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.

 

Of OrigamiFolder, Anthony Stealth says:

“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.”

Of wer2ys4u, Craig Wells says:

“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!”

Of staubfinger0702, Jenny says:

“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.”

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 is often found geocaching with his family, friends, or canine companions.

Congratulations to staubfinger0702, and to all three nominees for their outstanding contributions to the game we all love!

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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.

 

 

 

 

Announcing the January 2016 Geocacher of the Month Nominees!

Each month, three geocachers from around the world are recognized for their extraordinary contributions to Geocaching. One of them is recognized as the official Geocaching.com Geocacher of the Month.

Although all the nominees will receive prizes, the featured Geocacher of the Month will receive the exclusive special edition Geocacher of the Month Geocoin, a Geocacher of the Month hat and a profile icon. They’ll also receive a certificate that recognizes their contributions, signed by Bryan Roth and Jeremy Irish, two of the founders of Geocaching.com.

Read the profiles of this month’s three nominees, and write a supportive comment below this post describing why you think this person should be recognized. A panel from Geocaching HQ will then use your comments to help guide the decision of which geocacher is awarded the Geocacher of the Month honor.

This month’s nominees are:

 

Username: OrigamiFolder

Neck of the Woods: Kansas City, Missouri

Notable achievements:

Owns over 45 geocaches with 10+ favorite points

Has a 500-day geocaching streak, and has completed his 365-Day grid and his Fizzy grid

 OrigamiFolder has hosted several major successful CITO events in conjunction with other organizations hosting clean-up events, bringing geocachers together to help clean up the geocaching game board: planet Earth. OrigamiFolder is also a volunteer administrator of a local geocaching Facebook group.

 

 

Username: wer2ys4u

Neck of the Woods: Rio Rancho, New Mexico

Notable achievements: 

 Since 2006, has found 12,726 geocaches

 Owns over 34 geocaches with 10+ favorite points

wer2ys4u has organized the first-ever geocaching event for New Mexico teenagers in state foster care on Nov. 14 in Albuquerque. The event gave potential adoptive parents a chance to interact with the teens while, at the same time, getting an introduction to geocaching and its potentials as an outdoor activity they can do together.

 

 

 

Username: staubfinger0702

Neck of the woods: Hessen, Germany

Notable achievements: 

 Has hidden 13 geocaches with 100+ favorite points

 Geocache “DEXTER²” (GC4W79X) has received 1200+ favorite points in two years

 staubfinger0702’s geocache hides receive praise from far and wide for their detail and originality. Geocacher “Brummelbären” describes them as, “more than just normal geocache, they are highlights.” For his cache, “DEXTER²”, a whole garage was rented out, in which geocachers re-enact a scene from the show of the same name.

 

 

 

 

Comment below (in any language) to tell us who you think should be the January 2016 Geocacher of the Month. 

 

The comment period will close on January 26th, 2016.