Help Name the Next Geocacher of the Month

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

Geocachers are known for being adventurous, friendly, a little quirky, and just plain fun.

June’s Geocacher of the Month nominees are no exception.

In addition to earning an impressive number of smileys, these geocachers have hidden quality geocaches admired by many, and they never fail to bring laughter, joy, and helpful hints to all those they meet. If you’re out on the trail and need to Phone-a-Friend, these are the geocachers you want on speed dial.

Each of the nominees below is an essential part of the global geocaching community and will receive a prize package from Geocaching HQ in Seattle, but only one will be the next Geocacher of the Month. A  panel from Geocaching HQ will use your comments, community input and other data to decide the winner.

Now it’s your turn to help us select the next Geocacher of the Month: write a supportive comment for the nominated geocacher you feel should be awarded the title.

 

Leftygator 

leftygator
Leftygator says hi to a gator (and a lion).

Afwingman writes, “Leftygator has been geocaching since 2003, before geocaching had become the hobby it is today with Pocket Queries and advancements in GPS technology. We first met leftygator just after we started geocaching in November 2009. We met for breakfast and have become great friends ever since. Leftygator has put out outstanding geocaches and does not hesitate to offer guidance and assistance to all the new geocachers in and around the Mississippi Gulf Coast area. Stumped on a cache? Call leftygator and he will go out his way to give you the nudge you need to get you back on track. With Keesler Air Force base located in Biloxi, he has taken airman under his wing that became interested in geocaching. They then take the hobby world wide in their travels and adventures and get other airman involved who get their friends into geocaching. He is a great asset and ambassador to the geocaching community and it would be an honor to have him considered for Geocacher of the Month.”

 

.Jpeg

jpeg
.Jpeg at Mount Rushmore.

 

Dhaulaghiri writes, “After overcoming the shock of moving to Houston, TX we met a great bunch of local cachers that have provided us with lot’s of caching fun. .Jpeg particularly stands out because of the ingenious nature of his hides and the variety of hides he’s put out, but also because of his wonderful, thoughtful and sometimes even downright funny logs on caches he finds.

.Jpeg is an inspiration to me and other cachers I know in the Houston area, always willing to help out a fellow cacher, go on a hunt on short notice and last but certainly not least a truly wonderful human being!”

 

gillywig

gillywig
Gillywig finds GC1JPEQ.

animalbiker67(ab67) writes, “The caches that gillywig puts out are interesting to do. [She is} always willing to assist in every way and is always bubbly and full of energy. Gillywig assists finders with her Puzzle ones too, but will still not give the game away – brilliant hints. She is a joy to communicate with and she never lets me down.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you know an outstanding geocacher who should be considered for the honor, simply fill out this webform.

Geocaching: The Video Game — LostSailRs: Uncharted Waters (GC55CDQ) — Geocache of the Week

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Geocache Name:

LostSailRs: Uncharted Waters (GC55CDQ)

Difficulty/Terrain Rating:

3/1

Why this is the Geocache of the Week:

Getting creative with a new geocache hide takes some skill. Whether that’s just learning the art of how to hot glue camouflage without burning yourself or a bit of woodworking. Or you could take it a step further, like the cache owner of this geocache did and teach yourself HTML 5 and create an immersive geocaching video game experience. The time, effort and creativity that went into the puzzle, the game and the geocache itself are a perfect example of what makes a GREAT geocache.

What the geocache owner, LostSailRs, has to say:

“I love designing puzzle caches and try to put a lot of thought behind each one.  Some of them are fairly complicated, others, not so much.  But I try to do something slightly different each time.  Currently I am on summer vacation and decided it was time I taught myself something new.  I started to watch hours of YouTube teaching myself HTML5 game design and began implementing the basics into some of my other video-game based caches.  Since I started teaching myself how to make games I had my eyes on doing something to satisfy puzzle cachers of all ranges: Strategy, logic, skill, dexterity, etc… This took about 6 weeks from start to testing.  Every few days I would get it to a playable stage and tell my wife, the Lost in LostSailRs, that it was done, but would wake up the next day and start learning something new and adding it to the game.  Towards the end I started writing and recording the background music and sound effects, and put the finishing touches on some of the graphics.  I sent out a request to our local geocaching society and got some great replies.  After another week or so making changes and fixing bugs it was ready to release.   The idea for the multi-stage final came late in the stage, once I received the containers.  I thought they were so perfect and wanted to make use of the bulk amount I received.  So I added a very simple puzzle/riddle that will take the person straight to the final.  I chose the location because of it’s scenic view and isolation during the weekends.”

“We are so grateful to be part of this amazing community of cachers who have warmly welcomed us into the fold this past year.  On Sunday, July 6th, my wife and I celebrated our 1 year cache-aversary.  In that year we have found some amazing hides, clever containers, and friends-for-life.  We can’t wait to see what’s in store for year number 2.”

