. It gives us non puzzle solvers a chance at the question mark.

Bunganator · Geocacher Joined: 09 Apr 2008 Posts: 277

Arcticabn · Posted: Mon Mar 19, 2012 10:09 pm Post subject:

Everyone has opinions, so here's mine.

I don't have a problem with similar or identical challenge caches in different locations. I do have a problem with similar or identical challenges in the same geographical location.

Example. The 366 day challenge. I've got no problem with one being in each state or maybe even each major city. But I don't think that there needs to be two or more of the same challenge in the relatively the same location.
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GeoPierce · Posted: Thu Mar 22, 2012 8:32 am Post subject: