Ping! That’s the sound of your phone or email notifying you when a new geocache is published nearby. Grab your geo-bag, gps device, and get moving… you want to be the FTF (First To Find).
Discovering new geocaches before anyone else. Image by @gc_steph
Why would I want to be FTF?
Being FTF on a geocache is an exciting experience. You get to discover the newly published geocache prior to everyone else in the community and you get to brag about it 😉 . On many occasions, geocache owners will leave a small gift for the first geocacher to discover their cache. Prizes? Heck yes!
Photo by @officialtinysupermanCash prize! Image by Instagrammer @ruznuz
How do I set up instant notifications to let me know when a new geocache is published (only applicable to Premium Members)?
You can custom build notifications under Premium Member features.
Choose a cache type to monitor (e.g. Traditionals, Events, etc.)
Choose the types of logs you want to see (if you are just looking for newly published caches, choose “Publish Listing”)
Set the location (central point) and distance (around that point) you want to watch.
Check the email listed in the “Send to” drop-down menu. (If you would like to send Instant Notifications to an alternate email,you will need to manage your email addresses first.)
Check “Enable Notifications”.
Select “Create Notification” and you are set!
For addition information on Instant and Text Notifications please go here.
FTF! Image by @driftsolo
How can I add FTF to my statistics?
Geocaching.com does not have a feature that showcases FTFs, as Geocaching HQ does not regulate or manage FTFs. However, many geocachers use outside statistics-generating sites such as GSAK.net or MyGeocachingProfile.com to display their FTFs on their profile pages.
As men around the world started to grow their facial hair in honor of Movember, we wondered about mustache-themed caches, trackables, coins, and geocachers that could be out there. And we found facial hair from a can is pretty popular. Most geocaches encourage people to use a mustache in the geocache to share a picture of themselves, stache’d up, on the geocache page. Here are some of our furriest finds:
‘Stache Caches:
GC415QR Movember – Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
GC3F6P2: Facial Hair – Redmond, Washington, United States
GC57VAQ Moustache Cache – Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, United States
Trackables:
What about “a’sttaching” one to a Travel Bug then acquiring a few fun photos along the way?
TB214CA PCTM – Picture Crazy Travel Mustache
TB4XPHF – Ridiculously Large Mustache
Geocoins:
Oh these soup strainers are clever…
TB665G3 Geocoin Club November 2013 – Movember Geocoin even comes with a handy spot for inserting a “photo-op” stick.
TB5XQY3 “the Mustache made me do it” traveled 3,392 miles before finally landing on the upper lip of its owner
And finally, no blog about geo-staches would be complete without an honorary mention of Mr. and Mrs. Mysterious, aka TheVillans who bill themselves as, “the most feared geocaching team on the planet!!!” This dastardly duo caches in disguise leaving a comic book and a calling card in their wake. Muhahahaha!!
TheVillans
How do you Must-cache? Share your photos in the comments and tell us about your fall-foliage and folic-y fun. :-{)
Monaco is known for being a playground for the rich and famous. During a stroll through the city, you’re bound to see incredible yachts, fancy sports cars and maybe even a movie star or two. But there’s more to Monaco than just luxury and relaxation. Just outside the city lies an amazing cave system. Many people visiting the area may not ever know it’s there, but geocachers do. The EarthCache at this location has introduced travelers to another aspect of Monaco that they won’t soon forget.
What geocachers are saying:
“WOW!! I planned to try earthcaches while I was on holidays but didn’t look too much in to the details involved. We got lost trying to find this (lack of planning on my side), but it was so worth it when we got there! I was amazed at the whole experience. Thanks so much for this earthcache, my favourite so far and therefore very worthy of a favourite point!” – sarahmur
“Short stop in Monaco. What a marvelous little city with great architecture and lovely boats. I loved it and found a lot of secret places on my hunt once around the harbour and race track.” – Lemmer
“This definitely was a highlight in our short visit to Monaco. First the very nice exotic garden with lots of big plants and beautiful views on the city and the sea, and afterward the many interesting sights inside the grotto. Thanks a lot for this Earth Cache.” – Jan_Peter
“I was on holiday in Monaco and I visited this this great place. Not only the cave, but the Exotic Garden and the view to Monaco Ville is worth to see. My first idea was: Here had to be a cache. And the cache gave my the inspiration to place an Earthcache. By chance, we planned to see the Exotic Garden, then we dicovered the Grotte de L’Observatoire.
…I placed two other “Cave-Earthcaches”, because I think people like them ;). Grotte Gigante (GC3YQ2N) and Eishöhle auf der Rax (GC3BRA1). Thank you for your positive logs and favorite points, this gives me a lot of motivation to seek other interesting points and places.”
