Official SCC 2009 Rules

[shroomAzoom]

Alright, time enough to nail this jello to the wall and have an official set of scoring rules for the Spring Cache Challenge so that we can all prepare accordingly. So, based on the proposed rules made last week, with some suggestions and fine tuning, we have the following...

Spring Cache Challenge 2009 Scoring Rules

Points for Hiding Caches: First Hide: 5pts Second Hide: 4pts Third Hide: 3pts Fourth Hide: 2pts All Other Hides: 1pt Cache Not Found: -2pt Penalty*

Points for Finding Caches: Finding a Cache: 3pts First to Find: +1pt Bonus

Note: You may hide as many caches as there are cache categories. One cache per category.
Special dispensation given to jleecollins to hide an event cache (WWFMV) as one of his 10 caches.

*This penalty could be incurred if no one is able to find your cache, if your cache gets muggled, if you make a mistake which makes it impossible to find your cache (like Historic Gore Street from the ECC,) you make a cache that seems too hard for the SCC and no one attempts to find it, etc. The point is, make your caches fun, but not impossible, and make sure you take care of your caches so they're available for the SCC.

Guess the Number of Caches
Guess the number of caches that will be hidden for the SCC. The closest to the correct number without going over wins 1pt. Post your guess to the NWOG forum before April 1st to qualify.

Cache Categories
Each cache hidden for the Spring Cache challenge must be hidden according to the following categories. You may hide only one type of cache in each category. This is to encourage a variety of unique caches. Assume all cache sizes are regular or small unless otherwise specified.

• Traditional Cache
• Multi/Offset Cache
• Puzzle/Mystery Cache
• Earthcache
• Microcache
• Large Cache: 5L+ container
• Night Cache: Recommend searching at night
• Off the Beaten Cache: 750m+ from nearest parking
• Wet Cache: Requires swimming, wading or hidden underwater
• Hand Crafted Cache: Not just a Lock'n'Lock, think GC11PZ4, GC1B3RE, GC123NQ or GC11T6A

Boundries
All caches should be hidden within 20km of where Memorial Ave and May St cross the McIntyre River (N48° 28.978 W89° 14.731). Although this includes the Welcome Islands and part of Pie and Thompson Islands, you might want to consider the cache not found penalty. 

Other Information
The Spring Cache Challenge will start at 6pm on Friday, May 1st. You are on your honour to not search for any of the SCC caches before that time. However, you may attempt any puzzles from the comfort of your home, if enough information is provided. Caches requiring you to visit specific areas to deduce coordinates must wait until 6pm Friday.

At 6pm Saturday we all meet at the cache event coordinates to tally up the scores, share our adventures, enjoy some food and have a good time together. That means be at the event at 6pm. If you're caching out in Current River at 5:59pm, you'll be late. Be at the event at 6pm to qualify for the Spring Cache Challenge Cup.

Please RSVP at the Spring Cache Challenge event listing so that reservations can be made.

When submitting caches for the Spring Cache Challenge, ask the volunteer approver to hold your cache release until Wednesday April 29th. It's always exciting to see a couple dozen caches appear online just a couple days before the event. Please also include a note in your cache description explaining your cache is hidden for the SCC. Feel free to include the following logo on your cache description page.

Code: [Select]

<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://nwogeocachers.com/forum/index.php/board,9.0.html"><img src="http://nwogeocachers.com/assets/images/NWOGSCC2009.jpg" border="0" title="NorWest Ontario Geocachers" /></a></p>
After you have submitted your caches, the volunteer approver will let you know they are approved and being held until the release date. At that point, let us know what caches you have hidden for the SCC by posting their names, GC number and the cache category they fit in to the NWOG forums.

[ChrisDom]

The cachedrone is disabling the caches that have been submitted well in advance of the SCC 2009.

I recieved the following message :

Okay, the entire listing is fine for publication. Since the date you want is more than two weeks away, I'm going to ask you to ENABLE this a few days before the date you do want.

Thanks for getting things checked early, and I look forward to publishing this one when you're ready to have it become visible.

I was concerned that my cache location may get used by someone else and recieved this reply:

I'm sorry, my fault.... I should have been more clear. All of the spots are reserved, even when disabled. Supposed someone was to place a new cache about 25 meters from yours. I would get a warning when reviewing their cache about yours (even though it is disabled)

I guess I will just have to remember to resubmit the cache in late April.

Chris

[jleecollins]

Here is something interesting:

My caches for the SCC2009 were reviewed and approved for publication by  "CacheMinder".

