Geocacher's Notebook Locationless, Locationless, Locationless
By bristracker on 01-Jan-11. Waypoint GA3020

This geocache listing no longer follows the guidelines required for a Locationless cache. https://wiki.geocaching.com.au/wiki/Locationless_cache As such we will archive it and encourage the CO to place a locationless cache that meets the new guidelines.

I use a diary to record what events / appointments are happening. I write in these with a pencil so at the end of the year I rub out the pencil and then I can use the diary as a caching book. I started out writing out what caches I was after and tick them off when found. Now when planning a day trip or a few days I use my computer to make a record of planned caches Picture 1. I use a recycled diary to record co-ordinates and finds. I use Excel and GSAK for my record keeping.

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We definitely live in the dark ages, we have no apps on our phone to go geocaching by.
Everything is written down and space is left for notes on each find. I usually use spiral bound notebooks and put 2 caches per page.
We choose our caches from the GCA map.
When we are having our usual 3 month escape to the 'big island' all the caches we plan on finding are written down ready before we leave. This system does fall apart when caches have been disabled between when we decide to do them and when we actually get there.
A very archaic way to cache but it suits us and is all we have ever known.
Thanks.

I use a note book with printed out multi ( only if long mathematical & questions). Small book for long trip so I don’t miss the caches as I m not coming back same way.
Thanks

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Old time I used print the page and file but now only print the list for the day... see pic. Thanks Bristracker

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Trying to keep track arrgghhhh
The only way was to write things down in the book - long hand when you travel without a printer (
But no worries as I have the records
The only problem has been before we started writing them down, before phones with GPS apps, the old paper trail used to disappear
We have quite often got to GZ only to find we had been there in 2012, especially caches over East - not funny anymore lol
We have photos of both logs now )

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When we go out on a Geocaching trip wether for a day/week or longer trip MrGT54 will prepare a GSAK list of all the caches we plann to locate. MrsGT54 then takes control of finds/dnf's o the list, whilst Mr GT54 also uses the GPS for his records. We sometimes log as we go depending on time and internet reception. TFTC

Well, this is an interesting question. I use many tactics for making a list of found caches while out in the field, so I can log them when I get home. On smaller caching days, I just remember which ones I found & DNF. As for the bigger days, I sometime use a Excel spreadsheet with the caches in order for me to stop at along the journey. Other times as I am finding them I write them down in my Geocaching Exercise Book which is shown in the photo with my log. Another thing I may do, is create two save lists of caches on my caching app, one being for finds and one for my DNF's along with the date it occurred so I can log them correctly when at home. TFTLC

When we started caching I entered the cache information in a red&black book as shown in the photo. I would put in the date, cache info plus details on where we found it. I use a note book while out caching and then transfer the information at home. I kept recording the info in this way till after our 2000th find. After that I started using the "personal cache note" section on the cache page.
TFTC

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I use a spiral notebook to record my finds and hides, as they fit in my top pocket whilst out and about. Since beginning Geocaching Australia nearly a month ago, and able to participate in the States of the Nation competition, I not only note the name of the cache, but the relevant info for scavenged, such as D/T rating, date of placement, and length of time since found, then I highlight my published caches with orange highlighter, and claimed scavenges with green.
I am logging this one to claim unfound for sixty days.
Thankyou for this Locationless which is helping me in my pursuit of points for our State.

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I'm mostly a fan of notes on my phone, having OneNote pages full of half solved puzzles, screenshots etc

Which is great and all, but in the field - when you need a pen and paper - a simple notepad suffices. Also very useful to rip the used pages out of and place in a cache if the log is damaged and/or missing.

If I'm doing targeted caches, I write down the list and cross it off as I go. LuckyLion taught me that one!

Paperless geocaching with all local caches loaded onto the Garmin GPSr. This backed up with a notebook left over from the kids school stationary supplies. Generally only find a few caches a day when hunting so manually type logs into GC and GA using notebook to jog the memory re find order and comments specific to the cache.. thanks..!!

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Well I use an iPhone to cache.
I use the app Geosphere, getting the caches for the area I want on the day by using the live map function before I leave the home.
I find caches with the app, and then mark them as found (not sending the log or a note) writing a few key points to remeber the cache, or TBs or PT etc.

I used to the loade these logs into GSKA to write the log on the Computer keyboard and to add pictures and log for my kids. Turns out this takes to much time and I was falling WAY behind (2 years) so something had to give.

Luckly a new app came out eventuelly, called looking4Caches L4C, that allowas you to log for other cachers at the same time! Really usedfull.

I also use TBs to track who of the kids or wife was with me at the cache (but it is tricky as I sometimes forget this so the counts are allways out by a fair bit.

I use a multitude of options to record my geocaching journey
I have spiral notebooks A5 size for a journal/log
Small for a field journal
I have printed and bound pages of multis and puzzles so i can keep track of workings, solutions and waypoints
I also use a collage app to create a photo journal.

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I have usee spiral note books of various sizes over the years in which I have notes of most caches that we have found, I have in excess of 10 books lined up on my desk.

I use a spiral lecture pad especially at the moment while keeping track of claims for the Summer Scavenger Series games as taking lots of photos for locationless caches and jotting down waypoint numbers. It is also a good way to keep track of moveables picked up and then tick off when moved. If touring in an area away from home all caches are jotted down as well. If just at home I just mark them found on the GPSr and transfer to gsak. GCA caches I log on the mobile as I go if I can.

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Interestingly, until I read this cache description it hadn't even occurred to me to keep a record of finds beyond what I've logged on GC and GCA. I guess because I can extract statistics from those websites I know that they're my record. But I do use a couple of tools for keeping preparatory notes for caches. One is the printed page (especially when I'm going to be looking for a series it's much easier to make notes on that printed list), another is my regular spiral notepad (also good for donating pages to caches who's logs are full) and probably my most versatile is Evernote. Available as an app, download and website, I know that when I keep notes with this tool I'll be able to access data anywhere.

