Groundspeak Portal

Something that never occurred to me before just came up in a thread on gc.com.  Geocaching has a lot of side activities that tend toward being social -- events, coin trading, power runs.  Waymarking, in my mind, is a lot more solitary.  I think there have been some events but not many.  Creating a waymark can really only be done by one person, unlike hiding a cache.  Visits aren't popular enough for "visit runs". 

Now, I tend to geocache alone.  I do go to an occasional event, and I'm pretty active in the forums.  But I haven't been on a social cache run since my first year, and I don't think I'm among the "renowned" cachers.  Now I'm wondering if this typical for waymarkers, and if it might account for some of the dislike of waymarking among other cachers.  Are the introverted more drawn to waymarking?  Thoughts?

I tend to waymark and geocache alone or with one other person. Often that person is a muggle.

I've never been to an Event Cache, despite having been actively caching since mid-2006.

Not sure I'm an introvert, but I probably am, and I'm certainly not very social.

FWIW, I'm also an "only child".

Am I a loner?  Introverted?  Absolutely.

I rarely geocache with another geocacher (although I have).  I have been to a handful of Event Caches, but I mostly people watch instead of chit-chatting. 

When I do geocache or waymark with additional people, those additional people are usually my family.

When I am completely solo, it is usually during my lunch break at work.

I waymark alone....even when I am with other people. I'll be taking photos of this and that and Mrs. Bean will say. What, is that a waymark or something? She has accused me of taking more photos of things than of the kids. Unfortunately she is right.

I geocache by myself some but mostly with the family and I also take groups out caching when the chance arises. Usually I will take a group of 3 to 5 young guys on a hike or cache run. None of them have Groundspeak accounts but one of the guys has over 70 finds with me. For a while I geocached over lunch every week with my boss.

Of course I don't geocache now nearly as much as I used to.

I might be considered a loner in some aspects but I also do not think I am an introvert. I speak in public every week and lead several different groups that have routine meetings.

I am a mix. Last child for mom, first child for dad and complete confusion for the birth order scenarios. I see aspects of both the first child and last child profiles in my makeup.

I mostly cache alone and when not it's always a muggle.  I'll waymark when with a group of people but it's often also solo.

When I did geocaching I did it mostly alone.  I waymark alone mostly though my wife is more likely to join me waymarking than she ever would with geocaching.

BruceS:

When I did geocaching I did it mostly alone.  I waymark alone mostly though my wife is more likely to join me waymarking than she ever would with geocaching.

You still have time for your wife? 

Jake39:

BruceS:

When I did geocaching I did it mostly alone.  I waymark alone mostly though my wife is more likely to join me waymarking than she ever would with geocaching.

You still have time for your wife? 

Yep.  When I am actually in the same state as her (usually at least a day a week)

Yep, I guess I am a loner when it comes to waymarking. My wife likes to geocache as long as it is "clean areas". That is not hikes across the Sandhills Gamelands in the Sandhills of NC where we live. With my waymarking, being alone allows me to fully appreciate the waymark, read closely any plaques and such. As for visit runs, if she wants to go to Fayetteville, NC to shop, I plan out a list of places to visit and try to post a few waymarks my self while there. Same goes for when she wants to go to the Tanger Outlets at Myrtle Beach, SC or Blowing Rock, NC. I'm just not a shopping animal, (pawing and clawing  as I call it ain't me) so to cut down on being a whinning drag along hubby I go waymarking (post haste).

I tested as a ESFP for Myers-Briggs but, on the other hand, I'm a lot more social in Waymarking than I am in Geocaching. In Geocaching, I'm trying not to let others know what I'm doing so the cache stays safe. In Waymarking, I'm knocking on doors, making phone calls, and writing emails telling them exactly what I'm doing.

I mostly waymark alone, but will waymark on a day off with my wife along.  She brings a book to read, as I tend to get gabbing with someone nearby about the waymark.  I have only ever hidden one geocache and found a very few.  I also waymark while I'm working, so I might have someone with me or not.  I like solitude.  It goes well with waymarking things like old country schools and rural cemeteries.  I am not necessarily avoiding people though.  I do like to spend time with good friends and like very much to get people talking about their pet subjects like history, stories about their past, etc.

