Category: Community

Geocaching is delightful because of the people who play it — adventure-seekers, makers, parents, astronauts and (sometimes) celebrities. Read their stories.

/ Chris /

Reach new geocaching heights!

Given that my college alma mater’s mascot is a bird (albeit a mythical one—the Jayhawk), perhaps it’s no surprise that some of my favorite geocaches are ones that get me in the air. I love climbing caches!

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Climbing for a cache in Florida

Some climbing caches are more accessible than others. Those that require ropes, harnesses and other gear can be fantastic, but may be beyond the reach of non-technical climbers. However, geocaches in trees are often suitable for a wide variety of ages and abilities. So what makes for a great tree climbing geocache experience?

  • The right tree: It should be sturdy enough for an adult to climb. If the limbs are too thin, it can be hazardous for the geocacher and the tree. (Never damage a tree or other wildlife while attempting to find a geocache.)
  • The right equipment: Even if you don’t need ropes or harnesses, you must wear the correct footwear and other apparel. Flip-flops are a no-no!
  • The right day: Don’t attempt to climb in wet, icy or otherwise dangerous conditions. And be sure to bring a friend. Not just to keep an eye on you, but to take great pictures!
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Climbing in Iowa

Tree climbing geocaches are a blast. For me, it’s a combination of adrenaline rush and natural beauty that’s hard to beat. Just last week, I was signing a log and thought, “What a spectacular view!” followed quickly by, “Okay, now how exactly am I gonna get down from here?” On that note, I can’t stress enough the importance of safety in your pursuit. If at any point you feel you’re taking an unnecessary risk, just stop and return to terra firma.

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Ascending in Nebraska

I could talk all day about my personal favorite tree climbing experiences, but just a few that come to mind are “Bird House” (Fort Myers, FL) and Free Bird (Parkville, MO). Sadly, my tree climbing experience doesn’t yet extend beyond North America. But I hope to change that someday.

Have you ever climbed high for a smiley?

/ Alex /

Five ways to mentor a new geocacher

So you’ve been geocaching for six months now… or is it six years? Whatever the number, there comes a time when you stop saying, “I go geocaching” and start saying, “I am a geocacher.”

At this point, you’ve probably found quite a number of geocaches and hidden a few as well. You’ve dipped your toes into different cache types, and you’ve played around with logging trackables. You’ve grown from a wee geo-acorn into a strong geo-oak tree.

Capitalize on your experience by mentoring newbie geocachers you encounter along the way. These five tips should help you get started.

1. Be kind, rewind, then pay it forward

So someone just logged “Found It!” on a geocache but in their log they wrote, “We searched everywhere but couldn’t find it today.” Did this person just log a find they didn’t actually earn? Yes. Did they commit a cardinal sin? No. Take a moment, give a newbie the benefit of the doubt, and kindly remind them that to log a find, they have to find the log! Your interaction with this person may be the first contact they’ve ever had with another geocacher, so be kind and pay it forward.

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2. Teach them the ways of the log

Are newbies always writing short logs (TFTC) on your geocaches, and you want more, more, more? Send them this friendly link to motivate them to channel their inner Billy Shakespeare: 5 Tips for Writing the Best Log in the World. 

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3. Give a lesson in trackable etiquette

If you own a geocache that’s big enough for trackables, include a friendly note about trackable etiquette. And better yet, include a description of what trackables are and how to log them! New geocachers are often confused about the difference between trackables and SWAG, and what better place to have information about this than in the geocache itself.

This group of kiddos are super excited to find the cache... and its swag.

4. Be the hostess with the mostest

Whether you’re hosting or attending an event, make sure new geocachers are welcome, included in the conversation, and feel comfortable. As a host, make a new geocacher’s life easier by putting up a “We’re Geocachers!” sign at your table so they know where to find you. As an attendee, take ownership of making the new cacher feel comfortable, especially if you’re lucky enough to live in a tight-knit geocaching community.

20993254696_30e681199c_b5. There are no stupid questions — and newbies have TONS of questions

“What does ‘TFTC’ mean? What’s a ‘Jasmer‘? What are those question-mark geocaches in the middle of the lake?” We all know the jargon like the back of our hand, but all this geo-speak can be overwhelming to a new geocacher. Be a Jedi to padawans and teach them to use the force. The way our community grows positively is by educating those who actually want to learn. And don’t forget to tell them about our forums, Help Center, and the online geocaching glossary.

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/ GeoTours

Passeport pour le Nord GeoTour

Location:
New Caledonia
Favorite Points:
8

Why the Passeport pour le Nord GeoTour is unique:

If you are curious about nature, keen on open spaces, and dream of wandering through green forests, then the North New Caledonia area was made for you. This untamed natural land is breathtaking and home to endemic plants & wildlife stemming all the way back to prehistoric time. It’s also an an area with a strong sense of culture, incorporating much of the local Kanak people’s historic traditions and beliefs into modern day life.

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Geocaching NC

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