#GA440 - 17:45; Spotted this locationless, so took the happy snap of a page and now logging it. I usually carry a notebook to record details for multis, trackables etc, so I can record them accurately when the time comes to do a log. I use field notes for GC caches, but GCA requires a little more manual record keeping. TFTC bristracker

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So many different ways over nearly 12 years of enjoying this hobby. On big cache runs I often took the laptop with GSAK on it so I could read the hints when I got to a location, though these days the iPhone does the same job. On some multis I would take a printout if there were things I needed to do on the way. But for remembering the finds (or DNFs if that was the case) a simple pocket notebook would do. I would write down the code of the cache and a couple of words to jog my memory when logging later that day especially if it had been a big day of finds. Nowadays my caching also includes a lot of opportunistic ones where work might send me somewhere and I just get 1 or 2 in the area, those I don't write down and just remember when I get home. But if it is a day's cache run the notepad still works for me, I don't like logging on the iPhone as my fat fingers and aging eyesight make it hard to type a decent log, though I will still log a FTF in the field (on the rare occasions I get one) that way so others know it has been found but then rewrite the log when I am home in front of a decent screen. Thanks bristracker.

I use Locus on my phone while out caching and I log field notes through that so I can type proper logs when I get home. It had a good calculate function that I've started using which should cut down on the notebooks I used to carry to do multis and hopefully also cut down on errors.

I mainly use locus to log my DNF's and ocasional find.
but I allways have a note book for any calculations I may need to do.

Our system's quite simple: a Montana GPS for the finds, an iPhone for up to date info and backup and a notebook to record each find/DNF. Before we set out on a caching binge we load the gps with every unfound cache in that area and just go for them. Sometimes it's hit and miss but there's always next time.
TFTC bristracker.

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Currently using c:geo as my primary tool for keeping track of cache finds but I do also keep a notebook with dates and GC codes as a backup (see below).

TFTC,
GammaPiSigma.

Like others, our recording systems have evolved over time as we have discovered what is essential.
Our “To Be Found” lists are in two formats. Within Tasmania we operate an index card system. Cards are organised into geographic areas and the cache data for individual caches in an area is merged into a single .gpx file. Hence, when we are going, for example, to the West Coast we will pick up our West Coast index cards and load the West Coast .gpx files into our road and hand held GPS units. Details of finds are recorded at the time on each card and kept aside for later processing (usually that day).
When we are venturing outside Tasmania we always have a largely predetermined route in mind. We will select caches along the route and the information we normally hold on index cards for Tasmania is entered into a table in a Word document, one row for each cache. We bind the printout of the table into a booklet so that we don’t have loose pages to lose. This compacts the data we need to take (often on planes, being mindful of weight limits). We also create one or more .gpx files with the cache data, usually one for each state/territory we visit or sometimes, because of the memory limitations of our GPS units, we may split a single state .gpx into two files. Details of finds are hand written into the table, logged each night (if possible) and retained until we get home again when, after reconciling our data with the summary data on geocaching.com and geocaching.com.au, we discard the finds information and the table becomes a list of those caches still to be found (which is added to for the next visit).
Whether we are in Tasmania or beyond, we keep a spiral bound notebook to record the codes of the finds for the day so that we don’t inadvertently miss a card or an entry in the table when we log our finds and update our records at the end of each day.
Details of our finds are entered into linked Excel worksheets and linked workbooks. Details include cache name, date of find, cache type, source (.COM or .AU), state and a flag to indicate whether or not it was a First To Find. There is a single workbook for each year, one worksheet for each month and worksheets where monthly totals of total finds, finds by type, finds by state, finds by source and FTF are automatically updated as finds are entered in the monthly worksheets. A separate linked workbook aggregates the information from each year so that the breakdown of our career caching figures is available the instant any new finds are added.
We do not permanently record details of the specifics of hides. We do however write notes on the cards or in the tables of significant things about the cache so that we can write detailed logs when finds are logged but never include specifics of the hide in the published log. This way we can share information with other cachers without compromising the hide.
We have thought about a smart phone but at this stage much prefer to research our target caches (which includes solving puzzles) before we set out rather than just arrive in an area and see what caches are around. We may get a smart phone one day but it will only be for newly published caches (since we assembled our data) and for checking on the recent history of target caches.

I record everything digitally. Field notes on my Garmin Montana, and uploaded to gc.com.

Most notes I need to take in the field I use my camera for - Android with Instant Upload to plus works wonderful.

If I need to do math, I carry a small paper notepad in my pack.

When I started and was still getting used to the old gecko GPS I had to input the coords for each cache by hand and would generally print off the listings or spend days writing the details out in a notebook.

Now with smart phone, oregon 450T and gsak on the laptop the entire process is streamlined and I can log the caches on my phone including found time, and update field notes as I find each cache, or as a data dump at the end of the day/ trip. I prefer this method

I am guilty of being a micro manager as the picture shows, I have a departure time, arrival time and a list of all the caches I want to find in between.
Guess this may be one of the reasons Im one of the most obsessed cachers in Tassie
Thanks for the cache bristracker

When I first started caching I would write cache info in a spiral notebook. It became hard to find the caches that hadn't been found yet, so I then had small cards, one for each cache. When a cache was found and logged I would put the card away. Only thing was, I sometimes juggled these cards in the car or played 52 pick-up (not fun). Now after upgrading to a smart phone, I only need to use a small notebook to keep a record of TB's etc.
My how times have changed. Bring on more caching and less admin.

