Year: 2014

/ Alex /

Announcing the Geocacher of the Month: November 2014

A few weeks ago we read about three geocachers who go above and beyond for their local geocaching community.

PicMonkey Collage

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HikingSeal, Mr Donut WP, and Team Geologynut are a trio of geocaching superheros spanning two continents. Their event caches, geocache series, and challenging puzzle caches are loved by all who encounter them. Best of all? These three are happy to lend a hand to folks who are new to the geocaching scene…you may have been one of those yourself once!

Each of the nominees is already a winner, with a prize package headed their way. But only one geocaching person, or couple, can be named the Geocacher of the Month. Before naming the Geocacher of the Month, Geocaching HQ  reviews community input and blog comments.

Of HikingSeal, one geocacher says:

“Hikingseal has my vote —- well rounded cacher doesnt even start to sum it up. I love all the ways she has inspired me to look at caching in a new way. I love the games within the games — from the challenges, to the hikes/ biking events, to interesting cache placements and CITO events she has covered a wide variety of what makes this game such a joy.” -Mzblubrd

Praise for Mr Donut WP:

The earned, never for sale, Geocacher of the Month Geocoin
The earned, never for sale, Geocacher of the Month Geocoin

“Mr Donut not only holds wonderful events where he always makes everyone feel very welcome but he has set some great caches, the Bike or Hike series being one series we are still enjoying trying to complete. Wherever needed he shares his knowledge and experience of the Geocaching world and is always full of enthusiasm for the Hobby. I didnt hesitate giving him my vote for Geocacher of the month as its the least he deserves for everything he has done for our community. Good luck Mr Donut!” -wright girls

Kudos to Team Geologynut:

“Team Geologynut has done wonderful things for the East Tennessee geocaching community. During a time when the area community was going through a transition, he stepped up to provide the leadership to keep things not just going, but thriving. His State Quarter series is entertaining and challenging to even seasoned cachers, and it ends with a special award. He has created several GeoArt series in the area that are quite popular. He has sponsored monthly Tennessee Valley Geocachers events for several years, which are well-attended by the TVG community. For several years he has been instrumental in organizing a TVG Cache Dash, a day of competitive caching with a Poker Run and a Trail Run. It would be difficult to imagine a geocache who has done more for his local community.” -PokerLuck

Although all three of these geocachers deserve accolades, there has to be one winner.

November’s Geocacher of the Month is one of the youngest we’ve had yet — but that’s all we’ll say about his age. His contributions to his local geocaching community in Northwest England are impressive for a geocacher of any number of years.

9b25c5ce-7b37-4254-bd67-70ddec8d878d_lCongratulations Mr Donut WP!

 

With just over 2,100 finds, there’s no arguing that Mr Donut WP is already a force to be reckoned with in the UK geocaching community. But the username entered in all those logbooks isn’t the only imprint he’s made.

“My vote would be Mr Donut without a doubt. Like a DONUT, he is a real treat to the cachers in the UK. He certainly gets a ROUND and he puts his HOLE heart into geocaching. I have been given many stories about this young cacher for the UK geocaching magazine, he is spoken very highly of. Where most people his age are playing computer games hes is out there pushing old people about… Pushing them to enjoy more geocaching, to get more involved in the community and pushing himself to achieve more at same time.” -Adam Redschaw

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERABased on the comments we read, Mr Donut WP makes an impression on every geocacher he meets, even if it’s just once:

“Came across Mr Donut operating in the Midlands a couple of years ago, when I was after some advice. This he happily gave giving me an insight into my problem.” -R&MLtd

 

 

Mr Donut WP’s “Hike or Bike” series is a must-do if you’re in the area (and worth the trip if you’re not).  We think StridentUK says it all:

“Back when I started caching, just over a year ago now, Mr Donut was one of the first caching names that I started to recognise, thanks to his many interesting & well-thought out hides and fun series. His caches alone account for over 250 of my current total; that’s many days, if not weeks of caching time. Especially enjoyable was his mammoth Bike or Hike series which, over the course of the year it was released, took me all around the area I grew up in, to places I’d never ever been. A real lynchpin of the local caching community, organising many excellent events each year, Mr Donut’s enthusiasm and passion for caching and definitely make him worthy of the Cacher of the Month award.”

 

 

We’re honored to be able to present Mr Donut WP the Geocacher of the Month award for November 2014. Thank you for all that you do for the geocachers around you, and best of luck with all of your future endeavors!

 

2ee756c1-30df-452c-ad02-8f100aecd4f7_l

 

Do you know someone who deserves the honor of being Geocacher of the Month? Nominate them!

