There have been many negative consequences of developing EarthCaches for all to enjoy. So, the simple solution is just enjoy the personal journeys, like those posted in Four-Legged Angels.
The following is why 200+ EarthCaches were archived.
EARTHCACHES
Sending to both HQ -and- one of my earliest reviewers, since unable to find contact info for GeoawareHQ.
A Geoaware Reviewer may have a different perspective that would benefit both of us.
My first EarthCache (06/26/2008) was reviewed/published by geoaware, the creator of EarthCaches.
Kindly allow me to address one of the misunderstandings that led to my suspension.
I have the utmost respect for the time each reviewer spends getting caches published. However, it is so frustrating to spend countless hours developing EarthCaches only to wait weeks to have them reviewed, and then not published because they need more work. This sentiment was voiced by many in the forum posts.
I began months prior to the mega and was sure the caches met all the guidelines. The month of the mega they were reviewed and disabled. There were still others for the mega that were awaiting review. All suggestions were excellent, but some I don’t feel were necessary to get the cache published. In addition, there were suggestions I just could not comply with. Consequently, in frustration, I archived those caches. Regretted doing that, but believe HQ had been contacted and I lost my reviewer.
Here is one example … SP Allegany Sculpting Thunder Rocks https://coord.info/GCAG1WX … There are two questions. The first one is based on information reading the cache page. The second one is based on discovery, so all cachers could choose the time spent and terrain difficulty they are comfortable with. The pics on the cache page show our discoveries when I visited with my caching partner. Current health concerns for both of us prevent returning to the rocks to comply with what was needed to get the cache published. All the guidelines were followed and know it was publishable as submitted.
EMAIL (May 20, 2024)
Hello rainbowtree,
Greetings from Geocaching HQ.
For some time now, there have been issues with caches you have submitted and had reviewed, specifically related to EarthCaches. Over time you have been restricted to a certain number of caches published per month to help guide you to a sustainable level. The review process has also been a struggle over time, and it is increasingly difficult for reviewers to help you get your caches to a publishable state.
Given these issues have persisted over time and your caches consistently do not meet guidelines, effective immediately, we are suspending your geocache hiding privileges for 6 months.
This suspension applies to you personally in every way. During the suspension period you may not submit geocaches (including events) for publication using your personal account, a team account, or any other account including the accounts of others. Nor will you be permitted to adopt any geocache listings. You may continue to use Geocaching.com’s services to find geocaches and enjoy the game in all other ways besides hiding caches. Your cooperation with this suspension is required.
We expect you to use the suspension period to personally review the hiding guidelines and expectations for the review process. There are many resources available to help guide you toward successful EarthCache placements, including a recent Inside Geocaching HQ podcast and blog post. At the end of the suspension period, you must contact us and let us know what improvements you’ve made to your current number of geocaches, and present a plan for how you will manage your hides and cache submissions in the future if the suspension were to be removed. Geocaching HQ will then evaluate your existing published caches as well as your personal behavior during the suspension. If you have met the expectations, we will consider lifting your hiding suspension.
Your hiding suspension remains in effect unless you have completed the plan listed above and it is approved by Geocaching HQ. We will notify your local reviewers of the terms of this hiding suspension.
Best regards,
Geocaching HQ Admin
RESPONSE TO EMAIL (May 21, 2024)
I love developing EarthCaches, which is why I am 5th worldwide. I have received nearly 3,000 favorite points (I only “hide” EarthCaches) ranking me high worldwide for favorite points received. This attests to the value/quality of these caches. They bring joy to so many as evidenced by the hundreds of positive logs. Also of note is that every one of my 241 EarthCaches have at least one favorite point.
I respectfully ask that HQ contacts me to chat and clear up the misunderstandings that have led to the things stated in the email.
Let me work with a reviewer to revise the current EarthCaches, which would entail creating additional ones at the sites. This would require lifting the suspension and restrictions. A Geoaware suggested questions be placed at the top of the page at the First International EarthCache Event September 2012. Changed all my cache pages then, and continue to put questions at the top of the page. I have enjoyed working with each of my reviewers. Several published the majority of submissions without needing any revisions. These were reviewed/published within two weeks (not months), and were the simpler caches that are in compliance with the current guidelines.
I try to be honest and kind in all I do, caching and otherwise. I send a thank you when awarded a favorite point. I also respond to interesting things in logs. I only delete logs where none of the requirements are met. If I were to delete finds where only some of the requirements were met, I would be deleting the majority of logs.
If you no longer want me as a developer, perhaps you may wish to archive and lock all my caches, except Fossil Learning Adventure and Rock Learning Adventure. These are needed to earn the trackable EarthCache coin pictured on my profile page.