What geocachers are saying:

“Really enjoyed this cache. The puzzle was well done and just enough work. Made it to GZ and spent a few minutes thinking through the hints. Thankfully, my daughter made the last connection that allowed us to find the cache.” – PowerDime

“Marvelous game, well played from start to finish! …Not having read the logs, though, I was very pleasantly surprised when I arrived this afternoon and found that there was more adventure to be had! I love it when there are unexpected twists and journeys! This one gets a favorite for the concept, a favorite for the game, a favorite for the twists, a favorite for the… WHAT? I can only award ONE?!!! So be it.” – GoldenStateBoy

“This was fun, I like it when someone really puts out a clever cache and this is definitely a cache that will get many favorite points. I don’t believe I have done any other caches of yours but I sure will now. Thanks for an adventure.” – oldwood

 

Photos and Video:

Your booty awaits. Photo courtesy of LostSailRs
Your booty awaits. Photo courtesy of LostSailRs
X marks the spot! Photo courtesy of LostSailRs
X marks the spot! Photo courtesy of LostSailRs
The view from GZ. Photo courtesy of LostSailRs
The view from GZ. Photo courtesy of LostSailRs
Yarrrr better be privy to all the muggles! Photo courtesy of LostSailRs
Yarrrr better be privy to all the muggles! Photo courtesy of LostSailRs

What new skills have you learned because of geocaching? 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, just fill out this form. Thanks!

Geocaching Headquarters (GCK25B): Been There, Logged That.

Panorama HQ Lobby
Panorama HQ Lobby

 

Geocaching Headquarters (aka GCK25B).

Many have heard of it, only 7,000 of 9 million geocachers worldwide have logged it. Whether on a geocaching road trip across the country or living down the street, geocachers love to make a pit stop at Geocaching HQ to sign the famous logbook, celebrate a milestone, share stories with fellow geocachers and see for themselves where all the geocaching magic happens.

You made it
You made it

History was made.

In 2004, the official HQ geocache was placed in the downtown office of Groundspeak Headquarters. Over the last 10 years, the geocache has lived in four different locations, now residing at the newest office in the Fremont neighborhood. Co-Founder Bryan Roth said the geocache was placed so that everyone at HQ could stay connected to the community.

“Geocachers were already stopping by the office before we placed the geocache” said Bryan. “We felt that adding an official HQ Geocache would enhance the experience and help create an environment where geocachers always feel welcome.”

Originally on Friday’s only, HQ visits are now available Tuesday-Friday at 2pm to accommodate all travel schedules and the influx in visitors.

 

Logo
Logo

 

What to expect during a scheduled visit.

1) Awesome encounters and conversations with Geocaching HQ employees. The staff at Geocaching HQ anxiously awaits for the clock to strike 2pm. For an entire hour, the lobby transforms into a room of geocaching chatter and storytelling.

2) A giant trunk with a plethora of trackables, SWAG and signature items. Don’t believe us? Check out the trackable inventory for yourself.

Inside the HQ Geocache
Inside the HQ Geocache

3) Geocachers from across the globe. In the last year, visitors from over 30 countries have visited HQ, making it an international destination for all geocachers to gather, swap stories and even learn a new language (or as least communicate in geo-language.)

4) Photo-op and selfie heaven. With a photobooth and new signage to pose in front of, the photo opportunities are endless.

5) Historic geocaching relics including the original International Space Station Travel Bug. In case you are new to geocaching (or have been hiding under a rock for a year), this travel bug went all the way to outer space.

6) The Geocaching HQ Store. Shop for trackables, geocoins, t-shirts and other goodies including some exclusive HQ merchandise.

HQ Geotour: GC32A0H
HQ GeoTour: GC32A0H

 7) Geocaching! The fun doesn’t stop after you leave the lobby. Before and after a scheduled visit, geocachers wander around the local quirky Fremont neighborhood in search of the nine geocaches on the HQ GeoTour. With over 2,000 favorite points, geocachers don’t want to miss out on these creative geocaches hidden by the staff at Geocaching HQ.

The ultimate HQ experience.

In addition to HQ Visits, Geocaching HQ invites the entire community to join them for the annual Block Party Mega-Event in August. The week prior to the big event, geocachers can sign up for full office tours to get the full breakdown of what goes on every day at HQ.

So geocachers, when do you plan on joining the other 7,000 geocachers and logging the HQ Geocache? We’d love to meet you!

Your New Mission: Earn the 7 Souvenirs of August

 

 

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New Souvenirs for August, New Quiz Now

 

Welcome to your geocaching mission this summer. During the month of August, earn six new Geocaching souvenirs by finding specific types of geocaches. Only by finding all six souvenirs do you unlock a special seventh “Achiever” souvenir. And we always knew you were an achiever.

Check out your personalized 7 Souvenirs of August Trophy Case for details. It’s a page that’s worth adding to your bookmarks. You’ll need it. Once you’ve collected all six souvenirs, visit your 7 Souvenirs of August Trophy Case to unlock the rare 7th “Achiever” souvenir. If you’re new to geocaching, a souvenir is an exclusive digital reward for your online profile.

While your journey to find the 7 Souvenirs of August begins on August 1 and lasts through August 31, you can start the adventure right now. Take the new Geocaching Personality Quiz. Each of the six personality types in the quiz reveals a souvenir you’re challenged to discover in August. Questions? Check out your 7 Souvenirs of August Trophy Case for answers. Ready to begin celebrating? Check out the new 7 Souvenirs swag on sale now.

Click to learn more
Click to learn more
Click to play
Click to play