/ Eric Schudiske /

November Geocacher of the Month Nominees – Add Your Comment

Geocacher-of-the-month-geocoin-sunflare
The earned, never for sale, Geocacher of the Month geocoin (sun flare optional)

From the cold winter nights in the frigid north to the warm beaches of tropical paradise, the nominees for Geocacher of the Month share (at least) one thing in common: dedication.

Each nominee is being honored for their contributions to the geocaching community. Each will receive worldwide recognition and a prize package from Geocaching HQ in Seattle, but which will be named Geocacher of the Month?

This is your opportunity to  help decide who will take home the earned, never for sale, Geocacher of the Month geocoin (at left). Each featured Geocacher of the Month will receive the exclusive special edition Geocoin, a hat and a profile icon. They’ll also receive a certificate acknowledging their contributions, signed by two of the founders of Geocaching.com.

Mic68 - October Geocacher of the Month
Mic68 – October Geocacher of the Month

In October, Mic68 was named Geocacher of the Month.

One geocacher who commented wrote, “After visiting (Mic68’s)“Dragonheart” I kept referring to this cache as the best I’ve ever done. By now they have published another one which we have just finished a couple of weeks ago and I have to say that this cache definitely is a milestone in geocaching! Wow! In Germany people are willing to travel quite a bit if the cache is worth it and I see people flocking in. The mixture of storytelling, suspense, technical know-how and fun is hard to beat.  Also, this team is immensely nice and helpful! All in all they are very worthy candidates and I would be happy for them to win!”

Now it’s your turn to help us select the next Geocacher of the Month. Write a supportive comment at the bottom of this blog for the nominated geocacher that you feel should be awarded the title. A panel of folks from Geocaching HQ will then use your comments to help guide the decision of which geocacher is awarded the Geocacher of the Month honor.

Here are your nominees for the November Geocacher of the Month. Some testimonials have been edited for length.

 

Janizy

MMH_7543-4
Janizy – Geocacher of the Month Nominee

Milton Munoz writes, “Janizy has been one of most outstanding geocachers in the history of the hobby in Puerto Rico. She started 4 and half years ago, since then she is being a leader, creating events and inviting geocachers to the most beautiful places of the island. Her caches combine a wide variety of clever ideas and diabolic camouflages, which have become the most wanted (and frightful too) in the local arena. She has created one the most successful Multi-Cache in the south part of the island, inviting geocachers to do CITO in a beautiful coastal valley area.

Janizy has involved her entire family into the hobby: husband, 2 daughters, brother, sister, brother in law, niece and nephews. Janizy and her family are known as one the most successful FTF (First to Find) hunters of the island. Janizy has a great passion for the photography too and always is taking pictures and recording video of every geocaching adventure and produces excellent videos that she uploads in her YouTube and Vimeo channels. Janizy combines pretty well her profession as Special Education Teacher and her passion for the geocaching, recently she created the first Earth Cache published by a local geocacher on the island. For all the energy and interest that Janizy puts in to geocaching, she deserves to be honored as the geocacher of the month!”

 

BIGBROTHERBEAR

BIGBROTHERBEAR - Nominee for Geocacher of the Month
BIGBROTHERBEAR – Nominee for Geocacher of the Month

Gary Goodyear writes, “I would like to submit BIGBROTHERBEAR as the Geocacher of the Month.  BBB (bigbrotherbear) and his series Quest For The Holy Grail (GC3WKNB) was an inspiration for us. Jim (bigbrotherbear) spent months planning and researching the series.  BBB has taken time out of his life for so many people to accompany them on this journey. If someone needs some help while out on the trail he is more than willing to do this for them, not just a nudge or hint, he will bring them water, food or whatever they need. BBB is involved with the Iowa Geocaching  Organization. He has hidden many caches to help make the events successful for them.

BigBrotherBear is more than the average cacher. He contributes countless hours to the community as well. His series Quest For The Hoiy Grail won the IGO peoples choice for outstanding series of 2013.

If you look at the entire series you will see that it has been awarded more than 650 favorite points in total. BBB has hiked this series with several of the teams. 8-12 miles of rough terrain, hills, river crossings and wild life. BBB is planning a new series that involves over 161 well placed caches. It has been placed submitted and is awaiting review.

BBB will take the time to get the permission to place the caches and he also maintains them. I found one of his bike trail geocaches that was in need of repair. I called BBB and told him about this. The next day he was at the site and had repaired it.”

 

 

NorthWes

NorthWes - Nominee for Geocacher of the Month
NorthWes – Nominee for Geocacher of the Month

Darlene Fortin writes, “I would like to nominate NorthWes of Anchorage, Alaska for geocacher of the month. NorthWes is the president of Geocache Alaska. NorthWes is a man of knowledge on his state and on Geocaching. Northwes took time out of busy life to help me organize Events and Geocaching tours for 72 geocachers who were cruising from Vancouver to Alaska. Northwes organized a Meet and Greet for the Cruisers and the locals to meet each other and supplied some awesome prizes for the Event. Northwes is a very respected cacher in his area and has many caches throughout Anchorage and works hard to keep his and other caches in the area maintained. He also guided many of us on private geocaching tours through many of the parks in Anchorage. His knowledge of Alaska was amazing to help us with the many earthcaches through out Alaska.

NorthWes also helped me with all the paperwork to make Bermuda Island Geocachers a non-profit organization. His organization is well established and has members all over the world.

He is for sure one of the best ambassador for Geocaching and is well respected by his local cachers and now all the cachers that were cruising from all over the states and Bermuda. This man surely deserves to be recognized for all his hard work he has put into geocaching for Alaska!”

 

 

 

Comment below to tell us who you think should be the November Geocacher of the Month. We will be accepting comments through December 30.

If your nominee wasn’t recognized here, please submit your nominations again next month. We’re always looking for the next Geocacher of the Month. To nominate a geocacher, send an email to geocacherofthemonth@geocaching.com and include the following information:

  • Your name, the name of your nominee, their username
  • A picture of the nominee
  • Description (200 or more words) explaining why he or she deserves to be the Geocacher of the Month

Please inform your nominee that you have submitted them for the award. Nominations for the next Geocacher of the Month should be received by January 3. Once Geocaching HQ has received the nominations, we will choose the top candidates and post them on the blog. You will then get a chance to champion your favorite. Our goal is to involve the entire geocaching community in this process so that we might learn from each other.

Eric Schudiske

  4. Bear is truly the one I vote for
    He help change a flat tire I had never meet him before that he saw that I was struggling to figure out how change the tire. He walked up asked if I needed help than proceeded to change it a true gentlemen.

  7. I vote for NorthWes! He is the BEST! I was on a geocaching cruise to Alaska in June/July 2013 with 71 other cachers and Wes was such a BIG help to us when we were there. He went out of his way to make sure we felt welcome and helped us in the planning of our caching route up to Anchorage. He is for sure one of the best ambassador for Geocaching and is well respected by his local cachers and now all the cachers that were cruising from all over the states and Bermuda. This man surely deserves to be recognized for all his hard work he has put into geocaching for Alaska!

  8. My vote is for my lovely wife Janizy! I have seen the commitment and dedication that gives to the geocaching on the island, from the first row. From planning challenge caches that lead geocachers to beautiful places, to organizing events, trips and activities that promote sharing among the community in Puerto Rico. She is always ready to attend to every call that comes related to geocaching. I’ve seen her spending long hours making arrangements with the purpose that all geocachers have a quality experience. In our home we are all geocachers, thanks to her. We enjoyed the game in family, visiting amazing places we did not know of our island and running like mad after each FTF. Definitely, Janizy worth to be the geocacher of November, in addition, that would be a great gift for her because her birthday is November 7.

  9. NorthWes is a tireless advocate for geocaching. He has had an impact that spans over 5000 miles. His work has elevated the sport for the entire community of geocachers.

  10. BigBrotherBear’s caches on the Heritage Trail, the
    Hike n Seek Jakway caches, the Whitewater Canyon Knights
    of the Round Table & The Quest for the Holy Grail Challenge and his many other caches are some the most challenging and fun caches I have done, if not the most challenging and fun. He also maintains his caches. It isn’t unusual to be out looking for a cache and you also find BigBrotherBear checking his caches.
    He puts a lot of time and effort into preparation and placements to make his web pages and caches fun and enjoyable..
    BIGBrotherBear also has a keen eye for finding other’s caches. He is always fun to partner with on a cache hunt.

  11. I have to choose Janizy, our representative … The girl is on another level, dedicated to improving the practice of our Island Geocaching, creating interesting cache in wonderful places and organizing activities, even sacrificing hers own participation to offer it to others … Forward Guerrera, best wishes…
    Edgardo

  15. My vote goes to Big Brother Bear! He is kind enough to help fellow cachers whenever needed. He has such a wonderful variety of hides, he keeps you on your toes. He has accompanied groups for seeking his Holy Grail series, he stands back and lets you find the cache, like any good geocacher would, even if that means crawling on your belly into a shallow cave, getting coated in dirt only to find out you are in the wrong spot 🙂

  16. NorthWes is an awesome person and a great ambassador for the geocaching world. He took the time to develop a list of special geocaches for us to visit in 7 different towns. Additionally he personally help guide us around Anchorage showing us some of the top geocaches and sites of the city. As he was showing us around we would provide special background information on many of the different places we visited.

  18. NorthWes is a great person, (not saying the other two are not) But Northwes has a love for the game, and loves to share it! He also a great leader on our state board, while being a great father and his wife says a great husband LOL (just teasing NW). But he get’s my vote…-Firmanak

  19. Big Brother Bear Lives, Breaths Geocaching and has no soul when it comes to his hides they are hard! you have been warned
    But really he is the best, best in heart, best in a friendship best in all round great guy.