Alternatively, grandfather my EarthCaches so the requirements remain as is.
Whatever you decide, I will simply continue to enjoy EarthCaches that other cachers publish.
Respectfully yours,
Elaine (rainbowtree)
HIDING EARTHCACHES 6-MONTH SUSPENSION RESPONSE (NOV 20, 2024)
Would sincerely like the opportunity to at least share the EarthCache series (mega and coin) that are already developed. I have nearly 3,000 favorite points (Top 1% in the United States) which attests to the quality of my EarthCaches. If the suspension is lifted, kindly ask the reviewers to also follow the guidelines. This is echoed in multiple forum posts. Please give me a call so we can directly discuss the following to avoid any further misunderstandings …
(Already doing all that is required and more per the following!!!)
1. “improvements made to your current number of geocaches”
Kept caches with high percentage of favorite points / Reduced number of questions on selected caches by making them optional awaiting publication of additional caches / Updated all archived logs / Continue responding to requests by honest cachers to log archived EarthCaches / Others receive message concerning the deletion.
2. “a plan for how you will manage your hides and cache submissions in the future”.
Am actively monitoring cache pages and logs / Sending message when requirements not completed / Answering questions asked / Commenting on outstanding logs / Giving a Thank You for favorite points.
Only addition is to ask reviewer to publish when guidelines are met and make suggestions in a note after publication or in a personal message.
Wishful Thinking – Sure wish the reviewer that published 99% of my EarthCaches within 7-14 days -and- without needing revisions did not resign due to personal reasons per my contact with the reviewer.
If, however, you feel it is in the best interest of the caching community, kindly archive and lock all my caches. There are a few dishonest/disrespectful cachers that getting a smiley trumps all. This action will prevent those who log the archived caches without completing the requirements, rant to CO, and complain to you.
I will just continue to enjoy the game with friends.
Take care!
Wishing you the wonder of Christmas and the magic of a New Year … every day!
HIDING EARTHCACHES 6-MONTH SUSPENSION HQ REPLY (NOV 21, 2024)
Dear elaine,
Thank you for contacting Geocaching HQ regarding your hiding restriction.
As we reviewed your case and your statements, we have decided not to reinstate your hiding privileges at this time. It is not clear that you are prepared to be an effective collaborator in the review process.
Please contact us in six months with an updated plan and we will once again consider reinstatement.
Best regards,
Geocaching HQ Admin
EMAIL FROM HQ (NOV 22, 2024)
Hello Elaine –
We see you have decided to archive your EarthCaches. You included a stipulation in your Archive log about backdating. We have explained that this is not an acceptable reason to delete logs multiple times, most recently 8/2023. If you delete logs for this reason, it may impact access to your account.
RESPONSE TO EMAIL (NOV 22, 2024)
The honest cachers have contacted me with reason for the delay in logging. They completed all the requirements and did backdate their log with my approval. I have only deleted logs (when active and archived) if requirements were not met. It is the disrespectful/dishonest cachers that contact you.
Too bad HQ has never spoken to me to learn the truth. Cachers log on multiple accounts and then complain when the requirements are not met for each account logging a find. That is just one example.
I archived all the EarthCaches because the suspension no longer lets me contribute. I also no longer have to deal with the abusive cachers who do little to nothing, log a find, and then rant when they get a message, even if I haven’t deleted their log.
I try always to be honest and respectful.
If you wish me to contribute, I will be happy to develop Adventure Labs. Zippo has good reviews. With the other two, I tried something creative which garnered complaints. So, I simply revised them and am now getting good reviews. I do have a credit which cannot use due to the suspension. If you want to lift the suspension, I have no interest in hiding any more caches, but will offer Adventure Labs.
Sincerely,
Elaine (rainbowtree)
ANOTHER EMAIL FROM HQ (NOV 25, 2024) … It never ends!
Dear Elaine,
We noticed you decided to archive your Virtual Cache with a note about not allowing old logs. As we have stated many times, people log Drafts when they travel, and it is possible that people may log a cache weeks or months after they were present. We have updated the Archive log to “Archived.” Please again be advised that if you delete logs for this reason, it may impact access to your account.
Best regards,
Geocaching HQ
MY RESPONSE (NOV 28, 2024)
Please be advised that I have NEVER deleted any logs where the requirements were met.
I revised all 241 EarthCaches to remove offending statement from DO NOT post a log to this cache, even backdated to DO NOT post a log to this cache. As I was doing so, realized there were well over two dozen cachers who logged archived caches, and some even awarded favorite points. They all completed the requirements. There were only two scenarios where I deleted logs posted on archived caches … The cacher who logged on multiple accounts with requirements not met -and- The cacher who logged over two years before the archive date with requirements not met. The statement was simply there for the dishonest cachers. However, if you wish, I will remove DO NOT post a log to this cache from all 241 EarthCaches.
