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On February 4th, 2013 there were no active geocaches in just 7 of the 193 U.N. recognized member states: North Korea, Liberia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, the Solomon Islands, Central African Republic and Somalia.
Nearly 7000 years ago, a massive volcano in southern Oregon, United States exploded leaving behind a collapsed caldera. Over the thousands of years that followed, the empty caldera filled with snowmelt and rainwater to form what is now known as Crater Lake. Geocachers from around the world have come to take in the amazing views, learn about this amazing location and find the Mt. Mazama Earthcache (GC123H6).
The explosion that destroyed the stratovolcano is said to have been 42 times more powerful than the Mt. Saint Helens eruption in 1980. In fact, the explosion reduced Mt. Mazama’s original height by about a mile (1.6 km). Now, Mt. Mazama is more well-known for the result of the explosion: Crater Lake and Wizard Island.
“Crater Lake is such a beautiful place. We enjoyed our stay very much and also learned some new aspects about geology. Nature’s forces are really overwhelming. Thanks for the learnings and the cache,” said geocacher netteleut(h)e in a log to earn a smiley for the geocache.
At 1,943 feet (592m), Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the United States, second deepest in North America and ninth deepest in the world. Wizard Island is actually a small cinder cone volcano that was formed by continued volcanic activity after Mt. Mazama’s big eruption.
This Earthcache puts you on the rim of Crater Lake, overlooking Wizard Island—but getting there is only one of the requirements for obtaining your smiley. Be sure to read the instructions and correctly answer the questions on the cache page before you log this geocache as “found.”
Continue to explore some of the most engaging geocaches around the globe. Check out all the Geocaches of the Week on the Geocaching blog or view the Bookmark List on Geocaching.com.
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@groundspeak.com.
Whether you’re geocaching in a park or grabbing a T5 from a rappel, having right tools may be the difference between a smiley and a DNF. In fact, thanks to some clever geocache hiders, some geocaches may require certain tools to be found. The tools in the photo above are some of our favorites that help make geocaching easier and more fun. Here’s a look at 9 essentials for your geocaching pack (smartphone with Geocaching App and/or GPS device not included):
1) Flashlight
2) Spare batteries (occasionally used to power motors that open geocaches)
3) Camera – Don’t forget to post your photos on our Facebook page
4) Utility tool – this also includes a tweezers to remove log books from micro caches
5) Pen – often best to bring more than one
6) A log roller – use this to help re-roll logs for micro caches
7) A magnetic pen – sometimes metal geocaches hide in hard to reach locations
8) Swag – bring this along to place in geocaches after you’ve found them
9) A retractable mirror – a smart geocachers tool for looking under benches
The funny thing is, when you ask people at Geocaching HQ for essential geocaching gear, sometimes… okay, all the time, there’s always even more gear. So here are four more pieces of gear geocachers at HQ use out on the trail. And if you’re a shorter geocacher or just need to extend your range a little – number 1 might be perfect for you.
1) Grabber thing – it really works!
2) Headlamp – Free up your hands for searching
3) UV light – This is mostly for night caches with special UV reflectors
4) Metal poking device – Sometimes it’s a good idea to poke things before reaching in with your hands
In the comments below, tell us what else people should bring along while geocaching!
The basics of geocaching are inspiring in their simplicity. A geocacher hides a geocache and challenges others to find it. That’s it. And it’s easy to unlock the joy of geocaching when you discover clever hides and share the adventure with good friends. Becoming a great geocacher is all about remembering the little things. If you follow these five quick steps every time you geocache, you’ll be ready for Geocaching stardom.
1) Bring a Pen – There are few rules in geocaching. But one rule is that you need to sign the logbook. Always pack a pen to make sure you’re ready to sign your Geocaching username, the date, and leave a note.
2) Leave No Trace – Be kind to the geocaching game board (which is the entire world). Make sure to Cache In Trash Out (CITO) when you geocache. Pick up litter along the way and leave geocaching locations free of trash.
3) Write a Great “Found it” or “Didn’t find it” Log – When you find a geocache, or even when you don’t find a geocache, make sure to share the spirit of adventure. Write a log detailing the geocaching journey for the geocache owner and for other geocachers.
4) Put the Geocache Back Where and How You Found it – It’s tempting. You ask yourself, “Wouldn’t the geocache be better hidden if it were just over there?” Resist the temptation. The geocache owner placed the geocache at a specific location for a reason and will need to find the geocache when it needs maintenance or when other geocachers need help finding the geocache.
5) Move Trackables Along – If you remove a Trackable, like a Travel Bug ®, from a geocache make sure to post a “retrieved” log and move the Trackable along to another geocache as soon as possible.
These five steps will have you rocking the geocaching world in no time. What geocaching tips would you add? Post your thoughts in comments below. Oh, and don’t forget a 6th step: repeat steps 1 – 5 often!
What started as a single stone and a dream became the amazing Palais Idéal du Facteur Cheval. This palace in the south of France was built over the course of 33 years by one French postman, Ferdinand Cheval. Now the palace hosts visitors from around the world, as well as this week’s Geocache of the Week.
L’ Oeuvre D un Facteur (GC27WQH), is all about the amazing location. Located just outside the park (we won’t give you specifics), you’ll be close enough to marvel at the craftsmanship and dedication that went into constructing the palace. After finding the geocache, take a stroll around the palace and you’ll find a vast array of construction inspirations—from the bible to Hindu sanctuaries to a sandcastle. The palace even contains a shrine for his wheelbarrow.
Ferdinand Cheval began building his ideal palace in 1879 after being inspired by a unique stone he found along his postal route. For the next 33 years, he continued to build in various styles using stones he collected, cement and wire. Cheval never had any training in architecture, building or masonry. In their log, geocacher Traveler’s Magic noted, “What a mind he must of had. Will never forget this place.”
So if one man can be inspired by one stone to build a palace, what will be the inspiration for your next (or first) hide? Tell us in the comments below.
Continue to explore some of the most engaging geocaches around the globe. Check out all the Geocaches of the Week on the Geocaching blog or view the Bookmark List on Geocaching.com.
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@groundspeak.com.