I'm social. I've waymarked with another person a few times but always as a part of geocaching because my friends are nice enough to geocache at a relaxed pace. Because several of them are also interested in photography, they also take photos but often not for waymarking them.

However, I prefer to be with a small group of up to four people as I prefer intimate interaction. At geocaching events I will "work the room"

BQ - only child

Interesting question.

Geocaching has been great because it is something that my wife and I both enjoy, and we almost always go out together.  We've enjoyed the geoevents we've been to, including several here in Korea.  I've intentionally gone geocaching with other geocachers only a few times, but they have been good, or at least interesting, experiences.  My first geocache was with my mother, brother and his family.  My mother, then 84, found it first!  When I'm together with my daughters, they enjoy geocaching as a family activity.  I've used it to forge new friendships with non-cachers as well.

Waymarking - well, my wife puts up with it, and is sweet enough to help.  She'll even turn around to get that waymark we just passed.  And, the rest of the family tolerates it if I don't hold up the group activities too much.  They think it is kind of an eccentric activity, I guess.

I've met only a few waymarkers, and had hoped to make connections on our recent trip back to the States, but it never happened.  We were a lot busier than I had thought we'd be, and didn't have the transportation to be independent.  So, I've never been waymarking with another waymarker, and I haven't been to any waymarking events.  But, I could see having a meeting in St. Louis and organizing an activity around visiting BruceS's waymarks, and seeing who could make the most new ones that he missed.

Loner?  Well, let's just say that the wall flower married the social butterfly so I've learned to flit a bit more. LOL  Oh, and the night owl also married the early bird.  Somehow its worked for 31 years, though.  And, middle of three boys, if that means anything to you birth order people.  I'll ask my daughter who is now working on her dissertation for a doctorate in clinical psychology.  Ha!

So, if someone wants to do some real sociological studies of waymarking and geocaching . . .

BruceS:

When I did geocaching I did it mostly alone.  I waymark alone mostly though my wife is more likely to join me waymarking than she ever would with geocaching.

I waymark with my wife and kids, and I am in the same situation. My wife is more tolerant of me taking a few extra pictures when we are traveling.  In fact, I used to tease her about taking photos of the signs in front of the hotels where we stayed. Once I told her that waterfalls are waymarks, she was fine with it.

Several above have commented on the taking of those "extra" photos for waymarking. On our recent trip from the east coast of Australia to the west coast (flew there but came home on the Indian-Pacific train), my wife began asking can I separate out the waymarking photos from the rest. It seems that my photos of signs etc that I needed either for a waymark idea (or an earthcache!) didn't really fit the family photo album. Having said all that, so far I have done my limited waymarking "alone" ie not with other waymarkers. But on Saturday gone by, I went to try a new local cache and was met by another cacher on the way back out (there was a walk across the edge of a golf course) who looked somewhat blank when I said I had turned more towards waymarking. "What's that?".....

I believe that the geocaching thread that fueled this topic was a direct result of some of my own handy work. WMin' really does seem to be another type of "get away from the wifey GPS game" for me. I do both with her but I hate bringing her along on caching trips. I feel like I'm being rushed and I can never fully leave my life behind for a few minutes with the sighs and moans over my shoulder. I'd like to include her but she has a complete lack of enthusiasm for what I do. I suppose I am still introverted myself which makes me wonder why I didn't stick with WMin' back in '06. I'm actually suprized I'm married with 2 kids. I think if I ever got divorsed I'd dive head first into cachin' & WMin' alone. Having friend in a forum is easy and you get instant approval of your actions because its a concentration of like minds. In the real world I want to make accomplshments on my own in my own unique way. That's why I place so many caches compared to my finds and my motivation for placing as many WMs as possible. But I can come home and hide behind my computer just in case someone hates my cache or WM. So its a safe hobby in my own mind. I want to be a social peron and break out of whatever screwed up shell that I've been driven into by my lifes circumstances but its tough. I think it would be a good idea to actually try to get some kind of small social gatherings going. Meeting other people of the same mentality makes me feel more human and in the long run more outgoing. I never did anything really as a social group until I started cachin' in '06. I say we get some kind of a members map going and maybe we can plan a mutual meeting place and start our own events. I consider an event a complete success if but 1 person shows up. Lets do something and maybe get some other type of a GPS game going. GPS's are rather new devices there's gotta be more we can do with these funky little creations. Even if its no more then to find each other and create our own social network. Ok I'll shut up now. Your turn to talk. Swizzle

swizzle:

