Author: Eric Schudiske

/ Eric Schudiske /

Take Flight on Florida’s New GeoTour

 

taking flight geotour

 

Explore Florida’s beautiful wild places with the new Taking Flight GeoTour in Manatee County. Sponsored by Charlotte Harbor, Sarasota Bay, and Tampa Bay Estuary Program in cooperation with Manatee County’s Natural Resources Department, the tour leads geocachers through an area that encompasses over 25,000 acres of natural preserved land. The tour takes adventurous geocachers from coastal mangrove forests and salt marshes to upland pine flatwoods and dry scrub habitat.

The new Taking Flight GeoTour’s geocaches are located in birding “hot spots” throughout Manatee County Florida’s publicly accessible preserve system. Each cache highlights a specific bird species or aspect of bird life. You’ll get with opportunities to learn more about these creatures and what geocachers can do to help them survive. Geocaches also focus on protecting the region’s waterways, bays, natural watersheds, and habitat areas for many of the area’s feathered friends.logo_TakingFlight200x200

Geocachers who find at least 12 of the 15 geocaches on the tour and complete the activities associated with each stop can turn in their passport to receive a special custom Taking Flight tracking tag. Download the official passport and begin the adventure today!

 

/ Eric Schudiske /

Celebrating Two Million Geocaches – List by Country

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Click here for the latest active geocache count on Geocaching.com

Geocaches hidden by country graphic

countries by geocache top 20
Top countries or territories by active the number of geocaches – data from Geocaching.com from January of 2013
Geocaches hidden by country graphic 20-40
Top countries and territories by active number of geocaches – data from Geocaching.com from January of 2013
Geocaches hidden by country graphic 41-60
Top countries and territories by active number of geocaches – data from Geocaching.com from January of 2013
Top countries and territories by active number of geocaches - data from Geocaching.com from January of 2013
Top countries and territories by active number of geocaches – data from Geocaching.com from January of 2013
Geocaches hidden by country graphic 86-110
Top countries and territories by active number of geocaches – data from Geocaching.com from January of 2013
Geocaches hidden by country graphic 110-134
Top countries and territories by active number of geocaches – data from Geocaching.com from January of 2013
Geocaches hidden by country graphic 135-159
Top countries and territories by active number of geocaches – data from Geocaching.com from January of 2013
Geocaches hidden by country graphic 135-182
Top countries and territories by active number of geocaches – data from Geocaching.com from January of 2013
Geocaches hidden by country graphic 183-203
Top countries and territories by active number of geocaches – data from Geocaching.com from January of 2013
Geocaches hidden by country graphic 203-222
Top countries and territories by active number of geocaches – data from Geocaching.com from January of 2013
Geocaches hidden by country graphic 222-237
Top countries and territories by active number of geocaches – data from Geocaching.com from January of 2013

On February 4th, 2013 there were no active geocaches in just 7 of the 193 U.N. recognized member states: North Korea, Liberia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, the Solomon Islands, Central African Republic and Somalia.

Click to Shop Geocaching Supplies (U.S. Only)
Click to Shop Geocaching Supplies (U.S. Only)

 

Click for International Geocaching Suppliers
Click for International Geocaching Suppliers

 

/ Eric Schudiske /

Here are 9 Geocaching Tools – What Else Should You Pack?

Click on the image for the answer to all nine pieces of geocaching gear
Nine pieces of important geocaching gear

Whether you’re geocaching in a park or grabbing a T5 from a rappel, having right tools may be the difference between a smiley and a DNF. In fact, thanks to some clever geocache hiders, some geocaches may require certain tools to be found. The tools in the photo above are some of our favorites that help make geocaching easier and more fun. Here’s a look at 9 essentials for your geocaching pack (smartphone with Geocaching App and/or GPS device not included):

1) Flashlight

2) Spare batteries (occasionally used to power motors that open geocaches)

3) Camera – Don’t forget to post your photos on our Facebook page

4) Utility tool – this also includes a tweezers to remove log books from micro caches

5) Pen – often best to bring more than one

6) A log roller – use this to help re-roll logs for micro caches

7) A magnetic pen – sometimes metal geocaches hide in hard to reach locations

8) Swag – bring this along to place in geocaches after you’ve found them

9) A retractable mirror – a smart geocachers tool for looking under benches

 

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Even more geocaching gear

The funny thing is, when you ask people at Geocaching HQ for essential geocaching gear, sometimes… okay, all the time, there’s always even more gear. So here are four more pieces of gear geocachers at HQ use out on the trail. And if you’re a shorter geocacher or just need to extend your range a little – number 1 might be perfect for you.

1) Grabber thing – it really works!

2) Headlamp – Free up your hands for searching

3) UV light – This is mostly for night caches with special UV reflectors

4) Metal poking device – Sometimes it’s a good idea to poke things before reaching in with your hands

 

In the comments below, tell us what else people should bring along while geocaching!

/ Eric Schudiske /

5 Tips to Achieve Geocaching Stardom

Rock Star move at a Geocache
Rock Star move at a Geocache

The basics of geocaching are inspiring in their simplicity. A geocacher hides a geocache and challenges others to find it. That’s it. And it’s easy to unlock the joy of geocaching when you discover clever hides and share the adventure with good friends. Becoming a great geocacher is all about remembering the little things. If you follow these five quick steps every time you geocache, you’ll be ready for Geocaching stardom.

1)      Bring a Pen – There are few rules in geocaching. But one rule is that you need to sign the logbook. Always pack a pen to make sure you’re ready to sign your Geocaching username, the date, and leave a note.

2)      Leave No Trace – Be kind to the geocaching game board (which is the entire world). Make sure to Cache In Trash Out (CITO) when you geocache. Pick up litter along the way and leave geocaching locations free of trash.

3)      Write a Great “Found it” or “Didn’t find it” Log – When you find a geocache, or even when you don’t find a geocache, make sure to share the spirit of adventure. Write a log detailing the geocaching journey for the geocache owner and for other geocachers.

4)      Put the Geocache Back Where and How You Found it – It’s tempting. You ask yourself, “Wouldn’t the geocache be better hidden if it were just over there?” Resist the temptation. The geocache owner placed the geocache at a specific location for a reason and will need to find the geocache when it needs maintenance or when other geocachers need help finding the geocache.

5)      Move Trackables Along – If you remove a Trackable, like a Travel Bug ®, from a geocache make sure to post a “retrieved” log and move the Trackable along to another geocache as soon as possible.

These five steps will have you rocking the geocaching world in no time. What geocaching tips would you add? Post your thoughts in comments below. Oh, and don’t forget a 6th step: repeat steps 1 – 5 often!

 

 

/ Eric Schudiske

Explore the Eugene, Cascades & Coast GeoTour

Geocoin Explore more than 70 new geocaches from Oregon’s Coast to the waterfalls and lava fields of the Cascades on the Eugene Cascades & Coast GeoTour. Geocachers that complete the entire trip will earn two unique, locally made Geocoins that fit together like puzzle pieces.

Launched in October 2012, the McKenzie River Edition of the GeoTour winds along the lush wilderness of the McKenzie River. From old growth forests to secret gardens, this is a geocaching experience you don’t want to miss. Just ask the geocachers.

Kathryn, of Portland, was one of the first finishers. “The cache placements took us to new sights, trails, parks, all the reasons why I love caching so much,” raved Kathryn. “I really feel the tour was very well rounded and had something for everyone.”

The Florence Edition of the GeoTour launches March 9, 2013 at Driftwood Shores. This exciting new addition to the Eugene, Cascades & Coast GeoTour starts on the never ending beaches of the Central Oregon Coast, then takes geocachers to little-known hiking trails and favorite Old Town Florence gems. The more than 30 geocaches are worth every stop.

Book your Eugene, Cascades & Coast GeoTour Adventure today to take advantage of sweet geocaching deals and discounts fromEugene, Cascades & Coast.