GeoPaths

GeoPaths on OpenCaching North America

A GeoPath is a tool for linking together a series of geocaches to create a geocaching adventure or game. For example, a series of caches at a number of local waterfalls might be linked together in the form of a GeoPath.

GeoPath Types

There are four type or categories for GeoPaths:

• Geo-sketch. Commonly known as geoart, this is a series of caches that together form a shape or design when shown on a map.
  
• Touristic - caches are located in places of interest from the tourist's point of view: near monuments, memorials, tourist attractions, famous buildings.
  
• Nature - caches dedicated to show off a natural feature (e.g. a mountain peak, viewpoint, etc)"
  
• Thematic - caches are devoted to one specific topic or theme. For example, a series of caches related to a movie, to a historical event, to a famous author or authors, etc.
  

Viewing GeoPaths

GeoPaths can be viewed on the GeoPaths main page. A map on the top of the page shows all active GeoPaths using one of four themes (see GeoPath Types). Below the map is a list of GeoPaths. Clicking the "Display Options" button reveals a series of checkboxes that can be used to view, hide, and sort GeoPaths.

Creating a new GeoPath

To create a new GeoPath on OCNA, you must first own at least 5 cache listings to use for your GeoPath. These can be any type of cache excluding events (Note: currently there are other cache types that do not work with GeoTypes but may in the future: Guestbook caches, BIT caches, webcam caches). These do not need to be new listings - you can use existing caches that you own, as long as they are not already assigned to another existing GeoPath.

• GeoPath do not require any review or approval by the OCNA Admin team.
  
• The OCNA Admin team may modify or archive any GeoPath that is deemed to violate the Terms of Use

On the OCNA GeoPaths main page, select New GeoPath (or click HERE) to create a new GeoPath. This brings up a new page where you can give your GeoPath a descriptive name, select a GeoPath type, enter the percentage of cache finds required to complete the GeoPath, and finally provide a written description of your GeoPath. When you are satisfied, hit the "Start a new GeoPath" button at the bottom of the page to create the GeoPath (Note: this creates the GeoPath but it is not active nor visible yet. Also note that the various parameters on this page can still be changed at any time in the future).

Your new GeoPath is now created but with the Status "Not Yet Visible". The status can only be changed to visible when at least 5 caches have been added to it.

Adding Caches to a GeoPath

While viewing your GeoPath, hit the button labelled "Caches <==> GeoPaths". This brings up a list of all your active caches. Next to each cache is a drop-down menu which is populated with all GeoPaths that you own. To add any cache to the GeoPath, click the drop-down and select the GeoPath to add it to. A green check-mark will appear momentarily to indicate that the cache was successfully added to the GeoPath. If the check-mark does not appear, there is some problem that prevented that particular cache from being added to the GeoPath (currently some caches types will not work with GeoPaths: events, BIT caches, guestbook caches, webcam caches).
Continue adding caches until you have selected at least five caches for your new GeoPath.

• Remember that any cache can only be assigned to a single GeoPath.
  

Caches cannot be removed from a GeoPath once the GeoPath has been activated. Prior to activation, caches can be added or removed. To remove a cache from a GeoPath, select the blank entry from the drop-down menu. This will effectively remove the cache from the GeoPath. A green check-mark will appear momentarily to indicate that the cache was successfully removed from the GeoPath (this may take a few minutes as the system verifies that the action is permissible).

Once there are at least 5 caches assigned to the GeoPath, you can change the status from Not Yet Visible to Visible. The GeoPath will not be visible to all players. After this time you will not be able to remove any caches from the GeoPath.

GeoPath Ownership

The player that creates the GeoPath is given the title of Mentor and is by default the owner of the GeoPath. It is also possible to partner with one or more other player to create a new GeoPath. When one or more fellow cachers have been added, they will be co-owners and will have the same options / abilities as the GeoPath Mentor. All GeoPath owners have the ability to add their caches to the GeoPath. They can also change any of the parameters (Title, Description) as well as adding or removing owners.

1. From the GeoPaths page, click [GeoPaths] and select the relevant GeoPath.
2. Click the Add / Remove button at the bottom of the GeoPath details section.
3. Enter the User Name or User ID of the co-owner to be added and click Add.
4. The new co-owner can now add caches to and modify the GeoPath as described above".

Scoring

The score for any GeoPath is based on factors such as the Difficulty and Terrain ratings for the caches assigned to that GeoPath. This is the maximum number of points that can be earned by player who find all caches within the GeoPath. When a user completes a GeoPath by finding the minimum number of caches, they are award "points" based on the specific caches they found. Points are only award upon completion of the GeoPath. Additional points will be earned if a player continues to find caches within a GeoPath even after they have meet the minimum number of finds to complete the GeoPath.