So I've Come to realize...

[grilande13]

That I'm not very good at caching but i enjoy it and have a lot of fun. I was wondering if all of you "professional cachers" have any advice. I find myself unable to find even what I would assume are the simplest caches. So, if you have any suggestions, hints or otherwise good advice, please let me know! Thanks!

[Rock_Rat]

Get together with other cachers on group hunts, read about different ways of hiding caches, and above all else practice makes perfect. I'd say just relax though and enjoy each outing for it's own merits. I like the saying "The journey is the destination".

[Spotty Spotty Pony Girl]

That I'm not very good at caching but i enjoy it and have a lot of fun.

I agree with Rock_Rat, don't worry about whether you find it or not, just keep on enjoying it!

There are days I couldn't find a 30 cal ammo can if I tripped over it. And days I can find a nano in a heartbeat.

But if you're ever stuck on something specific, the contact-a-friend option is mighty handy!

[Colecops]

Indeed and there are a few of us that are going to become "stupid" and cache on Sat. if you would like some more experience.

[wvangler]

I've found a goodly number and I'm pretty stupid at times myself. Heck, I DNF'd one in Parkersburg last week that was a 1.5 difficulty and named "Easy Peasy" for God's sakes. Just roll with it and always log your DNF's. No shame in that and it helps out the cache owner a lot. The best advice has already been given. Going with others on group hunts rocks...particularly if you know it is going to be a hard find to begin with.

The phone-a-friend network is also quite handy. Have to agree with the Pony there. Shameful, but handy.

[scoutingwv]

Hey now - no shame in using phone-a-friend. If I recall, it even earned someone in here a geocoin! :-)

Best way to "get better" is to get out and try to find more. As mentioned above, group hunts are a great way to go and this is a GREAT group to go with. And you don't have to wait for someone here to post about an outing - you can do one yourself. We're not as organized as it might seem.

And if you can't find a cache others have called "easy" or "simple" or whatever, so what? Not every person finds every cache, but everyone should have a good time trying to.

[Lledier]

Indeed. I had an "easy" one in Ohio that I went back 4 times trying to find, and still haven't found...logged a DNF when I got back. sigh.