After three DNFs in the dark tonight I was desperate to log something, so I decided it was time to see what GCA locationless caches I could use for a change.
I do my geocaching the paperless way on the Oregon, using GSAK to update the cache entries with corrected coordinates and keep track of my finds. But I do carry a little notepad for multis and field puzzles. This is my second - the first was much the same but cardboard covered and soon disintergrated with use. This plastic covered version was probably cheaper but has proved to be much more robust (I think it came in a 5 pack from one of those $2 type stores). I also use a ragtag collection of old printouts for workings out of puzzles - which is why I sometimes have to start over when I can't locate my workings out... I fuzzed out some coordinates in the photo (sorry - you'll just have to work them out the hard way! Razz)

(This find is causing me grief with BadgeGen daily counts - so I've been tweaking coordinates, etc trying to get it to work... :-\ )

We have been in the paperless caching group since just after we started caching. However if we are travelling somewhere or heading out with caching friends for the day Mrs 80 always spends the time to make up a list of the caches we will visit and in what order - there is room left to record what time it was found - any Tb's etc found or discovered or any other memorable things to assist with logging duties at the end of the day. The computer is full of these route documents.

Have always printed out the caches sheets undecrypted, and placed in a display folder in the order of the expected route. Then recorded in a small notebook.
But, after a 2 year hiatus from caching I thought I'd get a bit more 'paperless', and got a laptop, Premium membership, and queries from GC up and running. Still print out the Multi and Unknown cache sheets.
While I change the icon on the query I still haven't got onto GSAK to help organise the recent changes to cache description or coordinates, so I still 'find' caches that have been archived/disabled sometimes.
As a nurse I ALWAYS have a few pens on me, and always seem to come back with a few less.

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With the price of petrol being so high I like to plan a route the night before so I get the most caches using the least amount of fuel. So I use the map view on GC.com to locate a series of caches and write the names in a small spirax notebook. I carry it in my pocket the next day to find the next cache, tick off the finds, DNFs or to note other info for the log. I use the same notebook to scribble multi calculations or puzzle thoughts.

I keep most of my info on GSAK but love to have a printout for the kids to hold if they are with me. It makes them feel important.
I tend to print out puzzles I'm working on and write notes (and hopefully solutions!) on the margins and the back. These I file away in case I forget how I did it.
For bigger events (like the recent OZ MEGA ALBURY WODONGA) I keep a notebook with me to write it all down. You never know when you'll see a trackable driving by or get a new phone a friend helpline.

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Thankyou for the opportunity to share our own crazy ways. Pre GPS device (~60 finds) I would print the google satellite map and annotate it with GZ (x marks the spot) and notes from the description I felt would help the find. This was especailly important for multis.

Now that I have an i-GPSr, I am much more paperless, but the trusty notebook has become an invaluable tool. I ran an event cache on leap day and all attendees signed a notebook, so that has now become an important tool in the GC kit. Now that I'm getting into GCA's (only 16 so far) the notebook is very important for planning. I have all the trigs in the local area in there. I also use it for tracking TBs and moveables and for recording my calculations on multi's and mystery caches. That way I have a log of where I'm at with those ones that take a while to work out!

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I don't keep a diary as such, before i start out I print a map of the area and a copy of the relevant Google earth photo. I then write on the the edge the name number and co-ords with any useful information. After finding (or not!) the cache any info I want to record is written on the page. I am not an electronic sort of person I like the feel of paper and the convenience.

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As a major fan of paperless caching the most important task is to keep our information up to date on the GPS. However when we head out for a caching day the most important task is to plan the route with a detailed plan the day will run smoothly and ensure maximum finds. In the plan we also leave space to record any thing about each cache or trackables found.

I liked to write mine out in notebooks (usually the same ones I put as logbooks in caches), except I found that I was losing track, as I was usuing anything that came to hand. So I have since been to a medical conference where they were giving out fat, spiral bound A6 notebooks, so I filched one and am now using it for my caches.

I write the entries in order of the days caching, plus the suburb/town where they are. I make a short, dated, note about the cache when found (in a different colour pen) so I know which ones that I still haven't found. People have asked why I dont just upload logs immediately (I have been given many different programs to use), but I would much prefer to write it down, plan my route, do a little research before hand, read previous logs etc.

So not only am I low-tech, I am s l o w as well!! But I much prefer it this way! Caching is more than just the numbers to me

I have several notebooks on the go which I use for recording geocaches that I am yet to find ... In each book I work out the best order to try to find them so as to minimise back tracking .... I have a geocaching notebook for interstate trips I go on plus one for challenges......

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As a new iPhone user, I'm now a major fan of paperless caching - something I've never quite cottoned on to with my Oregon 450. However, I still keep a notebook of all my puzzle/multi finds and TB numbers.
I still record all my finds and puzzle details on my PC but a notebook is my portable back-up disk in the field. Countless times it's proved invaluable for helping fellow seekers, refreshing my memory or, God forbid, those nightmare moments when my device batteries are flat.
Am on my second version after 18 months of geocaching - a hard-cover, indexed option - but it won't be long till I need No 3.

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When there's a serious caching day on I'll load a set of info on each cache into an Excel spreadsheet and print it out. That way we can tick each one off as we go and also write notes and log where the TBs went.
Back in the Etrex days there was more info like coords and cache code but now it's the cache name, the street and suburb (car GPS doesn't DO coords), size and hint (over the fold). When we did our big day a month or so back I planned it out with the caches in logical driving order.

Don't keep a proper notebook, just paper notes from time to time.

