Category: Community

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

/ Derek H /

Klaatu Barada Nikto! — Aliens Among Us (GC1N0B9) — Geocache of the Week

They've arrived! Photo by geocacher Moun10Bike
They’ve arrived! Photo by geocacher Moun10Bike

Geocache Name:

Aliens Among Us (GC1N0B9)

Difficulty/Terrain Rating:

1.5/2

Why this is the Geocache of the Week:

Geocaching does more than just give us something to do. It gives us a way to explore and to meet new people. In fact, one of my favorite quotes is “the best things you’ll find while geocaching aren’t the geocaches, it’s the geocachers.” With about 7 million geocachers worldwide, there are plenty of adventurous folks just waiting to be your friend. However, it’s not always people you meet. When you seek out a geocache like Aliens Among Us, you’ll have the chance to make the acquaintance of a weary galactic traveler. He/she/it doesn’t say much, but if you search around the spaceship, you might just find a familiar sight: a trusty ammo can.

# of Finds:

196

# of Favorite Points:

36

What the geocache owner, followingamelia, has to say:

“I had whizzed past this location many times when heading west on I-90 and always noticed the alien waving to me from in front of his space ship.  Every time I passed I would think to myself, ‘That would be a great place for a cache.’ …I found the owner of the property and explained what geocaching was and asked if he would like to have a cache placed there.  He was all-in!  Thus, the alien became the guardian of my cache.  I am very happy that this cache has garnered so many “favorites” and I love the positive comments people leave.  This spot inspires many people to post pictures and I love seeing which amazing objects here draw cachers’ attention.  This whimsical place always makes people smile.

My message to the geocaching community is: If you are going to place a cache, take the time to make it a quality cache.  Choose a unique container (with a clever name), or an interesting location.  Make the cache large enough to be worth the effort to find it.  Create a cache YOU would enjoy finding.  I want everyone who finds one of my caches to walk away thinking ‘That was fun!'”

What geocachers are saying:

“Absolutely loved checking everything out, there are some really cool things to be seen in here. Much more than appears from the freeway, that’s for sure!  Alone with our thoughts, laughter and wandering feet, we ventured here and there inspecting as many sights as possible.  After having a conversation with the Alien in the ship of course.  TFTH!” – WrongWayMommy

“What can I say about this cache? We absolutely loved it!! I really wish we had more time to explore the area, but in the bit of time we did have, we had a lot of fun. Great cache, great area and lots of fun…. a favorite for sure!” – 2sunbeams

“Took a big group up for this cool geocache. The owners of the place came out to chat with us and were super nice. So much cool stuff to look at out there. The adults were a little stumped looking for his cache cause we were looking in the spaceship itself. The kids are the ones who actually found it. Had a great time all around.” – Superbob77

Read More Logs

Photos:

Greetings Earthling. Photo by geocacher 2sunbeams
Greetings Earthling. Photo by geocacher 2sunbeams
He seems friendly enough. Photo by geocacher followingamelia
He seems friendly enough. Photo by geocacher followingamelia
Meet the alien, but watch out for nearby dinosaurs. Photo by geocacher followingamelia
Meet the alien, but watch out for nearby dinosaurs. Photo by geocacher followingamelia

 

See More Photos

Who are the most interesting people (or aliens) you’ve met while geocaching? Post your stories and photos in the comments.

Continue to explore some of the most engaging geocaches around the globe. Check out all the Geocaches of the Week on the Geocaching blog.

If you would like to nominate a Geocache of the Week, leave a comment below with the name of the geocache, the GC code, and why you think we should feature it.

/ Christy

A S*W*A*G Filled Mega-Event

Seattle vs Yuma
Seattle vs Yuma

Editor’s Note: Staff from Geocaching HQ in Seattle are visiting more than 30 Mega-Events around the globe this year, to shake hands, share stories and hear what you think is next for geocaching. 

In February, the Southwest Arizona Geocachers hosted their signature event, S*W*A*G’s Yuma Mega #11, in sunny Yuma. Above is what it looked like at home in Seattle, where Geocaching HQ is located, that same weekend.

Christy and Signal
Christy and Signal

After arriving in Yuma and thanking the Southwest Sunshine Gods (they must exist), I found my first-ever Arizona geocaches and got started on the Mega Event’s Lab Caches.

Jeff Nicholson, you+me_makes3, with S*W*A*G created an elaborate series of 10 Lab Cache locations to show visitors a diverse range of attractions all around Yuma. Fortunately, he had suggested that I get a rental car for the trip. The Lab Caches were an excellent way to see the city’s well-known and hidden gems, ranging from the historical Sanguinetti House Museum to the Yuma Territorial Prison Cemetery. I even got to see some cute animals at the Wild World Zoo and Camel Farm, thanks to the Lab Caches.

The Yuma Warm-Up Mega Event #11 at a local restaurant was a great opportunity to meet the friendly Geocaching community and to get to thank our amazing volunteers in person. There was a nice handful of Geocachers who also had ties to the Seattle-area, and it was fun to catch-up with them. The event also featured a special screening of the Geocaching International Film Festival (GIFF), as shown at the 2013 HQ Geocaching Block Party.

Making friends at the Yuma Warm-Up Mega-Event #11
Making friends at the Yuma Warm-Up Mega-Event #11

The next morning, the Mega Event was set up and ready for crowds. The West Wetlands Park was an incredible location, not too cramped and very pretty. There was a large array of fun activities to choose from; check out the impressive Activities Schedule on the cache page! I met with even more geocachers, vendors, Signal the Frog, and checked out the cool vehicles on display before completing the Lab Cache series later that afternoon.