GPS's are rather new devices there's gotta be more we can do with these funky little creations. Even if its no more then to find each other and create our own social network. Ok I'll shut up now. Your turn to talk. Swizzle

Guess this is the first time I've heard GPS technology described as "funky."

Well, we all have our reasons for doing Waymarking, and different styles, as is the case for those of us who also geocache(d).   For me, geocaching has been a great family activity - finally something that my wife and I both have enjoyed doing together, as opposed to my ham radio hobby, for instance.  She's less enthusiastic about Waymarking, but loves me enough to help me out and listen to my endless babble. 

Social network?  Well, waymarkers are still spread pretty thin around the world, so gatherings of people are difficult.  I've been able to meet only a few waymarkers in person.  One can argue if email exchanges and forums interactions constitute a social community, but I'll leave that to the sociologists.   Probably the best chance we have of social gatherings would be at geocaching mega-events, though not all of us geocache.

Groundspeak now has the three games supported: Geocaching, Waymarking, and WhereIGo.  I have not actually tried the latter, but sounds interesting.  There are other GPS-oriented hobbies such as Geodashing, (another one I've looked at but have not tried) and others.  Do a web search and you'll be surprised at what comes up.

So, maybe you're talking about social networks that are GPS-oriented, but necessarily related to waymarking - or geocaching.  I'm just not sure how the two would merge - GPS technology and social networking.

What is up with WhereIGo. I really don't understand how to even begin finding one much less setting one up. Maybe you're right about me just wanting to meet other GPS gamers and not just looking to pin it down to one specific group. I'll look into that geodashing too. I'll look to see if there's anything in my area. If not then once I hit a few thousand waymarks maybe I'll set one or 3 up. So is there anyone here that lives in NY? Swizzle

silverquill:

Social network?  Well, waymarkers are still spread pretty thin around the world, so gatherings of people are difficult.  I've been able to meet only a few waymarkers in person.  One can argue if email exchanges and forums interactions constitute a social community, but I'll leave that to the sociologists.   Probably the best chance we have of social gatherings would be at geocaching mega-events, though not all of us geocache.

Groundspeak now has the three games supported: Geocaching, Waymarking, and WhereIGo.  I have not actually tried the latter, but sounds interesting.  There are other GPS-oriented hobbies such as Geodashing, (another one I've looked at but have not tried) and others.  Do a web search and you'll be surprised at what comes up.

So, maybe you're talking about social networks that are GPS-oriented, but necessarily related to waymarking - or geocaching.  I'm just not sure how the two would merge - GPS technology and social networking.

That last comment shows that you haven't been exposed to the new iPhone culture. There are MANY apps that are GPS enabled Social Networking apps.  Most of them are designed to show you which of your friends are nearby. The idea is pretty interesting technologically, but mostly they look like new ways to give up one's privacy to me.

swizzle:

What is up with WhereIGo. I really don't understand how to even begin finding one much less setting one up. Maybe you're right about me just wanting to meet other GPS gamers and not just looking to pin it down to one specific group. I'll look into that geodashing too. I'll look to see if there's anything in my area. If not then once I hit a few thousand waymarks maybe I'll set one or 3 up. So is there anyone here that lives in NY? Swizzle

Wherigo is a GPS game that very few people can play. You need either a Garmin Colorado or Oregon, or a Pocket PC device in order to participate. I've done one while with someone else, and it was pretty neat I guess. But until the time comes when it can be played on a Palm, then I'm out.

As for New York waymarkers, you have me and my friend BarbershopDru in Buffalo, Chilehead in Rochester, MrsMcFly in the Finger Lakes, PTCRAZY in Syracuse and Team Smokey south of Albany. There are a few others scattered throughout the state, but they only have a handful of waymarks.

