Amy (left) with a geocacher at the Berlin Mega-Event
Berlin in November is cold. Very cold. However, my trip last month to Germany for Mega-Berlin was more heart warming than I could have ever imagined.
The weekend full of events began Friday night with a Meet & Greet (GC4YYYX). The venue for the weekend’s activities was a lost place named Motowerk, a former factory of breakthrough electrical engines and elevators that opened in 1914. During world War II, the British government became aware of the factory and, in a raid on Berlin, dropped 24 bombs on the company grounds. Miraculously, the production hall and all of the company’s employees were unharmed.
After the war, the building was turned over to the Russians and used as a publicly owned business manufacturing condensers in the GDR. After the German reunification the factory became a location for events and, ultimately, the setting for Berlin’s largest Mega-Event to date, Mega-Berlin.
The Meet & Greet event had 1500 geocachers in attendance who enjoyed exchanging geocaching stories in between sets from the Polkaholix, a German, polk/punk band.
After a fun filled night, I returned to Motowerk bright and early the following day for the big event (GC4YYYY). The event hall was busy with geocachers, vendors, and activities around every corner. After checking out all of the vendors and walking through the children paradise and seeing all of the creative and fun activities there were for the kids, I headed out to find some of the nearby geocaches with a few geocachers I had just met.
If I didn’t mention this before, it was cold (really cold) but that wasn’t going to stop us—there was a variety of geocaches in the area to be found.
Returning to the event, I stopped by the event map and realized that there were geocachers from all over the world in attendance. This was truly a global event.
The best part of the event for me was hearing the stories from geocachers and seeing how the Berlin geocaching community came together to produce this event.
The next morning I returned again to the event hall for the Secret Santa Breakfast (GC4YYYZ). I sat down for breakfast with a few Swedes that I met at the event, Team-Prince and Palmarna. We had a great breakfast discussing geocaching events and experiences. The organizers of the event had arranged a gift exchange for the event. You drop off a gift, get a ticket, and return later to pick up your gift. My gift was a stocking full of all kinds of geocaching goodies and some candy!
Overall, I had a great time in Berlin and met some fabulous people while I was at the event. I cannot thank the geocachers I came across and the Orga Team for all of the hospitality they showed me during my visit.
There’s more to a geocache than just a location and a container. Every time it’s found—or not found—there’s a story. Those stories are the logs geocachers leave on the geocache’s page. The reasons to leave quality logs on the geocaches you attempt are numerous, but here are just a few to get you started:
– Geocache owners love reading new logs. It also helps them keep tabs on how their geocache is doing. – Other geocachers may check previous logs for hints or information. – DNF logs help let others know that the geocache may be more difficult than expected or may need maintenance.
Let’s show the geocaching community what it means to write a great log: head over to the Geocaching Facebook page and share the best log you’ve ever read (or written).
Ein Geocache besteht nicht nur aus einem Ort und einer Dose. Mit jedem Fund – oder Nichtfund – ist immer auch eine Geschichte verbunden. Diese Geschichten sind die Logeinträge, die Geocacher auf der Seite des Geocaches hinterlassen. Es gibt zahlreiche Gründe, aus denen Du bei den von Dir angegangenen Geocaches hochwertige Logs hinterlassen solltest, aber für den Anfang findest Du hier schon mal ein paar:
Geocache-Owner lesen gern neue Logs. Sie helfen ihnen auch dabei festzustellen, wie es um ihren Geocache bestellt ist.
Andere Geocacher suchen gern in früheren Logs nach Tipps und weiteren Informationen.
DNF-Logs teilen anderen Geocachern mit, dass der Geocache möglicherweise doch etwas komplizierter als erwartet ist oder eine Wartung benötigt.
Also zeige der Geocaching-Gemeinschaft, was es heißt, einen tollen Logeintrag zu verfassen: Teile auf der Geocaching-Seite auf Facebook den besten Logeintrag, den Du jemals gelesen (oder geschrieben) hast.