Although I use an Oregon 550, I'm a bit of a techno-phobe so don't use it as fully as I could. It keeps track of found caches and allows me to go paperless for the most part. However, I always keep a small notebook with me, just in case of battery failure etc. I'm also a shameless hussy for post-it notes, jotting down coords and some details then heading out at lunchtimes, often adding coords to GPS when I'm almost at the spot. Much quicker too, to write down trackables discovered in caches as shown in the photo. On busy caching weeks, I have to go through my handbag and pull out all the post-its, checking that I have actually found/used each one before binning them. Unfortunately, this is not the best or most organised method and I ahve had to re-solve puzzles because I have accidentally thrown out the sticky note with the solution on it.

Now that I'm thinking about this, perhaps it is time to actually read through the Oregon 550 instructions and see how to use it to records finds, comments etc and upload them at the end of the day. After all, I work in an environmental field so should aim to be totally paperless if possible! Even if it means becoming a junky to batteries - although the solar recharge on the go idea mentioned in the logs here sounds a great way to go!

Thanks for the hints, tips and ideas contributed so far

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I seem to have all sorts of notebooks-some for particular holidays, one for gca and challenges,small books for things to find,trackable logs etc. I used to print off all cache pages but am trying to go paperless.I only print off puzzles and some multis.

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This is our "Geocacher's Notebook".

Firstly, Dad prints off our caches at work using old paper or we sometimes write them down on a special piece of paper. Then we go out to find them.

After finding them, I don't have a real geo-notebook, but I sort of have one in my brain. I remember almost all of my finds. When we go away without a computer though, we have a printed out spreadsheet on which we write information and notes.

Finally, we don't have any special gadgets so we log our finds on our computer when we get home.

TFTC.

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When we started we were using the TomTom and printing out the pages with descriptions, hints, etc. We do the paperless caching thing now days. When we decide on a day trip or the track for the next day on a road trip we download info into the Garmin Dakota 10. Paperless caching is good for the environment, right!

However, I carry an A5 spiral bound notebook for recording coordinates of locationless caches, notes, thoughts, etc. The pages in the notebook are made from sugarcane paper also known as bagasse!!! (Actually I really bought the notebook because I liked the 3D strawberry decorated cover.)

We also keep a Word document on the desktop on the laptop. It's just a table with details (name, code, date, where found, where dropped off, date) of trackables that we have handled. I work in admin, I can't help it!

I have a variety of methods of keeping organised (perhaps too many?).
1. I have PQs that I download from GC and GCA on a weekly basis. These all go into GSAK (Geocaching Swiss Army Knife).
2. I use the GSAK notes section to track puzzles and ideas. I also use it to add child waypoints for Multis I am solving and/or a Final Location for Multis and puzzles. I also add all my trackable details into a dedicated GSAK database so it can calculate and categorise my TB finds.
3. After that I download from GSAK directly to the car GPSr and also to my Nokia N97 mini.
4. When the waypoints have been loaded into the Nokia I use SmartGPX to keep a track of the caches in the phone.
5. I also use ViewRanger software on the phone but only for the map/compass/arrow feature lacking in the native applications. I would love to see something like c:geo ported to the Nokia S60 platform but that seems pretty unlikely now.
6. Along with these methods I have a small spiral bound notebook for storing any details found "in the field" (lunchtimes, during the week) and a larger 96-page exercise book for weekend use. These were used in the beginning but less now. Still they are very useful when you want to take notes without having to stop the GPS function in the phone. I use that for calculating WPs and storing hints and clues often found in the back of log books.
In addition to the Nokia N97 I bought a Nokia LD-3W bluetooth GPS which is far more accurate and allows me to zero in on GZ in most situations, much like a dedicated unit.
7. I use several GSAK macros to calculate a wide variety of stats and auto-upload them into my GC profile.

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I must admit that I am not a very environmentally friendly cacher in that I print out the caches I wish to complete. I then enter into my GPS by hand and take the pages of the area where I will be caching with me and refer to the Melways to work out where to go (mostly!). Once I get as close to the cache as I can by car, I will get out and walk to the cache. Then I write down on the paper the answers for puzzles and multi caches and what I am going to write on log, and any swaps made. These get entered into the computer following my return to home base.

I have the caches sorted according to area - but recently the number to be found has increased significantly and so the container has changed from a manilla folder to a portfolio divided by area.

More recently I have tried to be a bit more environmentally friendly in that I have been printing double sided (but still think that my method could be improved but it is working for me currently).

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Although I download all caches onto my gps I still like to have a small 96 page exercise book in which I write the cache name and gc number and I jot down anything interesting for when I log the find later. I also find this invaluable for recording trackables either dropped off or picked up.

I use an iphone with the geocaching app and a pocket pc with GPX sonar as a backup, You don't want to forget what you have found

I seem to do a combination, but mainly what works best for the day in question.

In 2003 when we first started geocaching? Just an etrex yellow and a pile of print outs (I still stumble across one from back then floating around occasionally!).

In 2011? We generally use the Oregon 550 which gives a visit log of field notes to upload at home, taking geotagged photos of relevant TBs/clues/WPs with the inbuilt camera and updating on gsak.
Multis are generally worked out on a notepad, there is an app for that but it is far too $$ for what it is so I have not tried it.
If I am only doing one or two caches I will just log my field notes via the iphone.
And in the case of a long series with clues, I went along with gsak running on the netbook to update the notes and corrected coords of the final after each cache, instant images of gz using the iphones personal hotspot. Oh and I have gsak rigged up so it is running the database out of dropbox, so all computers have the same info all of the time

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Thanks to all the geocachers who have responded to this cache. Some of the logs are just so detailed they earned my deep respect. But I have to say akkatracker's method deserves a prize for the most simple ever. Plus it's typically Australian so fits with GCA.
Please note: despite the similarity in names there is no family relationship.

