When you see a 3, 4, or 5 next to “Terrain” on a geocache, you can usually count on two things: 1) it’s going to be a pretty good hike and 2) there will most likely be an epic photo-op at the end. Sometimes earning the smiley can take a backseat to the amazing photographs that get taken from GZ. Don’t believe me? Just take a look at the Geocaching Instagram or search #geocaching on Instagram. Photography and geocaching go hand-in-hand, so it’s only appropriate to feature a geocache with world-class found it photos.
“My first visit at the Kjerag was in summer 2004 and I was led there by a friend not knowing what to see there. I was so impressed by the feeling standing upon the Kjerag stone, that I quickly decided: this is a MUST BE for a geocache. But I had never hidden a cache box and needed a prepared cache box. So I was planning another excursion two years later… Geocaching isn´t only a hobby – it´s a passion! Nearly my whole life has changed between the past 11 years since I got a geocaching-member.”
What geocachers are saying:
“Puh, what a stressful climb to the top. But after seeing the Kjerag every stress was forgotten. What an amazing view. Thanks for hiding :-)” – silkeli53
“This walk has been on our “want to visit” list for several years now, and it was amazing to finally be able to take the amazing hike.” – optimistene
“First time in Norway! What an nice and beautiful country. This one was found easy, TFTC! awesome hike, standing at the Krejag was pretty scary!!” – The Bennies
Photos and Video:
Amazing sunsets are the icing on top of this geocaching cake. Photo by geocacher dipledocusSure, this looks like a great place to sit. Photo by geocacher HeideParkSoltauEpic view! Photo by geocacher dipledocusWe’re not saying you should, but there are quicker ways of getting down from this area than hiking. Gif from the trailer for “I BELIEVE I CAN FLY (FLIGHT OF THE FRENCHIES)” movie by sebastien montaz-rosset.
Show us your best “Found it” selfie 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.
Do you enjoy summer adventures and a good geocaching road trip? We have just the treat for you! Geocaching has teamed up with Airstream for a trackable tag designed for those with a penchant to roam, a heart for exploration and a willingness to Find and Go.
The Airstream Silver Bullet Trackable Tag will make its debut at select Geocaching events in the United States in August. 2,000 tags will be released among the events. If you can’t make it to the events, keep an eye out for Airstream Silver Bullet Trackable Tags in the wild as they make their way from geocache to geocache and travel across the country. Find one and take it some place incredible, whether it’s a big city or the great outdoors, it’s all about having an experience and sharing it with others.
Submit photos of where the Airstream Silver Bullet Trackable takes you for chances to win prizes from Airstream. Photos of the trackable can be submitted to the Airstream Facebook Page. A winning photo will be selected each month starting in August, for Airstream prizes including a t-shirt, a journal, a flashlight, and more! See contest rules for details.
Geocaching Premium Member, FluteFace, is planning to attend the Airstream event in Redmond, WA. “As both a geocacher, and an Airstream (1984 Sovereign) owner, I’ll be there! What a great combination!!” She adds, “We have enjoyed caching with our Airstream and, since we’ve recently equipped it with a solar panel, we intend to find more caches in cool places, off the beaten path.”
To make things even sweeter, geocachers can earn the Socializer Souvenir for attending an event in August as part of the 7 Souvenirs of August program.
A photo of FluteFace’s Airstream on a caching/camping trip with other geocachers in Washington State’s Deception Pass State Park, about a month after she purchased the Airstream
What inspires you to geocache? For some, it’s the pure hunt that ignites the excitement. For others, it’s the adventurous and often unusual things one partakes in along the way. Here are 37 amazing ways to spice up your geocaching.
1. Hike to a viewpoint that you never knew existed
Geocaching journey to Bariloche, Argentina (GC1M51M)
2.Take care of our planet
Good planets are hard to find. While you’re out on a geocache hunt, make sure to CITO (cache in trash out).
Cleaning up Yosemite (GC4Y868)
3. Equicache (horseback geocaching)
Jump on up and gallop away. Explore the geocaching wilderness with the help of a furry friend.
FDR by Horse – Lonesome Dove (GC4AHH8)
4. Make new friends
There are thousands of worldwide geocaching events each year. Join in the fun and meet fellow geocachers. Check out a geocaching event near you.
2014 Geowoodstock
5. Deep sea dive (divecaching)
Take a deep breath and venture down into deep blue waters to uncover some of the most mysterious geocaches in the world. “Clearwater Paradise – SCUBA” (GC1T16F) by BlazerDiver has yet to be found since it was hidden in 2009. FTF anyone?
