/ 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

  12. Thanks to Janizy my 4 year old at the moment “Chabela” climbed one of the most sought after mountains in Puerto Rico and now 7 stills remembers it like it was yesterday. It was probably the best family trip we’ve done up to date and if it wasn’t for Janizy’s knowledge and leadership we wouldn’t have had the chance to experience something this amazing. With that said my vote goes to JANIZY!!! Gracias Janizy 😉

  16. Wow, sin duda, un día memorable que siempre recordaré con mucho cariño. Gracias por aceptar el reto y acompañarnos, se les quiere!! Besitos a Chabela!!

  19. Big Brother Bear deserves the Cacher of The Month honor! He’s a very thorough geocacher, kind, considerate and totally dedicated to our fine sport. He’s a perfect example of what a geocacher who places hides should be – he plans, he places and he maintains….and his caches are fun as well as challening! He gets my vote for the November COTM!

  20. I vote, wholeheartedly for NorthWes. It doesn’t take much more than reading about what brought on his nomination, as well as seeing his profile to note that he has been putting on some great events, and has been very active in benchmarking. His involvement also enters the social media realm, with his creation of the GeocacheAlaska! facebook page, and his contributions on the GeocacheAlaska! forums. His involvement,not only in Alaska, but across the continent is amazing, and a testament to his contributions to and outreach for this game.

  21. I vote NorthWes! His partnerships with the BLM and USFWS in Alaska have not gone unnoticed! Thanks for working at advocacy with those agencies, Wes! Can’t wait to see what you have in store for 2014. Between the Public Lands Day efforts, and the work with Anchorage Parks and the regional office for the USFWS and the “Blue Goose Tour”, your mark is a positive one on geocaching and education/outreach for our agencies!

  22. I vote for Northwes! He gives his time and energy generously to make geocaching visitors to Alaska feel welcome and have a great experience. I did lots of puzzles in preparation for my trip to Alaska. When I emailed him with a question about one of his puzzles, he answered me back right away and was very helpful. I know that as President of Geocache Alaska, Wes has donated many, many hours writing newsletter articles and arranging events. Wes is well deserving of being Geocacher of the Month!

  23. My vote goes to NorthWes—Alaska cachers owe much to his knowledge and expertise—from land manager relationships to earth caches and organizing successful geocache events….NorthWes is the go-to-guy in AK! Vote for Wes!!!!

  30. My vote is for Janizy! Congratulations to the nominees, all of you guys are great examples of dynamism and leadership!

  34. While I am sure all of the people nominated for this award are deserving of it. I can only speak for the one that I know, BBB. He has placed and maintained several outstanding caches that have received numerous awards from local geocaching groups. He has gone above and beyond serving as a tour guide for his series of caches. Many people have travelled great distances to look for his caches, which has to say something for the quality of his hides.

  37. Jim Da Bear
    Has mad skills as a cacher. He has countless hours spent making everything he does perfect for the finder, also he has given a great deal of his time to geocache community in many forms. He has championed forests and trials in Dubuque and other counties. Win or lose he is what geocaching is about with 956 favorite points in just over 2 years and a karma of almost 2, plus the awards really does tell the story.He has already won in the eyes of the cachers from Iowa and this way of determining a winner will never really tell the true winner.

    Bear you get my vote

  39. BBB has my vote for CoTM.One can’t say much more than what has been said. He is a million dollar asset to the Iowa geocaching community. Dedicated, friendly, and an ambassador.

  40. Big Brother Bear
    I have had many conversations with Bear, he has some fresh and insightful Idea’s when it comes to public lands.that all should take note of. As I read down the list here of votes trying to get a clear picture of the other cachers. but one thing is for sure people that voted for Bear know him and his commitment to this sport we love. I’m not sure how the winner is determined, is it number of votes? or is it what we hold dear to or hearts?
    I can tell you this his heart is in this sport and heart is in his love of nature and you cant find a better winner than that!
    Bear you have my vote and respect

  42. Dear Bear
    I know you climb trees, cliff faces, mountains, cross raging rapids…. and yea your fur does get dirty. I’ve seen you mud head to toe.only because you sacrificed your time (11 hours) to guide us to the Holy Grail. I have never felt that kinda rush when I raised the grail in victory! I would have never made it to the end with out your guidance and encouragement that I could make it.
    These memories of that day will last for ever. To those who don’t know Bear let me tell you he has changed the face of geocaching for sure and raised the bar of exclents to a new level.
    This Vote is for you Bear

  47. I vote for Janizy! Thanks to Janizy a lot of puertorican has been initiated in the Geocaching world (I was one of them). She is a great promoter of the internal tourism in Puerto Rico. 🙂

  49. All three of these cachers look to be amazing people and well worthy of the title of Geocacher of the Month. However, my vote goes to NorthWes. He is a shining example of not only a wonderful citizen, but also a dedicated geocacher. He is always calm, always sharing his smile, and loves to help new folks into the game. He is the President of GeocacheAlaska! Inc, and is dedicated to working with this group of volunteers that stretches across more miles than any other state in the union. He had organized some great events and organizations for geocaching. He was recently recognized for his work on the National Public Lands day in Alaska, which ties in with his geocaching. His earthcaches are amazing. He is a determined benchmark finder. He is someone I’m proud to put forth as a representative of both GeocacheAlaska! Inc and geocaching in general. The geocaching world would be well honored if NorthWes was the Geocacher of the Month.

  50. My vote for the ‘geocacher of the month’, if not for the year (!), clearly goes to JANIZY, and this with all due respect for the other candidates.

    Let me explain why: We as a family lived in Puerto Rico for two years and got infected with geocaching on the island.
    Especially in the southern part of PR you cannot miss one of Janizy’s caches: Inspiring, always with a meaning and well hidden.

    And if you need help, they are always around; and we definitely were in need when we looked for their Multi-cache. Our car got stuck in the mud and Janizy came to unplug us with a digger (see pictures). We became friends and were invited to a BBQ the other weekend.

    To name a few of the best caches placed by Janizy, there is GC2FWHP (Las Chorreras del Real) and GC23PZN (Clavellina Trail) and GC43KG4 (360).

    Good Luck, Janizy!! Un abrazo.

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