I write mine down on my hand and then log online

We use a small notebook for working out Multi's and EarthCache's in the field and recording Mystery info if we have solved them.
We don't print out the pages anymore as we have them on the GPSr it makes it so much easier!
Actually we still print out EarthCache info as sometime the GPSr cuts off the questions!

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I carry the cache pages as a GSAK HTML file on my phone and use a little spiral bound notebook in the field to workout the multi's and puzzles.

Once home I update GSAK with any solutions and notes from the notebook.

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GCA 133 - 3905. Home after a run up towards the Blue Mountains for Mothers Day with ACBC 66... Filling in my Notebook when I remembered this Cache !

I keep track of all caches done, various stats, GZs of Multi's and Puzzles I've done. Answers to questions etc and some memory joggers.

Its a red Collins Account Book - rapidly filling up !

TFTC

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I am midway between to methods myself.
Sometimes I remember to use the fieldnotes option in the Oregon, and even note any TB's in the comments,
but the rest of the time I scribble it all on the nearest peice of paper and then manually update the cache logs when I get home.
As I only just worked out the how the fieldnotes works, I dont use it enough, but believe I will do so more as time goes on.
However the scraps of paper will still be needed for teh locationless that need logs and pics I think.

I record the details of caches as a note in my mobile phone until I am next near the Internet.

We use the IPhone and Geosphere application for all our caching finds. We don't upload them at the time but write all the finds or DNFs down in a spiral notebook with notes about condition of the cache or area and log all the finds on our return home of an evening.

When the finds are logged, we mark them off in the notebook.

Puzzle caches and some of the larger multi's are printed out and we work on the puzzle ones on paper until we can solve the puzzles. With the multi's we carry the printed out cache details and use it to write the information on that we need to find on the way.

When we are planning a caching day away from our local area, we print out maps of the area we are going to with the caches shown on the map and work out the best route to take. We also print a list of the caches we wish to do and tick them off as we go. These maps and lists are kept on a clipboard which stays in the car. These caches are still recorded in the spiral notebook as well.

I'm sure our ways will change as we go along but this system works for us perfectly.

I still do it the old fashioned way as I entirely trust and like my Magella explorist XL. I have a Garmin that I can use but I only use this as a backup. Not into paperless caching in a big way, YET.

I print out the description sheets for each cache I wish to attempt. I usually do this the night before I go caching. Then I sort them into the order of search. I then plce each one in a individual plastic sleeve in a binder. When I Find the cache or am ashamed to say DNF a cache I then place this description sheet towards the back of the folder. I write notes on every sheet including date and time found, weather, if any trackables left ot taken and the tracking numbers. When I et home I ope the computer and make and entry then I keep the sheets for a short period of time then shred them.

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my finds/ waypoints/ clues are usually written on scrap bits of paper that i can never find, but i have been known to carry around a pad which i often leave in the car

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261. The main system is the Oregon 300. Occasionally will record field notes in it but usually am too lazy to write more than a word or two which is no help when logging later. On invasions/shameless numbers runs I always take the LDR (Lucky Digital Recorder - pic included).

TFTC and the recording.

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For the occasionally cache in a spare hour I only my Oregon 550 as that is always with me. On longer and usually planned caching trips I have a printout of the caches I want to do and the same little notebook as mentioned in the description to note wich ones I have done, remarkable things for logging later and ofcourse all the trackables.

Rated: for Overall Experience

I use my Dakota 20 and a "Navigators Log Book" to log the details of my cache finds. The paperless caching of the Dakota is good for most finds, but the note pad comes in handy to jot down some notes, particularly when solving multis and simple mysteries on the fly. The other advantage is that the cover for the notebook also holds my small kit of caching tools

I use an Oregon 300 with my laptop running in the car while out and about. I also use a small log book to record my finals when working out a multi

For managing caches at home I use GSAK to keep track of caches and Oxiexplorer to visualise them. In the field I have the relevant cache co-ords uploaded into my GPS 60 and the cache details imported into Cachemate on a PDA. When I find a cache I usually note the date/time in Cachemate and add a short note on the cache. I still log caches manually once I get home. For puzzle caches I try to keep the workings in a notebook, always handy to go back to to remember how it was a cache was solved.

Well I am really electronic for caches knave found, but very manual for puzzles and multis I haven't. Basically I have a book with the puzzles I have solved written down with the co-ords and any other information I might need. This is generally a5 size. Then I have a working spiral note pad (3 going at the moment) that I write the information in for each cache as I go.

Logging is done through the Oregon 550 and field notes when I return to the computer.

Rated: for Overall Experience

I use GSAK quite a lot and get it to produce for me using macros a map of the area that I'm going into showing the caches in that area; the name and details of each cache and the hint or other information about that cache to make its finding a lot easier.
This suits the way I cache.
Once I have found a cache, I record on my PDA a spoken description of the find so that when I get home I can remember all the search information to write the log.

Oregon 300 at the moment. In the past I have used etrex (just died one day), and an etrex Venture. I left that one on the roof of the car one day after completing a cache, and then drove off. Went back along the route searching for it, but alas it has never been seen since.

With the 300, I use the add comment field to note coin/TB's and then use the field notes to complete my logs. I will still print out some puzzles and multi's if I think the paper copy will work better for that cache.

Next GPS'r....who knows.

Rated: for Overall Experience

If we are just doing a few random caches, then it's the oregan 550 all the way. Caches are marked as found etc, trackables are photoed to ensure accurate recording and then I upload the finds to gc or gca.

For a raid however, I try to be more or better organized. I will have a printout of all the caches we will be seeking, including solved puzzle or multi coords. I do this so as to have a prompt to make notes about each cache - otherwise the logs wouldn't be informative at all....

After the first 10, they start to blur!!