Regarding the Virtual … Unfortunately I was so distraught over your decision to permanently suspend me, thus preventing me from doing something I truly love, that I archived the Virtual. It is highly favorited with 42% favorites from premium cachers. Please correct that mistake and unarchive the Virtual making it again available to the caching community.
Happy Thanksgiving.
May you always have Love to share, Health to spare, Friends that care.
Wishing you the wonder of Christmas -and- the magic of a New Year … every day!
LAST ATTEMPT TO RESOLVE SUSPENSION (NOV 29, 2024)
I am considering past mistakes as learning adventures rather than roadblocks. No need to wait 6 months. Already doing all that is required and more. The only problem is “to be an effective collaborator in the review process.” I am prepared to do whatever is required by the local reviewer to move forward offering new caches, and unarchiving the top favorites.
Hope I will be given that opportunity.
Thank you.
REQUEST RECEIVED BY HQ Nov 29, 2024, 5:49 AM …
Thank you for contacting Geocaching HQ.
We received your email and will do our best to respond quickly so you can get back to geocaching!
During the week, it normally takes us 24 hours for a reply. On weekends, and especially holiday weekends, it may take longer.
Thank you for your patience.
Best regards,
NO REPLY TO DATE …
Looks like no contributions in the past or compliance to their demands makes any difference.
Have absolutely no clue what earned me the disdain of HQ.
Why not just be honest months ago and tell me the suspension was permanent?!
How much is enough?!
Appears cyber bullying and cheating is allowed. However, kind and honest cachers have had negative experiences. Some of mine are as follows, and the reason I no longer create EarthCaches for others to enjoy.
1. Abusive logs allowed, but had to delete my responses stating the truth.
2. Accused of negative responses by reviewers. Contacted all and no problems.
3. Accused of cheating without contacting me for the truth. Proved accusations were false.
4. Accused of not following the guidelines. Interesting that one reviewer passed 99% of the submissions whereas another reviewer rejected 99% of the submissions.
5. Put on restrictions “for the good of the caching community”. Looks like thousands of favorite points and positive logs don’t count.
6. Suspended from developing any more EarthCaches. No contact regarding a misunderstanding.
7. Required to change all my current EarthCaches (well over a hundered) to be in compliance with the new guidelines. All others worldwide are grandfathered in. I previously changed all my published EarthCaches twice when guidelines changed. Choosing not to change them a third time. Instead, simply archiving them.
8. Already doing all that is required and more. Why not be honest and say the suspension is permanent instead of saying … “Please contact us in six months with an updated plan and we will once again consider reinstatement.”
9. Per NOV email, the updated plan involved not hiding caches, but contributing by only adding Adventure Labs. Suspension not lifted. Glad I didn’t wait 6 months.
10. HQ refused to lock the archived caches, thus allowing the disrespectful/dishonest cachers to log them.
Hmmm – How much is enough?!
So, the consequences of my suspension are as follows:
-I am no longer allowed to spend hundreds of hours to create quality EarthCaches that benefit the caching community as evidenced by the thousands of positive logs and favorite points.
-I no longer have to wait months for caches to be reviewed instead of 7-14 days.
-I am no longer frustrated to have 99% of my submissions rejected because they need more work (guidelines were followed). Interesting that one reviewer passed 99% of the submissions whereas another reviewer rejected 99% of the submissions.
Hmmm – Seems lemons to lemonade!
Interesting – Had nearly 3,000 favorite points.
After archiving the EarthCaches, points were removed.
Good luck! I am happily unfamiliar with the
Intricacies of the power structures in EarthCaching, but judging from the email you received, I think that they should be turning a judgemental eye on themselves.
Anyone considering becoming involved in EarthCaching should think long and hard before doing so. It seems to me that what should be a joyful exchange of information had been polluted by bureaucratic conformity.
After reading this the judge and the jury is out I’m never going to encourage anyone to take up this past time for enjoyment. I see a few people in a power struggle to allow other people to take advantage of other people and contribute to an attitude of the way of the world now to criticism and point fingers at other ones. Go out into nature enjoy the beauty that God has created. Take lots of pictures and enjoy this everyday without a stupid, petty game and rude people to ruin it for you. That’s what I intend to do from now on. Good luck fellow travelers.
Your patience with this group’s disrespectful attitude has been amazing.
At this point, my message to Earthcaching HQ would be: GOOD RIDDANCE!