Geocaching can be a bit like searching for hidden treasure. For instance, just like having an X on a map, we have satellites that tell us exactly where the “booty” is hidden. And just like a treasure chest filled with gold doubloons, we have ammo cans that are filled with…Well maybe that’s a bad analogy. Anyway, it’s no secret that geocachers have a certain affinity for seafaring, treasure-hunting, patch-and-parrot-adorned pirates—so finding a pirate-themed geocache like this week’s Geocache of the Week should be on every geocacher’s to-do list.

Geocacher Nashuan‘s first geocache, creatively named Nashuan’s First Cache (GC1D56C), is an extraordinary pirate-themed geocache located in New Hampshire, USA. While this is a two-stage multi-cache, the difficulty and terrain ratings are only 1.5, so the journey shouldn’t be too taxing. However, be sure to pay attention to the geocache description—without it, you’ll be left locked out of the geocache.

Once you’ve arrived at the final location and unlocked the final stage, this geocache shows the true reason why it’s being awarded Geocache of the Week. You unveil the scene of, “Captain Jack, his first mate Arthur and his second mate Nate in the dungeon of the Castle Waltraud; trying to get into the treasure room in search of gold doubloon sig. item coins that they can use to place in caches throughout the area.” The scene is complete with a goblet that tilts down to reveal travel bugs and a leather-bound logbook.

The geocachers who have earned their smiley on this geocache agree: the craftsmanship and creativity that went into creating this geocache is incredible. In a recent trip to the area, Geocaching HQ staffer Frau Potter had the opportunity to find this geocache. In her log, she writes, “Wow! I have found many geocaches. This one is near the top of the heap. The kids were delighted since they are often disappointed that other geocaches don’t have “treasure”. It was a dream come true to find the “x” marks the spot. Thanks to the cache owner got the great effort it took to construct and maintain this one. You sure set a high standard for others.”

For a closer look at the geocache and how it was made, check out this video Nashuan made of the creation process:  (Warning: Spoiler Alert)

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lz1j5loUJhA]We’re continually blown away by geocachers who push the limits of creativity with the geocaches they publish. What geocacher has hidden geocaches that totally blow your mind? Let us know 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 or view the Bookmark List on Geocaching.com.

If you would like to nominate a Geocache of the Week, send an email with your name, comments, the name of the geocache, and the GC code to pr@geocaching.com.

For many geocaches, the hard part is finding the actual container. Most of us have seen geocaches that are hollowed-out bolts, some that look like rocks or plants, and some that are so tiny, you need a magnifying glass to see them. The good part is once you hold those geocaches in your hand, the hard part is over. On the flipside, you have geocaches like this week’s Geocache of the Week, where finding them is just the beginning.

Mechalumpus (GC1W1ZD), placed with land-owner permission in Western Australia is fairly easy to find. Minus the trees and the camouflage paintjob, it’s hard to miss. And just like all geocaches are supposed to be, this one is waterproof. And then the geocache creator, roymerc, went a step further to make this geocache muggle-proof. However, this had the side-effect of making it geocacher proof as well—unless you read the description. Geocachers are privy to a small bit of information that makes this geocache a tad bit easier to open: a secret toolkit hidden just meters away. Even though you have to use the secret toolkit to open this geocache, it still only receives a difficulty rating of 1.5 and a terrain rating of 2. In fact, the description states that the geocache owner’s grandchildren figured it out in less than 10 minutes. (Consider that a challenge.) Roymerc had this to say about creating the geocache, “So, the challenge is: find the tool box (easy) and figure out which tool is required, and how to use it.  The reward is to see the red hatch cover with its bulbous wobbly eyes appear. Kids love this! And that’s the aim of the game.”

Nearly 150 geocachers have figured out the combination to open this geocache and over 60 of them have left favorite points. While this might not sound like a lot to those of us in major metropolitan areas, this geocache is one of the most well-loved in Western Australia. Geocacher sylken had this to say in their “Found It” log, “What a fantastic design. We very quickly had the required tool box in hand and after a bit if poking, prodding, twisting and turning geohubby worked out the solution and Mr Mechalumpus himself appeared….and with a very smug look on his face I must say! We signed the log, feeling pretty smug ourselves by now, replaced the tool box and then started on our return journey.”

Regarding all of the positive logs and favorite points, roymerc said, “They’re a delight and makes the effort worthwhile. My policy is ‘finding the cache is just the beginning of the fun.’ ” We couldn’t agree more. This geocache is a total package: great journey, amazing container, innovative idea and great logs. What’s your favorite “total package” geocache? 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 or view the Bookmark List on Geocaching.com.

If you would like to nominate a Geocache of the Week, send an email with your name, comments, the name of the geocache, and the GC code to pr@geocaching.com.

