December 1, 2014 / Janelle /

Croatia! Hrvatska! New Country Souvenirs! Ura!

Croatia/Hrvatska Geocaching Souvenir will be officially released on Monday, December 22nd, 2014

Croatia, a.k.a. Republika Hrvatska, is a centuries-old country that is situated between central and eastern Europe and the Adriatic Sea. It covers 56,594 square kilometers (21,851 square miles) with a population of over 4.3 million. Croatia has it all – mountains, beaches, bustling cities, big outdoor adventures, culture, art, and of course, geocaches. Lots and lots of geocaches.

Country Souvenirs are virtual pieces of art that are displayed on your Geocaching profile page when you find a geocache in certain locations.

Today we proudly unveil the Geocaching Souvenir for The Land of a Thousand Islands: Croatia! To celebrate, we are also highlighting five must-see geocaches from this marvelous land. Ura!

Croatia's 5 Must-See Geocaches — Croatia’s 5 Must-See Geocaches

1. GC34ZA7 – Tkalca – Zagreb – Traditonal Geocache

We begin our tour in the capitol city of Zagreb on Tkalčićeva Street. Full of restaurants, pubs, coffee shops, and plenty of nightlife, this is a great place to meet up with friends, take a stroll, or grab a traditional geocache. And while you’re there, make sure to visit the statue of Marija Juric Zagorka, a Croatian journalist, novelist, and dramatist.

2. GC1FNKR – plitvice lakes – Earth Cache

Next we head south to the very famous series of 16 cascading lakes known as Plitvice Lakes. This breathtaking natural wonder ranges in color from tropical blue to slate grey depending on the amount of minerals and/or organisms, and the angle of the sunlight. At 282 Favorite Points, this geocache is the most geo-beloved in the entire country.

If you need more, check out this link to a virtual panorama and an interactive map from the Plitvice Lakes National Parks website.

3. GC1TDDE – Kamenjak Sandy Beach – in the vicinity of Pula near the small village Premantura – Traditional Geocache

Third stop on our tour is in Cape Kamenjak. So says the geocache page:

…one of the most beautiful areas in the vicinity of Pula, near the small and pittoresque village of Premantura. It’s the southernmost part of the peninsula of Istria, a strip of land fully exposed to the sun and the sea.

The coastline and beaches of Cape Kamenjak are rocky, some small gravel beaches are situated in beautiful coves – and you wouldn’t believe it, but there also exists a tiny and small sandy beach in this area, one of the very few sandy beaches all over Istria! In summer it is crowded, of course, but in spring or autumn it’s a nice place to take a bath in the clear and blue waters of Cape Kamenjak. This little traditional will lead you to this cove…have fun!

So grab a picnic basket, some sunscreen, and your cache-bag, and start searchin’!

4. GC322MF – Zadar Sea Organ – Zadar – Traditional Geocache

The amazing sculpture/instrument known as the Sea Organ (Croatian: Morske orgulje) is made up of tubes located underneath a set of large marble steps underwater. The movement of the waves crashing over the tubes creates music. At sunset, the Sun Salutation switches on and displays a series of bright colorful lights. The motion of the lights depends on the solar energy collected throughout the day as well as the power of the waves and mimics the motion of the solar system. All eight planets are represented by solar lights placed at their proportional distances from the sun. Both installations were designed by the architect Nikola Bašić. Far out!

5. GCG8XE – Port a Foot – Dubrovnic – Virtual Geocache

Our final destination is Dubrovnik (also spelled Dubrovnic), known as the ‘Pearl of the Adriatic’. Dubrovnik is believed to be one of the ten best preserved medieval walled cities in the world. It’s full of Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque churches, monasteries, palaces, and fountains. Absolutely gorgeous!

Yep. It’s definitely time to book your flight to Croatia to see the amazing sites and earn this sweet souvenir!

We will unveil two new souvenirs each week until all SIX are officially released and awarded on Monday, December 22, 2014 to be proudly displayed on your profile. Souvenirs that are currently available can be found here. You can view which ones you’ve already earned by checking out your Souvenirs on Geocaching.com.

What’s your favorite geocaching souvenir that you’ve earned?

