beltfamily - a personal statement

[beltfamily]

I would like to make a public statement about beltfamily (that’s me!)

Having developed a method of using information and tools to be in the running for FTFs that has been very successful for me, some cachers in Nelson have got to the point where they can not conceive of me having achieved my FTF tally without cheating in some way.

Two working theories are out there

1. I am a reviewer and access the unpublished cache data
2. I have hacked into geocaching.com, and can access unpublished cache data

For those of us who know how the system works, these ideas are absurd and deserve a good chuckle, but unfortunately these ideas have found fertile soil in the minds of new cachers, cachers that should know better, and cachers with an axe to grind.

Although these ideas have been out there for many, many months, I became aware of this only a few days ago. It would go somewhat to explaining why people have started to treat me differently “for no apparent reason”. And by differently, I mean in a negative way.

Being the Bastard of Mischief that I am, I actually thought this would be fun to have a play with. You know, leaving logs like “Once again my 'superior technical skills' got me there first”, and let the poisoned minds have their fun.

But as it is with gossip, there are no boundaries to it. And so, innocent people are now getting caught up in the hysteria surrounding my supposed use of illicit geodata. So here’s clear denial:

I, “beltfamily”, am neither a reviewer nor have I hacked geocaching.com. I do not have access to any information that anyone, as a paid up member of geocaching.com, doesn’t have access to as well. As a result, I do not have any information to share with OTHER CACHERS either.

Yes, other caches have also been tarred with the gossip brush - the gossip is that I have been allowing some people access to my nefarious geo-information.

However absurd all this sounds, it’s now “a thing”, and I suspect that I will now never truly convince everyone. As I said to the person reporting the gossip to me a few days ago, “I can’t control what people choose to think”.

My request of the gossipers is this: Please don’t lump other cachers in with your fantasies. I'm well known for winding people up, and I guess this is one of the outcomes of being a recidivist poop stirrer, but please, please, please.... don't tarnish other caching reputations just because you think they might also be getting a leg up by using my fictitious access to pre-published cache information. Please?

tl;dr: To summarise - I am not a reviewer, I have not hacked into geocaching.com, I do not have access to any information that you can’t access yourself, I do not provide friends with reviewer or hacked data on caches before they are published (as I do not have access to this!)

Many thanks for your time.

Now. Anyone who would like to know how I do achieve this perceived FTF success is invited to come over for a coffee and I will explain it all in detail. It's not a secret. I'm not going to hold a public lecture on it, but I will tell you everything if you take the effort to come find out. (It's really not that exciting you know).

[tgsnoopy]

Of course should you actually consider becoming a reviewer, I can assure you it will immediately reduce/cease your high FTF ratio

I used to be in a position where I could, at any point I choose, stop doing what I was doing and go out in search of FTF's on any new caches (this was about 10 years ago I should add). Local cachers as they came on line used to comment when they got to beat me to one.

I'm guessing you have notifications set up and are in a similar position to where I used to be all those years ago.

[beltfamily]

The actual answer is equal doses of luck, madness and using tech to its fullest. The madness thing comes in when people really can't conceive of you doing what you're really doing (like getting up at 4am, knocking off the FTFs, returning home and hour later and going back to sleep until 7). I have a very supportive wife who has long since given up being amazed/disturbed at what I won't do for an FTF. It's probably even harder to understand looking in from the outside

[rediguana]

The actual answer is equal doses of luck, madness and using tech to its fullest.

Indeed it is. I know quite a few cachers that couldn't comprehend how certain cachers could find so many caches in a day, or some of the distances involved. Then you take them out caching with you for a day, and they truly understand how mad you are.

But it is good to see the New Zealand Tall Poppy Syndrome(tm) at work - NOT! "No, it's not possible that they're actually that mad/good/prepared that they can FTF every cache. No. They must be cheating. Yes, that's it. They're cheating. Waaaaaaaa! Woe is me!"

It may also be about expectations - some lazy cachers may have the expectation that a cache listed on Tuesday, will be left until after 10am on Saturday morning for a nice leisurely FTF at a respectable hour, and a nice picnic afterwards to celebrate.

[tgsnoopy]

Indeed it is. I know quite a few cachers that couldn't comprehend how certain cachers could find so many caches in a day, or some of the distances involved. Then you take them out caching with you for a day, and they truly understand how mad you are.

And Wayne seemed amused at me being partially tempted and largely afraid to go caching with him in Sydney that New Years

[GSVNoFixedAbode]

Indeed it is. I know quite a few cachers that couldn't comprehend how certain cachers could find so many caches in a day, or some of the distances involved. Then you take them out caching with you for a day, and they truly understand how mad you are.

And Wayne seemed amused at me being partially tempted and largely afraid to go caching with him in Sydney that New Years

Be afraid. Be very afraid!

As for the FTF dash, having publication notification emails forwarded to a cellphone is not a deep dark secret and does help in the race (thinking back to years gone past). ... it also gives reviewers an avenue to express their inherent evilness in choosing to publish in the wee small hours.

[Zorgon]

FTF hunting is actually very simple. You have to find and log the cache first.

