January 13, 2014 / Eric Schudiske

How to Spell Geocaching “Inspiration”

mailer blog image geocache of the week geocacher of the month

You won’t find GOTW and GOTM in any “normal” dictionary, just like your won’t find TFTC or BYOP. But we geocachers speak our own language of adventure. GOTW and GOTM are what you need to stay on top of the latest hiding and finding trends and to see the adventurers who are shaping our growing geocaching community. GOTW and GOTM stand for “Geocache of the Week” and the “Geocacher of the Month.”

Every Thursday, Geocaching HQ selects a much-loved and creative geocache from the 2.2 million active geocaches hidden around the globe. It’s then featured on The Geocaching Blog. The Geocache of the Week is a great way to explore the world and discover new potential geocaching adventures. It’s also an inspirational resource for geocache makers to discover new ways to hide a clever geocache.

Once a month, the worldwide community also meets three amazing geocachers. They’re nominated by their friends or family to be the featured Geocacher of the Month. You help select the outstanding geocacher who receives the award. Each nominee walks away with worldwide recognition and a prize package from Geocaching HQ.

Now it’s your turn. To nominate an outstanding geocaching hide for Geocache of the Week, leave a comment on the latest Geocache of the Week blog post. Find details here on how to nominate the next Geocacher of the Month.

GOTM-Montage-1 — Click on the image to learn more about the Featured Geocacher of the Month

January 10, 2014 / Eric Schudiske /

The Creator of EarthCaching talks about the 10th Anniversary

Editor’s Note: Gary, Geoaware, placed the very first EarthCache on this date in 2004. Today there are more than 17,000 EarthCaches around the globe from the peaks of mountains to the desert floor. This is Gary’s story of that first EarthCache.

Gary aka "Geoaware" — Gary aka “Geoaware”

By Gary, Geoaware: Ten years ago I was a lucky guy in the right place at the right time. The Geological Society of America (GSA) had just employed me to work on education and outreach programs, a GSA member mentioned the new game of geocaching to my boss, and I was on holiday here with my kids looking at the rocks in Australia.

So that day we wandered around a rock platform that I had been on a thousand times before but now with a new purpose. How could I bring others here geocaching so they left learning something new about our amazing planet? Fossils, evidence for glaciers, weathering – so much in such a short walk. This was the perfect place. And so EarthCache I GCHFT2 was born—and so was the concept of an EarthCache: a place where the Earth was the treasure. A place where you would learn about the geology of the planet while you geocached. If you have not experienced an EarthCache, its time you tried. It’s a different experience – but who would ever not enjoy learning when it’s fun!

Since then we have gone through many changes, twists and turns – always in partnership with Geocaching.com and always edging forward so that we can add to the game of geocaching as well as teaching people about our Earth. We even now have a Mega-Event held each year just for EarthCachers (GC4JD1B).

What an amazing ten years the EarthCache program has had. Since the first EarthCache was placed, four million people have visited over 17,000 EarthCaches in 165 countries around the globe. It is a truly outstanding impact to get people outside, have fun and learn about our dynamic planet all at the same time. And all of that amazing credit goes to the whole community that visits, develops and loves EarthCaches and the wonderful group of community volunteers – the ‘geoawares’ that work with EarthCache developers to get the very best EarthCache submissions published.

gary 22 — EarthCache: Gullfoss (Golden Falls)

Finally, I can’t ignore the amazing support of The Geological Society of America, who sees this program as the jewel in its outreach to the wider community.

I hope you will all celebrate the amazing 10th year of EarthCaches by finding and logging an EarthCache or even joining the next 3rd International EarthCache Mega-Event!

January 8, 2014 / Derek H /

Celebrate 10 Years of EarthCaching! — Table Rock EarthCache (GCMH1C) — Geocache of the Week

Niagara Falls from the Canadian side. Photo by geocacher Desert Varnish — Niagara Falls from the Canadian side. Photo by geocachers OddballCachers

Geocache Name:

Table Rock EarthCache (GCMH1C)

Difficulty/Terrain Rating:

1/1

Why this is the Geocache of the Week:

Tomorrow marks the 10 year anniversary of EarthCaching—that’s a decade of not only earning a smiley, but also learning more about the bubbling, rock shattering, and often hidden geological processes that shape our Earth. If you feel like celebrating, pay a visit to one of the most favorited EarthCaches in the world (this is the most favorited). Here geocachers will learn how glaciers and erosion formed these magnificent waterfalls known as Niagara falls. One tip: make sure to bring a rain jacket or poncho; otherwise you’ll get soaked from the spray coming off the falls. Consider the soaking a very wet souvenir.

# of Finds:

3,330

# of Favorite Points:

436

What the geocache owner, Team Tigger International, has to say:

“Firstly Niagara Falls is my favorite place it’s so beautiful and powerful. We really enjoy Earthcaching because it can be really fun and scientific , plus you get to learn something you may not have known about our Earth. As we visit the beautiful Table Rock area on a regular basis , and find it absolutely fascinating , we thought it was the perfect place to place an earthcache.”

“We really enjoy seeing all the logs on this cache it is one of our most popular that we have placed. We especially love to see all the pictures of this beautiful area.”

What geocachers are saying:

“We spent a great day at Niagara Falls with perfect weather. This is just an absolute amazing place. It was so exciting to see the enormous power of the water running down the falls.” – Orpheos

“Snagged this earth cache on our whim to go to Niagara Falls. So glad we did it – awesome vacation and awesome sights! Ontario was great and everyone was very friendly. TFTC” – tigervhaga

“Thank you for bringing us to this area. The information was very interesting and I’m not sure we would have stumbled upon it by ourselves.” – CeeeKer

Photos:

The falls are even beautiful at night. Photo by geocacher Chod

Happy geocachers making the find! Photo by Team OSS

Another beautiful shot of the falls. Photo by geocacher Desert Varnish

See More Photos

What’s the most amazing thing you’ve learned from finding an EarthCache? Tell us 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, leave a comment below with the name of the geocache, the GC code, and why you think we should feature it.

