CacheViewer is a volunteer geocache reviewer. A geocache reviewer is someone who reviews listings against the geocaching guidelines and regional laws before publishing them. Reviewers also keep an eye on the health of geocaches in your area by monitoring logs posted on geocache pages. The following advice from CacheViewer was originally posted in the ANSG facebook page in July, 2024:
----------
I am trying to clean up areas, but really could use help via your logs to do it.
I am noticing lots of lonely caches in NS, meaning caches not found in over a year, some not found in over 10 years. Some are even available as FTF! I encourage you to venture out and find some of these lonely caches. If you have searched some and DNFed them, please log the DNF. Some are long hikes or on islands and need a boat, I recognize the reason for the time between finds. Some, though, are close to a road and in areas close to cachers, but I am not sure why they have been unfound for years. Without DNFs, and Needs Attention logs, to point out issues in the area, they will not be brought to my attention, nor when I do see them do I have enough info to take any action like disable or archive.
Please take time to log DNF and needs attention logs to help clean up missing/damaged/issue caches. If they do get archived consider the area for new cache placements.
-----------------------
CacheViewer is working on cleaning up caches and has another message:
Caches are brought to my attention in various ways:
logging Reviewer Attention Needed
Health score drop
directly emailing me
Logging Reviewer Attention Needed:
If there are a few DNFs, log an Owner Attention Needed.
If the area is altered and the cache is obviously missing (clearcut), string DNFs, private property, broken, mouldy, no action to the owner attention needed log or other issues that you would like a reviewer to see, then log Reviewer Attention Needed. I am notified and can check.
Health score drop:
This algorithm is based on a combination of logs and circumstances, including
Didn't find it
Owner attention requested
Reviewer attention requested
Caches that have not been found in a long time
Difficulty and terrain rating
When you log caches that you did not find or sign the logbook as found, you raise the score, thus they do not come to my attention. DNFs are important as it shows the period of time possibly MIA and drops the health score.
I am shocked at the number of caches I come across with years of find logs, but the cache is MIA, and people are logging the find for a string in a tree or just because they were there. STOP THIS! It does not lower the health score to trigger action when there is a string of false find logs. At a minimum, log a Reviewer Attention Needed log as well.
Direct emailing me:
If you are going to email me, please provide details. Give me a list of GC codes. I can then go directly to a cache page and determine if I need to take action. Asking me to go clean all of NS, or an area, is too broad and requires time that I would rather spend caching myself.
Geocaches have been around for 24 years now. Many people have enjoyed this game over the years, and some have moved on, leaving their caches out there. Some of those cachers left without maintenance plans. Leaving containers that are breaking, mouldy or MIA. We need to work on those issue caches and either clean them up or clear them out. DO NOT REPLACE caches without a cache owner's permission, but if you like the spot, watch the listing, and if it becomes archived, consider placing your own cache there. Refresh the game and draw people back to a cool location with a new hide, one with an active owner that is being maintained.
A cache coming to my attention does not always mean I will archive it. I may disable it to give the owner time, nudge the owner to take action or keep an eye on it until I have enough information to make a call.