How to help your reviewer and get your cache published quickly!

	What happens when I list a cache for publication?
	Can I work on my cache for longer than the 40 minutes allowed?
	Why did the Reviewer 'Temporarily Disable' my cache and send it back?
	OK, the reviewer did disable my cache, how do I sort out what's wrong?
	How do I check if my cache is too close to another before submitting it?
	How can I check the location to see if it's OK to put a cache there?
	How do I check the speeling and grammur?
	How do I add pictures to my page or change the fonts? How do put in links to websites?
	How do I add additional waypoints, it's a bit confusing?
	I need to tell the reviewer something about my cache? How do I do this?
	I've got permission in a letter. How do I add this to the cache for the reviewer to see?
	I don't have paper maps, how can I check a location?

What happens when I list a cache for publication?

The reviewer will look at the page and make sure it meets the guidelines, this includes checking if permission may be required and looking at the location on the maps and possibly Google Streetview. It is important with a multicache or unknown cache to include the Final Location as a 'hidden additional waypoint' on the page. Any physical locations of a multicache or unknown cache (containers or anything you've placed) should also be included as a 'stages of a multicache' additional waypoint, hidden if you don't want the finder to see the coords or visible if you do. You should also add any clues or question stages as additional waypoints using the 'Question to Answer' type (see later on this page).
If you have permission information add this as a 'note to reviewer' log on the cache page. Any other information you think may be relevant should also be added this way. These reviewer notes are deleted before the cache is published and are not visible.
Just tick the box 'Enable cache listing. It is ready for review.' and it goes into the Reviewers queue for review. If you are not editing the cache and want to enable it then just do so from the link on the top right in the Navigation box. You can also enter any notes for the Reviewer at the same time.

Can I work on my cache for longer than the 40 minutes allowed?

Yes you can. The box 'Enable cache listing. It is ready for review' is NOT ticked by default so when you submit the page it is saved but it does not go to the reviewer. You can then edit the page, submit it and see how it looks as often as you want. When you are ready for it to be reviewd, tick the box and then submit it for the reviewer to see. If you accidently submit it for review and tick that box but realise it's not ready yet then just disable it from the link in the Navigation box on the right of the cache page. That will remove it from the queue.

Why did the Reviewer 'Temporarily Disable' my cache and send it back?

Here are the main reasons the Reviewer will send your cache back. You can avoid this and get it published if you check first!

No Final Coordinates added for a Multicache or Mystery cache. No stages added as waypoints for a multicache.
Obvious permission needed but not given - cache in a Nature Reserve, National Trust land or Forestry Commission for example. Check the Guidelines and check the map!
To close to another cache (proximity error). Your cache is too close to a traditional cache, or the final location of a multi or mystery. Click here to find out how to check yourself if there will be a problem.
Wrong type of cache listed - it's a Mystery but showing as a Traditional for example.
Wrong coordinates - your cache seems to be miles away from where it should be! Check them!
Container is unsuitable. 'take away' containers, ice cream containers and any tins are not at all suitable. Use a sturdy 'click lock' type box like these. The Knowledge Books explain more about containers.
Container is wrapped or placed in a plastic bag - a carrier bag or bin bag for example. Any plastic bag is unsuitable as either camouflage or waterproofing and just ends up tatty and wet and messy to unwrap.
Obvious breach of the guidelines - "Would everyone who finds my cache please put £1 in it and I'll give it to 'Save the Wombats' charity" or "the cache is hidden in a hole I found in the wall of the Cathedral which is owned by the National Trust. Just remove the loose stones to find it".

OK, the reviewer did disable my cache, how do I sort out what's wrong?

Read the note from the reviewer to see what the problem is. It may be something very simple like a change in the wording or the coordinates need checking. If there are a lot of problems then these reviewer notes can be quite long and may include links to maps or other resources. Please read these notes carefully. All you need to do is make the changes, check the coordinates or whatever the problem is and submit the cache again with a note if needed added as a 'Note to reviewer' at the bottom of the edit page. If you've not edited the cache page then you can just enable it from the link in the Navigation box on the top right - you can add any note for the reviewer there too.
If it's a more complex problem and you are not sure what to do or need help, then ask the reviewer, either when editing the cache or when you enable it.
A common mistake when trying to sort out a problem is to create a brand new cache page and submit that. There is no need. You can make whatever changes you need to the original cache page to get it right. If you are not sure ask the reviewer! Don't worry about all the reviewer notes, they are deleted from the cache page automatically before it is published. So don't delete them yourself - it will only confuse things!

How do I check if my cache is too close to another before submitting it?

The Knowledge Books will help here. You can also use the link on the bottom right of a nearby cache page to Geocaching.com Google Map which shows you all nearby caches (but not distance). You can also use Google Maps to enter coordinates and use the Distance Measuring Tool to measure distance between points. Remember, the guidelines say caches should be separated by 0.1miles/528 feet/161meters. This only applies to physical caches or physical stages of a multi cache - this includes the final location of a multi or mystery. Any 'virtual' waypoints such as questions to answer or parking are not counted. The proximity guideline can also be relaxed if there is a physical barrier between the caches such as a river or motorway which means there is no direct route between them. If you are in any doubt check with your reviewer.

How to use Google Maps Distance Measuring Tool

How can I check the location to see if it's OK to put a cache there?

Reviewers use a series of map resources when checking caches to see if the location is a prohibited area or if the landowner has specifically allowed or refused caching. Take a look at the page on Permissions and Magic & Maps in the links on the left. The MAGIC map is the main map used.

How do I check the speeling and grammur?

Write it in a word processor, check it and cut 'n' paste the text into the cache page.
Does the Reviewer check the page for spelling mistakes? Not unless it is something that makes the description difficult to understand. Caches are published as they are usually.

How do I add pictures to my page or change the fonts? How do put in links to websites?

To do this you need to use HTML code and enter into the cache page while you edit it. Pretty straightforward to do and I've created a separate page on how HTML code works and what you need to do. There is even an editor that you can use on the cache page. Use the link above 'HTML code'.

How do I add additional waypoints, it's a bit confusing?

This article in the geocaching.com Knowledge Books explains the details. Please note Step 10 and 11.
Waypoints are listed on the cache page in Prefix code order (AA, AB, AC but A1 would come before AA).

I need to tell the reviewer something about my cache? How do I do this?

If you cache is still being reviewed and not published yet then either edit the cache and add a 'Note to Reviewer' at the bottom then tick the box 'Enable cache listing. It is ready for review.' If you are not editing the cache just enable it from the link on the top right in the Navigation box. You can also enter any notes for the Reviewer at the same time.

If your cache has been published then don't add a log to it as the reviewer won't be notified and everyone will see it. In this case it's best to email your local reviewer. If you are not sure who your local reviewer is, just open any nearby cache page and their name will be on the bottom below the logs.

I've got permission in a letter. How do I add this to the cache for the reviewer to see?

If you've got a scanner then just scan it as a JPG image. If you've not got a scanner then just take a photo of the letter and download that from your camera as a picture. Then, write a log for the cache - either a reviewer note while you are editing the cache or a 'note' type log when you enable the cache. Submit the log and then edit it, in the top right corner of the log window you can upload an image. Add your letter that way. Don't worry it won't be visible once the cache is published.

I don't have paper maps, how can I check a location?

Have a look at the page about the MAGIC map. It also includes how to use Streetmap and Googlemaps to find a location or to get coordinates. It's what your reviewer uses!

	Geocaching Resources for the UK	Site updated Saturday 4 February, 2012 9:40
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