Why are geocachers seen as the enemy? - Dartmoor Letterboxing Archive

Michael

2011-02-07 11:30:35

Simple enough question really, I've picked up the general consensus amongst many letterboxers is that geocaching is seen as the evil twin and worst enemy going to letterboxing... but why?

Yes, you could argue its less skilled because they use a GPS rather than getting bearings and finding things out that way, and for the most part I'd be inclined to agree. But at the same time the ethos seems similar to that of letterboxing and it does share a lot of the same characteristics.

Only thing I could potentially see as a problem is if geocaching took over Dartmoor and people thought letterboxes were geocaches, taking the stamp inside and replacing it with something else. But I've never encountered that as a problem in practice (definitely nothing like the amount of stolen boxes on the moor!)

So I guess my simple question is... why the fighting? :)

The Sly Fox

2011-02-07 12:57:35

Only thing I could potentially see as a problem is if geocaching took over Dartmoor and people thought letterboxes were geocaches, taking the stamp inside and replacing it with something else.

Not sure about the fighting Michael. However, I have found a few letterboxes with stamps missing, complete with a note in the visitors book saying things like "Took duck stamp, left old 50p piece".

Maybe geocachers need a code of conduct like letterboxers (if they don't already). Or just need to be aware what Dartmoor letterboxes are as I am sure they wouldn't take the stamps or books intentionally.

Michael

2011-02-07 13:48:31

Not sure about the fighting Michael.
Perhaps I've picked up the wrong end of the stick, but I'm sure I've seen a couple of comments around (generally, not necessarily on here) that have implied the two don't get on!

However, I have found a few letterboxes with stamps missing, complete with a note in the visitors book saying things like "Took duck stamp, left old 50p piece".
This I agree would get rather annoying (I haven't found any boxes like this, but then again I don't get up on the moors that often.) I agree that they wouldn't take things maliciously though, perhaps more notes / awareness is needed that the stamps aren't there to be taken!

moorland wizard

2011-02-07 15:59:05

a few letterboxers have starting putting "this is a letterbox not a geo cache" on the boxes they put out

devon steamer

2011-02-07 16:33:47

i do both,i move geo coins around on the moors

moorland wizard

2011-02-07 19:43:02

i think it has more to do with stamps going missing, and it is the closest hobbie to letterboxing. dont forget people just like taking stamps off the moor for fun

The Thinkers

2011-02-08 17:27:22

Hello Michael,

I suspect some of the interactions are nothing more than banter, and that some 'boxers' do both, but some posters (looking back through the archives, do get rather heated about the subject). It is evident that some boxes get misplaced and/or vandalised which is bad enough, but probably all the more galling if they are mistaken for caches and your expensive works of art (stamps) taken as trinkets.

As MW has suggested some boxes have a note explaining what they are (ours does) and whilst we welcome geochachers to sign, we do request that nothing is taken from the box. There did seem to be some suggestion that GCs were placing caches in 'man made' structures (a strict No No in the boxing world) due to the damage that could be caused by repeated visitors, but I don't know to what degree this is a problem. I would also imagine that as boxing developed in the world of 'map and compass', (and that sometimes you need the deductive skills of Holmes to find them), anything that makes this easier isn't really cricket :? or for that matter lettrboxing!

Best wishes,

K&A

Nik - KOTM

2011-02-10 20:23:24

As I see it - Geocaching is basically an American thing even though it has gone worldwide. It is run by American rules and subject to an American whim.

Don't take this the wrong way I have loads of American friends online and I think they are a great bunch.

But what annoys me about the geocaching world is thay are IGNORANT of other peoples hobbies.

Letterboxing is run by the Dartmoor Letterboxing 100 club - can you see the limitation here?

As I see it - Geocaching should be allowed in certain areas of the moor (middle of the roads?) and leave the rest to us letterboxers. This is our area for enjoyment - we already have enough problems with the DLT we don't need more... unless you are prepared to be educated

The Wandering Artist

2011-02-10 21:07:52

Hi Nik

Hear what you say - this has been voiced over quite well in another thread and I have expressed a few comments - the Station Master also had a few things to say! Seems we are about to go 'around the buoy' on this one!

TWA

The Wandering Artist

2011-02-10 21:13:58

Hi Nik

I reckon this has already been exploited on another thread and therefore only gives the opportunity to others to embroil the situation unneccesarily.

Seems the activity always arises from a GC! or whatever.

TWA

Nik - KOTM

2011-02-15 17:37:54

I know it has been voiced on another thread - but I just get carried away - it not the hobby that bothers me but the rules inflicted and by whom... a very long story which I wont go into here

MagicHarry

2011-03-06 20:05:39

I have a Geo trackable "Victorian Letter Box", which I placed near Avon Dam, last August. So it's a kind of a LetterBox, albeit a Geo type.

Most geocachers I've come accross do seem to be quite considerate, but you'll always get the "muppets" who don't understand the Dartmoor Heritage.

Anyone who removes the Rubber Stamps, clearly have no idea what they are doing, and are probably tourists.