Photos:
Formations inside the cave. Photo by geocacher FTACHStalactites and stalagmites. Photo by geocacher ohjoy!The caves from the outside. Photo by geocacher Organisator
What city secrets have your discovered through geocaching? Tell us and post photos 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, just fill out this form. Thanks!
Let’s begin by saying that all three of the geocachers nominated for October’s Geocacher of the Month are worthy of the title.
If you’re reading this, you can count yourself lucky to be playing the same game as them, and even luckier if you happen to meet one of them. Because frankly…Pudsemand og kone, DrJay, and Capt Biggins are amazing.
They may geocache differently and in opposite corners of the world, but they share an undeniable love for the game and for the players, and they show it too. You let us know who you think deserves the honor, and we listened. But first, the candidates:
Pudsemand og kone
Pudsemand og kone are a caching couple from Denmark. You only need to look the comments that came in for these two, to know that they love meeting other geocachers. Peterpro commented, “They have made some of the best events we have ever attended. They are always helping if an experienced or newbie geocacher has a question or needs help. They invite every geocacher they meet into their home and some of our best cache experiences have been created by Tina and Henrik, that goes for puzzle, challenge, kids friendly, D5 and nightcaches. Deeply from our hearts they deserve the honor to be ‘Geocacher of the Month’.” Another voter says, “Tina and Henrik have a great “Let’s just do it”-spirit, that brought us a lot of caches and events. that stand out among others, and have made them famous all over Denmark.”
DrJay
DrJay is a geocacher from the state of Utah, and he’s definitely at the top of his game in terms of geocaching statistics (did we mention a streak of 2,837 days? Quite possibly one of the longest streaks ever). Says MountainHikerUT, “He has kept the Utah Association of Geocachers alive by taking over the reins when no one else wanted to. For the last few years he has continued the tradition of holding the annual UTAG Spring and Fall Events and has traveled hundreds of miles to make sure that these events are held in all parts of the state.” To add to that, Kyle Clements says, “The first time we met DrJay was in the middle of the night digging through weeds at the dead end of a road just a few miles from where we live. Turns out that FTF marked the 7th anniversary since he started his daily caching streak! Since that day we have had many an encounter with DrJay including FTF run-ins and local caching events. He’s practically a stand-up comedian running local events, and helps make sure everyone has a good time.”
Capt Biggins
Capt Biggins, according to many, is “an incredible friend who puts his heart into geocaching. He will be there for anyone at anytime. He is a true GEOCACHER. He absolutely loves sharing this passion with others. At any opportunity, he is talking to others about geocaching. He makes caching fun and enjoyable. I have cached with Capt Biggins may times and it has been a true honor knowing someone of his caliber.” And trust us…he’s made a lot of geocaching friends. Another geocacher says, “I always look forward to seeing this kind cacher, at an event or in the bush. He is an asset to our local (ok…. not so local, nearly state-wide) caching community.”
Even with the greatness of all three geocachers, there can only be one winner. October’s Geocacher of the Month is…
CAPT BIGGINS
Your newest Geocacher of the Month
There’s no doubt that this geocacher puts his heart and soul into everything that is geocaching. If you’re in south Florida–heck, if you’re anywhere in Florida–Capt Biggins might just be your go-to guy if you’re in need of geocaching advice. Cathie Bailey says of him, “Capt. Biggins is not only an avid and accomplished geocacher, he is a generously kind person. He helped out my family and I when we were new to the sport, and he makes himself available to teach the techniques, gps use, hiding and seeking of the caches, and purchasing or making the necessary equipment. He is most deserving of this honor on any given month, and this one is as good as any.”
Geocaching is exciting when caves are involved.
Capt Biggins is a geocacher with a big heart. Valeria sings his praises: “[Capt Biggins is] a fantastic ‘cacher who recently designed a gorgeous tag to help a fellow ‘cacher raise money to take care of unexpected expenses she has incurred since her MS diagnoses this year including a major relapse this summer which has left her unable to stand or walk.”
He’s a tree-hugger too!
Capt Biggins’ helpfulness isn’t limited to in-person interactions, either. One geocacher, Stefan, “was a Tourist in Florida last three weeks. Before the trip I asked questions on a forum for cachers in that area. Cpt. Biggins ALWAYS answered with in helpful way. And in a friendly and funny way too. A real geocacher ambassador.”
Based on the comments we saw in our nominations post, Capt Biggins is the reason why a lot of geocachers started geocaching…and the reason why a number of them keep on doing it.
Congratulations Capt Biggins!
The earned, never for sale, Geocacher of the Month geocoin.
If you know an outstanding geocacher who should be considered for the honor, simply fill out this webform.
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