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 /

Epic Adventure, — Wet Surprise (GC1YV80) — Geocache of the Week Video Edition

[vsw id=”hfFLCVLQZSE” source=”youtube” width=”853″ height=”480″ autoplay=”no”]

Geocache Name:

Wet Surprise (GC1YV80)

Difficulty/Terrain Rating:

2/5

Why this is the Geocache of the Week:

This was an incredible adventure and is a perfect example of how geocaching can take you to places you never would’ve visited without it. For more, check out the video above.

What geocachers are saying:

“Swam to it in my undies!  I gotta say, in 6+ years of caching, this is probably the coolest cache i’ve done so far…” – Thuescapades

“This cache experience was my favorite of all time.” – reidsomething

“What an amazing adventure! …Beautiful lake, amazing view of the mountain, and a cache full of awesome swag…what more could a geocacher want??” – AKprincesswarrior

What the geocache owner, Freak of Nature, has to say:

“I’ve always enjoyed geocaching away from urban areas. I have a background in forestry, and love the outdoors…I’ve known about this area since the late seventies. I have backpacked around here many times. Lots of local history here.

I love all of the positive feedback! This is really what geocaching means to me. Discovering places and things I might never have known of, but for someone placing a cache nearby.

Everybody knows of a special spot or location that means something to them. There are lots of adventures waiting to be had.  Don’t be afraid to share it with others. Thanks to all for this most enjoyable hobbie, and cache on!”

Photos:

Mount Rainier views on the hike up.
Mount Rainier views on the hike up.

 

Ben, of benandjayme, surveying the lake.
Ben, of benandjayme, surveying the lake.

 

Lackey AKprincesswarrior making her way to the island.
Lackey AKprincesswarrior making her way to the island.

 

Hiking up to the lake. Photo by geocacher Boonie-Medic
Hiking up to the lake. Photo by geocacher Boonie-Medic

 

What’s most fun you’ve had during a day of geocaching? Tell us and post 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, just fill out this form. Thanks!

/ Alex /

August’s Geocacher of the Month: I hope you’re not afraid of awesome

New to geocaching? Talk to one of these three veterans.

 

ikolor, knee-deep during a hunt for a cache
ikolor, knee-deep during a hunt for a cache

The nominations for August’s Geocacher of the Month go beyond the norm for geocaching…in all the best ways.

With a total of 40,779 finds between them, there’s no shortage of geocaching wisdom gained through experience. Together, Trekkie79, ikolor, and Team Geo-Rangers embody the best elements of a geocacher: passion, creativity, and a determination to make the game inviting to new and old players alike.

Although it’s tough, there has to be a winner.

This month, the recipient of this award comes from the land of sunshine, oranges, alligators, and geocaches.

Her name is ikolor, or “I-hopeyou’renotafraidofawesome-kolor”, as one ‘cacher put it. She’s been called “the backbone of south Florida geocaching,” and it’s not hard to believe it. With over 6,600 finds and 162 hides, you’re more likely to run into ikolor on the way to a potential FTF than on the way to the grocery store. What’s more astonishing? Her find rate is currently at 3.79 caches per day.

But her geocaching stats aren’t why she’s our newest Geocacher of the Month.

One geocacher says, “[ikolor] embodies all the positive qualities of Geocaching. Every Geocacher I know considers her a friend. She is always there to lend a helping hand. Her events are always fun and eagerly awaited. No puzzle can guard its secrets from her solving skills. She really enjoys getting out there and finding a cache. It doesn’t matter if its a simple park and grab or a difficult multi stage hike in the woods. Her caches are many and well thought out. Overall she is very deserving of this honor.”

ikolor got her start in 2009, when she read a newspaper article about geocaching.

She quickly became a part of the local community, as affected by them as they were by her: “My husband, radioman84, and I love to cache and do it as often as we can. In 2011 radioman84 had a massive stroke while we were out on a caching spree. He almost died. The caching community pulled together and showed us how truly amazing these people are! They were totally there for us. I grew to love caching, not for hiding and finding caches, but for the people that make up this crazy sport!”

ikolor and radioman84
ikolor and radioman84

Another ‘cacher confirms it: “Although we only cache part time in her neck of the woods we are always welcomed like old friends at her events. She has a way of bringing cachers together not only as a team but as social groups who have a great deal of fun. She embodies not only the spirit of caching but also the skills of a great cacher..”

ikolor (front and center) at one of many CITO events
ikolor (front and center) at one of many CITO events

Congraulations to ikolor…and thank you for everything you do! Your presence as a player of the game has clearly had a significant positive impact on those around you.

