January 27, 2015 / Janelle

The 10 coolest winter geocaching tips

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What’s a little snow when you’re determined to up your find count? When the temps go down, it’s time for you to get up and get caching. Here are 10 tips for geocaching in a winter wonderland.

1. Safety first

Always tell someone where you’re going and when you plan to return. Take a friend (or two) with you because safety truly comes in numbers.

2. Dress for success

Dress in layers for optimal comfort. Your base layer should wick moisture away from your body, an insulating layer should keep you warm, and your outer shell should protect you from the elements. Waterproof boots and gloves are mandatory since you’ll be “digging” snow away. Lastly, listen to your mother and wear a hat — it’s cold outside!

3. Go the distance…

If you can walk, you can snowshoe. Get yourself a pair and learn how to put them on properly to fully enjoy your journey.

4. …but know your limits:

You’ll get cold, tired, and numb. The cold weather can make a single mile feel like ten, and you’ll exhaust easier. Not to mention it gets dark earlier in the winter. Be at peace with turning around sooner rather than later, then (safely) grabbing the cache another day.

It's OK to turn around and come back another day for the geocache — It’s OK to turn around and come back another day for the geocache

5. Extra juice

Bring backup batteries for your GPS device. Cold weather causes batteries to drain faster than in warm weather.

Juice up for a long trek in cold weather to make that big find!

6. BYOPencil

Pencils work at any temperature, but pens can freeze up when it’s cold. Make sure your efforts are worth it and you can sign that log!

7. Can it be done?

Has this cache been found since the last time it snowed, or should this one wait until the spring thaw?

Has the geocache been found since snow has fallen?

8. TOTT

Bring Tools of the Trade (TOTT) such as a small shovel for snow and a screwdriver to pry open frozen containers. But be careful since plastic containers can crack easily in cold temperatures.

Make sure you have the right Tools of the Trade (like snowshoes) for the environment

9.

If you’re a Premium Member, run a Pocket Query for geocaches that have the “Available During Winter” attribute.

Make sure the geocache is available in winter

10. Walk on water

Some geocaches can only be accessed after a lake freezes over in the winter. How’s that for a new challenge?

If snowmageddon is just too overbearing, cozy up with a mug of hot cocoa or coffee by the fire and solve some Puzzle Caches. Or, you can always wait until spring to start your streak all over… Again. 😉

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