>
>
>lets see if you place a cache and it goes unfound for like 6 months do you
>think the owner even if around really cares??
>
>  
>
>ok - you got me on that one - but this one might be worth keeping. do 
>you know how to x-fer it to someone else that would?
>


I'm not sure if this would be right, or even legal.  Technically, all 
caches are the private property of the owner.  When someone places a 
cache and lists it for the geocaching community they are effectively saying,

     Here.  I hid this.  See if you can find it and if you want, trade 
an item in it.

They are _not_ saying,


    Here. I hid this.  If you don't hear from me in 6 months, feel free 
to take it over and do what you want with it.

 I agree that cache owners should be more responsible in maintaining an 
active cache but, who's to say this cache isn't being maintained?  I 
also agree if there have been multiple attempts to contact the owner 
without results, there may be a problem. On the other hand, perhaps the 
owner is a member of the armed services and, when called to active duty, 
may have had other more important issues to deal with than a particular 
cache that he/she hid. (Just an example) I suggest that someone who has 
actually found the cache go back and verify it is still there.  Someone 
has already volunteered to do this, I believe.  If it's still there, 
great.  Problem solved.  If not, he/she should log it as  CACHE SHOULD 
BE ARCHIVED.  Then every attempt should be made to contact the owner 
over a period of time.   Or, if someone wants to take it over, lets 
decide how to go about it then.  This ought to be the last step in the 
process though.

-- Sprocket