LonelyCache

One unexpected consequence of LCP. I was preparing to hide a new cache on a certain hillside. As I was scouting out the area online, I happened to look at my own statistics, and realized that if I hid a cache in this location, and the expected FTF seeker came to get it, and also grabbed a couple nearby caches, that I would lose a significant number of points. I therefore am choosing another location for my cache.
Has anyone else had a similar experience? Does anyone else wish to excoriate me for being so self seeking?

That's funny. Of course that enters all of our minds.

I know that enters my mind sometimes, but I also believe that is a short sighted view. If a finder will drop a cache's score that much, then it is probably overvalued to begin with and hasn't reached what I'll just call its natural point value.

From our experience caching and searching out those lonelier caches, It seems to me that it's usually fairly easy to estimate what a cache's natural point value will tend to. Sure there are some surprises, but I think, in general we know that this cache will tend to be worth about 30 points and that cache will be worth about 45, etc.

So if those surrounding caches have a point value way above their natural point value, you're going to lose those points anyway. Hiding your cache probably isn't going to make much of a difference. Likewise, if those caches are at their natural point value, then hey, you probably won't see much change in their value if you do hide it.

Long term, the only real impact hiding a cache on that hillside will have is if it lowers the surrounding caches' natural point value. Do you think it will or not? By how much? Is that more or less than what you think the natural point value of the cache you're contemplating hiding will have? Is that worth not giving the opportunity for others to visit that hillside?

This is an interesting dilemma and worth waxing about over beers.

I have pondered this dilemma myself a few times..
I have grimaced when a lonely high point cache of own is found and the finder places another low quality cache of theirs nearby..
Its about area saturtaion.. I have passed many good lonely hide places because I did not want to draw a crowd of cachers to an location thinking each finder would have to place a cache or two of their own while out in the area after my lonely hide... It happens... This would ( in my thinking) make an area far too attractive to the masses.. just my thoughts...

After consideration, I chose another location which is within 1/2 mile but completely devoid of caches. This will allow people to experience another area. Turns out, this cache is now 10 days old and no FTF. Imagine that!

This is the side of the Lonely Cache/DGP idea that I have never liked. People are so into the points that it's affecting the basics of where and how geocaches are placed just because of point values.

A cacher I know puts out caches on the way to high point value caches. It really doesn't increase the number of finds on the higher point ones as people still aren't going to hike for the most part and it gives him more points for his. Pretty much a win win situation.