Forum topic: Power trails vs other types of caches
Posted 08 February 2012 - 06:11 AM
One of the problems with discussing "power trails"
is what different people mean by the term. To me, by no means all cache
trails are "power trails".
For me, what differentiates a power trail from other cache trails may include:
1) where a major influence on cache locations is minimum separation, rather than the best hiding places.
2) where the hides are repetitive and predictable.
3) where the cache containers are all the same, typically 35mm film cans.
4) where it is common practice for those who don't find a cache to drop another film can and call it a find.
For me, following a trail should offer two things - it should be a nice walk, and the caches themselves should hold some interest. If we were just walkers, a good walk by itself would be enough to make it a good trail to follow. But we aren't just walkers, we are geocachers. The geocaches are supposed to give the walk an extra dimension. If they are all the same and in totally predictable locations then after a short distance I would find them tedious, at which point they would start to detract from the walk instead of enhancing it.
If simply clicking up the numbers is enough to turn an otherwise boring series of caches into an interesting activity then I guess you like power trails. But while I sometimes enjoy having a bit of fun with numbers, that is supplementary to the quality of the caches and for me would not by itself change a poor caching experience into a good one.
Rgds, Andy
For me, what differentiates a power trail from other cache trails may include:
1) where a major influence on cache locations is minimum separation, rather than the best hiding places.
2) where the hides are repetitive and predictable.
3) where the cache containers are all the same, typically 35mm film cans.
4) where it is common practice for those who don't find a cache to drop another film can and call it a find.
For me, following a trail should offer two things - it should be a nice walk, and the caches themselves should hold some interest. If we were just walkers, a good walk by itself would be enough to make it a good trail to follow. But we aren't just walkers, we are geocachers. The geocaches are supposed to give the walk an extra dimension. If they are all the same and in totally predictable locations then after a short distance I would find them tedious, at which point they would start to detract from the walk instead of enhancing it.
If simply clicking up the numbers is enough to turn an otherwise boring series of caches into an interesting activity then I guess you like power trails. But while I sometimes enjoy having a bit of fun with numbers, that is supplementary to the quality of the caches and for me would not by itself change a poor caching experience into a good one.
Rgds, Andy
I'm new to active geocaching. I had my account since 2004, but started about a year ago. Family and work keep my obsession in check. I see the number pumping POWER trails as defeating the idea of getting out and enjoying one's self. It is just my opinion. I enjoy my one to three, or so, a day. I get the fun, but I also keep more in my area for me to work through. I also travel around my area some. What is the rush? Take a deep breath and cache in the moment. ;-)
ReplyDeletetufelhundin
GZ Marks the Spot: Morongo Basin Geocaching Society Blog
http://TFTCatGZ.blogspot.com
3 is a good caching day for me too. The one decent power trail that I've tried (water tight, mostly swag size, decent hides) I did in multiple trips finding at most 5 at a time. Made for a more satisfying experience for me.
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