September 30, 2014 / Derek H /

3 Ideas for Creating a Deviously Clever Geocache

A decoy from Before You Can Torment, You Must Learn to Annoy (GCK2BA). Photo by geocacher calipidder

I recently attended a the Berkshire Geobash #3 Mega-Event in Massachusetts and came across one of the most devious hides I’ve ever seen. So devious, it inspired me to write a whole blog post dedicated to creating geocaches that some may consider “evil”. Not evil in the possessed by spirits evil, but evil in that when searching, frustration is inevitable. If you’re ever in western Massachusetts, near Pittsfield, finding My Wife Thinks I’m Nuts (GC1MW7), created by Gary, is an absolute must.

Step 1: Decoys

Geocachers with a few finds under their belts will have developed a keen geo-sense, i.e. they know common places to look for geocaches. Some of these folks have seen it all, so getting past them can be hard. This is where decoys come in. Some geocaches have containers in all of the obvious spots, but instead of a logbook, it’s a note that let’s them know they’ve only found a decoy. Placing multiple decoys can create a fog of frustration that may cloud geocacher’s judgement when looking for the real container. (See image above.)

Step 2: Really Clever Camouflage

Don’t get me wrong—I love camo duct tape. It’s an easy way to add a little bit of cloaking to your geocache. However, when it comes to being truly devious, the right camouflage can make or break your hide. The real challenge is to make your geocache look like everything that’s around it—like it belongs there. Think fake logs, fake rocks, fake gum (ew) or even the always maligned fake dog poo.

Step 3: Hide in Plain Sight

You read that right. Hide in plain sight. This might mean skipping the traditional geocache container for something a little more creative. Just think: if your geocache looks like it’s just part of the surrounding decor, geocachers may not be apt to look there. This step is crucial for clever urban hides.

This just looks like it's supposed to be there. Surprise! Geocache! Photo by geocacher Lady Nomad. — This just looks like it’s supposed to be there. Surprise! Geocache! Photo by geocacher Lady Nomad.

These are just a few ideas. How would you make your geocache truly devious? Tell us in the comments. You can also check out some devious geocache containers at Shop Geocaching.

September 15, 2014 / Guest Writer /

A Wagging Good Time: Tips for Geocaching with Pups

By Dani Navarre

Nothing is better than geocaching with your best friend and who could be better than man’s best friend? Geocaching isn’t just a hobby for humans—your four-legged friends can join in on the fun too.

Coming home to slobbery kisses and a wagging tail is enough to brighten anyone’s day. Your dog waits patiently for you to return home, he hears the hum of the car engine, and bounds down the stairs to greet you at the door. He does so much for you and deserves a little treat. You can add a little color to your favorite canine’s grey day by putting a leash on that enthusiasm and heading out for some geocaches. Sounds like a walk in the park that earns more than one kind of smiley. As someone who has trained with scent detecting dogs, I know exactly how rewarding working with animals can feel. One of the most enjoyable parts is having a goal that you and your furry friend can work toward together. Whether you are practicing obedience training or just want to get out for some fresh air, geocaching can be a fun way to get all the members of your family (human and canine) outside.

So here are HQ’s top tips for geocaching pups:

Socialize at your local dog park. While your dog is having the time of his life, you could be catching a few smilies. Dog parks are a popular places to hide geocaches, so next time you are out take a look.
Is your dog an adventurous pup or does he make sloths look hyperactive? Be sure to choose caches that match your dog’s fitness level. If your dog is a trailblazer he may enjoy longer hikes with more challenging terrain, but if your dog is a couch potato an easy urban stroll might be a better match.

Turn your dog into a geocache. Has science gone too far? Don’t worry your pooch is safe, but he can become a trackable puppy with a geo dog tag. Your pup will enjoy all of the pets and your human friends will love the new trackable.
Sensitive puppy paws. Be aware of the geocache’s terrain. The summer heat and cement or metal surfaces can be a dangerous combination for your dog’s sensitive paw pads.
Carry water. Make sure you and your dog are hydrated to keep those tongues wagging.
A safe pup is a happy pup. Check to see that your dog’s vaccinations are up to date for tick and mosquito protection. A hike through the woods can make for a fun day…until you come home with a car full of ticks and one sad puppy.
Collars aren’t just a fashion trend. Local leash laws vary by city. Before you set Rover free to roam, check to see if a leash is required.