Before heading back to the airport, I hosted a very-early-morning event cache of my own: I choo-choo-choose you! at the historic steam train near Gateway Park. I arrived early and there was already a welcoming crowd of friendly faces waiting for me as the sun came up. What an incredible group of geocachers! A great way to end an outstanding weekend of geocaching. Thanks, S*W*A*G!

yuma 20
A Show of Support Local Sheriff’s Department
Yuma 10
All are welcome
yuma 30
I choo-choo-choose you Logbook

/ Eric Schudiske /

Dear (Aspiring) Geocache Hider: Earn a Souvenir

MailerImage_03102014_MakerMadness_vFINAL_blog (1)You’ve found geocaches that leave you in awe, now unlock the secrets of making those creative geocache hides. Celebrate Maker Madness. Hundreds of Maker Madness events around the world aim to inspire geocachers. Learn the magical formula that weaves innovative containers, inspiring locations and powerful storytelling into creative geocache hides. While amazing geocaches live on and on, Maker Madness is for a limited time only. It runs from March 28 through April 7. Everyone logging an “Attended” for a Maker Madness event earns a digital “Maker” souvenir for their geocaching profile.

Visit the Maker Madness Event Center to find an event near you, or find out how to create your own Maker Madness event. Now “Go Forth and Create”!

/ Eric Schudiske

Announcing the January Geocacher of the Month

he earned, never for sale, Geocacher of the Month geocoin (sun flare optional)
The earned, never for sale, Geocacher of the Month Geocoin

Geocachers from around the globe commented on their favorite geocachers, even if they only know them through their glowing reputation. It’s a small geocaching world out there and through nominees,  the worldwide community learned about three amazing geocachers this month.

Each of the nominees is already a winner, with a prize package headed their way. But only one geocacher can be named Geocacher of the Month.

All the nominees add an important contribution to their local communities and inspire the global geocaching community. Each will receive special recognition for their contribution to the adventure of geocaching. Before naming the Geocacher of the Month, Geocaching HQ  reviews community input and blog comments. Each comment is read and posts in native languages are encouraged.

A geocaching pioneer from a progressive geocaching state in the U.S. claimed the title of January’s Geocacher of the Month: MikeOtt.

One comment reads, “He is not the reason I joined Geocaching but he is certainly one of the reasons I am still involved. He has taken a huge role in our state with organizing events and special caches. He has a unique way of finding the “right spot” for a cache. Always an educational experience in one way or another. Thanks. Mike for all you do for new cachers as well as veteran cachers!!”

MikeOtt is one of geocaching’s top geocache makers. Celebrate makers, learn the craft of creating clever geocaches and earn a new digital souvenir for your geocaching profile at a Maker Madness event near you.

MikeOtt - January Geocacher of the Month
MikeOtt – January Geocacher of the Month

If you know an outstanding geocacher who should be considered for the honor, send an email to geocacherofthemonth@geocaching.com. 

Every nomination must include the following items and abide by the following guidelines:

  • 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 have submitted them for the award. Nominations for Geocacher of the Month are accepted at any time.

Congratulations again to Mike  for being recognized as the Geocacher of the Month for January.

/ Derek H /

Don’t look down! — Vertical Limit I: Die Brücke (GCZVW2) — Geocache of the Week

Gear up to get down—carefully. Photo by geocacher p-boro
Gear up to get down—carefully. Photo by geocacher p-boro

Geocache Name:

Vertical Limit I: Die Brücke (GCZVW2)

Difficulty/Terrain Rating:

1.5/5

Why this is the Geocache of the Week:

Between inviting forest trails, urban jaunts and neighborhood parks, it’s easy to forget that there’s a whole other side to geocaching—the adrenaline-fueled adventure sport that only the skilled and brave take part in. This Geocache of the Week serves a gentle reminder of the exciting T5 and those that throw fear to the side to earn their smileys. If rappelling off of bridges isn’t necessarily your thing, that’s okay. T5’s take on many different shapes. For the seafaring, geocaching pirates, there are plenty of boat-in and scuba caches. For the forest dwellers, try a tree-climbing cache. And if you’re a rock climber (like the author), there are plenty of geocaches that can only be accessed via fifth-class terrain. There are tons of options. The only requirement for a T5 is that it must require special equipment to access.

# of Finds:

885

# of Favorite Points:

416

What the geocache owner, TUTANCHAMUN, has to say:

“Some years ago when I did with with a friend of mine some rock climbing and we thought about creating a special geocache. We never thought that this cache will exist such a long time and will get so popular.[…] I am pleased that Vertical Limit I is alive and I think it is accountable to let this cache stay, it is not so extremely dangerous. An important thing I want to say to the community: Enjoy geocaching in nature, search lovely places,  search funny and extraordinary caches but don’t hunt only for points along the road every 0.1 miles. Quality not Quantity!”

What geocachers are saying:

[All logs translated from German]

“A great geocache, there are far too few of this kind… :-)” – Chaosjan

“This was so worth it!  A fantastic adventure, that was a lot of fun for everyone.” – DaDieDose!

“This Bridge was on our bucket list for a long time and today it is finally happening. […] A really great location that literally screams for you to rappel down!” – Nuuskamuikkunen_01

Read More Logs

Photos:

Multi-abseil! Photo by geocacher andine
Multi-abseil! Photo by geocacher andine
Found it! Photo by geocacher Evelyn&Andreas
Found it! Photo by geocacher Evelyn&Andreas
I hope you're not afraid of heights. Photo by geocacher ruby74
I hope you’re not afraid of heights. Photo by geocacher ruby74

See More Photos

What fears have you conquered (or would you conquer) to earn a find? Post your stories and photos in the comments.

 

Continue to explore some of the most engaging geocaches around the globe. Check out all the Geocaches of the Week on the Geocaching blog.

If you would like to nominate a Geocache of the Week, leave a comment below with the name of the geocache, the GC code, and why you think we should feature it.