Geocaching is delightful because of the people who play it — adventure-seekers, makers, parents, astronauts and (sometimes) celebrities. Read their stories.
Since Leap Day only comes about once every four years, people planning Leap Day geocaching events often find themselves scratching their heads. What to do on a holiday that has no widely-recognized established traditions?
That’s the beauty of Leap Day—you can make your own traditions! You have free reign over how your Leap Day event goes. But with all that power comes responsibility, so check out these five tips for making your Leap Day event spectacular.
1. Pick a color theme
Yellow and Blue, Good Leap day to you!
Geocaching HQ picked blue and yellow. Why? We’re not sure. Perhaps it was because these colors spoke to us louder than the other colors were speaking to us. Leap Day is a time for whimsy, a day to do all the things you wouldn’t do on a normal day. Like talking to colors. That’s not normal.
2. Make sure there’s food
In traditional Leap Day style, the yellow cupcakes were smooshed.
We’re not saying the event host should provide all the food for the event. But food does make a lot of events more fun. As the event host, you can use your event page to coordinate the guests who offer to bring food to share. Geocaching HQ decided to have a taco bar—in traditional Leap Day fashion!
3. Games that everyone will enjoy
A “leaping” puzzle for Leap Day.
Having a time and space for people to simply chat with each other around a table of food is great—that should definitely happen at a geocaching event. But sometimes that environment can be intimidating for newbie geocachers. Consider setting up some games or activities that provide a bit of structure for interactions between strangers. Not everyone is a social butterfly. Some of us are shy stick insects and reclusive rice weevils.
4. Make up a Leap Day tradition
These Leap Day hats were made out of recycled plastic dinnerware (in traditional Leap Day fashion).
We turned a bunch of leftover plastic bowls into “traditional” Leap Day hats, and invited people to decorate them. People were surprisingly willing to walk around with plastic dinnerware on their heads, and it made for great conversation.
5. Photo opportunities
Geocacher Ponystream poses with the traditional Leap Day garb.
Set aside a spot at your event to make a “photo wall”, where people can pose with geocaching or Leap Day-themed props. Better yet, if one person is a dedicated photographer, the photos can be shared in the cache gallery later.
600 billion. That’s the number of Lego parts that have been released into the world since 1949, when the Lego Group began manufacturing the colorful interlocking bricks. Now, at least 100 of those parts have been re-imagined into this Geocache of the Week.
Despite its playful construction, this cache is serious business. If you reach GZ, finding the colorful birdhouse will be easy…but you’re only half-way there. The cache itself is behind a small door, which can only be opened by solving a field puzzle from the cache page.
Surprisingly, cache owner Troobpiz says the cache doesn’t need a lot of maintenance—a testament to the solid construction and to the Legos themselves. We especially like how the cache was attached to its tree: with easily adjustable chains.
So if you’re traveling near West Virginia sometime soon, check it out. If you feel like digging out your old Lego set afterwards, we’d understand.
What Geocachers have to say about it:
“TFTC This one is very special. A unique idea that makes you smile. Lots of swag in this adorable BRICK house. TN SL left a pink bangle for tiny wrists.” –Capone6
“I am always impressed by the truly clever containers that take time and effort to assemble. This is a beaut! Thanks for our fun after arriving here today en route home to Louisville.” –Ecce!
“I was in the Fairmont area this morning and new I had to stop by this new cache to see what all the buzz was about. This is an interesting twist on a container that we have all seen many times. Well done. I enjoyed the quick on-site puzzle. I had it solve correctly on the first try… the second calculation came out the same… and the third… and (you see the pattern. Finally, in a pinch, the lock popped open and I was able to sign the log. Well done. I have never seen one like it before. TFTC.” –arealwhit
What the Cache Owner, Troopbiz, has to say about it:
What inspired you to use Legos for the cache construction?
Ever since I can remember I have loved playing with Legos and building unique and creative things with them. I first had the concept of using these stackable toy bricks for a geocache when I saw a similar concept online. In that concept cachers had to count different colors to obtain the 4 digit lock combination. I took it a step further by making the cache out of Legos. I even designed a custom Lego door complete with a latch to allow cachers to access the geocache!
What’s been your reaction to all the nice logs and favorite points from geocachers? I strive to put out unique and creative geocaches for geocachers to find. When I first hid the geocache I knew it would be a highly trafficked cache due to the location, but I didn’t expect 26 favorite points in the first year! It’s been fun reading all the nice logs and experiences that other geocachers have written, and that inspires me to hide more unique caches.
What’s your favorite geocache to find?
I enjoy finding creative caches that the cache owner has put some serious thought, time, and effort into. For this reason I enjoy multi and puzzle caches the best! More specifically I enjoy gadget caches. Gadget caches are easy to find, but you have to do something special to access the log. I am fortunate to have local cachers such as Killlerbee, Arealwhit, WVcachers3, and Dukemartin (Just to name a few) that strive to hide cachers to give the community a unique experience.
Do you have anything you want to say to the geocaching community?
If you don’t think you have the ability or creativity to hide a unique cache, think again. The internet has an abundance of great and unique cache ideas to get inspiration from. You can can the concept from one cache, change the theme, and make it a completely new caching experience! Some of the best caches I have done have been based on a common theme such as “The Gold Bug” (GC62631) or “Cap’n Morgan’s Booty” (GC5Y8AB). I have another cache entitled “Mission Impossible” (GC4NDPR) that is a 5 stage multi cache, and in each stage is a different puzzle cachers have to solve before they can advance to the next. So what are you waiting for? Get out there and create a unique caching experience. The community will thank you, and who knows… you may even be featured on the Geocaching Blog!
Photos:
Geocacher KristenTurner and friend make the find.Brick By Brick in all its glory.CO Troopbiz & his creation. Note: The cache was screwed into a tree for this photo, but this was not a permanent placement.
Continue to explore some of the most amazing geocaches around the world.
Check out all of the Geocaches of the Week on the Geocaching blog. If you would like to nominate a Geocache of the Week, fill out this form.
Guest blog written by avid geocacher (and dedicated nurse) Kelley Piekarek*.
A Floridian geocacher was reaching for a cache when she felt something bite her arm. Thinking nothing of it, she signed the log, replaced the cache, and moved on. Shortly thereafter her arm became red, swollen, and felt hot to the touch. The area surrounding the bite began to form what appeared to be an infection; her arm became very painful and she was running a high fever.
She went to the emergency room where it was confirmed that she had been bitten by a brown recluse spider. The area was surgically cleaned, she was put on antibiotics, and is now on the road to a full recovery.
Most spiders are absolutely harmless to humans. Of the 4,000+ species of spiders found in North America, only two are dangerous to humans—the brown recluse and the black widow.
Geocachers are fortunate to enjoy the wonders of nature. But as we all know, nature can be a bit scary sometimes. If you are informed and aware of your environment, you can avoid spiders bites and know what action to take if you’re bitten.
Brown Recluse
The brown recluse can be identified by the violin-shaped spot behind its eyes.
The brown recluse is ¼ to ½ inch long, and can be identified by the violin-shaped spot behind its eyes. They are native to North America and live predominantly in the Midwestern United States.
Black Widow
The black widow can be identified by a red, yellow, or white hourglass shape on their lower abdomen.
The black widow can be identified by a red, yellow, or white hourglass shape on their lower abdomen. There are many species of widow spiders found worldwide, but the North American variety is about ½ inch long.
Black Widow Distribution
Where do spiders like to hide?
Spiders like to hide in wood piles
Both spiders are found in similar locations. Inside, they prefer to hide in small, dark locations such as closets, cellars, garages, vents, stored boxes, and within the cracks and corners of walls. Outside they prefer to live like a geocache—underneath rocks, in wood piles, and inside hollow tree trunks.
What do spider bites look and feel like?
The bites from brown recluse (left) and black widow spiders (right)
The bite of the brown recluse is usually painless and goes unnoticed, but it may feel like a bee sting or there may be a burning sensation. Symptoms usually develop in 2-8 hours starting with a small white blister at the site of the bite.
Many bites will cause a small red mark that will heal without problems or scarring. However redness, blistering, an open sore, and a black area may develop and take months to fully heal. Other symptoms include severe pain at the site of the bite, severe itching, nausea, vomiting, fever, and/or muscle pain.
The bite of the black widow is similar to the brown recluse, and initially may look like two tiny Dracula fang marks. It feels like a pinprick, but also may not be felt at all. There may be slight swelling, redness and a spot that forms a target shape. Fifteen to sixty minutes later a dull muscle pain will spread from the bite area to the entire body. If the bite is on the upper body, the pain will be in the chest. If the bite is in the lower body, the pain will be in the abdomen.
What to do if you’ve been bit
Seek medical help if you think you’ve been bit by a brown recluse or black widow spider
Most spiders bites are non-venomous and require no specific treatment, but if you suspect you have been bitten by a brown recluse or black widow:
Seek medical attention right away
Remain calm to keep your circulation relaxed
Apply a cold pack to the area to relieve swelling and discomfort
Do not apply a tourniquet
If possible, bring the spider with you to the doctor’s office or ER for identification
How to avoid spiders
You’ve probably heard that spiders are more afraid of you than you are of them and that’s true. They’d prefer to avoid contact with humans all together, but they will defend their space. If you live in an area where co-existing with brown recluse and black widow spiders are part of the landscape, take some precautions:
Outdoors
Watch for spider webs, which are the most obvious signs a spider is nearby
Wear gloves and long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and sturdy shoes
Move rocks and debris with a stick when looking for your cache to protect your hands
At Home:
Keep your home clean and clutter free
Bits of food can attract bugs which will in turn attract spiders, so vacuum and wipe down surfaces often
Store your things in sealed plastic storage boxes or plastic bags with the edges taped shut
When unpacking stored items, shake items out thoroughly before use
Keep the sides of your home free of plants and debris
Keep your house clean and clutter free to avoid spiders
Stay safe out there, my friends. Be prepared and know what to do should a spider bite you, and keep on cachin’!
How do you stay safe while enjoying your favorite hobby?
*If the name Kelley Piekarek sounds familiar, it may be from this story that made national geocaching news in February 2015.
A few weeks ago we read about three geocachers who go above and beyond for their local geocaching community.
Staubfinger0702, wer2ys4u, and OrigamiFolder are a trio of amazing geocachers spanning two continents. Their CITO events, gadget caches, and challenging puzzle caches are loved by all who encounter them. And all three of them are known for their extraordinary willingness to share their love of geocaching with others.
Each of the nominees is already a winner, with a prize package headed their way. But only one geocaching person, or couple, can be named the january 2016 Geocacher of the Month. Before naming the Geocacher of the Month, Geocaching HQ reviews community input and blog comments.
staubfinger0702, wer2ys4u, and OrigamiFolder (and friends)
“OrigamiFolder is one of the most well rounded geocachers I have the pleasure of knowing. Not only that, but he is one of the greatest people I know. I have often said, and others have as well, that it is the people we meet through the game that matters the most. There are several I have met who are not just excellent cachers but are TRULY EXCEPTIONAL people and OrigamiFolder is one of those few.”
“Wer2ys4u deseves this award … and then some. Geocaching can be more than just hiding and finding things. He utilized this hobby of ours as an avenue for a higher purpose, namely connecting kids that are in the foster care system (many for years without a real family or home) to adults that were interested in adopting them. What the description above didn’t tell you is that four of those kids that participated in this actually did connect with adults who are adopting them, giving them a permanent, loving home. Those kids found a lot more than geocaches that day!”
“My vote definitely goes to staubfinger0702! He’s created a great diversity of geocaches: multi-caches for kids (even old kids like us!) where you have to go on a scavenger hunt using a metal detector etc.; the amazing Dexter caches, where you first create your personal blood bath (still got the pics, that was a fun day!) with “Dexter 1” and then investigate a murder in a rented garage with “Dexter 2″. He’s created some fabulous night cache Wherigos, and organized an astonishing Lost Place Event at the Heppenheim Asylum. I could go on for ages. His caches are my favorite ones among the approximately 2000 caches I have found. Hardly any owner puts that much dedication to his work.”
Although all three of these geocachers deserve accolades, there has to be one winner.
