Geocaching: Geocache Hiding Guidelines

https://www.geocaching.com/play/guidelines
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Official guidelines for hiding geocaches, covering location, container, contents, and submission...
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### Physical Geocache Types and Waypoint Guidelines

Source: https://www.geocaching.com/play/guidelines/index

Provides general rules for physical geocaches, especially those with multiple stages, defining physical and virtual stages, and requirements for additional logging requirements (ALRs) and geo-art restrictions.

```APIDOC
PhysicalCaches:
  MultiStageCaches:
    - Additional physical or virtual stages must be added as Additional Waypoints (https://www.geocaching.com/help/index.php?pg=kb.page&id=72)
  StageDefinitions:
    - PhysicalStage: Waypoint with a placed item (container, tag)
    - VirtualStage: Waypoint without a placed item; geocachers gather information
  AdditionalLoggingRequirements (ALR):
    - For physical caches (other than challenge caches)
    - Any ALR beyond finding cache and signing log must be optional (https://www.geocaching.com/help/index.php?pg=kb.page&id=823)
    - Logging: Can be logged online as "Found" after visiting coordinates and signing logbook
  GeoArtRestrictions:
    - Some cache types have additional restrictions when used for geo-art (https://www.geocaching.com/help/index.php?pg=kb.page&id=892)
```

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### Letterbox Hybrid Cache Type Guidelines

Source: https://www.geocaching.com/play/guidelines/index

Details Letterbox Hybrids, which combine classic letterboxing with GPS usage, requiring a container, logbook, and stamp. Logging is possible without a stamp, and clues may be used. Distance rules depend on the underlying cache type.

```APIDOC
LetterboxHybrid:
  Definition:
    - Requires GPS usage for at least part of the search (contrast to classic Letterboxing: http://letterboxing.org/)
    - Consists of at least a container (commonsense: #commonsense) with a logbook (logbook: #logbook) and a stamp
    - Stamp stays with the geocache
    - Can be logged without using a stamp
    - Letterbox-style clues may be used to guide cachers
  CoordinateRules:
    - Defined by the underlying cache type: Traditional, Mystery, or Multi-Cache
  LearnMore: https://www.geocaching.com/help/index.php?pg=kb.page&id=822
```

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### Multi-Cache Type Guidelines

Source: https://www.geocaching.com/play/guidelines/index

Describes a Multi-Cache as a geocache with at least one stage in addition to the physical final stage, where geocachers gather information at each stage to find the next or the final container.

```APIDOC
MultiCache:
  Definition:
    - Includes at least one stage in addition to the physical final stage
    - Posted coordinates are a stage
    - Geocacher gathers information at each stage to lead to next stage or final container
    - Final stage consists of at least a container (commonsense: #commonsense) with a logbook (logbook: #logbook)
  LearnMore: https://www.geocaching.com/help/index.php?pg=kb.page&id=559
```

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### Geocache Post-Publication Changes Guidelines

Source: https://www.geocaching.com/play/guidelines/index

Explains the implications of making changes to a geocache page or container after publication, emphasizing that non-compliance with guidelines can lead to the cache being disabled or archived.

```APIDOC
PostPublicationChanges:
  Rule:
    - If changes to cache page or container (https://www.geocaching.com/help/index.php?pg=kb.page&id=201) no longer comply with guidelines
  Outcome:
    - Cache may be disabled or archived
```

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### Geocache Online Page Maintenance Guidelines

Source: https://www.geocaching.com/play/guidelines/index

Defines the responsibilities of a cache owner to keep their online cache page accurate and up-to-date, including monitoring logs, posting maintenance, updating information, and managing disabled caches or logs.

```APIDOC
CachePageMaintenance:
  Responsibilities:
    - Monitor logs for reported problems
    - Post an Owner Maintenance log (https://www.geocaching.com/help/index.php?pg=kb.page&id=404)
    - Update cache page if conditions or coordinates change (coordinates: https://www.geocaching.com/help/index.php?pg=kb.page&id=61)
    - Disable a cache page (https://www.geocaching.com/help/index.php?pg=kb.page&id=235)
      - Condition: Cache not available or needs fixing
      - Duration: Up to four weeks (reasonable amount of time)
    - Occasionally mark trackables as missing (https://www.geocaching.com/help/index.php?pg=kb.page&id=397)
    - Delete logs that appear false or inappropriate (https://www.geocaching.com/help/index.php?pg=kb.page&id=204)
```

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### Geocache Physical Container Maintenance Guidelines

Source: https://www.geocaching.com/play/guidelines/index

Outlines the duties of a cache owner to ensure the physical geocache container remains in proper working order, including regular visits, fixing issues, and removal after archiving. Non-compliance may result in listing restrictions.

```APIDOC
CacheContainerMaintenance:
  Responsibilities:
    - Visit the geocache regularly
    - Fix reported problems (e.g., replace full/wet logbook, broken/missing container)
    - Make sure the location is appropriate and change if necessary
    - Remove geocache container and any physical stages within 60 days after cache page is archived
  ConsequencesOfNonCompliance:
    - Temporary or permanent loss of right to list new caches on Geocaching.com
```

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### Mystery Cache Type Guidelines

Source: https://www.geocaching.com/play/guidelines/index

Explains Mystery Caches, which often require solving a puzzle to determine the actual cache location, with the final coordinates being within 2 miles of the posted coordinates. Includes a note on challenge caches.

```APIDOC
MysteryCache:
  Definition:
    - Many different designs
    - Posted coordinates are often not the actual cache location
    - Geocachers must solve a puzzle in advance to determine next stage or final coordinates
    - Cache page must provide publicly available information to solve the puzzle
    - Final stage consists of at least a container (commonsense: #commonsense) with a logbook (logbook: #logbook)
  CoordinateRule:
    - Final coordinates must be less than 2 miles (3.2 km) from the posted coordinates
  LearnMore: https://www.geocaching.com/help/index.php?pg=kb.page&id=277
  ChallengeCache:
    - A variation of a Mystery Cache
    - Official guidelines in Help Center: https://www.geocaching.com/help/index.php?pg=kb.page&id=206
```

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### Traditional Cache Type Guidelines

Source: https://www.geocaching.com/play/guidelines/index

Defines a Traditional Cache as a geocache consisting of at least a container with a logbook and is located at the posted coordinates.

```APIDOC
TraditionalCache:
  Definition:
    - Consists of at least a container (commonsense: #commonsense) with a logbook (logbook: #logbook)
    - Located at the posted coordinates
```
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