What’s your dream vacation? Sandy beaches? Adventure and intrigue? Incredible geocaches? These epic GeoTours — curated collections of geocaches designed to introduce you to new locations — have all of the above.
Category: Learn
Whether you’re about to find your first geocache or your ten-thousandth, you’ve come to the right place to learn more about the game.
Geocaching lists with breathtaking destinations from around the world
The world is filled with millions of great geocaches: hidden gems in the city, peaceful vistas, trees to be scaled… With so much adventure out there (and so little time), what’s a geocacher to do?
The first step: make a list! Whether you’re planning a hike with friends or your dream vacation, lists help keep your geocaching life organized. And since the most recent update, planning your geocache outings just got easier.
Five ways to mentor a new geocacher
So you’ve been geocaching for six months now… or is it six years? Whatever the number, there comes a time when you stop saying, “I go geocaching” and start saying, “I am a geocacher.”
At this point, you’ve probably found quite a number of geocaches and hidden a few as well. You’ve dipped your toes into different cache types, and you’ve played around with logging trackables. You’ve grown from a wee geo-acorn into a strong geo-oak tree.
Capitalize on your experience by mentoring newbie geocachers you encounter along the way. These five tips should help you get started.
1. Be kind, rewind, then pay it forward
So someone just logged “Found It!” on a geocache but in their log they wrote, “We searched everywhere but couldn’t find it today.” Did this person just log a find they didn’t actually earn? Yes. Did they commit a cardinal sin? No. Take a moment, give a newbie the benefit of the doubt, and kindly remind them that to log a find, they have to find the log! Your interaction with this person may be the first contact they’ve ever had with another geocacher, so be kind and pay it forward.
2. Teach them the ways of the log
Are newbies always writing short logs (TFTC) on your geocaches, and you want more, more, more? Send them this friendly link to motivate them to channel their inner Billy Shakespeare: 5 Tips for Writing the Best Log in the World.
3. Give a lesson in trackable etiquette
If you own a geocache that’s big enough for trackables, include a friendly note about trackable etiquette. And better yet, include a description of what trackables are and how to log them! New geocachers are often confused about the difference between trackables and SWAG, and what better place to have information about this than in the geocache itself.
4. Be the hostess with the mostest
Whether you’re hosting or attending an event, make sure new geocachers are welcome, included in the conversation, and feel comfortable. As a host, make a new geocacher’s life easier by putting up a “We’re Geocachers!” sign at your table so they know where to find you. As an attendee, take ownership of making the new cacher feel comfortable, especially if you’re lucky enough to live in a tight-knit geocaching community.
5. There are no stupid questions — and newbies have TONS of questions
“What does ‘TFTC’ mean? What’s a ‘Jasmer‘? What are those question-mark geocaches in the middle of the lake?” We all know the jargon like the back of our hand, but all this geo-speak can be overwhelming to a new geocacher. Be a Jedi to padawans and teach them to use the force. The way our community grows positively is by educating those who actually want to learn. And don’t forget to tell them about our forums, Help Center, and the online geocaching glossary.
The World Wide Web of Spiders
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 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. There are many species of widow spiders found worldwide, but the North American variety is about ½ inch long.
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 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
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
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.
Our Newest Geocaching Country Souvenir: Türkiye
The Republic of Turkey is transcontinental—spread across Eastern Europe and Western Asia. It is surrounded by three seas: The Mediterranean, Black Sea, and the Aegean Sea. The unique geographic location and varied landscape give Turkey a diverse cultural richness that is evident in every region of the country. You’d be hard pressed to find a more passionate, fun, and cosmopolitan group of geocachers anywhere in the world.
And here’s the big news: Turkey is the newest Geocaching country souvenir to be released this year! Souvenirs are virtual pieces of art that are displayed on your Geocaching profile page when you find a geocache in certain locations.
To celebrate, we are also highlighting five must-see geocaches from this marvelous land. Come with us, won’t you?
First stop: Istanbul. A gorgeous city that straddles two continents, ranks as the world’s 5th-largest city proper, and is the largest European city.
This Mystery Cache acts as a tour guide for the Sultanahmet district—a must see for any visitor. Framed as a mystery, this geocache leads you through the center of the Old City of Istanbul and many of the city’s points of interest (POI). You’ll need at least two days to solve this Mystery, but you’ll experience Topkapı Palace, Hagia Sophia/Ayasofia Mosque, the Grand Bazaar, and Basilica Cistern so it is definitely worth it.
This Virtual Cache is found at the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge, also known as the Second Bosphorus Bridge, which crosses the Bosphorus strait and connects Europe with Asia. You’ll need to visit by automobile (on top) or boat (underneath). No pedestrians and certainly no stopping on the bridge allowed!
GC42RCW – TAG you are it !! – OMActivities
Enjoy the 24-hour hustle and bustle of Istiklal Street, bursting with shops, cafes, bars, and nightlife. No cars are allowed in this area, and the streets are full of locals and tourists alike looking for some fun. Find this beloved Traditional cache full of great Trackables and SWAG, then write a heartfelt log from a lovely street cafe over wine or coffee.
Next stop: Bodrum. Previously a simple fishing village, Bodrum has become a tourist mecca with idyllic beaches, boutique hotels, and a shining marina over the last few decades.
GC1HN97 – Gokart15 [Bodrum Castle]
![GC1HN97 - Gokart15 [Bodrum Castle]](https://www.geocaching.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Gokart15.jpg)
Final stop: Antalya. Antalya is full of beaches, mosques, churches, Turkish baths, and museums.
This EarthCache is a series of several waterfalls created from two large karstic sources that merge, go underground, and then resurface to form the falls. This geocache is best experienced from a boat for a truly spectacular view. But if you decide to take a boat, make sure you’re alright with the possibility of getting soaked.
Inspired yet? Turkey has so much to offer in terms of scenery, culture, and geocaching.
We’ll unveil one new souvenir every week until all FIVE are officially released and awarded by mid December. Souvenirs that are currently available can be found here. A list of of currently available Geocaching souvenirs and even the ones you’ve already earned can be found on Geocaching.com. And, if you’ve already found a geocache in Turkey, we will retroactively add this souvenir to your profile after all five country souvenirs are announced.
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or right here on our Blog to find out which countries are next.
Do you live in Turkey, have you ever been, or will you travel there in the future? Tell us your experience in the comments below!