Geocaching with your dog can be fun for whole family. What’s your favorite geocaching animal story?

August 12, 2014 / Alex /

Top Tips for Puzzle Caches

By Dani Navarre

About to sing an "Ode to the Golgafrinchan Phone Workers"...GC32A0H — About to sing an “Ode to the Golgafrinchan Phone Workers”…GC32A0H

Do puzzle caches leave you scratching your head?

Does the thought of having to decode encrypted messages make you break out in hives? If no, then you might be a geocaching Puzzler in disguise. If yes, then take a deep breath and find your happy place because we have just the tips to sooth your puzzle anxiety.

Puzzle caches, Mystery caches, or Unknown caches are a type of geocache for those who enjoy an extra challenge.

They require geocachers to solve complicated puzzles in order to decode the correct cache coordinates or crack secret clues to unlock a cache’s stash. If you haven’t encountered this kind of cache before the prospect may seem daunting, but have no fear! Puzzle caches are fun way to spice up any geocaching adventure while flexing your beefy brain muscles.

These folks are just a puzzle away from 'Within Reach"...GC4B84C — These folks are just a puzzle away from ‘Within Reach”…GC4B84C

So don your trenchcoat and channel your inner Sherlock.

(‘Cause who wouldn’t want to be Benedict Cumberbatch?). Here are Geocaching HQ’s top tips for puzzle caches:

Practice Makes Perfect. Start easy by tackling puzzle caches that have a one or two star difficulty rating. The more puzzle caches you conquer over time the more tricks of trade you’ll pick up and the easier it’ll become.
Check what type of puzzle needs to be solved. There are different kinds of puzzle caches that call for different strategies, so before you head out check to see what the requirements entail. Some caches are in-the-field, meaning you have to use visual clues from the surrounding location to decipher the coordinates or unlock the cache. Other caches can be solved before you even step out the door! These ask you to solve a particular puzzle off of the geocache’s webpage or lookup information on the internet.
Gather the Mystery Gang. Two heads are better than one! Bring your geocaching pals along, not only is geocaching more fun when you have your buddies but they can help you brainstorm through those extra tricky questions.
Check for invisible ink. Sometimes cache owners will hide clues on a geocache’s webpage in white font. Highlight the page to reveal the secrets that were right in front of your nose the whole time. Bonus points if you caught this one! You’re a Puzzler already!
The source code isn’t just a movie. Cache owners may add comments with hints in the cache’s html source code. To find this open the source code on your browser’s menu selection and search for comments.
It’s all in the name. A hint to the cache’s location may be located in the cache’s or cache owner’s name or give you an idea of where the cache may be or what it may look like.
When in doubt use Google. Search engines may not have the answer to everything, but they have the answer for a lot of things. So if you’re truly stuck, look to the internet to give you a helping hand. Some cache pages may even include answer checkers to see if you guessed the correct coordinates.

Whether you want to step up your geocaching game or are trying to earn your Puzzler’s badge for 7 Souvenirs of August, puzzle caches are an excellent way to mix your geocaching routine. If you’re looking for a little cache-speration check out “Ode to the Golgafrinchan Phone Workers” (GC32A0H), an unique cache inspired by The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy that requires you to listen carefully and dial in the right code. Close by is the geocache “Within Reach” (GC4B84C) which asks you to use visual clues to open a cache that also moonlights as a piece of functional art!

Do you love a good mystery? Tell us about your puzzling geocaching experiences or share your favorite puzzle tips! Be careful not to reveal any cache spoilers.

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Can you spot the mystery within this post?

August 5, 2014 / Eric Schudiske /

How to Speak Geocaching – A Mega-Event Journey to Germany

Editor’s note: Geocaching HQ staff are attending dozens of Mega-Events around the world, shaking hands, sharing stories of adventure, and of course, geocaching. Each person at Geocaching HQ brings their own unique talent to advancing the adventure. Some write code for the website, others design images for the apps, and some shoot videos explaining it all. Justin Dover or dova dov is part of the IT team at Geocaching HQ. This is his Mega-Event experience.