The January 2016 Geocacher of the Month is staubfinger0702!
The exceptionally high quality of staubfinger0702’s geocaches was a recurring theme in comments left by the community. His geocaches, as paedeldreter says, aren’t just boxes hidden in the woods, they’re “adventures and experiences.”
Geocachers pose at staubfinger0702’s famous Dexter 2 cache.
The detail and precision with which staubfinger0702 writes his geocache descriptions is rivaled only by the caches themselves, which are often complex, interactive adventures that take geocachers from the middle of the woods, to the middle of a vineyard, to a spooky garage.
Staubfinger0702’s caches have garnered such fame, that geocachers outside of his province, many even outside of Germany, have his geocaches on their bucket lists. Once you’ve done a staubfinger0702 cache, lamp post caches feel like child’s play, and even a crafty birdhouse cache may garner less praise. With his caches, staubfinger0702 is raising the level the the game for hiders and finders alike.
staubfinger0702 at the site of another very famous German geocache.
Staubfinger0702 is often found geocaching with his family, friends, or canine companions.
staubfinger0702, top center
Congratulations to staubfinger0702, and to all three nominees for their outstanding contributions to the game we all love!
Please keep an eye out for a few changes to the Geocacher of the Month program in February 2015.
If you know an outstanding geocacher who should be considered for the honor, simply fill out this webform. You’ll need to include the following information:
Your name, the name of your nominee, their username
Description (200 or more words) explaining why he or she deserves to be the Featured Geocacher of the Month. These descriptions can be written in any language.
Please inform your nominee that you have submitted them for the award.
This traditional cache is located on Oahu’s North Shore at Laniakea Beach, a well known surf spot where the swells are big. The beach is beyond beautiful, and the geocache usually has a good number of trackables inside that have traveled from near and far since Hawaii is a mecca for international tourists and geocachers.
But the magical part of this geocaching experience is the high likelihood of encountering a green sea turtle, or “honu” as they are known in Hawaii. The turtles often come to the shore to feed on seaweed growing on the rocks, or since they are cold-blooded, will come onto the beach to warm themselves in the sun.
Encountering a honu is considered “good mana”, or good energy, by Hawaiians. If you see a honu, will you chances of finding this geocache increase?
What geocachers have to say:
“We loved this place. We saw a number of sea turtles coming up to the shore. Many people were snorkeling to see the turtles better. If it was not for this cache, we probably would never have seen this beach.” –SP4FUN
“Wow! What a great view at this cache site. Wes-rx and I wanted to make it up to Turtle Beach and discover the north shore of Oahu, and we were not disappointed. Lots of turtles just a few feet out in the water, so plenty of excitement to distract the muggles. TFTC!” –pharmanimal2016
“What a beautiful place for a geocache! We arrived at a fortunate time. There were 2 sea turtles sunning on the beach and at least 2 more out in the surf. Kudos to the volunteers who care for the area and keep us people from disturbing the turtles.” –MuStash
What the Cache Owner has to say:
We’ve contacted the cache owner, GeoGerms, to let him know his geocache is being featured as Geocache of the Week. He was very excited, but also busy. He is helping with the dengue virus outbreak on the Big Island of Hawaii. He’s an avid geocacher with over 4,700 finds, but hasn’t had time to geocache since fall of 2015. His profile states, “GeoGerms is a tad busy right now helping with the dengue virus outbreak currently happening on the Big Island. Sorry about the lapse in cache maintenance and lack of timely responses to your emails. Hope to be back fully caching soon!”
We wish everyone a speedy recovery, and hope you’re back out enjoying your hobby soon, too.
Photos:
The real name for this beach is Laniakea Beach
Turtle TB, meet Turtle
This is a great geocaching experience for kids of all ages
Green sea turtles are federally protected so make sure to stay at least 10 feet away from them
Aloha from Hula Girl TB!
It’s considered good “mana” or good energy to encounter a honu
Going back out to the ocean
Wait! Come back!
Will you be lucky enough to find the cache and see the turtles?
Continue to explore some of the most amazing geocaches around the world. Check out all of the Geocaches of the Week on the Geocaching blog. If you would like to nominate a Geocache of the Week, fill out this form.
