There’s a magnetism to Geocaching Geocoins: the weight, the metallic shimmer and how each Geocoin is a message forged in metal. Some celebrate milestones like First to Find or 100 Finds, and some are just cool, like an eagle whose wings actually flap (fly eagle, fly!).
12 years ago on September 30, 2001, Geocoins came into existence with a solid clunk in a geocache. Today more than 3 million Geocoins are proudly displayed in collections and found in geocaches around the world. There are even Geocoinfest Mega-Events held in Europe and the United States each year.
If you’re entering the realm of Geocoins, here are a few quick tips:
And if you’re just not into reading anymore right now, check out this vintage Geocaching video about the history of the Geocoin. Happy Birthday, Geocoins!
Part of what makes geocaching so great is the variety of ways to play. As you’ve probably seen in past Geocache of the Week posts, some geocaches are incredible and creative containers, some are epic puzzles, and some—like this week’s—are arduous journeys with big rewards.
The pool and the view. Careful, there’s a 200 foot drop off that ledge. Photo by geocacher stretch.kerr
As you might gather from the title, Apollos pool with the million dollar view (GC13VNK) is all about the amazing vista at ground zero. However, to make it to the final location and earn your smiley, you’re going to have to negotiate 4.5 difficulty and terrain ratings. The geocache owner, glyn(the only one), said “The place of the cache was suggested by a good friend of mine Alex who lives close by. He suggested that this would the “ultimate” geocache, given the isolation, difficulty and the stunning place to visit…It’s a real mission to get in and out, hence the difficulty rating.” He goes on to say, “I have a creative streak and want visitors to enjoy my creations or discover the places that I have found in the same way I’ve been enjoying others in lots of locations here and overseas.”
Despite the difficulty, the payoff is totally worth it. If the photos aren’t enough proof, just read some of the Found It logs. Geocacher -OGP- said, “One solid bush bash of a slog that took us to a spectacular place. It’s that much more fun with a good group. As the bush was drawing evermore blood I had to keep reminding myself this is fun and part of the adventure. The pool dropoff and view are worth every bit.”
When you find the geocache, don’t forget to celebrate. Photo by geocacher keeweechris
Another awesome part of this geocache is the owner’s dedication to keeping it maintained. He says, “Our local cachers are good at helping maintaining caches and this helps me out. I also spend more time in maintenance than in finding caches myself.” And of course, the positive logs and favorite points help keep him motivated, “I guess I “feed” on the comments that I get back, drives me on.”
Some finds are worth celebrating. What’s your favorite (family-friendly) way to celebrate completing a geocaching adventure? Tell us in the comments.
Continue to explore some of the most engaging geocaches around the globe. Check out all the Geocaches of the Week on the Geocaching blog.
If you would like to nominate a Geocache of the Week, leave a comment below with the name of the geocache, the GC code, and why you think we should feature it.
The pool and the view, again. Photo by geocacher Rumo and Rala
The earned, never for sale, Geocacher of the Month geocoin (sun flare optional)
The geocaching community took note of three amazing geocachers from three different parts of the globe this month. Each contributes to the geocaching with world famous hides, nearly unparalleled finding ability and championing the geocaching adventure on social media. It was an incredibly difficult decision to name the Geocacher of the Month. Each of the other nominees deserves special recognition for their contribution.
Before naming the Geocacher of the Month, Geocaching HQ reviews community input and blog comments. After tallying the sentiment and reading the comments, Dr Evil. has been officially named the Geocacher of the Month for August 2013.
One comment shows Dr Evil.’s dedication to all aspects of geocaching, “His caches are fantastic for kids and getting them interested in caching but also in the great outdoors again. His vlogs on YouTube are always informative, upbeat but above all that you can see his dedication and his passion for finding caches and placing them. He’s organised some great events some for the family, some for the extreme cacher but he is always friendly, polite and always willing to help out a beginner.”
Dr Evil. will receive the earned, never for sale, collector’s edition Geocacher of the Month Geocoin, along with a Geocacher of the Month hat and a certificate acknowledging his contribution, signed by two of the founders of Geocaching.com. See a list of all the Geocachers of the Month here.
Dr Evil. – Geocacher of the Month
If you know an outstanding geocacher who should be considered for the honor, send an email to geocacherofthemonth@geocaching.com. Every nomination must include the following items and abide by the following guidelines:
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 Geocacher of the Month are accepted at any time.