Unlike so many digital loggers I transfer the info of my finds from my Oregon 450T and complete the on line log. Then I complete a written log of each find in a spiral note book with all the details including Name, size etc plus date , where and how found and any other details of the search that seem relevant. It takes a while but I enjoy keeping this type of record.

Although I use an Oregon 450, and it records what has been found, I have yet to work out how it can be used to log my finds, so I write the GC/GCA code on whatever piece of paper I have available on the day, and try not to lose it by the time I get home.
Yeah - an efficient system.... like the few finds I cannot log so far today from a couple of days back, as I used my wife's diary, and she has it with her and is out for the day.

I use GSAK as a database for overall information. For field use I downlaod sectons of the GSAK database and use geohunter on my mobile/GPS. I always have all the ACT caches on geohunter and then if I go elsewhere I download the caches around there to the phone as well. For logging I use memory and typing it out when I get home.
However if I'm doing a day hike to get some caches out bush I then print out a copy of the caches I plan to visit so I can scribble, ensures I have a pen in case the cache doesn't, and means that if batteries run out in the phone I can still find the cache (my non phone GPS doesn't let me download caches to it and I'm to lazy to type the details in)

I have been virtually paperless since I started caching.

I use a garmin oregon 300.

As I record a find it keeps a log that I download to the gc/gca website.

I then mark of my finds and download the GPX file to GSAK and keep my records there.

If I pick up/drop off a TB or GC I take a photo with my iphone to remember where this was done.

I also take photos of any notes in caches that I may need for further info in multi's or further co-ord's for other caches and store these on my laptop for when needed.

TFTC

Rated: for Overall Experience

I use a combination of a notebook for writing down: date, cache id, name, and any memorable features at the time of doing the cache as well as GSAK and the iphone.

This combination has helped to jog the memory on more than one occasion and has been used when discussing possible caches and cache hides when talking to fellow cachers.

Rated: for Overall Experience

I used to use Geocache Navigator from Trimble and it would log a field note online. Then I switched to SmartGPX and it logged the date and time of the find in the calendar of my phone.

Now I have an Android handset and I use GeoHunter and it logs field notes into a file which I upload when I get home. Sometimes I just remember, especially if it is a sudden FTF hunt.

I also record every find I have made on my own google map along with the coordinates and who, if anyone, was with me at the time. Plus the cache type and if it was a FTF.

So, i used to just save info in my phone, if i was doing several caches at once, or just rely on memory.
But, this is the year to get slightly more organized.
Started using an A6 notebook, which is so useful! I can use it to record trackables, remember the name of "that cache i did, that was really cool and should add to my favorites", and plan new caches!

Hooray!

I haven't been doing paper logs for a number of years after purchasing a Colorado and now an Oregon.

However, I do carry a small spiral note book in the car in case I need to write something down.

If I have phone coverage, the notebook doesn't get a look in and I will use a iPhone app called Evernote.

I used to go with the paper route... now im seeming to get as quite as often ill only be finding one cache at a time. I rely on the computer and online notes, import into GSAK, into the gps and ready to go. When im only finding one or two caches a day or at a time its easy to remember each one and do the log up for it later. Although i have cleaned out the car recently and discovered old printouts of long since found caches under my passenger seat

I am a Geocaching newbie and, strange to say for an Aussie, I started on a recent holiday in Florence. I have been planning to make a scrapbook of by Italian experience with geocaching.

This locationless cache has made me think about how to record my activities back here in Australia before it gets away from me because, you may be surprised to hear, that I have become addicted to the sport. I have a large ring binder in which I store the print outs (no logs) from the web sites in cache ID order. I scribble notes on these sheets when I am out on the hunt and then stick copies of photos onto them before returning them to the folder. It will become an active record of my finds as well a store of all of the new and interesting things I have learnt through Geocaching.

I am using an iPhone and Gamin Oregon 550 on the hunt as well as my Tom Tom 700 in the car for initial appraoch to a cache.

Rated: for Overall Experience

For me, Once my Garmin Oregon 550 arrived, the paper was gone. It's easy to download geocaches and view them. Then once I have found as cache, I mark it as found, add any notes like taking or replacing TB's coins, cache condition etc. Then back home I upload my finds, add some logs and it's done. I do, however have a small notebook for multi's, checking sums and co ordinates as well as any vital information I made need while on a hunt. This sits in a bum bag I take around with me.

Rated: for Overall Experience

Marshall's Geelong use paper using the [5] logs button on Geocaching.com and we also use paper on Geocaching Australia. We write the date and the time and if we drop off TB's or Geocoins. We have a yellow Garmin GPS 60 which is very handy.

TFTC

I don't use any paper at all for geocaching. I reply on all the technology I have.
I use my iphone for viewing, logging caches using the Geocaching app,(I have geosphere but never really used it), my Garmin 60csx for the GPSr, I usually (but not always) use GSAK to plan my runs and upload them into the GPSr, upload gpx file to geocaching.com and download into iphone (including GCA caches), and upload from GSAK into my Tom Tom to get me there. I log on the run, and modify later if nessesary.
GSAK keeps track of where iv'e been, so i only use a pen to actually write in the log at GZ.
geo wife likes the paper, as its easier to read, but it find it more of a hassle.

I have never really bothered to keep track of my finds as the various geocaching sites do that for me and I can import my finds into GSAK to generate various stats.

Prior to going out on a days caching I work out which caches I am going to try and find and I then prefixed the cache ID's in GSAK with a letter .... A for the first one to go to, B for the second etc. This data is then imported into my GPS and TomTom so I know the order to do the caches in. I then use a small log book to note the time I found the cache or if I DNF, this info is then used to create the online logs.

