Anatomy of a Liars Cache
I like to read other folks logs. To me, they are one of the bests aspects of Geocaching. For some, they are an art form.
Most worthy caches have one or two logs that stand out amid the TNLN's and TFTC's. We've all seen them. Two paragraphs long and filled with a harrowing tale or a close call while on the hunt for a cache.
Every once in a while I come across a cache with logs that read like a Tom Clancy novel. One after another they string together on the cache page, filled with adventure, making me want to jump out of my seat and find that sucker.
What is it about that one in a thousand cache that makes it so special? Sometimes it's a waterfall overlooking an alpine valley or a cabin in the middle of a desolate desert. Other times it's a cave with petroglyphs covering the wall or maybe even a torched tube. Once in a while it's a decon container under a bush at the park down the street....
A DECON container under a BUSH at the PARK??
You are about to leave black and white behind and enter the gray area of Liars Caches.
Pinocchio's Predicament (GCMHPA) is an example of such a cache.
The idea and placement are simple. Hide a typical cache in an accessible spot and place only a logbook, pencil and stack of business sized cards inside. The card explains the logging requirements of the cache. Heres a cut and paste of one that I've used. Be sure to include a basic storyline on the card and the logs will all carry a similar tone.
The cache you have just found is known as a "liars" cache. The only rule is that you must fabricate a story in order to log it online. I'm looking for Tall Tales, tangled webs and outright lies. Don't be shy. Let your imagination go wild, but do not disclose the nature of this cache. The basic storyline is a tough hike in the canyon.
Writing up the cache page for submission requires a bit of creative fabrication as well. You can make it a mystery cache, multi or traditional. The first question you need to ask is if you'll post the actual coordinates or not. If you do post them, just say on the cache page that the coords are bogus (it IS a liars cache after all). In the example above, thats exactly what I did. The puzzle I posed has no solution, but I did use some html trickery which told them to go to the posted coords (I also learned that invisible ink isn't so invisible when viewed on a pda or printed on paper).
The next question is how strict you will be on the logging requirements. Will the TNLN's get deleted? What about the popinjay who lets the cat out of the bag? It's your decision, but it's best to decide beforehand what your deletion level will be. If you've never deleted a log before, you'll probably learn how on this type of cache.
Next, take some time and make that cache page shine. You'll be setting the standard for the logs to come. Post some pictures and get their interest. Lie like a politician.
Finally, make sure to post a reviewer note that it's
a liars cache and watch the fun begin.