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The earned, never for sale, Geocacher of the Month geocoin
The earned, never for sale, Geocacher of the Month geocoin
/ Derek H /

Whovians unite! — Doctor Who #13 (GC56Y0Z) — Geocache of the Week

The TARDIS in the wild. Photo by geocacher Lost From New York
The TARDIS in the wild. Photo by geocacher Lost From New York

 

 

Video: Spoiler Alert!

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Geocache Name:

Doctor Who #13 (GC56Y0Z)

Difficulty/Terrain Rating:

3/1.5

Why this is the Geocache of the Week:

First, check out the video above. If you’re still scratching your head and wondering why this is Geocache of the Week, here are a few reasons:

  • The creativity and craftsmanship that went into the container
  • The awesome theme and decoration
  • All of the positive logs and favorite points
  • A dedicated geocache owner

Not to mention, the threat of extermination via Daleks is a pretty unique feature for a geocache.

What the geocache owner, carlep_99, has to say:

“While watching Youtube videos about geocaching I kept seeing all these different field puzzle caches.  So I decided I was going to try and create one myself and dedicate it to my favorite tv show (Doctor Who) to celebrate the new season beginning August 2014.”

“I actually was surprised at the reaction some had with this cache.  I wasn’t expecting it to be as popular as it turned out to be. Don’t get me wrong I was hoping people would enjoy it but when I saw what people were saying I got teary eyed and got a feeling of euphoria (i guess would be the best way to describe it) it was such an awesome experience…I wrote in the description a definite for Doctor Who fans, I was wrong, it’s turning out to be a definite for the whole geocaching community. A very much appreciated thank you to the geocaching community for all the logs posted  and logs to be posted for “Doctor Who  #13″.”

What geocachers are saying:

“One of the Best caches I’ve found in our tenure as geocachers! I wish I knew about the Dr Who series before finding this because after a first failed attempt to enter the Tardis I did my research. That just added to my appreciation of this cache when I returned to successfully log it! Simply awesome, a masterpiece of engineering and workmanship!” – Timpat

 

“Great cache. Lots of hard work went into this one. Very creative. No need to force anything to get this one. Use your brain, not muscle to get to the log book.” – Sunrunner

 

“Wow, what a great cache to end this series (at least for now)! I’m actually a little disappointed that I can only give this 1 favorite point, but I’m sure you’ll collect a bunch. Thanks to you for a great cache series commemorating a great TV series, and thanks to the landowner for their permission.” – sky-raider

Photos:

The TARDIS puzzle. Photo courtesy of carlep_99
The TARDIS puzzle. Photo courtesy of carlep_99
During construction. Photo courtesy of carlep_99
During construction. Photo courtesy of carlep_99
EXTERMINATE! Uh oh... Photo courtesy of carlep_99
EXTERMINATE! Uh oh… Photo courtesy of carlep_99

What’s the best field puzzle you’ve ever solved? Tell us or post 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, just fill out this form. Thanks!

/ Guest Writer /

Geocaching by the Light of the Super Duper Moon

By Annie Studer

Moonrise by Krückstock
Moonrise by Krückstock

Last night, Geocachers around the world ventured out via the light of the  “Super Duper Moon” when the full moon was at its closest orbital point (perigee) to the Earth. It will be 20 years before we’ll see another full moon this close to Earth, so whether you’re a new to geocaching or have over 10,000 finds, this was an excellent opportunity to find a geocache at night.

 

View from GC15D5C by Jamaraja
View from GC15D5C by Jamaraja

Some may be familiar with NightCaching, OwlCaching, or SuperMoonCaching, but this was SuperDuperMoonCaching. Since the moon was at the nearest proximity to Earth, it appeared larger and brighter (due to an optical illusion), especially while rising on the horizon. Thus, moonrise often is the ideal time to photograph a lunar event. The extra bright moon (basically the brightest nightlight ever) can also illuminate night-time only geocaches.