Simple really

Keep track of caches found....
Hmm what a novel idea.
I use Geocaching.com and geocaching.com.au to keep track of my finds , DNF's, and all other stats... what an amazing innovation!
( sacrasm aside)
I think i have a spiral notebook that covers my first 500 or so finds, but i keep forgetting to keep it up to date.
so i use the stats pages on our log sites as a reference.

Rated: for Overall Experience

OldSaint has a three tier sytem of keeping track of his geocache finds:
1. Prints off the cache from the inter-net and logs date, time of find, co-ords of find (on his GPS), what swap was taken from and left at the cache. The front page of the folio is then put into an A4 folder for safe keeping.
2. A spiral book has the found caches listed in order of finds, date and time of find for field reference.
3. An "XL" file of all finds and the pertinent info is kept for posterity on my PC. This also contains a list of and the number of finds I have had for any given cacher eg. For Greenish, I might have had 30 finds aand so on and that is listed in this "XL" file.
Cheer and TFTC; OldSaint.
This might seem like overkill but I enjoy doing it and it helps with my geocaching stats.

Nearly two years ago I started Geocaching; at the time under a different team name - my real name - I had no "real" GPS and really no clue. On reflection, it is interesting how my methods have changed over time as I have learned about new techniques and acquired new technology. All this was discovered without going to Geocaching School (now there is an idea).

Technology has made my Geocaching really easy today, and as they say "There's an app for that!"

Geocaching Kit - Today
- The same small spiral bound notebook - for taking notes in the field
- A few printouts from listing websites; only for solving puzzles while out and about
- Geocaching with Geosphere (iPhone)
- Geocaching.com application (iPhone)
- Simple GPSr (Gamin Vista)
- GSAK

I have only recently setup Geosphere and I am finding it very useful for recording what I have found and uploading my logs. It also really helps with finding GCA caches, especially those pesky Gnomes and other movables.

When I find a cache, I write a quick log in Geosphere with a reminder about the find and any trackables dropped or found. This is saved as a field note to be uploaded at the end of the day. I can then sit back in comfort, knowing what I have found and allowing me the time to write meaningful logs.

The catch ... the iPhone battery has a tendency to go flat, just when you need it! A solar powered phone charger is a valuable addition to the kit!

Thanks for the opportunity to share and keep note! It will be interesting to re-visit this in 12 months to see what's new?

Rated: for Overall Experience

Well, Mr Moneybox is always in trouble over this one. His notes are never good enough. Mrs Moneybox needs all the caching details, actual coordinates, level of fun, problems experienced, photos of trackables, photos of the cache location and items of interest etc etc for her scrapbook. Daily notes are usually on A4 scrap paper or notepads so that all relevant information can later be transfered into her scrapbook that seems to use up nearly as much time and effort as the caching itself. The scrapbook starts from our very first cache find, Poor Agnes in Victoria, which we stumbled upon as a muggle. After this trip it will literally take weeks of late night hours to record the hundreds of caches and choose from the thousands!! of photos, then cut and paste, the old-fashioned way. But it's all worth it. The above coordinates [S43 07.516 E147 42.109] are where we are located right now overlooking the bay on the Tasman Peninsular. This is the location that will be listed in the scrapbook along with some great photos of the area. TFTC

Rated: for Overall Experience

When we decide on a day out caching we check our route, then check what caches we will be attempting along the way... As I only have an ETREX GPS I am limited to basically co-ords only to find a cache.. Therefore I do some homework.. Check roads, terrain etc on Google Earth then I do my 'cache' sheets up in order of doing them.. These contain all the info with regards to size, difficulty, terrain, hints, and any relevant info obtained from previous loggers or from info on the cache site... The sheets also give me the means by which I record my finds, dnfs, any trackables or any other things that need to be recorded (ie damaged, wet, full log etc).. When I get home I log my day on the websites as per logs on my sheets.. I also have a notebook which contains alsorts of different codes which I may come across during my day... It also contains other info which may be relevant to caching... We have a container also made up which we have extra log books, pens, swaps and anything else we may need to obtain our caches... That along with the Tom Tom, GPS and camera make the day complete....
TFTC
Ooops and forgot to mention the Laptop... Never leave home without it...

I use a combination of things first off the Garmin Colorado GPS has paperless geocaching so use that for recording finds. But if I am going on a full day of Geocaching then will usually get all the caches we are doing go through them make a page up detailing the Name, GC Code, Location, Hits and any other relevant info for that cache so as we find it we right under it any relevant info such as TB/GC in or out or if we done maintenance on it or if it is needed so when we get home we can write that info into the log. Also handy for working out which way we are heading after each cache.

We use a combination of methods to keep track of what we are doing. Along with the inbuilt features of the Oregon 400, we have a hard cover executive folder that contains all our supplies. It has spare pens, notebook to log our finds, found stickers, spare logs and A4 printouts and business cards explaining what caching is (good to have handy when approached by muggles). When doing a large trip, we also print off maps and write notes on these such as cache size, any trackers and which side of the road that the cache is on.

WanderingAus wanders by with one of those A7 size pocket notebooks (the same ones that a lot of us use for cache logbooks) in my shirt pocket. All cache finds and traveller grab and drops are recorded starting from the front of the notebook, and all cache placing and maintenance are recorded starting from the back of the notebook.

For each days hunting I write the date, then for each find I record the name of the cache, followed by a series of codes for Ease/Difficulty of the hunt, my rating of the cache, the GAFF rating for the hunt, items taken and left, and travellers grabbed, discovered or dropped. I also include any info on bad or occasionally good coords, and notable events or views.

An example is this one for GCMMN6 AO#2 - Ubatuba by Team Webguy which is in my notebook on 29 Sep 10 as follows:
AO#2 - Ubatuba, VQE, 4, G0, LCC, TN, grabbed Quadrant GC ?????? (actual tracking number written in), Cow+NY i/o, new bag.

