View Full Version : Geocaching.com maps.... broken?



Cache'n Jacksons
11-05-2004, 08:53 AM
Is it just me, or have the Geocaching.com maps stopped updating? My usual morning routine has been to go to the New Hampshire map (http://www.geocaching.com/map/NH.asp) and look for the bright green squares showing new caches within the past week. We're fairly close to the NH border and that map gives good coverage of caches within driving distance from our house, both in ME & NH. For the past 2 weeks the same green squares have been there and no new ones have shown up. If I use the personalized maps (http://www.geocaching.com/map/getmap.aspx?lat=43.1113&lon=-70.73288), I can see new caches but it's really hard to make them out with the tiny "new" flag.

Has anyone else noticed this? What other methods are being used for watching for new caches? Pocket Queries (http://www.geocaching.com/pocket/)? Zip Code Search (http://www.geocaching.com/seek/nearest.aspx?zip=04087&dist=100)? State Search (http://www.geocaching.com/seek/nearest.aspx?state_id=20)? We used to be able to use Buxley's (http://brillig.com/geocaching/north_conway.shtml) as a backup but now that is not updated (http://forums.groundspeak.com/GC/index.php?showtopic=79831) as well. I'm curious to hear what the rest of you do. And I suppose if the GC.com maps are really broken I should report it to them.

WhereRWe?
11-05-2004, 09:03 AM
I haven't noticed any problems, but I went to the Buxley's site you mentioned - I'd never visited that one before - and they linked to a comment that geocaching admin has been behind lately. Perhaps that's the reason.

Geochicks
11-07-2004, 09:06 AM
I notice that the other day.

I was staying down to Portland and I knew the location but not the address so I tried to click on the page to get a map but it wasn't there.

brdad
11-08-2004, 10:52 AM
I get a PQ of all my unfound caches daily and use watcher to sort the list by date placed to see the newest ones. Alternatively, I view them on USAPhotomaps to see just where they are on aerial photos and/or topos. By getting a PQ daily, I have a nearly fresh copy of all the caches should the site go down at the moment I would otherwise be checking them online.

parmachenee
11-09-2004, 05:20 PM
I do pq's a couple of times a week or just before we leave for caching. With GSAK, I can sort by most recent or zip or whatever. I can send any of the info to my Mapsource maps, StreetAtlas maps, and gps maps. If I want, I can print Mapsource maps with the caches indicated or just rely on my pda and gps.

Mainiac1957
11-10-2004, 10:40 AM
I never knew about the state map option I guess. I have the PQs sent weekly, but I like the map to give me a hint where the new ones are. Thanks for the tip.

WhereRWe?
11-10-2004, 06:22 PM
Believe me - if you're caching "out of state", maps can really be a help. We - as on a previous caching trip to Vermont - experienced frustration yesterday and today at being unable to find our way to several caches. We have a couple of Vermont maps, but they aren't really helpful when you have a choice of several "back" roads. We plan on buying Delorme Guides for Mass, NH and VT at a taxpfree WallyWorld in New Hampshire tomorrow. :cool:

parmachenee
11-12-2004, 09:18 AM
We never leave home without it.....Delorme. :) :)

Ye Olde Prospector
11-12-2004, 10:22 AM
Always have my Delormes with me if I'm venturing into unfamiliar areas. Saves a lot of extra miles many times and time when going from point A to point B. With fuel costs today it pays for itself in no time.

Cache'n Jacksons
11-14-2004, 07:57 AM
Looks like they've fixed whatever was wrong with the maps at geocaching.com. I agree that the Delorme maps are fantastic... mine are so used that several pages are missing or falling out! Lately we've only been venturing out for a cache or two at a time, so I look over the topo maps from USAPhotoMaps (http://jdmcox.com/) to get an idea of what roads/trails I need to take.