Geocaching at night can mean finding geocaches after dark and traditional NightCaching often means finding the way to a geocache by shining a light source (like a headlamp) on reflective trail markers (FireTacks).

Can you spot the FireTack at GC41CCZ? by kari9999
Can you spot the FireTack at GC41CCZ? by kari9999

Whatever your style is for geocaching at night, here are three tips to help you become a SuperDuperNightCacher:

 1. Read the geocache description before you head out in the night. It’s helpful to know the details about if you need tools, container size, and other hints.

2. Bring the right gear. With all geocaching you’ll want your writing utensil and  GPS or smartphone, in addition to these handy tools, for NightCaching you’ll want a LED headlamp, flashlight, a UV light is also helpful and extra batteries.

3. Check in before you check out on your geocaching night excursion. As a precaution (which is a good habit for all geocaching adventures), tell a friend or family member where you’re going and how long you’ll be gone.

If MoonCaching isn’t your style, perhaps geocaching under a meteor shower is more to your liking. Keep your eyes out for the Perseid meteor shower each night before the moon rises and after it sets through August 13th.

And don’t worry if you missed this SuperDuperMoon, there’s a SuperMoon in September to look forward to for more NightCaching by moonlight. And if you’ do like to geocache tonight, the moon only still pretty super. It’s about 93% as bright as last night.

While out NightCaching, did you nab any amazing SuperDuperMoon shots or a pic at your favorite NightCache spot? Share it with us in comments below!

/ Derek H /

Vote for the August Geocacher of the Month

Experience, friendliness and geocaching smarts—these could be used to describe all three nominees for the August 2014 Geocacher of the Month. Each has strong ties to their local communities, plenty of finds and hides, as well as a willingness to help out any geocacher who needs it. While all three are amazing, only one can be the Geocacher of the Month. Leave your comment below!

Each of the nominees below is an essential part of the global geocaching community and will receive a prize package from Geocaching HQ in Seattle, but only one will be the next Geocacher of the Month. A  panel from Geocaching HQ will use your comments, community input and other data to decide the winner.

Now it’s your turn to help us select the next Geocacher of the Month: write a supportive comment for the nominated geocacher you feel should be awarded the title.

Geocacher ikolor
Geocacher ikolor

ikolor

One of the nominations for ikolor comes from Tracymegan who says, “When I first started caching and ever since then, I have always seen Ikolor as really a backbone of South Florida Caching. He wealth of knowledge, puzzle abilities, amazing finding skills, and determination to always fine a cache are unparalleled. She is the first to help out newbie cachers and is out and about with any number of cachers. You never know where you are going to find her. Her enthusiasm for this game and patience with all of us is so greatly appreciated! Her logs are fun and entertaining and her imagination is boundless.”

Trekkie79 just zipping along.
Trekkie79 just zipping along.

 

 

 

 

Trekkie79

Geocacher tweetnes says, “Trekkie79 is great geocacher with over 10,000 caches & put out 130 awesome caches. He is always there to help you out. You can call him anytime. He has done classes for 101 in geocaching & how to use the site.The world needs to know if all cachers were like him what a great world this would be.Plus he has a remarkable wife that backs him up & helps us all.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

Team Geo-Rangers making the find.
Team Geo-Rangers making the find.

Team Geo-Rangers

Geocacher Newo Max had this to say, “Team Geo Rangers (Brett) as been caching since 2003, and recently reached his 30,000 find milestone. He’s hidden over 750 caches as well, including his SANTA BARBARIAN series profiling other local geocachers. He writes his motto “It’s all good!” in every cache he logs.

“TGR” as he is widely-known both creates and attends event caches, and is always willing to help out new cachers with helpful advice and encouragement. We thanked him personally, and feel he says it best in his reply “Your welcome! Just trying to add value with the logs as a way to thank you for the extra effort. Every fun cache placed has a chance to attract and retain new geocachers. Keep up the great work!””

Leave a comment to vote for the geocacher who you think should be Geocacher of the Month.

 

If you know an outstanding geocacher who should be considered for the honor, simply fill out this webform.