Author: Derek H

/ Derek H

A little adrenaline never hurt anyone — Klettersteig Schweifinen (GC2FX7P) — Geocache of the Week

Easy hikes don't make for views this good! Photo by geocacher papounet
Easy hikes don’t make for views this good! Photo by geocacher papounet

Geocache Name:

Klettersteig Schwefinen

Difficulty/Terrain Rating:

3.5/5

Why this is the Geocache of the Week:

Clever containers and parks in your city that you never knew about are great, but sometimes you need that shot of adrenaline to really make your geocaching experience totally amazing. If you’re not 100% confident in your rock climbing or rappelling skills, a trip on a ‘via ferrata’ might be what you’re looking for. These route ascend mountain cliffs with the use of metal rungs and cables that have been bolted into the rock. Climbers use special gear to clip in to these in order to prevent serious falls. While somewhat uncommon in the United States, geocachers can find quite a few via ferrata routes throughout Europe.

What geocachers are saying:

“Thanks for placing the cache! Great place, fantastic view. The best part of the Klettersteig is the part C!” — AnnieSk

“We have been on a holiday for teen days in Zermatt. We have found a lot of caches over 2000 meters. We have been on a lot of nice hikes and seen a lot of nice places. This trip was my favorite on our holiday.” — TSH98

“Fantastic via ferrata climb i fine weather on our stay in Zermatt. Thanks for the new way of caching. Thanks for a fantastic cache.” — TeamHatlAnd

Photos:

On the way up! Photo by geocacher framesmasher
On the way up! Photo by geocacher framesmasher
Adrenaline = smiles. Photo by geocacher Die Berüchtigten
Adrenaline = smiles. Photo by geocacher Die Berüchtigten
Climb to the top! Photo by geocacher Kuertu
Climb to the top! Photo by geocacher Kuertu

What gets your adrenaline pumping while 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!

/ Derek H

Celebrate Some of the World’s Best Geocaches

Click the video to watch 4 Geocaching HQ'ers find a Geocache of the Week.
Click the video to watch 4 Geocaching HQ’ers find a Geocache of the Week.

 

Some geocaches stand out above the rest. It could be the container, the location, or something else that makes earning these smileys memorable. These geocaches deserve recognition—which is why every Thursday, you can see the Geocache of the Week right here on the Geocaching Blog. This week, you can even tag along with 4 Geocaching HQ staffers as they find a Geocache of the Week in this new video.

Now it’s your turn. Have you found a geocache that totally blew your mind? A geocache that took you on a journey of epic proportions? Nominate it as a Geocache of the Week here.

/ Derek H /

Epic Adventure, — Wet Surprise (GC1YV80) — Geocache of the Week Video Edition

[vsw id=”hfFLCVLQZSE” source=”youtube” width=”853″ height=”480″ autoplay=”no”]

Geocache Name:

Wet Surprise (GC1YV80)

Difficulty/Terrain Rating:

2/5

Why this is the Geocache of the Week:

This was an incredible adventure and is a perfect example of how geocaching can take you to places you never would’ve visited without it. For more, check out the video above.

What geocachers are saying:

“Swam to it in my undies!  I gotta say, in 6+ years of caching, this is probably the coolest cache i’ve done so far…” – Thuescapades

“This cache experience was my favorite of all time.” – reidsomething

“What an amazing adventure! …Beautiful lake, amazing view of the mountain, and a cache full of awesome swag…what more could a geocacher want??” – AKprincesswarrior

What the geocache owner, Freak of Nature, has to say:

“I’ve always enjoyed geocaching away from urban areas. I have a background in forestry, and love the outdoors…I’ve known about this area since the late seventies. I have backpacked around here many times. Lots of local history here.

I love all of the positive feedback! This is really what geocaching means to me. Discovering places and things I might never have known of, but for someone placing a cache nearby.

Everybody knows of a special spot or location that means something to them. There are lots of adventures waiting to be had.  Don’t be afraid to share it with others. Thanks to all for this most enjoyable hobbie, and cache on!”

Photos:

Mount Rainier views on the hike up.
Mount Rainier views on the hike up.

 

Ben, of benandjayme, surveying the lake.
Ben, of benandjayme, surveying the lake.

 

Lackey AKprincesswarrior making her way to the island.
Lackey AKprincesswarrior making her way to the island.

 

Hiking up to the lake. Photo by geocacher Boonie-Medic
Hiking up to the lake. Photo by geocacher Boonie-Medic

 

What’s most fun you’ve had during a day of 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!

/ Derek H /

Whovians unite! — Doctor Who #13 (GC56Y0Z) — Geocache of the Week

The TARDIS in the wild. Photo by geocacher Lost From New York
The TARDIS in the wild. Photo by geocacher Lost From New York

 

 

Video: Spoiler Alert!