Congratulations again to Dr Evil for being recognized as the Geocacher of the Month for August.
If you’ve geocached for any length of time, say 60 seconds, this question has run through your mind, “Is it even here?” You’ve checked the fence. You’ve checked under the bench. It’s not hanging from a branch on the tree. It’s not even close to your knee. It’s not there… And then you hear a whisper, “Or is it?” That haunting question is often a geocacher’s biggest fear. Here are a few tips to help increase your chances of knowing the answer.
Start by re-reading the title. It’s often another hint to the location.
Check recent logs on the geocache page. Find out if the geocache has been found in the last few days or weeks. What do the logs say? There might be a hint that helps direct you to the geocache location.
Check the terrain and difficulty ratings. If it’s a terrain 1 and you’re looking on a hillside, go back to the sidewalk.
Speaking of hints, geocaches often offer a real hint. Check that.
Still stuck? Try looking at any photos. Clues might be hiding in the pictures others uploaded to the geocache page. Still unable to find the geocache? Don’t worry, you’re not out of options yet.
You’re a social person. You’ve got friends. Maybe one of your friends has found the geocache that’s giving you issues. Try the old “Phone a Friend” or “PAF” as it’s known in geocaching circles.
Finding the geocache might be a waiting game. Some geocaches are easier to find in the spring or fall.
If all else fails, be sure to log your Did Not Find (or DNF). That lets others know they’re looking for a tough-to-find geocache.
And sometimes they’re just really, really well hidden. For example, check out this geocache with 247 DNF’s and 1 Find. Share your tricks for finding well-hidden geocaches below in comments or on the Geocaching Facebook page.
The journey be treacherous, tis not fer the faint o’ heart! Photo by geocachers TEAM DESERT EAGLE
Ahoy mateys, today be International Talk Like a Pirate Day, so all of ya landlubbers best be arrggghhh-ing, knockin’ back some grog, an’ searchin’ for me treasure—lest ye walk the plank and be stowed away in Davey Jones’ locker. For those of you who don’t speak Pirate, here’s that translated into normal English: Today is International Talk Like a Pirate Day. It’s a great day to search for geocaches, especially the Geocache of the Week.
Geocachers doing their best ARRRRGGGGG faces. Photo by geocacher northwing65
Endlessly searching for “treasure,” a vocabulary of strange words, wooden legs—there are numerous similarities between geocachers and pirates. Well, maybe not that last one, but you get the idea. Pirate’s Quest Stolen Treasure (GC28T4Y) takes you on an epic, 10-stage, pirate-themed multi-cache adventure through Michigan’s Newaygo State Park. At each stage, geocachers will find an artifact like those in the photos, as well as a clue to where the next stage is located. The time, effort and craftsmanship that the geocache owners, photobug2, put into each stage is incredible and a great example of top-notch geocache placement.
So far, nearly 160 geocachers have earned their smiley and 90 of them added a Favorite Point. After making the find, geocacher potterteam said, “We planned a camping weekend at Newaygo to tackle more of the amazing caches here and this one was first on our list. WOW – what an amazing multi-cache. We were astounded at the creativity, planning and work that was put into every stage. We had so much fun doing this cache and are giving it a well earned favorite point, wish we could give it more than one!!!”
Another geocacher who made their way through the forest to earn their smiley is 2xArcher, who said, “This is the best multi that I have ever done. I can’t believe the amount of time and work that went into making and placing this cache. Awesome!!! I will be talking about this one for a long time. This is a favorite for us.”
Logbook? Nope, logribs. Photo by geocacher northwing65
While searching for a special pirate-themed geocache to feature today, I came across tons of great pirate caches. Which one is your favorite? Tell us in the comments. (Answer in pirate-speak, please.)
Editor’s Note: If Newaygo State Park is sounding a little familiar, it’s because its also home to another Geocache of the Week. This park sounds like a geocacher’s paradise!
Continue to explore some of the most engaging geocaches around the globe. Check out all the Geocaches of the Week on the Geocaching blog.
If you would like to nominate a Geocache of the Week, send an email with your name, comments, the name of the geocache, and the GC code to pr@geocaching.com.
There’s a magnetism to Geocaching Geocoins: the weight, the metallic shimmer and how each Geocoin is a message forged in metal. Some celebrate milestones like First to Find or 100 Finds, and some are just cool, like an eagle whose wings actually flap (fly eagle, fly!).