GC1T16F off the coast of Honduras
6. Complete a geocaching quest
We all have different bucket list items to check off. There’s no better feeling in the world than when you do (and drink an ice cold mini-beer to celebrate).
Celebrate
7. Release your inner artist
“If you hear a voice within you say ‘you cannot paint,’ then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced,” Vincent Van Gogh.
Geocacher “apres ski 66” at Fin Del Mundo (GCH7MR)
21. Become a historian
Geocaching is a great way to learn about the history of a location. The Star-Spangled Banner GeoTour takes geocachers to the locations of significant historic events during the War of 1812.
Star-Spangled Banner Geotour
22. Solve a puzzle
Release your inner geek and solve a puzzle geocache.
The geocaching community is about giving back by getting a little dirty and clearing a lot of trash. Cache In Trash Out, or CITO, helps preserve the natural beauty of the geocaching world by cleaning up litter, removing invasive species, planting trees and building trails.CITO events are held all year long, especially during the summer months in the Northern Hemisphere. Check out the CITO calendar for events and join one near you. And who says good deeds go unrewarded? Earn The Nature Lover souvenir during the 7 Souvenirs of August by attending a CITO event in, you guessed it, the month of August.
Geocaching HQ staffers love August. The Seattle weather is perfect. We get to meet geocachers from all over the world who come to log the Geocaching HQ geocache or attend Geocaching Block Party. And each year, we find a new way to challenge each other to geocaching greatness.
See, we love teamwork at Geocaching HQ!
This year, we have a collective goal: 100% of the 70+ HQ’ers will earn all 7 Souvenirs of August. This is something we’ll do together, and we would love to see you use the same teamwork-based strategy in your local geocaching community.We’ll carpool to geocaches, help each other solve Mystery Caches, and cheer each other on.
At the same time, we couldn’t resist throwing a healthy dose of competition into the mix.
To add in an extra sprinkle of challenge and fun to keep us geocaching all month long, we’ve formed seven teams that, in addition to supporting each other in achieving the 7 Souvenirs of August, will compete against each other to be the best in the following categories:
First team to have every member complete all 7 Souvenirs of August
Most geocache finds in August
Greatest distance traveled
Greatest number of Travel Bugs moved
Average difficulty rating
Average terrain rating
Best geocaching-themed Instagram video with the hashtag #7SofA
This summer, you and your family, friends, coworkers, and geocaching organization can take the 7 Souvenirs of August to the next level too.
Here are Geocaching HQ’s 7 steps to attaining geocaching greatness this August:
1. Break into teams. Here at HQ, we decided to randomly assign teams to allow staffers to spend time with coworkers they don’t usually get to work with. Dividing by skill level or geocaching interest (i.e. the perfect blend of geocaching personality types) is also a great way to ensure the competition will be close.
Last year was all about orange headbands; this year, we’re rockin’ green sunglasses.
2. Give your team an identity. Team names are a must. Without one, what will you chant when you are victorious? Our teams are (surprise, surprise) named after the 7 Souvenirs of August: The Nature Lovers, The Explorers, The Puzzlers, The Collectors, The Socializers, and The Sightseers. (We’re all going to be Achievers, after all.) Bonus points for jerseys, headbands, sunglasses, and 7 Souvenirs of August SWAG.
3. Set up a leaderboard. Share a spreadsheet to track individual and team stats, or if you’re technically inclined, work some GPX magic.
4. Strategize. Get together with your team to talk shop. Will someone host a midnight Event Cache so the team can earn all 7 Souvenirs first? Or will you focus on find count or terrain rating? Is your team made up of people who are great at solving puzzles, climbing trees, or road-tripping? (Hint: Eating pizza while strategizing helps the brain think. It’s science.)
5. Make a calendar of geocaching outings. Once you have your strategy, plan when you’ll make it happen. Geocaching together is a great way to keep inspired and avoid the dreaded DNF.
6. Create a shared online space. Setting up a Facebook group or email chain is a great way to share updates, make sure you’re on track to achieving your goals (and winning!), and keep the team engaged and inspired.
7. Capture your favorite geocaching moments. So maybe your team won’t find the most geocaches or travel the furthest distance, but you can show off that you had the most fun. Create a geocaching highlight reel and be sure to share it on your favorite social media platforms. Don’t forget to use the #7SofA hashtag.
Ready to start plotting your August strategy? Share this video and invite your friends to join in the fun:
