Author: Eric Schudiske

/ Eric Schudiske /

Announcing the January Featured Geocacher of the Month

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Congratulations to the Featured Geocacher of the Month, The Weasel

The decibel level from the global geocaching community rose to new heights during voting in January. Hundreds of geocachers commented to support of outstanding nominees from the United States and the United Kingdom. More than 800 comments were tallied for all the nominees.

Each geocacher nominated offers the global geocaching community a unique example of a caring geocacher. All are truly winners, as we learned about these three gracious and giving geocachers. Thank you to all those who supported them. The nominees not chosen as featured Geocacher of the Month will receive a gift of appreciation from Geocaching.

After tallying the comments and careful consideration, 2013 begins with The Weasel being named January’s Featured Geocacher of the Month!

The Weasel is recognized for organizing Cache In Trash Out (CITO) events, helping guide local geocaching as a board member of the Iowa Geocacher Organization, and spreading the word about proper geocaching etiquette through conducting and assisting in over 50 geocaching 101, 201 and 301 classes and workshops throughout the State of Iowa and abroad.

A geocacher who voted for The Weasel writes, “I heard my parents speak over and over again about caches put out by The Weasel, so I had to see for myself what was so good about them. On a few visits to see my parents we headed out to get a little caching in. Inevitably nearly every cache that I liked turned out to be placed by The Weasel. His caches are fun, unique, well placed, and well maintained. You can’t help but get excited about geocaching when you are working on one of his caches! And to know how much he cares about his community, the environment, and the awareness and promotion of geocaching through friendships and education”

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Featured Geocacher of the Month Icon

The Weasel will receive a collector’s edition featured Geocacher of the Month Geocoin, along with a Geocacher of the Month hat and certificate acknowledging his contributions, signed by two of the founders of Geocaching.com. See a list of all the featured Geocachers of the Month here.

If you know an outstanding geocacher who should be considered for the honor, send an email to geocacherofthemonth@groundspeak.com. Every nomination must meet the following requirements:

  • Your name, the name of your nominee, their username
  • A picture of the nominee
  • Description (200 or more words) explaining why he or she deserves to be the Geocacher of the Month

Please inform your nominee that you’ve submitted them for the award.

Nominations for the February Featured Geocacher of the Month must be received by the end of the day on Friday, February 8, 2013.

Once we have received all of the nominations, we will choose three candidates and post them on the Geocaching blog. You will then get a chance to champion your favorite. Our goal is to involve the entire geocaching community in this process so we might learn from each other.

/ Eric Schudiske /

Announcing the 2013 Cache In Trash Out Weekend

Cache In Trash Out Weekend

CITO FINAL LGWe hear it all the time, “Geocachers are the nicest people!” It’s a wonderful compliment that good-hearted geocachers have earned for over a decade. Cache In Trash Out (CITO) weekend is just another example of geocachers giving back. Since 2002, tens of thousands of geocachers have cleaned up parks, trails and other geocaching-friendly destinations. Geocachers plan CITO events year round, but one weekend each year the global geocaching community unites to cleanup tons of trash together.

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CITO Event in Texas

The 11th Annual CITO weekend is scheduled for April 20, 21, and 22 2013. There will be hundreds of events to attend in dozens of countries, but if there’s not one in your area, it’s time to gather your friends and create your own CITO Event. Be sure to check the CITO Event calendar for gatherings near you.

Those attending CITO Events on April 20, 21 or 22 (or all three!) will earn a 2013 CITO Souvenir for their Geocaching profile. Thanks for keeping the geocaching a community one of the nicest groups of people out there![Editor’s note: This video is spoken in German and Czech. Click the CC button for English, German or Czech subtitles.]

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/ Eric Schudiske /

A Geocaching Beginner’s Guide – Geocache Container Pictures

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A geocacher’s study guide

Geocaching adventures can take you to new vantage points, down scenic roads and into long-forgotten forests. You’ll search through both new parks and familiar neighborhoods. The adventure is in the journey, but the real thrill can begin when you close in on the coordinates.

Geocaches can be recycled containers like pill bottles
Geocaches can be recycled containers like pill bottles

When you uncover a geocache, a hidden story is revealed: who traveled to this location and the adventure they had along the way. But the exact appearance of the container you’re looking for is often a mystery. The geocache page will usually tell you the size of the geocache, but sometimes you’ll encounter an “other” or a “not chosen.” They’re the wildcard size for geocache containers.

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Some geocache containers are easier to find than others…

At the top of this page, you’ll see eight geocache containers. Odds are you’ll encounter geocaches of this size most often. They’re all small or micro geocaches. More than 70% of geocaches listed on Geocaching.com are either listed as “micro” or “small.”

There are hundreds of variations on geocache shapes, from whimsical (think a small yard gnome in the woods) to devious (think of a fake security camera attached by magnets to the side of a building).

The most interesting geocache containers are often the ones you’ve never encountered before and likely will never see again. Keep your eyes and your mind open when you’re geocaching.  If you’re stuck, geocache pages often include helpful hints. Previous logs and pictures can also offer clues to find the geocache.

If you have more questions, check out the Geocaching 101 page. You can also post a question on the Geocaching Facebook page for the community to answer. To see clever geocaches being discovered, check out this video below for a look at 5 Geocaches in 30 Seconds.

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/ Eric Schudiske /

Geocaching Unlocks the Secrets of the Earth – Geocaching Weekly Newsletter

Happy Birthday EarthCaching

EarthCache image orangeThe world’s first EarthCache just turned nine. EarthCache I in Australia was created on January 10, 2004 and EarthCaching has been growing up ever since. There are now more than 14,000 active EarthCaches around the globe. Instead of a physical container, EarthCaches use unique geological features as the “find.” Geocachers must then answer questions posted in the geocache description in order to mark the geocache as found. EarthCaches can reveal why rocks crack to look like a brick road or how an eternal flame can flicker behind a gushing waterfall. Get inspired to find an EarthCache with our new EarthCaching video, which takes adventurers to a rare find deep in the mountains.

Eternal Flame Falls EarthCache
Eternal Flame Falls EarthCache

This month, the EarthCache guidelines have been updated to clarify the process of development and review. All EarthCaches published after January 1, 2013 must meet these new guidelines. The year ahead will bring more EarthCaching news, including the Second International EarthCache Mega-Event on September 7 in the U.S. state of Utah. More than 500 EarthCache fans are expected to attend. We hope to see you there!

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/ Eric Schudiske /

GPS Adventures Maze Travels to Colorado

GPS Adventure Maze LARGE picThe new GPS Adventures Maze is all set to open its doors just a short drive from downtown Denver. You can navigate the fun, interactive museum exhibit at The Wildlife Experience. Join Geocaching Co-Founder Jeremy Irish and hundreds of fellow geocachers at the opening event on February 9 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

GPS Adventures Maze
GPS Adventures Maze

The GPS Adventures Maze is open for exploration through May 27. You’ll be able to test your geocaching knowledge and sense of adventure inside the life-size maze. Plus, while you’re making your way through the family-friendly maze you’ll learn the inside-story of GPS technology, unlock navigational history, and discover geocaching fun facts. Those who log the maze will even earn the unique GPS Adventures Maze Exhibit cache type icon.