As the first Geocache of the Week for 2015, this geocache sets the bar pretty high for the rest of the year. While it’s located in a nearby park, this multi-cache takes you on a journey that requires a few specific tools of the trade. It begins with a 9V battery to power the Arduino computer inside. From there, you need to either raise or lower the temperature of the probe on the geocache. Once you’re at the right temp, you’ll get the coordinates to the next location. If your geocaching New Year’s resolution is to hide a geocache, consider creating something as innovative and fun as this one. Good luck and Happy New Year!
What geocachers are saying:
“This was super fun with all the different stations and i would love to hunt for this one again!! Girl Scout Troop #55492 LOVED IT!” – laurakwik
“The best cache I had encountered yet. I brought some friends along that are not big on caching, but they both absolutely loved. Once we had seen and had been trying Stage 2 we all kept saying, “This is so cool.” TFTC” – TheAdamBomb98
“Took a couple of trips but we got ‘er done. When will I learn … read the instructions … always read the instructions first. Exceptionally well done cache. Will send a fave point once I get my account back up to par. Thanks.” – surfnturfnsky
What inspired you to build this geocache? One of the things that keeps me deeply interested in geocaching is finding the higher profile geocaches; oldies, caches with high favorites, caches that are interesting or out of the ordinary, and challenges. Gadget caches particularly standout as my all time favorites. One of the ways I give back to the community is to hide caches that I like to find on the notion that I might inspire others to find geocaches that I like to find, I can’t say that my mission has been successful or not but in my home area, there has recently been an increase in the amount of those more interesting geocaches.
Do you have an engineering/programming background?
I do have a background in science and technology. I acquired my BS in Chemistry from the University of Minnesota in 1995 but have worked in the IT field for the last 20 years. Within the the IT field it is safe to say that the majority of my skillset revolves around software, databases, and computer programming. Though to not scare others away from building gadget caches, the knowledge required to build Fire and Ice was the simplest form of the C programming language and how to apply fundamental logic to code.
How long did it take to create?
The construction of multiple iterations of the device took about a month but to be fair, I also had to balance my family, my job, and my need to find other geocaches. I went through three different models before I was able to construct what I thought would be the best way to apply my high level idea for the cache. Though by far more time was spent finding the perfect location for the device which required the perfect location, safety from muggles, and land owner involvement,
What has been your reaction to all of the positive logs and favorite points?
Watching the positive reactions to the cache by my fellow geocachers is probably one of the most rewarding things in geocaching for me. And knowing that someone may have walked away following their find with the idea that “maybe I could build a cache like that” is even better.
Is there anything you’d like to say to the geocaching community?
I just wanted to say that by and large, geocaching has been a tremendous part of my life for about 10 years now. It still amazes me the wonderful friends that I’ve made, the places I’ve discovered, and the other related activities I’ve attempted along the way that I wouldn’t have otherwise given much thought to (biking, paddling, exploration etc).
Photos:
A glimpse of the geocache before it was placed in the wild.The geocache in the wild, attached, with permission, to a pole that was already there.Lovely view from the final. Photo by geocacher berresfamily
What’s your geocaching New Year’s resolution? 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!
The earned, never for sale, Geocacher of the Month Geocoin
This month’s nominees for the very special Geocacher of the Month award take the geocaching cake for their contributions to the game we love.
Among them are a geocaching icon who hosts regular geocaching workshops for ‘cachers new and old, a husband and wife team who are the heart and soul of geocaching on the Space Coast of Florida, and a geocaching duo whose 27 geocaches have received an incredible 2949 favorite points in total.
The decision won’t be easy. Luckily, we have you to help. Post your vote below and let us know who you think should take home the earned, never for sale, Geocacher of the Month Geocoin (at left).
Mr Donut WP, November’s Geocacher of the Month
Although all the nominees will receive prizes, the featured Geocacher of the Month will receive the exclusive special edition Geocoin, a Geocacher of the Month hat and a profile icon. They’ll also receive a certificate that recognizes their contributions, signed by two of the founders of Geocaching.com.