 

Bonus spoiler pic of the geocache mechanism, courtesy of roymerc:

 

 

Some geocachers align themselves with pirates sailing across the sea in search of buried treasure. Others liken geocaching to being a secret agent on a special mission to recover a coveted piece of intelligence. Personally, I’ve always had an affinity for pretending I’m a certain brown-fedora-wearing adventure-archaeologist on a search for a forgotten artifact. If you’re anything like me, you’re going to enjoy this week’s Geocache of the Week.

Raiders of the Lost Cache (GC2HN2H) takes you on a quest that parallels the plot of the movie, Raiders of the Lost Ark. Even though you (most likely) won’t encounter any gigantic boulders to smash you, bloodthirsty tribal leaders trying to eat you or booby-trapped temples, this geocache isn’t easy. The difficulty is only a 1.5, but the terrain is all the way at 4.5—so make sure you’re prepared. The geocache creator, mikehoffman, tells the story of hiding this geocache, “I like exploring the back parts of the woods off trails. One day I was following a boulder field in the back area of Mount Gretna, and I found a bunch of caves…I found the top entrance to [the cave where the cache is located] first (not really knowing if there was a good way out) and lowered myself in. I looked at the general layout of the room and it really reminded me of the movie. I watched the movie again that week and knew that I had to try to use the cave to recreate it…We got permission from the park…and placed it. We got a ton of really strange looks carrying it through the woods that day. We then had it published and have been doing periodic maintenance since.”

The time and dedication that went into this geocache shows. Over 400 geocachers have earned their smiley and left nearly 300 Favorite Points. Geocacher Pokehead11 had this to say in their log, “Wow! I had heard rumors of this cache. I wanted to experience it myself so when grizzlycacher called to say they were going after the ark I had to tag along. It was worth every scratch, scrape, bump and all of my muddy clothing! Thanks for a great experience!!!!”

In response to all of the positive logs and incredible reactions to his geocache, mikehoffman says, “The logs are great. Everyone has been extremely positive. I do appreciate all the great logs. I would also like to thank those who have added decorations. I originally recommended people bring snakes since it kind of goes along with the theme and  think people have gone above and beyond. I find a new decoration every other time I visit.”

Geocaches like this one showcase the true nature of adventure, just like our favorite adventure-archaeologist. What is the most adventure-filled geocache you’ve ever found? 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 or view the Bookmark List on Geocaching.com.

If you would like to nominate a Geocache of the Week, send an email with your name, comments, the name of the geocache, and the GC code to pr@geocaching.com.

If you’re maintaining your month-long streak during the 31 Days of Geocaching, you’ve probably found out that you can’t always get out to a local park or natural area to earn your smiley. Many times, the find for the day is just a quick park and grab, a nano on a bench, or another lamp-post. But urban geocaching can offer much, much more, as this week’s Geocache of the Week proves. Urban geocaches can be just as amazing as those hidden deep in the woods.

QuadLockLog (GC330KJ) is not your typical urban geocache. Unlike many urban geocaches, stealth isn’t necessary. In fact, with the giant Geocaching.com sign above it, it’s next to impossible. One of the geocache creators, TravelingViking comments, “From the logs we know that several cachers found the location even before their GPS had a fix, the sign is big enough…” Luckily, the locals, including the police force, know all about this geocache. Most of them even know how to solve it. TravelingViking recalls, “Locals and police know about the cache, it already happened that police drove by and asked the cachers “what takes you so long?”

However, the one thing you trade for stealth is difficulty. The terrain rating is only a 1, but the difficulty is all the way at 5. Actually, the geocache creators thought this deserved an additional star, deeming it an unofficial D6. In order to open this geocache, you have to solve four separate puzzles. Despite the increased difficulty, geocachers love this geocache—and the 350+ favorite points and all the positive logs prove it. Geocacher LA Tiger says (translated from German), “Nothing is impossible! With a lot of patience and dexterity we opened together one lock after the other. Well done!”

QuadLockLog was actually based on another geocache, TriLockLog (GC1622A). As you can probably guess, TriLockLog requires you to solve three puzzles before being able to open the geocache. TravelingViking tells the story of how QuadLockLog came to be, “I had a chance to buy an old vending machine and Indianer Jones offered to build a challenging locking mechanism, he is good with steel (currently built his own, real U-Boat). If I remember correctly he spent about 2 days on it. On my side I spent another 3 days or so to bring all puzzles in place…”

This geocache is proof that urban geocaches can be just as amazing as those we find in nature. What has been your favorite urban geocache find so far? 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 or view the Bookmark List on Geocaching.com.

If you would like to nominate a Geocache of the Week, send an email with your name, comments, the name of the geocache, and the GC code to pr@geocaching.com.