Name that geocache: What size is this?

CacheSizeAnswers

Deciding the size of your geocache can be a bit like ordering a coffee drink from your local coffee-snob barista—overwhelming!  Before you’ve even had your caffeine pick-me-up, you are forced to decide whether you would like a Short, Tall, Grande, Venti, or even Trenta (yes, “Trenta” is now a real size). Choosing the correct size for your geocache can be just as tricky. What is the difference between “Regular and Small”? What in the world is a “Nano”? What does it mean when a geocache is labelled as “Other”? Knowing the answers to these questions can make all the difference in getting that smiley, so we’ve created the following geocache size-guide to give you the answers to the ultimate questions of life, the Universe, and geocache sizes. And no, the answer is not 42.

Traditional Sizes

While these may seem straightforward, it can be a tough call when your geocache falls somewhere in between. CacheSizeborder2.0

Micro –  Tiny containers that most likely will only hold a log sheet, e.g. a film canister.

Small – Just big enough to fit a sandwich. Holds only a small logbook and small items, e.g. a small plastic container. Note: Please don’t put a sandwich in your gecoache.

Regular – Think shoe box. If you could fit a pair of shoes inside, you’re golden, e.g. an ammo box.

Large –  Think Bigfoot’s shoe box. If he could fit his hiking boots inside, it should probably be labelled as a Large, e.g. a 5 gallon bucket.

Other Categorizations 

camo-nanos
A camouflaged Nano cache container.

For times when the traditional categories simply aren’t enough, you might need to use the following:

Nano – For the very tiniest of geocaches. ‘Nano’ is not officially listed on geocache pages, so players should mark Nanos as Micros, e.g. a fake bolt.

Other – Unusual geocache containers that just don’t fit into other categories, e.g. a magnetic strip.

Unknown – For when a little extra surprise is needed, e.g. when knowing the size of the container would completely give away the find.

What benchmarks do you use to size out your geocaches?  Tell us about them in the comments below.

 

5 Sharable Tips for Logging Your Next Geocache

geocaching inspiration
You find a geocache in an inspiring location, what log do you leave on the geocache page for the cache owner and other geocachers?

Here are 5 quick ways to inspire your fellow geocachers with your next log entry. It’s easy to share too. Just forward this email to your fellow geocachers and watch the geocache-logging knowledge spread.

1) Tell Your Story – The geocache log you write is like the preview to a movie. You’re telling geocachers about an adventure they could experience. Maybe your journey involved seeing the first leaves of spring, looking out from a mountain top or meeting other geocachers on the trail. Your logs help other geocachers decide if the geocache looks fun and exciting enough for them to find.
2) Add a Picture – A picture of a geocacher’s crooked smile after a find says a lot about a geocache. It’s easy to upload pictures on-the-fly with the Geocaching mobile app. If you’re wondering about the power of a picture in a log, check out the 1000 most recent log images. It’s an ever-changing visual gallery of geocaching pictures from around the globe.
3) Name Some Names – Geocaching is all about community. Share the geocaching usernames of those who joined you out in the field. It’s a quick way to help build the local geocaching community and it makes meeting people at Geocaching Mega-Events or Event Caches easier.
4) Add a Favorite Point – Favorite Points let you compliment the geocache creator and nudge other geocachers to check out this geocache. Only Geocaching Premium Members can earn and award Favorite Points, but everyone can see them. Learn how to use Favorite Points here: Geocaching.com Presents: “Favorites”
5) Say Thanks – It’s easy. Watch this, “Thank you for reading this Geocaching Weekly Newsletter.” It feels good. When you log a geocache and say “thank you” it means so much to the geocacher who hid and maintains the geocache. And don’t forget, if the geocache needs maintenance, leave a “Needs Maintenance” log.

 

Geocaching Tech Update

The Geocaching Weekly Newsletter is receiving a facelift. You’ll see an updated design with streamlined entries for Nearby Events and Recent Geocaches. Expect it to be in your inbox within a week or two.

Geocaching International Film Festival – Call for Entries

GIFF imageEnter Your Geocaching Video into GIFF

Geocaching is ripe for one more acronym. Move aside BYOP* and TNLN** —get ready for GIFF. It’s the Geocaching International Film Festival. The finest videos from the global geocaching community will be showcased as part of the 2013 Geocaching Block Party in Seattle on August 17.

You’re invited to submit up to two entries. All entries should be one to five minutes in length. The GIFF final entries will be judged by geocaching organizations around the world. They’ll vote on winners in five categories, including Most Instructional, Best Cinematography, Most Inspirational, Most Adventurous and Most Creative/Experimental. Those watching the final videos live in Seattle on August 17 will choose the winner of the Audience Award.

Will your video show on the big outdoor screen in front of a projected crowd of more than a thousand geocachers? The answer to that question begins by checking out the Geocaching Block Party website. You’ll find rules and information about GIFF. And get ready to use one more acronym… LCA (lights, camera, action!)

* Bring Your Own Pen

** Took Nothing, Left Nothing

Check out the Call for GIFF Submissions video to learn more.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=FUAmIIYCSQI]

Geocaching Just Got Better in Georgia State Parks

Georgia State Parks Image

Spend your Georgia vacation geocaching in natural beauty with the Georgia State Parks GeoTour. You could even earn custom geocoins!

Georgia State Parks has hidden 46 geocaches in 43 spectacular state parks, from Cloudland Canyon’s cool mountain trails to Skidaway Island’s sunny historic coast, and everywhere in between. Pick up or download your Geo-Challenge Passport today to start your journey, reach all three levels, and collect all three custom geocoins!

Georgia State Parks GeoTour
Georgia State Parks GeoTour

To thank our loyal geocaching community and promote GeoTours and camping in Georgia State Parks, we have created the GeoCamp Loyalty Program. Tent campers can simply stay nine nights in a Georgia State Park campground and get the 10th night free! First, grab a Camp Card or RV Passport at any Georgia State Park. Then, you’ll receive one sticker for each night you pay to stay. Collect nine stickers to earn one free campsite at one of the participating parks.

Forty-one state parks offer more than 2,700 campsites, including tent-only areas, RV pull-throughs, primitive sites and group camping. Regular campgrounds have hot showers, water, electricity, and some have sewage hookups as well.

Join us on at Georgia State Parks Geocaching Facebook page for the latest updates.

Take Flight on Florida’s New GeoTour

 

taking flight geotour

 

Explore Florida’s beautiful wild places with the new Taking Flight GeoTour in Manatee County. Sponsored by Charlotte Harbor, Sarasota Bay, and Tampa Bay Estuary Program in cooperation with Manatee County’s Natural Resources Department, the tour leads geocachers through an area that encompasses over 25,000 acres of natural preserved land. The tour takes adventurous geocachers from coastal mangrove forests and salt marshes to upland pine flatwoods and dry scrub habitat.

The new Taking Flight GeoTour’s geocaches are located in birding “hot spots” throughout Manatee County Florida’s publicly accessible preserve system. Each cache highlights a specific bird species or aspect of bird life. You’ll get with opportunities to learn more about these creatures and what geocachers can do to help them survive. Geocaches also focus on protecting the region’s waterways, bays, natural watersheds, and habitat areas for many of the area’s feathered friends.logo_TakingFlight200x200

Geocachers who find at least 12 of the 15 geocaches on the tour and complete the activities associated with each stop can turn in their passport to receive a special custom Taking Flight tracking tag. Download the official passport and begin the adventure today!