[vsw id=”jQJZOJmwScU” source=”youtube” width=”420″ height=”315″ autoplay=”no”]

 

Geocache Name:

Doctor Who #13 (GC56Y0Z)

Difficulty/Terrain Rating:

3/1.5

Why this is the Geocache of the Week:

First, check out the video above. If you’re still scratching your head and wondering why this is Geocache of the Week, here are a few reasons:

  • The creativity and craftsmanship that went into the container
  • The awesome theme and decoration
  • All of the positive logs and favorite points
  • A dedicated geocache owner

Not to mention, the threat of extermination via Daleks is a pretty unique feature for a geocache.

What the geocache owner, carlep_99, has to say:

“While watching Youtube videos about geocaching I kept seeing all these different field puzzle caches.  So I decided I was going to try and create one myself and dedicate it to my favorite tv show (Doctor Who) to celebrate the new season beginning August 2014.”

“I actually was surprised at the reaction some had with this cache.  I wasn’t expecting it to be as popular as it turned out to be. Don’t get me wrong I was hoping people would enjoy it but when I saw what people were saying I got teary eyed and got a feeling of euphoria (i guess would be the best way to describe it) it was such an awesome experience…I wrote in the description a definite for Doctor Who fans, I was wrong, it’s turning out to be a definite for the whole geocaching community. A very much appreciated thank you to the geocaching community for all the logs posted  and logs to be posted for “Doctor Who  #13″.”

What geocachers are saying:

“One of the Best caches I’ve found in our tenure as geocachers! I wish I knew about the Dr Who series before finding this because after a first failed attempt to enter the Tardis I did my research. That just added to my appreciation of this cache when I returned to successfully log it! Simply awesome, a masterpiece of engineering and workmanship!” – Timpat

 

“Great cache. Lots of hard work went into this one. Very creative. No need to force anything to get this one. Use your brain, not muscle to get to the log book.” – Sunrunner

 

“Wow, what a great cache to end this series (at least for now)! I’m actually a little disappointed that I can only give this 1 favorite point, but I’m sure you’ll collect a bunch. Thanks to you for a great cache series commemorating a great TV series, and thanks to the landowner for their permission.” – sky-raider

Photos:

The TARDIS puzzle. Photo courtesy of carlep_99
The TARDIS puzzle. Photo courtesy of carlep_99
During construction. Photo courtesy of carlep_99
During construction. Photo courtesy of carlep_99
EXTERMINATE! Uh oh... Photo courtesy of carlep_99
EXTERMINATE! Uh oh… Photo courtesy of carlep_99

What’s the best field puzzle you’ve ever solved? Tell us or 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!

/ Derek H /

Vote for the August Geocacher of the Month

Experience, friendliness and geocaching smarts—these could be used to describe all three nominees for the August 2014 Geocacher of the Month. Each has strong ties to their local communities, plenty of finds and hides, as well as a willingness to help out any geocacher who needs it. While all three are amazing, only one can be the Geocacher of the Month. Leave your comment below!

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.

Geocacher ikolor
Geocacher ikolor

ikolor

One of the nominations for ikolor comes from Tracymegan who says, “When I first started caching and ever since then, I have always seen Ikolor as really a backbone of South Florida Caching. He wealth of knowledge, puzzle abilities, amazing finding skills, and determination to always fine a cache are unparalleled. She is the first to help out newbie cachers and is out and about with any number of cachers. You never know where you are going to find her. Her enthusiasm for this game and patience with all of us is so greatly appreciated! Her logs are fun and entertaining and her imagination is boundless.”

Trekkie79 just zipping along.
Trekkie79 just zipping along.

 

 

 

 

Trekkie79

Geocacher tweetnes says, “Trekkie79 is great geocacher with over 10,000 caches & put out 130 awesome caches. He is always there to help you out. You can call him anytime. He has done classes for 101 in geocaching & how to use the site.The world needs to know if all cachers were like him what a great world this would be.Plus he has a remarkable wife that backs him up & helps us all.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

Team Geo-Rangers making the find.
Team Geo-Rangers making the find.

Team Geo-Rangers

Geocacher Newo Max had this to say, “Team Geo Rangers (Brett) as been caching since 2003, and recently reached his 30,000 find milestone. He’s hidden over 750 caches as well, including his SANTA BARBARIAN series profiling other local geocachers. He writes his motto “It’s all good!” in every cache he logs.

“TGR” as he is widely-known both creates and attends event caches, and is always willing to help out new cachers with helpful advice and encouragement. We thanked him personally, and feel he says it best in his reply “Your welcome! Just trying to add value with the logs as a way to thank you for the extra effort. Every fun cache placed has a chance to attract and retain new geocachers. Keep up the great work!””

Leave a comment to vote for the geocacher who you think should be Geocacher of the Month.

 

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