Sometimes geocaching hints create a confusing chorus that doesn’t lead anyone closer to the actual geocache. “Hints” like, “It’s in the obvious place” or “Yes, it’s really there” or “You don’t really need a hint” lead to a little confusion and a lot of shoulder shrugging. The hint shouldn’t spoil the exact location of the geocache, but be should be used as a good clue as to where it can be found. If you’re a geocache hider, consider a clue that would help someone who’s finding their first geocache step closer to the container.
The hint can still be clever and require geocachers to think about their surroundings. If you’re new to geocaching, or even a seasoned pro, sometimes the hint takes a little decoding. Here’s some help:
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Tie Your Shoe = Bend down and look at a lower level
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Attractive = Magnetic geocache
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Troll = Under a bridge
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SPOR/UPR = Suspicious Pile of Rocks/Unusual Pile of Rocks
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Handyman Special = Magnetic bolt
Do you still have more questions about hints? We’ve got you covered. Another great destination to decipher and share your favorite hints is the Geocaching Facebook page. Inspire a geocache owner, leave your favorite tips on hints below in comments!
After attending Geocoinfest 2013: Las Vegas, Nevada, TattooBarbie and her friend cybercat completed the El Dorado series. They had so much fun they decided to also do the Route 66 series!
This is the story of a woman with Asperger’s, who became a geocacher with Asperger’s. It’s not about conquering a disorder or beating an affliction. It’s about something more. It’s about the most human of all conditions: adaptation. It’s a condition geocachers are known to excel at, and Toni Brown first discovered that at work.
In many ways, Toni (Username: TattooBarbie) is a geocacher like many others: adventurous, fun, and outgoing. But this has not always been the case.
Long before she discovered geocaching, Toni was diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome. She says, “With Asperger Syndrome, it’s sort of a problem with your social life. You just don’t fit in. You don’t understand people and people don’t understand you. That has led me to have a rather secluded life.” Like many others with Asperger’s, Toni found it difficult to meet new friends and to get outside.
Then, one fateful work retreat, she found a way to do both. Toni works for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD). TPWD uses geocaching as an educational tool for its Outdoor Family Program, and so the department decided that it would be a good idea for TPWD employees to test out geocaching during its annual retreat. For Toni, this activity turned out to be more than fun – it turned her life upside down (sometimes literally).
“Geocaching changed my life…I finally fit in somewhere. I’ve even hosted events when I travel out of town just to meet other geocachers. This activity is so much fun that no matter where you go you can meet perfect strangers and share a common bond.” With nearly 10,000 finds and 200 hides, Toni now spends a lot of time outside exploring. Her geocaching dream is to travel to Brazil to find the last remaining Project APE geocache. She also would like to find the International Space Station geocache, but concedes that “Brazil is [more] doable.”
Toni climbs out of her comfort zone (and ours!).TattooBarbie’s trackable treasure chest tattoo.
Toni has been hooked on geocaching ever since that first experience at the TPWD retreat. Don’t believe us? Check out her rad trackable tattoo, featured in the video below. It’s in the shape of a treasure chest, which she thinks is the perfect representation of what geocaching is all about.
We think that Toni herself is the perfect representation of what geocaching is all about. She has used geocaching as a tool to step outside her comfort zone, to explore new places, and to surround herself with a wonderful community of folks united by their shared love of this crazy thing we call…well…geocaching.
Has geocaching helped you to overcome a challenge or step outside of your comfort zone? Tell us your story in the comments below.
Watch the video below (created by TPWD) to learn more about how geocaching helped Toni overcome the challenges associated with Asperger Syndrome:
More than 1,100 Geocaching in Space Event Caches will dot the globe on November 6 and 7. Geocaching in Space events can be found in more than 40 countries and in the world’s most remote locations, like Easter Island and inside the Arctic Circle.
Each event commemorates the launch of a Geocaching Travel Bug® as it journeys to the International Space Station. Astronaut Rick Mastracchio will use the Travel Bug as a tool to teach students back on Earth about geography and science. He’s scheduled to launch from Kazakhstan in the early morning of November 7, which will be November 6 in much of the rest of the world.
Find and attend an event near you by exploring the interactive map below. Get prepared by ordering the limited-edition Geocaching in Space Mission Patch. Proceeds from patch sales will benefit Donorschoose.org. More questions? Check out the Geocaching in Space FAQ. One quick note: The deadline to submit a Geocaching in Space event has passed. If you’re an event owner, check out the Geocaching in Space Event Owner’s Guide to the Galaxy on ways to connect with the global community, like using #SpaceCaching in Tweets and posts.
As the end of October nears and Halloween draws close, the air has a certain chill to it. The trees turn into skeletons of their former selves. At least, for me, Halloween is one of the best times of year and always puts me in the mood to visit spooky or haunted places. The Manunka Chunk Tunnels in New Jersey have been abandoned since sometime in the early 1900s—well, let me clarify: abandoned from their intended use. Intrepid urban explorers and geocachers have been visiting these tunnels for years. In order to earn your smiley, you’ll have to summon loads of bravery, don a sturdy pair of mud-proof boots and journey through darkness. Sounds like a perfect fall adventure to me!
# of Finds:
353
# of Favorite Points:
117, which makes it the most favorited geocache in New Jersey.
What geocachers are saying:
“Manunka Chunk Tunnels” still the most memorable and amazing cache we’ve ever found!” – The Brigadier
“This was, by far one of my favorite caches to date.” – pumpkinking27
The final stretch of the tunnel. Photo by geocacher doug-up
Inside the tunnel. Try not to get too creeped out! Photo by geocacher doug-upA brave crew of geocachers after making the find. Photo by geocacher TeamBandN
What’s the spookiest place a geocache has ever taken you? 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.
Extra special shoutout to Lord Stirling for the recommending this geocache for Geocache of the Week!