 

 

 

 

/ Eric Schudiske /

5 Best Geocaching Posts of 2014

The 14th year of geocaching is coming to close. Our passion for adventure this past year bubbled over with Personality, First to Finds, Wet Surprises, a Message in a Bottle and another epic First to Find.

 Those are your Top 5 Posts of 2014. Click on any post to see what the fuss is about.

5) Epic First to Find

 

top stories 5
5

4) Message in a Bottle 

 

4
4

3) Wet Surprises – The Video

3
3

2) First to Find – After 4,355 Days

2
2

1) Take the Geocaching Personality Quiz

1
1

 

Now, brag a little bit, share your top geocaching moment of 2014 in comments below. Who knows, we might just contact you to post the story here on The Geocaching Blog.

/ Eric Schudiske /

All I Got for Christmas was a DNF, but then…

Climbing up to GZ in New Zeland - Peanuts or Pretzels

Editor’s note: DNF’s or Did Not Finds are an important part of the geocaching experience, and maybe one of the most frustrating parts. The questions start to boil over, is it even here, why is the hint so vague, can’t anyone post a picture which offers a clue? WHY!?! But, as we learn through exploring, it’s not often the destination but the journey. Geocachers, Peanuts or Pretzels, show us that sometimes a DNF is the gift of a story, a voyage, a view and a sunset.

By:

Josh & Liz
Peanuts or Pretzels
www.peanutsorpretzels.com

peanuts 1

 

Recently, we took to the roads of New Zealand in an RV and wanted to do some Geocaching. So during our drive toward the west coast of the south island of New Zealand, I pulled out my GPS and found just the cache for us. Located along the coast, it had a lot of favorite points and according to our watches, we had just enough time to get there before dusk. So off we went!

Upon arrival, we parked our RV near GZ and started walking along the rocky coast. Eventually we came to a grassy opening, with the ocean on our right and a steep hill on our left. The cache was located up on top of the hill, but there was no visible trail. We decided that our best option was to climb up a small wash-out ravine.

After a tricky climb, we arrived at the top, which was a flat plateau. The Geocache was only 183 feet away. But we quickly realized that we had a problem. The entire area leading to the cache were full of giant briar bushes. These bushes were thigh high, with thorns 2-5 inches long…seriously! We’ve done our share of “bushwacking” before, but we had never seen anything like this before.
We tried many ways to get to the geocache, even trying to use giant sticks to make bridges or push down the bushes. But nothing worked. We were getting stabbed by the thorns and tearing our clothes. Ultimately, we realized that there was no way for us to get to the geocache. Disappointed with the thought of admitting defeat, we turned back toward the ocean just as the sun was beginning to set.

sunset

 

“Wow, look at the sunset from up here!” Liz said. And you know, she was right. It was a gorgeous sunset, and we had the best view perched up on this hill. No one was around, and we had this entire sunset to ourselves. So in the end, we decided thatwe would accept this DNF proudly. Because even though we didn’t find the cache, we had a fun adventure, and we were taken to this place that we had no idea existed. I looked over at Liz and said “this might have to be the best Geocache we never found.”

Thanks to Geocaching for taking us to another great place on our world travels. Sometimes, you don’t have to find the cache to have a great memory. #DNFPride

[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQdUtw9vgIw]

/ Alex /

Go Geocaching Like a Local

We recently released 6 shiny new Geocaching Souvenirs for Greece, Mexico, Belgium, Brazil, Croatia, and Italy.

In case any of these countries are still on your bucket list (or if you’re planning a return trip) check out this pocket dictionary of common phrases used in Geocaching. They’re perfect for starting or ending a fantastic log entry.

6 Souvenirs that could be added to your profile, if you’ve found geocaches in any of these countries.

 

 

 Brazil (Portuguese)

This statue of Frederico Engel can be found at GC3FMPF
This statue of Frederico Engel can be found at GC3FMPF

Take a virtual vacation and tour of some of Brazil’s best geocaches.

Obrigado pela Cache
(Thanks for the cache)

Encontrada
(Found)

Boa aventura
(Good adventure)

A minha primeira cache
(My first cache)

 

Belgium (Dutch, French, German)

Here you'll find GC1EG4C, also known as "Atomium".
Here you’ll find GC1EG4C, also known as “Atomium”.

Check out one of Belgium’s most-favorited geocaches.