[shroomAzoom]

Here's a point of clarification, just so there's no misunderstanding...

Under the heading Points for Hiding Caches there is the item "Cache Not Found: -2pt Penalty." This refers only to caches that you have hidden that no one finds. You get a -2 penalty for hiding a cache that no one finds. No points for making things impossible, or not taking care of your caches.

If you try to find a cache and you do not find it, no big deal. You do not loose points for a DNF, you only gain points for trying to find caches.

So, to reiterate, the only time you might loose points is if you hide a cache and no one finds it.

[Q and A]

From the too little too late file:

As we devise our 2009 SCC caches and learn about all the others being made up, I think someone's earlier suggestion of capping the # of cache plants per individual to 5 or 6 makes sense.  With the -2 rule in effect, it may be that there are just too may caches spread out too far to find them all.  It also levels the field and allows you to put time into thinking up a limited # of really good caches rather than rushing to pepper the area with many. 
Personally, we'd rather have a chance of looking for all the caches rather than avoiding some right at the beginning due to quantity or distance issues.  As with the ECC, the # was good and it was interesting trying to find all.  Just some feedback to think about, and we promise to think earlier next time.

[ChrisDom]

I think that limiting the caches to the one each of the ten set categories (as per the current rules) should prevent some cachers from overdoing it.  (Don't stop me now; I am having to much fun developing unique caches).

[shroomAzoom]

I totally agree with you, Q&A, as far as not wanting to encourage lots of mediocre caches. However, I hope the combination of ten categories and the diminishing return on hiding will take care of things. And I bet people will try for all of them, maybe not everyone for each cache. Thanks for your ideas, maybe we'll find that we'll want to implement them next year. Looking forward to your hides!

[JungleBus]

Just a question on the rules.  We have always started from our house at 6pm, but it sounds like it is okay to drive out to a cache as long as you are not looking before 6pm?  Is this true, can you start from wherever you want? 

[shroomAzoom]

In the past, we've started by driving out to a cache, and waiting in the car until 6pm. But, no searching before 6pm.

Also, we use the time on our GPS to tell us the time, because the clock in the car, or on our wrist might not be accurate, and everyone uses the same time when they use their GPS for the time.

I don't know exactly how to qualify it though. Can you be at the coordinates at 6pm? I'd say no. Can you be nearby? Yeah. How close? I don't know. Close enough that you're not cheating, I suppose.

[ChrisDom]

How are FTF for the earthcaches to be determined for the event.  First to log?  That tends to put high techies at an advantage.  Maybe earthcaches should be a standard one point?

[ragbag]

As a non-cellphone/Blackberry/WIFI etc owner, I agree with Chris.  I think that there should just be a single point awarded for finding an earthcache, and forget the FTF 'prize' for that type of cache.  Just my $0.02 worth.

Bob

[jleecollins]

Being in the same boat as Ragbag (no blackberry, etc.) I agree with him - No FTF for the Earthcaches.

Unless there is a physical caches container at the site there is no way to record on a logsheet or to determine a FTF.

One point for the find is good.

I do have a cell phone but it is mainly for emergencies.

[hunter-killer]

Without a log to sign, saying you are are first to find on an earth cache based on who posts first, truly puts those without electronic access to the weird wide web at a disadvantage. Kathy and I use several devices, Blackberry as well as wifi laptop, both able to access the internet on the go. Heck most people can use a laptop and park in front of someones home, businesses, hotels in town and along the highway and have an instant internet connection via a unsecured wireless network. Tons of them around. An earth cache brings you to a specific point of interest, but you surely would be wrong thinking you are  the first person to be in the area. Earth caches are educational, they actually teach you something about that area, something you would not normally see or know about. To say you are the first would be naive. We say count the point for the find, but you are not the FTF. Now to add a metal detector to our arsenal...had one and sold it years ago. And so far no Tupperware detectors on the market.

[JungleBus]

Maybe no leaving your car before 6pm would be a good rule?  If you are at a drive up cache you can be really close I guess, but most caches take some walking to get to. 

[shroomAzoom]

I like JungleBus' suggestion about staying in your car until 6pm. I think that would put you well on the "safe" side of the rules.

I also think the suggestion to not have FTF points for Earthcaches is a good idea and it seems that we're all agreed on that point.

PS: Our Earthcache was published by geoaware today. I've just disabled it, but it's not hidden. If you want to start learning about fossils in preparation for it, I suppose nothing is stopping you.