Attributes Anyone?

[FrancisScottKey]

During some recent reviews I noticed that some of you use attributes while some don't use them at all? What are your thoughts on them? As a GSAK user I find them to be extremely helpful.

I would love to hear your thoughts on them and also if you like them should there be more of them or less? What would you add if you could add more? Are there any that could be done away with and why?

[portlywalker]

I would like more nuance in the terrain difficulty attributes. "Bring a rope" Allow extra time, "Only with a team". Some of these apply to 3.5's that should have been rated higher.

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[lpaulriddle]

Attributes (like D/T) can be subjective depending on who's doing the hiding and who's doing the finding, but I like them. I think they are a good way of "filtering" caches and deciding which I want to attempt and which I'm going to skip. This makes them a good time management tool. When I'm on a tight schedule, and want to find a couple of quick caches, I might filter out caches with attributes like "field puzzle" or "hike greater than 10km". Conversely, if I'm out for a good hike, I might specifically look for "significant hike". If I'm feeling self conscious, I'll filter out "stealth required". There are lots of other examples, but those are a few that came to mind.

[littleblkdog]

Attributes are a must. I always try to work them into my cache pages if I can. Generally I use some of them to describe the cache, e.g. a special too needed or a long hike. Sometimes I will use them to be a little funny such as putting "not winter friendly" on a summer event.

[hunterKat]

I would like... "Bring a rope" Allow extra time, "Only with a team".

These are pretty well covered by existing attributes - Climbing Gear Required, Takes More Than 1 Hour, Teamwork Required. As for "allowing extra time", we all should be able to judge our own pace and capabilities for hikes and other adventures, and plan accordingly - it would be nearly impossible for a CO to predict the abilities for every cacher that might visit. I've found that my own success changes day to day - I can be out one day and find everything I hunt almost instantly, while on other days I can't find a 1/1 GR cache to save my life!

As we continue to make finds and gain more experience, we can make better-educated judgements about the information a CO supplies, both on D/T rating, and what the noted attributes might mean in our own context. Part of the fun is getting out and seeing what's there. If I'm not alone, I get a thrill out of pushing or testing myself in certain situations, too.

I definitely look at attributes when putting plans together - if I see all the "nasties" (ticks, PI, thorns, etc.), I can plan ahead for a rough hike, maybe some serious bushwhacking, can determine what "tools" may be needed (gloves, hiking stick(s), boots, a reaching tool, etc.) and at least know to keep my eyes more open to my surroundings. I'll also think twice about the clothing I'll be wearing, and whether I should carry water or snacks with me. I can determine if I need to eliminate something from my plans, for any reason. Most of the existing attributes are helpful to me, both positive and negative. I try to use them on every cache I publish, and like LBD, play with them sometimes, too. (Who's actually paying attention, I wonder?) I have wanted a different attribute or two in the past - I'll add another post when I recall them.

[portlywalker]

Much of your notes are cogent but are not sympathetic to people who have issues just getting out geocaching.

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[Sue-Cat]

Attributes are very useful.

I'd still like to see an attribute for challenge caches. And one for restricted hours/days. We generally assume caches are available in daylight but sometimes there's a park-like place that is NOT open on certain days or certain daylight hours. Cache descriptions state the restrictions in this case but an attribute would help cachers to be aware of the restrictions.

[AL's Guide]

Attributes are very useful.

I'd still like to see an attribute for challenge caches. And one for restricted hours/days. We generally assume caches are available in daylight but sometimes there's a park-like place that is NOT open on certain days or certain daylight hours. Cache descriptions state the restrictions in this case but an attribute would help cachers to be aware of the restrictions.

I understand that the not 24/7 attribute is rather vague and it would be much more useful to have a daylight attribute than that one. But sometimes a location such as a library is not open on a Sunday or a Monday. Or closes at 4 O'clock. A heads up by having a restricted hours attribute would be helpful. Especially when traveling. The library cache I was looking at last night refers you to their website deep in the text and it was still not easy to find their open hours.

[AL's Guide]

Much of your notes are cogent but are not sympathetic to people who have issues just getting out geocaching.

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I understand what you are saying. The only handicapped attribute is wheelchair accessible. When I put that on one of my caches I take for granted that the person can reach from the floor to about 4 feet high and can get there from a smooth or even surface from a place to park. That is not always true. In your case I see that your mobility would restrict you from reaching the ground. How can we remedy this? I would like for you to be able to know if you can find a cache I placed or should pass it up for another. I have many out there you could find and others you could not. Sheese! There are quite a few I have had to pass on for fear of my life.

[hostanut]

The only handicapped attribute is wheelchair accessible. When I put that on one of my caches I take for granted that the person can reach from the floor to about 4 feet high...

I never consider a cache at ground level to be "Handicap Accessible" because I'm NOT sure that people in wheelchairs can reach the ground.

[portlywalker]

I have included in a couple of mine, text that says the cache is wheelchair accessible with a grabber assistant.

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