By Justin:

As someone with very little world traveling experience, I was somewhat intimidated when I discovered that I had been selected to attend GC4MEGA Big Äppel. My foreign language is limited to rusty high school spanish and innumerable programming languages that I’ve supported over the years. However, any discomfort I had was quickly put at ease when I started communicating with Robert Fitzsch, my contact and one of the passionate members of the Big Äppel Orga-Team. He reminded me that we all share the common language of geocaching.

Traveling with my wife Hailee, we arrived in Frankfurt on Thursday and had an opportunity to see the old town area known as Alt-Sachsenhausen. It’s a quaint outdoor setting with lots of bars and restaraunts. This would be the first of many times that we were asked if we had tried der Apfelwein (the apple wine). Consumed during all seasons, applewine is an acquired taste not appreciated by all. I found it palatable, but much prefered the local pilsners.

The event was scheduled over two days at Commerze Bank Arena with a conclusion event Sunday aboard The Applewine Express. The main venue was most notably remodeled to support the 2005 FIFA Confederations Cup and the 2006 FIFA World Cup.

Friday night hosted the GC4MEET Meet&Greet. As attendees got a lay of the land and greeted one another, they also had the opportunity to observe two influential geocachers share their craft. Enno Seifried, producer of a film roughly translated as “Stories Behind Forgotten Walls – The Lost Places”, hosted a viewing which detailed the abandoned locations in eastern Germany that host a treasure of extreme caches. Bernhard Hoeker, a comedian, actor and geocaching author, performed a book reading and signing.

Berhard, Justin and Enno participating in book signing/picture/autograph session — Bernhard, Justin and Enno participating in book signing/picture/autograph session

The band Dangerous Comfort was scheduled to perform indoors in the VIP area during the event, however, a popular German hard rock band Böhse Onkelz (Evil Uncles) stole the attention with televised public viewing of their reunion concert in the center of the arena. The concert was taking place an hour south at a racetrack in Hockenheimring, but they sold so many tickets that some of the fans were diverted to Commerze Bank Arena for safety reasons. As a result, cachers were treated to a free suite-level show.

justin 10 — Fans starting to arrive for the Böhse Onkelz

Saturday brought lots of activities, with the central geocaching goal of completing the event’s Lab Cache adventure. This incorporated the use of augmented reality, a code emitting wireless access point and deciphering a passphrase on a telephone booth nearby. The Labs series also incorporated published traditional and multi-cache hides to complete the Adventure. This experience was a wonderful example of how Labs provide the geocaching experience in a small area bending traditional rules and only available for a limited time.

When Hailee and I weren’t helping English speaking visitors at the welcome booth, we had an opportunity to walk around to visit with the vendors and presenters. We discovered some unique and clever geocache containers, but we were most impressed with the folks using laser technology to create duplicate low-cost trackables to share. There were also panel discussions and workshops on using GSAK, OpenStreetMaps and Wherigo–as well as a Q&A hosted by yours truly.

Once the event started nearing the end of the day, the excitement for geocaching began to shift toward pride of country. As fans began filing into the area wearing black, red and gold, it became quite clear that Germany was about to play Ghana in the World Cup and the venue was host to another public viewing. Over 30,000 fans came together to watch Germany on what was advertised as the largest canvas.

The event officially culminated on Sunday at the Frankfurt Main Train Station with GC4M3ET Big Äppel Bye Bye. It was a trolley tour around Frankfurt aboard the Applewine Express. We had an opportunity to take in the notable sites around the city while enjoying der Apfelwein one last time.

For our final experience of the visit, Robert and Annika of the Orga-Team arranged a tour of Castle Eppstein and dinner in the surrounding town.

This was a small event for 20 or so cachers entitled GC4M3GA Meet a Lackey. We had an incredible time touring the ruins, learning of the lineage and counting the steps all the way to the top of the tower. Dinner provided the best meal of our visit and a relaxed atmosphere to discuss common interests inside and outside of geocaching. It was a great chance to make new friends and we even learned a new game.

donkey — It’s a little like Jenga, a lot more difficult, and I have no idea what it’s called

Nicolas, Laporca, takes a break from checking in on exhibitors and vendors to have a beer with Hailee and Justin.

pier — Touring Alt-Sachscenhausen with our gracious guide Pier, Napoleone1972, and his wonderful family

Robert Fitzsch, reality666, considered the rock of the orga-team and responsible for finance

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