I checked out that geodashing and it doesn't look like anything I'm interested in. WhereIGo sounds like a real pain until you actual get use to it. I'll stick to waymarking and geocaching for now. I see that we are quite spread out. Once you really think about it though geocaching was probably just about as popular back in 2003 as WMin' is now. I'm sure its not for everyone with a gps and its been mentioned before that it lack a bit socially but that could easily change in 3 or 4 years. One thing I haven't checked out in a while is my navicache account. I should see if there's anymore in my area. I wanna get a few traveling caches going. I think that's awesome. Another thing that just came to my mind is how to get other waymarkers started in my area. I think I should start by posting say 10 WMs in all the surrounding towns, villages and cities around me and then just keep increasing the numbers in all of those towns. If I just concentrate on populating one area first then someone who may want to check out waymarking tomorrow might not get interested if my new waymarks are 50 miles away. Is there any type of print out that we could put together to advertize WMin'? I know with geocaching you can print out a tri-fold pamphlet (SP?). I wouldn't mind printing out a dozen or so every couple months and dropping them off in public places. If tourist want to see the best that we have to offer then maybe something they would rather see is off the beaten path and not through a tour line. Just a thought or 3. Damn I'm outta beer. Swizzle

Speaking as a female, it does seem to be more males than females that GC or WM. I guess my hubby is like your wives and totally not interested. We have to come up Geocouching or something similar for the spouses that don't want or have the desire for fresh air, insects, cuts and scrapes and fun exploring new territories. (I have to remember to bring the machet!!) So I am a loner in the aspect of CG or WM.

I'm new and just getting started, and still haven't found my first cache yet, but have a couple of WM already. I was not using the GPSr correctly (manually instead of clicking on the cache I wanted to find in my GPSr), thus the main reason for DNF, but I didn't log it as I blamed my inexperience rather than the hider! The good thing about it is that I found out now instead of being stuck out in the middle of nowhere looking for an eagle's nest!!

I travel around my area taking photos of nature, wildlife and whatever else strikes a pose! I only just found out about caching while researching for a GPSr, I need it to locate eagle nests that I will be monitoring this breeding season for the Audubon Birds of Prey. I thought it would be fun to try. Now, I'm stuck in limbo because the on/off switch broke on my GPSr and I am waiting for it to be repaired.

machete? sounds like some of the cachers here than destroy an area looking for the cache.....ah, for the days of the faint elephant trail to the cache.....it is hard to find anything when its all been tossed around (hiking sticks are for walking and probing, not putting all the detritus into one pile....)

SwEagle:

Speaking as a female, it does seem to be more males than females that GC or WM. I guess my hubby is like your wives and totally not interested. We have to come up Geocouching or something similar for the spouses that don't want or have the desire for fresh air, insects, cuts and scrapes and fun exploring new territories. (I have to remember to bring the machet!!) So I am a loner in the aspect of CG or WM.

I'm new and just getting started, and still haven't found my first cache yet, but have a couple of WM already. I was not using the GPSr correctly (manually instead of clicking on the cache I wanted to find in my GPSr), thus the main reason for DNF, but I didn't log it as I blamed my inexperience rather than the hider! The good thing about it is that I found out now instead of being stuck out in the middle of nowhere looking for an eagle's nest!!

I travel around my area taking photos of nature, wildlife and whatever else strikes a pose! I only just found out about caching while researching for a GPSr, I need it to locate eagle nests that I will be monitoring this breeding season for the Audubon Birds of Prey. I thought it would be fun to try. Now, I'm stuck in limbo because the on/off switch broke on my GPSr and I am waiting for it to be repaired.

There are a lot of women in both games but, yeah, I think the majority are still guys. I've been referred to as "guy" before because someone just assumed. Where in Florida are you at? I need somebody to drag my butt away from work to do more GCing and WMing. :)

- Elle

Redneck Parrotheads:

There are a lot of women in both games but, yeah, I think the majority are still guys. I've been referred to as "guy" before because someone just assumed. Where in Florida are you at? I need somebody to drag my butt away from work to do more GCing and WMing. :)

- Elle

Elle it is just that we consider you one of the guys