I have no idea what BeltFamily’s FTF techniques are but I am sure they can’t be much different to any other keen FTF hunters. In the interests of increasing FTF competition , Zorgon’s FTF tips are:

1. Unless you pay for a GC.com premium membership forget about any chance of getting a FTF unless you are very lucky. The premium membership allows you to set up the notifications feature that will send you an email when a new cache is published. Everyone using the notification feature receive it at the same time so at this point you are still on an even playing field.

2. You used to have to use this email to generate a txt alert on your phone but now that “everyone” has smart phones you receive the email directly on your phone.

3. You won’t be FTF unless you have your phone with you and turned on. You also won’t be FTF if you are worried that it is 11:00 pm and rain is bucketing down.

4. If you are not out the door and in the car within 30 to 60 seconds of receiving the notification you are doing something very wrong. The only things you should be checking are the cache type, terrain rating and distance from home. This should be done on the phone not by logging into GC.com on the computer. Obviously if it is a puzzle cache you need to stop and solve the puzzle before leaving home unless you are caching with a friend partner who is clever enough to solve on the way.

5. Common mistakes at this point. Downloading the cache info into the GPS. Wasting time telling someone where you are going. Trying to find that pen, GPS, raincoat or torch which should already be in the car. Getting changed into appropriate caching clothes or thinking that jandals might be inappropriate. You are fine how you are!

6. Either manually enter the cache coordinates into the GPS as you are driving or before you set off (if you insist). Also note that the chances of a speeding ticket is very slim up to 10 km/hr over the muggle speed limit.

7. On arrival close to GZ remember that double yellow lines mean that only geocachers are allowed to park there so make the most of this rule. If you have a 4WD you might find that by bumping over a a few curbs you can drive right to GZ.

8. While walking towards GZ you read the Hint. At GZ start hunting but if not found in a minute read the other info on the cache page to see if there is anything else useful there. That’s when you tend to find the “don’t attempt this cache at night” type comments ..... oops.

If you don’t follow these tips to the letter you shouldn’t be wondering why other people get most of the FTF’s in your area.

P.S. I am no longer a keen FTF hunter as living 15 km from town doesn’t make it easy but on occasions when the timing is right (and my wife lets me ) I will still give it a crack.

[rediguana]

If you don’t follow these tips to the letter you shouldn’t be wondering why other people get most of the FTF’s in your area.

Awesome

[Kiwi Nomad]

Just had nosey on GC there are over 40 still unfound/unlogged caches in the South Island right at this moment!

[beltfamily]

I have no idea what BeltFamily’s FTF techniques are but I am sure they can’t be much different to any other keen FTF hunters. In the interests of increasing FTF competition , Zorgon’s FTF tips are:

Nothing new there indeed. However mad FTF hunters have just a few more tools and techniques up their sleeves.

But I will only reveal these at Casa del Belftamily

Or am I just full of it as per usual?

As others have said, people who haven't seen the truly mad in action find it difficult to even conceive of the madness that drives a cacher on a mission, and if you can't conceive of what's real, then you can only explain it with what you can allow yourself to believe, eh?

I might need an Affidavit signed by a reviewer? Or "are we all in it together, covering for each other"?

(Should I stop now? Yes. I guess I should. )

[GSVNoFixedAbode]

Going back a few years when The Sallies were top'o'the pole on FTFs, the consensus was that they staked out a likely area for a new cache, waited for the cacher to place one, then immediately jumped out and signed the log. I'm sorry, but Beltfamily pales in comparison to such dedication and paranormal abilities.

[beltfamily]

Ahem.

I'll have you know that I once had a reviewer that published at such a regular time that I could indeed sit in the target area in my car waiting for the caches to be published.

Yes, THAT mad.

It's a lot harder now, but even attempts to publish at 2am and 4am haven't thrown me. My bladder's need to interrupt my sleep and my willingness to FTF and come back to bed have been useful.

Yes, THAT mad.

It was standard practice to sign the FTF log with a time 5-15 minutes earlier than I had achieved to ensure I was messing with my competitors minds. Effectively so, as it turned out.

It's no wonder some people have concluded in their own mind that I'm cheating. I've fueled that fire myself, unwittingly. But where it's gone wrong is that the little sh1ts are now also trying to take down my geo-friends with their poisonous talk. And that's where it has to stop.

It's only a game where we try to beat each other to a plastic box (if we're lucky), and when it gets to the point where GOOD people's integrity and honesty are being questioned it's got a bit out of hand. Hence this thread. All my fault. Can we go back to just having fun now please?

[ags]

It may also be about expectations - some lazy cachers may have the expectation that a cache listed on Tuesday, will be left until after 10am on Saturday morning for a nice leisurely FTF at a respectable hour, and a nice picnic afterwards to celebrate.

Worked for me on my last FTF.
There were a few differences though: It was a Sunday after 10.00am, and we had the picnic just before lazily locating the cache.

Funnily enough, I don't get many FTF with this method.

Small print: It was a puzzle cache that is proving hard for people to solve. It is a significant walk from the car park on a tramping track. And it's got a Terrain Category of 4.

[tgsnoopy]

it also gives reviewers an avenue to express their inherent evilness in choosing to publish in the wee small hours.

Ahh, such a good apprentice is ye

[ADV]

It was standard practice to sign the FTF log with a time 5-15 minutes earlier than I had achieved to ensure I was messing with my competitors minds. Effectively so, as it turned out.

Oh...my...gosh That is so not playing the game my way , oops, "In the spirit of the game"