Your First Geocache Hunt
Table of Contents:
Step 7: Logging Your Find Online
 Your online log serves many purposes. It lets the cache owner know that the cache has been found, it allows other seekers to draw from your experience and it provides you with a handy record of your caching career. You'll find yourself in the years ahead looking back over your cache logs, recalling the experiences from the hunt.
You begin the process of logging your find in the same place you began your hunt—at the cache page itself. Pull the page back up on your computer screen. Make sure that you're logged in with your username and password. At the top right of the cache page you will see a series of links. The one at the top is labeled, "log your visit." Click this to move on to the logging page.
 At the top of the "Post a new log" page, you will see a drop down box for the "Type of log" you're making. Logging your find is just one part of the history of your geocaching experience. There are times when you will log that you didn't find the cache and other times when you will simply post a note. Occasionally you will encounter a cache that might have a problem (perhaps it's missing or damaged or there's something dangerous or disturbing in the area) and you might post a "Needs Archived" or "Needs Maintenance" log. For our purpose, though, we're concentrating on logging your find. So choose the "Found it" from the dropdown box and move on down the page.
The next line offers you the option of changing the date you logged the cache. If you weren't able to get back to the computer for a day or so you might need to adjust this. However, we're going to assume that you rushed right home to log the cache, so just make sure the date is correct and move on.
The checkbox on the next line offers you the opportunity to add a waypoint to the log. Occasionally you will find a cache where the coordinates seem to be quite a bit off (30 feet of variance or less is considered to be normal). In these occasions you might want to use this feature to record the coordinates that you got at the cache site.
 The large text box below is for recording the body of your log. Your online log does not need to be an exact copy of your physical log in the cache. You'll have more time to reflect on the experience and write your online log. Feel free to share as much or as little as you like about your hunt. Most online logs will include a list of any items taken and left in the cache. This is just common courtesy for the owner and other finders. Anything else you write is up to you.
You'll notice that above the large text box there is a smiley face in a gray square. Clicking on this will pull up a new window with several different smilies that can be used to dress up your log. You can copy and paste the smiley codes into your log or type them yourself, just be sure to include the brackets (like this: [ : ) ]).
Under the large text box you'll notice a checkbox that gives you the option of encrypting your log. There may be occasions when you will include "spoilers" in your logs. "Spoilers" are information that gives away a little too much. They could "spoil" the cache hunt for others who read them. If this is the case clicking this button will encrypt the log with the same Rot13 code used in the hint. Also, if need to encrypt just part of the log, click the button but place the text you want to remain un-encrypted within brackets ([like this]).
 Once you're satisfied that you've told enough of your story, click the "Submit log entry" button. After it's processed and entered into the system you will be taken to a page where you can view your log. Congratulations. You've done it!
Of course, these are just the basics. As you cache more you'll pick up travelbugs and log them through the cache pages. You will upload photos that you've taken while on the hunt and you will find new ways to personalize your logs and share your experiences with others. But for now, you found your cache, you shared your experience and you're probably eager to go out and find the next one.
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