This then expanded to the following:
[Begin Log]
WanderingAus wandered by on day 141 of our annual Climatic Refugee trip, after dropping the WanderingMrs (aka SWMBO) for a few hours of line-dancing. I found an easy trail which seemed to be leading in the right direction, so I set off on "the high road". Unfortunately that trail petered out with 100 CroMs to go. In keeping with the Australian Coat of Arms critters (Never a backward step for the kangaroo and emu) I chose to bush-bash towards the river, and after about 60 metres came across the riverside trail.

I continued on along "the low road", and soon made a very quick and easy GAFF 0 find.

My find No 3110, LCC, TNLNSL, grabbed Our big Quadrant (ref = TB28ENM), dropped Geocow TB (ref = TB1H42C) and my WanderingAus Happy New Year 2008 Gold GC in for a visit before grabbing them back again. I didn't see Alien Geocoin DL2QB #3 (ref = TB19TZH) or Trigger of the Turf (ref = TB2YT04) in the cache. They have both been mentioned as long gone, owner of the cache needs to report them missing.

The logbook bag was torn, so I replaced it with a new ziplock bag. The return trail along "the low road" was much easier than the forward journey.

*Recommended* *Overall Experience: 4*

T4TH Team Webguy, a really wonderful spot you brought me to.
Keith
[End Log]
Note that *Overall Experience: 4* translates to "Top Cache". At the time of hunting I'm unaware of any travellers in a cache, but I always do a thorough search, hence the mention of the missing ones.

My current notebook started on the first day of our 2010 trip, and now has 5 pages left. It would have been finished by now but the last two months has had me doing lots of chores (necessary after being away for 6 months), mixed in with health problems, so I've only found about 12 caches in over two months.

From the notebook it gets translated into a Notepad text file with the aid of GSAK to provide the cache name and URL for "Log your visit", name and URL for any travellers, followedd by the full log, and when the whole days (or sometimes weeks) logs have been written I use copy, paste and cut, paste to upload all the logs to GC or GCA as required.

T4TC bristracker
Keith

Rated: for Overall Experience

My recording method depends on the number of caches I plan to do. If I'm just looking for a half dozen or so I rely on memory. Beyond that I use the calendar function of my GPSr & my mobile phone. I record (slowly) the date, reference, result, keywords & details of any photo.

Locationless types are in a book in 'interest' order & include the requirements. I study this very now & again.

I now have internet access for my laptop when travelling & record the results each night. Once logged & checked I delete the mobile recordings & found caches from the GPSr. The only thing I back up is GSAK.

Rated: for Overall Experience

I store my cache finds in my Garmin Oregon until they are logged on the internet. As for other notes, if they are a must do, then I set a calendar task in my phone. Any other scribbled notes, calculations etc go into the small notebook I keep on the sun visor of my car. Once full or if I'm bored, I'll look through it and after wondering how I ever read it in the first place, I'll decide if it's useless, in which case I'll burn them in the next camp fire, or if possibly useful, then it goes in the caching bag I keep in the car, or the drawer I have at home.

I'm very interested to see this particular topic raised!

I haven't kept any written records of my found or hidden caches. I keep the information stored electronically on my Toshiba Satellite Pro.

Because I'm a stickler for backups ('There are two kinds of computer users: those who make regular backups and those who will learn the hard way to make regular backups.') I use two portable hard drives and the server where I work to keep everything safe.

But having read what others have written on the subject, I'm considering periodically printing out my cache records as hard copy, for extra security.

When I'm out caching, I do keep a written record of what I've found, the condition of the cache, accuracy of published coordinates, etc. And I use my iPhone camera to record significant details, but by the time I get home the paper is usually a mess and I throw it away after transcribing the information.

Thanks to bristracker for creating such a useful 'locationless' cache!

Rated: for Overall Experience

Still do the cache notes the old-fashioned laborious way. If I'm caching in an area I jot down the caches, coordinates and maybe the hints onto an A4 sheet ruled up to fit 12 caches per page. The caches get crossed off as the are logged. I also have an Excel file of "Solved and Found" and "Solved but Unfound" Puzzles (the "Solved but Unfound" Puzzles generally number about 50 or so (as some of the solutions are in places I've yet to go!). The "Solved and Found" file is now around the 250 mark. Periodically I'll print out an upgraded list of Unfound Puzzles for when I'm out caching.
Must upgrade the technology to get with the times some time soon....

Well as for my Geocacher's Notbook is.
1. Countless peices of A4 paper that sit under the front of my laptop.

2. One of those little spiral book that you get from Woolworths for about $2. where I can write caches Notes, trackables found or dropped off,

3.An old PPC were i have all my Cache's & i can add notes to.

4. And for all the rest of the info that is on my Laptop.

We are bad and just use the kids unused pages from old school books. At the end of the year we rip out the used pages and then we keep the books for our use.

I also use a little notebook..however i hand make mine.. so it has my name and details on the front...and the inside has index cards with little tabs for easy reference of daily caches completed as well as TB's and favorite caches. I also make my own event log books and have a special 'z' notebook - made especially for all those darn zytheran' puzzles and solutions.

Rated: for Overall Experience

We mainly use GSAK on the Eee PC, which is set up on a shelf custom made for the top glove box door in the pajero. We use the user notes to write details of the find or DNF while travelling to the next cache so that the details are fresher in our minds.
We do have an A5 notebook the goes to events with us to record trackables, and we use this sometimes on caching runs were we are going to be in and out of the car a bit - prior to heading out we list the caches in order of attempt, and tick them off when found.

It is going to be interesting to see how other people operate.

Rated: for Overall Experience