Bedankt voor de cache
(Dutch – Thanks for the cache)

Merci pour la cache
(French – Thanks for the cache)

Danke für den Cache
(German – Thanks for the cache)

Trouvé notre première cache en Belgique
(French – Found our first cache in Belgium)

 

Greece (Greek)

Finding GC1X5VF is a vacation in and of itself.
Finding GC1X5VF is a vacation in and of itself.

 

If you’re heading to Greece, relax, soak up some sun, and check out this awesome multi-cache.

Ευχαριστώ για την κρυπτη
(Thanks for the cache)

Ευχαριστίες για τη μνήμη
(Thanks for the memory)

Ομορφο μερος
(Beautiful place)

 

 

Mexico (Spanish)

Gringo Gulch lighthouse is the site of GC3B5XW one of the most-favorited geocaches in Mexico.
Gringo Gulch lighthouse is the site of GC3B5XW one of the most-favorited geocaches in Mexico.

Check out these five must-see geocaches from the birthplace of the sun.

Gracias por el cache
(Thanks for the cache)

Encontrado
(Found)

Muchos muggles
(Many muggles)

Excelente camuflaje
(Excellent camouflage)

 

Italy (Italian)

Geocache, geocache, wherefore art thou? The site of GC49T24.
Geocache, geocache, wherefore art thou? The site of GC49T24.

What better way to celebrate geocaching love than featuring a geocache located at a (supposed) site of one of the greatest love stories ever told?

Grazie per la cache
(Thanks for the cache)

Trovato
(Found)

Decisamente merita un FP
(Definitely worth a favorite point)

Posto bellissimo
(Beautiful place)

 


Croatia (Croatian)

You'll see this stunning water fall (and many others) at GC1FNKR.
You’ll see this stunning water fall (and many others) at GC1FNKR.

 

Also known as the Land of a Thousand Islands, Croatia is home to these five unmissable geocaches.

Hvala za cache
(Thanks for the cache)

Pronađeno
(Found it)

Mjesto je prelijepo, a pogled fantastičan
(The location and view are fantastic)

 

Are you drooling yet? Maybe it’s time to book some around-the-world tickets…

Fun fact: “Thanks for the cache” in Klingon is ” Tlho’ vaD yoDjuH’a’So’ ”

 

 

/ Eric Schudiske /

The 3 Things to Avoid While Geocaching with Kids

geocaching with kids
Courtesy: Podcacher.com

by Sonny and Sandy from PodCacher.com

Geocaching with kids can be an amazing experience…

They love the exploration, discovery, mystery, treasure and outdoor aspects of this fun hobby. As you plan your geocaching outing with kids, you’re probably thinking of the obvious things to take along like plenty of water, lots of snacks, extra changes of clothes, a first aid kit, etc. You are definitely a well-prepared geocacher.

Now, before you head out, here are 3 things to AVOID while geocaching with kids.

geocaching with kids 1
Courtesy: Podcacher.com

1. Rushing

Kids love to take their time and explore. They aren’t in a hurry to get from point A to point B, especially when there is a lot to see, touch and experience between the points. We could learn a lot from them! Let the kids take the lead, and see what you can find to savor as you walk to the next geocache. Bring along a bag or bucket to gather nature “treasures” to take home. Take the time to jump from rock to rock (and don’t fall in the make-believe lava!). Don’t try to squeeze in too many caches. Take your cue from the kids regarding when it’s time to call it a day.

2. Micros

Some kids might love finding altoids tins under lamp-skirts or on guard rails, but they are in the minority. Kids love toys and swag. The smallest trinket can be the greatest treasure in the eyes of a young child. Don’t deprive them of the fun of swag by only going for the tiny containers. It may be a little more work to find an area to cache in that has larger containers, but if you’re going on an outing with kids, it’s definitely worth the extra effort. Be sure to encourage the kids to bring swag along to trade. You can all stop at the dollar store before heading out to geocache, or they can raid their toy bins at home. Take the time to teach them about “trading even or trading up”. It’s a great lesson to learn at a young age.

3. Controlling

Resist the urge to orchestrate every aspect of the experience for your kids. Hand over the GPS, or your smartphone (with a sturdy protective case) and let them learn from trial and error. Don’t be the one to find every geocache first. Give younger kids a “nudge” in the right direction so they can enjoy the fun of “finding” the geocache. Let go of your expectations of how the day “should” go, and just enjoy what happens. The kids might be excited to find even more geocaches than you expected OR they could be all done after just a couple. Be okay with heading to a playground to give everyone a break.

Help out new geocachers, share you advice for geocaching with kids in the comments below! 

geocaching with kids 2
Courtesy: Podcacher.com