Several things come to mind on this. First starting out is not easy alone. When I take people out on caching trips I will usually show them several hides of different size contains and types of hides to get them started. Size matters no matter what anyone says. Finding a nano is much harder than a large bucket depending on the location and cleverness of the hide.
Another thing is a cache can be very hard to find even if you have a lot of experience. The Oregon State nickname is one that only I have found with many people looking for it. I found it easy enough, but that most likely was just a good day for me. I have gone back to find caches months after looking the first time and found them without any trouble.
And I regularly find that a cache is 40 feet from where my GPSr is first telling me where it is. That is because sometimes it takes a minute or two for the GPSr to zero in on the location.
Give caching a little time and start out on ones listed as 1 difficulty and 1 terrain and this time of year ones that are winter friendly. As time goes on you'll know better what to look for and where, but then again some of the hides will be very hard to find no matter how good you get. I have seen very experienced cachers have trouble on caches that others find real easy. Don't give up. Just go have fun.
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