Category: Geocaching Info

/ Eric Schudiske /

Tips for the Four-Season Geocacher

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The Weather Outside is Frightful but…

… geocaches don’t find themselves. It’s true. And we don’t want to live in a world where they actually do find themselves (didn’t you see the movie Terminator?). So the question is, how do you brave the winter (or summer if you’re in a sizzling hot climate) and still feed your need for smileys? We’ve got you covered.We talked to a geocacher with a streak of more than 700 straight days of finding a geocache. There’s been extreme heat, snowy whiteouts and pouring rain. Jon Stanley, better known as Moun10Bike, tells all about geocaching in tough winter climates in this blog post.

jonsnow

Learn winter tips like:

  • Look for geocaches with the “Available in Winter” attribute
  • Geocaches that are off the ground or otherwise protected from snow coverage offer the best chance for success
  • Dress warmly, be ready and willing to turn back if conditions turn against you

Here are tips for the other extreme: heat

•  Wear proper sun protection, a hat, sunscreen, etc…
•  Avoid being outside for long periods during the hottest part of the day
•  Geocache in the early morning or after the sun goes down
•  Stay hydrated
•  Bring a friend and always tell someone where you’re geocaching (don’t have a 127 Hours situation)
•  Mostly, use common sense: although geocaches don’t find themselves (thankfully), they’ll still be there the next day for you to find them safely
Geocaching mountain image
What’s your advice for maintaining your need for geocaching in all seasons? Leave a comment on the Geocaching Facebook page or in comments on The Geocaching Blog.
/ Eric Schudiske /

Tips on Geocache Hints

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Sometimes geocaching hints create a confusing chorus that doesn’t lead anyone closer to the actual geocache. “Hints” like, “It’s in the obvious place” or “Yes, it’s really there” or “You don’t really need a hint” lead to a little confusion and a lot of shoulder shrugging. The hint shouldn’t spoil the exact location of the geocache, but be should be used as a good clue as to where it can be found. If you’re a geocache hider, consider a clue that would help someone who’s finding their first geocache step closer to the container.

The hint can still be clever and require geocachers to think about their surroundings. If you’re new to geocaching, or even a seasoned pro, sometimes the hint takes a little decoding. Here’s some help:

• Tie Your Shoe = Bend down and look at a lower level
• Attractive = Magnetic geocache
• Troll = Under a bridge
• SPOR/UPR = Suspicious Pile of Rocks/Unusual Pile of Rocks
• Handyman Special = Magnetic bolt

 

Do you still have more questions about hints? We’ve got you covered. Another great destination to decipher and share your favorite hints is the Geocaching Facebook page.  Inspire a geocache owner, leave your favorite tips on hints below in comments!

/ Annika /

Geocaching in Space Event Center

[Click here for information the Seattle Geocaching in Space event]

Mark your calendar for early November, 2013! Geocaching is rocketing into space once again. Astronaut Rick Mastracchio will deliver a Travel Bug® to the International Space Station. Mastracchio will be using the Travel Bug as an educational tool to help teach students around the world about geography and provide other educational lessons. The mission is currently scheduled to launch from Kazakhstan at 4:08 GMT on November 7  and we want you all to be there (at least in spirit). That means the launch is planned to liftoff at 5:08 a.m. in Berlin and November 6 at 8:08 p.m. in Los Angeles. Find out here what time the launch is in your part of the world!

Continue reading →

/ Eric Schudiske /

8 Tips to Answer the Eternal Question, “Is it even here?”

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The Eternal Question: “Is it even here?”

If you’ve geocached for any length of time, say 60 seconds, this question has run through your mind, “Is it even here?” You’ve checked the fence. You’ve checked under the bench. It’s not hanging from a branch on the tree. It’s not even close to your knee. It’s not there… And then you hear a whisper, “Or is it?” That haunting question is often a geocacher’s biggest fear. Here are a few tips to help increase your chances of knowing the answer.

  • Start by re-reading the title. It’s often another hint to the location.
  • Check recent logs on the geocache page. Find out if the geocache has been found in the last few days or weeks. What do the logs say? There might be a hint that helps direct you to the geocache location.
  • Check the terrain and difficulty ratings. If it’s a terrain 1 and you’re looking on a hillside, go back to the sidewalk.
  • Speaking of hints, geocaches often offer a real hint. Check that.
  • Still stuck? Try looking at any photos. Clues might be hiding in the pictures others uploaded to the geocache page. Still unable to find the geocache? Don’t worry, you’re not out of options yet.
  • You’re a social person. You’ve got friends. Maybe one of your friends has found the geocache that’s giving you issues. Try the old “Phone a Friend” or “PAF” as it’s known in geocaching circles.
  • Finding the geocache might be a waiting game. Some geocaches are easier to find in the spring or fall.
  • If all else fails, be sure to log your Did Not Find (or DNF). That lets others know they’re looking for a tough-to-find geocache.

And sometimes they’re just really, really well hidden. For example, check out this geocache with 247 DNF’s and 1 Find. Share your tricks for finding well-hidden geocaches below in comments or on the Geocaching Facebook page.

/ Eric Schudiske /

How to Bring Your Geocaching “A” Game

bring your geocaching a gameDon’t worry, it happens in every relationship. Your geocaching game might fall into a rut. But geocaching has more to offer than you have ever suspected. Here are a few tips to take your geocaching game to the next level and make it more rewarding than ever.

Check out your Geocaching statistics and push your comfort zone. See how many finds you’ve had in your more productive months. Try creating a goal to add at least ten more finds than your highest monthly total. If quantity isn’t your game, add some variety to your finds. Geocaching offers more than a dozen different geocache types to find, like Traditional geocaches, Multi-Caches and Puzzle Caches. Have you found five different types? Ten? There’s at least one more option in the realm of numbers: difficulty and terrain ratings. Can you push yourself to solve a D5 puzzle or complete an epic T5 hike?

Keeping geocaching fresh isn’t just about expanding boundaries; it’s also about expanding relationships. Bring new friends along for the adventure. First send them the new “What is Geocaching?” video, then take them to find a geocache with at least a few Favorite Points. Next you’ll be standing back, receiving praise and high-fives for introducing your friends to geocaching. And you? You’ll enjoy new geocaching buddies.

Finally, add another layer to your geocaching adventure by releasing a Geocaching Trackable into the wild. Launch a Geocaching Travel Bug® with a goal of bouncing from geocache to geocache until it lands on your favorite beach, in a new city or even a new country—and then make the return journey.
What are your tips for spicing up your geocaching life? Share them on the Geocaching Facebook Page, and in comments below.