Mr Donut WP was the official Geocacher of the Month for November 2014. StridentUK says: “A real lynchpin of the local caching community, organizing many excellent events each year, Mr Donut’s enthusiasm and passion for caching and definitely make him worthy of the Cacher of the Month award.”
Now it’s your turn to decide which geocacher should be further recognized. Read the profiles of this month’s three nominees, and write a supportive comment below this post describing why you think this person should be recognized.
A panel from Geocaching HQ will then use your comments to help guide the decision of which geocacher is awarded the Geocacher of the Month honor.
Here are your nominees for December 2014 Geocacher of the Month.
This geocaching duo is responsible for a lot of smileys, both on maps and on faces. Their creative geocache hides run the gamut from a beautifully crafted trackable hotel in a surprising locations to an electronically marvelous and well-favorited night-cache that’ll send chills down your spine.
T-Team! says, “In the local geocaching community (Noord Brabant, The Netherlands), Ralph and Thomas are famous for their fantastic caches. They have made many caches with 100+ favorite points and several in the top of the Netherlands.The caches are usually a fun way to be opened combined with an AHAAA moment…. Their latest multi-night-cache (GC5BP0T) has been online for just over 1 month… and already has 100+.”
“Finally, they continuously take care of their caches and do regular (night) checks on them. This ensures that everyone can continue to enjoy their work. There are not many cache-makers who can make you smile as they do. For this reason they deserve to be the Geocacher of the Month!”
Starkiller_ has found just over 9000 geocaches, so it’s no wonder he’s got something to teach others. This geocacher organizes and hosts a monthly workshop for geocachers interested in leveling-up their game through third-party software, advanced GPS maps and functions, or just by tackling more difficult puzzle-caches. Some months he even brings in guest speakers to host a workshop on a new topic…birdwatching while geocaching, anyone?
Starkiller_ has even worked with Ontario municipalities and conservation authorities to help manage geocaching in their areas. Not to mention the fact that he created a “Geo-Passport” which takes geocachers on a geocache tour through the South Nation watershed in Ontario. At the end of the tour, you’ll have learned something about the natural heritage features in the area, and will have earned a specially designed geocoin.
Waterlillimm says, “With a personality as big as his name, Starkiller_ is a physical and mental challenge to many Geocachers here in Ontario. While holding such high standards, he teaches us how to enjoy our Earth and Sky and all the beauty & fun that it can hold. If he is not attending a Geocaching Event, he is planning one. If he is not searching for a Geocache, he is creating one, if he is not showing us “how to cache” he is caching along side us. To be as considerate and as passionate of Geocaching as Starkiller_ is, we feel that he deserves the honour of being Geocacher of the Month.”
This geocaching team is responsible for 13 successful and well-attended CITO (Cache In, Trash Out) events in the Space Coast of Florida. You might even call some of their events “CITO+” (or über-CITO?), for their outside-the-box initiatives (trail maintenance, invasive species removal, etc.). They’ve even teamed up with local environmental organizations to put geocachers to work where they’re most needed.
Mother Earth isn’t the only thing getting kind attention from seastar255–their local geocaching community has felt their impact as well. Says Team Mollymap, “Seastar255 is the heart and soul of the Space Coast geocachers. This husband and wife team along with their daughter, Young Money Girl (YMG), have hosted 55 events in our community and counting. Not only are they the host and hostess with the most-est they also make awesome field puzzles, mysteries, and nothing beats a YMG hand decorated ammo can. If you need something this team is there for you, they support you but also encourage you to grow and learn new things for yourself. They have been a great mentor to us along with scores of other geoachers from the Space Coast. Cache-on Seastar255 and Young Money Girl!”
Comment below to tell us who you think should be the November Geocacher of the Month. We will be accepting comments through January 25th.
