No, it was more about if you would pay money to access trails that have caches on them.
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No, it was more about if you would pay money to access trails that have caches on them.
Because I pay for gas to access GRC's and LP's I would pay to access a trail if there were caches on it. I paid for access to one cache!
I paid more for gas to get to Mount Batty then the cost to enter Mt. Batty to access the cache at the summit!
Hell I spend money just for the sake of it. I hate the stuff! As soon as I get it, I get rid of it!
You can't take it with you.
An interesting question - but unless you are using the most basic "free" Groundspeak membership - if you are "Premium" = you pay to cache.
State Parks - we must pay to access unless in winter when they are closed. I have paid to access state parks to get a cache. I have never seen a cache in a State Park which was not on GC.com. I have also paid to go to an Event cache which was at a place with an access fee (other than camping).
BRDad has a point about places which charge (campgrounds, parks, wildlife refuges - and I wonder about even State Parks - some caches may be Grandfathered)......being commercial. It was for that reason, I never mentioned on the pages I wrote for my Hirundo caches that they would like users to leave a donation. There are signs up where you sign in AND no one would be refused. BUT - donations are greatfully accepted AND would be a GREAT help.
I just interpreted the GC.com guidelines to be by posting it about the donation piece and/or making it a requirement it would be commercial. They were generous to open up their land to our use and so far there have been no problems. Not a lot of money left in the can but it's ok.
If a cache were placed specifically to collect money - not my cup of tea..............but I guess it depends on where it is. I had a ball caching in AK - and they are promoting Caching with brochures and everything. But hey, it was another reason to go back to a place I love anyway.
I guess I haven't run into any place that would cause an issue over asking for donations to use the land for caching but I can see where this would be an issue for some. Places like Hirundo have a donation box to leave a user decided donation for using the land. Their trails are great and very well maintained, they landscape the open areas, they print trail maps, they have signage, picnic tables under cover, gardens, bridges over streams, and other facilities. These things cost time and money to keep up. Again, they have a box for user determined donations. One box, three maybe four entrances. I had no idea the area was there and thanks to caching, I've been several times. Once to cache, other times just to go walking through the woods with my boys. I have no problem tossing a few dollars into the box each time we visit as I recognize what it takes to maintain an area as large as they have. If it weren't for caching, how many of you would know know about every little park or trail system that is out there in other cities and towns? I can see on Groundspeaks side, rather than having an arguable gray area, that they just flat out dont allow it but really, this should be left up to the local reviewers.
If I took the time to build a trail system I might put up a donation box for a little assistance as well. If I really wanted a lot of other people coming to get the area to be publicly known, what better way to draw people in than an activity like caching? Remember, donations don't need to be left when you first arrive in locations like this. Typically, I use donation boxes like tipping in a restaurant. Use the facilities first. If you dont find any value in being there and don't see your self ever returning, leave a smaller donation. If you really like the place, take the time to do more than just cache, and see yourself coming back, drop in a $5 or something bigger.
When I was in Vegas there was a Wherigo cache that was nearby. I didn't have a rental car so I took a taxi cab to the cache and told the driver to come back and pick me up in about an hour. The cab ride cost me $50 one way, I got out of the cab, the cab took off and the Wherigo wasn't very intricate. In fact it had one part that I didn't have to do anything for and the cache was located 70 feet away. So I practically found the cache before the cab left the parking lot, but I couldn't get him back. So I started walking back to the hotel which was about 10 miles away. After awhile I was finally able to track down another cab and another $25 cab ride back for a 5 minute Wherigo. That is one adventure I won't soon forget. Oh the things we do for the smiley!!!!
I think I would pay cash to cache. I would pay money to find caches placed to collect money for profit. It would just be very intriguing to see what a cache like that had or if it was any different.
I have and would pay money to get into a park that has caches in it. I might consider placing a cache in my driveway with a money box if edidoki says he would pay money for profit. Interesting. The cache would not be any different, I will let you know if advance. :-) and I am not sure what the fee will be. It might be inside a big rock and maybe should have a tire repair kit in it though. :-) This has been an interesting thread to read...thanks for starting it.
I would pay the 5 bucks (X4 for the fam) if I could log the caches on GC.com. Why? I like to. I also like going on my profile every once in a while and look over the caches I've found. What is still active, What has been archived ect. It's like a trip down memory lane. If someone put out quality caches on their land and spent time, money and energy to provide a great experience, it's money well spent!