  20. I vote for NorthWes. He has been doing an awesome job up north here in Alaska and think he deserves the honor.

  21. Aracelis DeCostanzo
    I’m voting for Janizy !!!Janizy has always put her heart and soul in everything she does.In this situation she is showing the same qualities.She would be an excellent candidate for this honor!!

  23. Jim is the best he works so hard to make each geocacher experience the best, from cache page to placement to maintenance of his caches bar non he is the one in only Big Brother Bear

  25. My vote is for BigBrotherBear. His contributions to the caching community are tremendous. The time and effort he puts into creating the geocaches that are challenging and fun have changed the landscape of geocaching in the area.

  28. I vote for NorthWes. He is always willing to help other cachers. He goes out of his way to be there for you when needed.

  29. I nominated NorthWes, and I do believe he deserves to win for everything he has done for Geocaching.. He definitely is an ambassador, to the game and a good friend to many… Thank you Wes for being such a wonderful person with such a big heart .

  31. Wes has done such a great job for visiting cachers that I,ve been convinced to travel to Alaska to go caching with him. A unique situation as not many cachers would motivate me, and others, to spend $3000-$4000 to go caching with them.

  33. We vote for BIGBROTHERBEAR! He has published some very challenging caches with style. He puts a lot of thought and effort into his caches and responds quickly when they are need of maintenance. BBB is always there to offer help, either verbally or physically, when a geocacher requests his assistance. BBB has done a lot to place his location on the geocaching map.

  35. I vote for BigBrotherBear. He is the true epitome of what geocaching is all about! Great caches, great maintenance of them, goes above and beyond! Some day, we will also go on the quest for the holy grail!

  36. Janizy all the way!!! Shes one of the Best in the game here in Puerto Rico and she is always willing to give a helping hand when you need it.

  38. When Jim (bear) explains what geocaching is you see his passion and his love for other cacher truly is an insperation. although i have never taken on his Quest for the Holy Grail but the logs speak volumes to its journey and it’s test of your will.
    Best luck to you Bear you have earned this one

  40. I give a definite vote for BIGBROTHERBEAR. Since telling Jim about geocaching at a Christmas party in 2010 he took a look at the sport of caching and never looked back. He started his account in 2011 and BIGBROTHERBEAR became an appropriate user name as he went out and attacked his grid like an animal. Jim is just a few caches short of filling his 13th grid. Jim likes to chase the stars and has found 141 level 5 difficulty caches and 163 level 5 terrain caches while averaging over 2.10 for both his difficulty and terrain levels. Since starting less than 3 years ago Jim has taken his GSAK level to a silver black belt at level 34 of 35 levels.
    BIGBROTHERBEAR however is best known for his series which he has put together. “The Quest for the Holy Grail” is a series just over a year old and pushes cachers to the test
    their agilities and stamina while defeating the Nights of the Roundtable and ultimately laying hands on the Holy Grail. This series has earned an outstanding 743 favorite points and earned the “Outstanding Series” by the Iowa Geocaching
    Organization. BBB, Iowa Pete and Fatfuzz have recently teamed up and put together a series called “The “G” Men” which includes 165 caches of a variety of D/T ratings and allows cachers to fill their grid twice.
    Jim is a wonderful friend who is quick to answer his phone if you call for a hint on a cache or want the CO to tag along an epic quest to capture the Holy Grail.
    Congratulations BIGBROTHERBEAR on your many accomplishments through out the geocaching community as well as your nomination for November Geocacher of the Month. Also congratulations to the other nominees Northwes and Janinzy.

    Happy Hunting,
    Aceey

  42. I’ve long enjoyed searching for Big Brother Bear’s caches. He’s worked independently, and in partnership with several others in the Dubuque Iowa area to place literally hundreds of caches. Some are very very difficult, and then he occasionally puts some in that are more easily attainable. He’s been a great contributor to this activity, and my vote goes to him!

  44. I vote for Big Brother Bear (BBB) for Geocacher of the Month. His Holy Grail series is absolutely amazing! A few of my caching buddies and I had planned on attempting this quest by ourselves, but BBB volunteered to come along with us in case we needed any help. Since this is an eight hour journey, we appreciated his generous offer. Each cache in this series is in a scenic location and all of his caches are well maintained. I can not wait to attempt his new series, The Gmen! In my opinion, BBB puts the geocaching interests of others above his own geocaching interests. He is always willing to help out other cachers whenever they need it. For these reasons, I feel that BBB should be the Geocacher of the Month!

  50. I vote for Northwes. Read all the nominees write ups. Seems like the best candidate is him. Good luck to all!!
    Magicman65
    Feb/12 Cacher of the month
    BCGA VP

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