January 6, 2014 / Derek H /

I <3 Geocaching FAQ

Welcome to I <3 Geocaching. Premium Members can experiment with one Lab Cache during this test.

http://www.geocaching.com/iheartgeocaching/

Question		Answer
What is I <3 Geocaching?		For the month of February every Premium Member will be able to hide one personalized, temporary geocache for one person. Once the geocache is found and logged by one account it is automatically archived. Choose your personal geocaching adventure, and its recipient wisely…check out this blog post for ideas.

What is a Lab Cache?		A Lab Cache is an experimental and extremely rare geocache type. These geocaches are a way for us to innovate and test new ideas to make geocaching even better. By creating and finding a Lab Cache, you’re helping shape the future of geocaching.

Does my I <3 Geocaching personal Lab Cache have to involve a container? Are there other limitations (multis, etc.)?		Not necessarily, and are you ready for this? Your personal geocache can even be indoors, even in your house! The person you share this geocache with will need to discover a code to unlock the find. Looking for some inspiration? Check out this video.

Will a geocaching community volunteer be reviewing my geocache before it’s published?		Your personal geocache, is just that, personal. A community volunteer will not be reviewing your personal geocache. Continue to follow all laws, local regulations and just common sense when placing your personal geocache.

How do I preview my personal geocache creation?		By visiting the link generated at the end of the building process you can view the geocache as your friend will see it. Be careful not to test the Find Code with any account but the one you used to build the cache since these Lab Caches can only be found once.

How do I share this personal geocache with my intended friend?		Simply copy the link generated at the end of the personal geocaching building process… and share it with your player.

Do I earn a smiley if complete a Lab Cache?		Yes – when you find a Lab Cache you earn a find and smiley. Congratulations.

Does a Lab Cache effect the statistics on my Geocaching profile page?		The short answer is, “It will in the future.” The current statistics system does not support Lab Cache finds, but it will in the future. We’ll keep you posted. For even more information check out our Help Center.

Does my hide count go up if I create a I <3 Geocaching Lab Cache?		Not yet. In the future, we’re planning to roll Lab Caches into your hide count at the same time we reflect Lab Cache activity on your statistics profile.

Who can view the Lab Cache I create?		Anyone who knows the URL address of your Lab Cache can see it, so be careful who you share it with!

I want others to play the geocache I created, how do I share it with them?		I <3 Geocaching is meant for one special person. This is a free test of a potential new feature. You may be able to create personal geocaches in the future in a very similar way.

My personal geocache was accidently logged by (a tester, another friend, an alien) how do I reset it?		Unfortunately there’s no way to reset your hide. Once the find code has been entered by another geocacher, it is automatically archived.

If I become a Premium Member during the month of February will I be able to create one for a friend?		Yes

How do I share my story of the awesome hide/find?		Join the discussion on our inspiration blog post or join us on Facebook.

Why can only 1 person log my Lab Cache?		I <3 Geocaching is a test, and as a test, we’re limiting the scope. So take your time creating and playing. You have until the end of February to complete an I <3 Geocaching Lab Cache.

Interested in even more information about I <3 Geocaching check out an expanded FAQ on our Help Center.

Ready for some I <3 Geocaching inspiration? Check out this blog post and share your ideas for an amazing I <3 Geocaching Lab Cache.

1)	Host or attend a geocaching event
2)	Create a creative geocache that will earn (many) Favorite Points
3)	Find a minimum of 365 geocaches
4)	Have one day where you find 24 geocaches in 24 hours
5)	Solve the Puzzle Caches that stumped you in 2013
6)	Log DNF’s (Did Not Find)
7)	Add 5 more countries to the list of places where you’ve found geocaches
8)	Spend more time geocaching with family
9)	Forget about the numbers, just have fun geocaching
10)	Reach a milestone that ends in three zeroes (like 2,000)
11)	Fill your Difficulty and Terrain chart on your statistics profile
12)	Be the First to Find at least once
13)	Find a Terrain 5
14)	Discover a geocaching location that makes you say “wow” once a month

Geocache Name:

Difficulty/Terrain Rating:

Why this is the Geocache of the Week:

# of Finds:

# of Favorite Points:

What the geocache owner, Team Tigger International, has to say:

What geocachers are saying:

Photos:

What’s the most amazing thing you’ve learned from finding an EarthCache? Tell us in the comments.

1)

Host or attend a geocaching event

2)

Create a creative geocache that will earn (many) Favorite Points

3)

Find a minimum of 365 geocaches

4)

Have one day where you find 24 geocaches in 24 hours

5)

Solve the Puzzle Caches that stumped you in 2013

6)

Log DNF’s (Did Not Find)

7)

Add 5 more countries to the list of places where you’ve found geocaches

8)

Spend more time geocaching with family

9)

Forget about the numbers, just have fun geocaching

10)

Reach a milestone that ends in three zeroes (like 2,000)

11)

Fill your Difficulty and Terrain chart on your statistics profile

12)

Be the First to Find at least once

13)

Find a Terrain 5

14)

Discover a geocaching location that makes you say “wow” once a month

Welcome to I <3 Geocaching. Premium Members can experiment with one Lab Cache during this test.

Question

Answer

Have you completed creating a I <3 Geocaching Lab Cache?

Help us improve next time around.

Have you finishing playing a I <3 Geocaching Lab Cache?

Help us improve next time around.

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