/ Eric Schudiske /

Announcing the 2013 Cache In Trash Out Weekend

Cache In Trash Out Weekend

CITO FINAL LGWe hear it all the time, “Geocachers are the nicest people!” It’s a wonderful compliment that good-hearted geocachers have earned for over a decade. Cache In Trash Out (CITO) weekend is just another example of geocachers giving back. Since 2002, tens of thousands of geocachers have cleaned up parks, trails and other geocaching-friendly destinations. Geocachers plan CITO events year round, but one weekend each year the global geocaching community unites to cleanup tons of trash together.

Texas CITO 4
CITO Event in Texas

The 11th Annual CITO weekend is scheduled for April 20, 21, and 22 2013. There will be hundreds of events to attend in dozens of countries, but if there’s not one in your area, it’s time to gather your friends and create your own CITO Event. Be sure to check the CITO Event calendar for gatherings near you.

Those attending CITO Events on April 20, 21 or 22 (or all three!) will earn a 2013 CITO Souvenir for their Geocaching profile. Thanks for keeping the geocaching a community one of the nicest groups of people out there![Editor’s note: This video is spoken in German and Czech. Click the CC button for English, German or Czech subtitles.]

[vsw id=”HOqobTmkbbU” source=”youtube” width=”425″ height=”344″ autoplay=”no”]

 

/ Eric Schudiske /

A Geocaching Beginner’s Guide – Geocache Container Pictures

8 geocaches 1 picture
A geocacher’s study guide

Geocaching adventures can take you to new vantage points, down scenic roads and into long-forgotten forests. You’ll search through both new parks and familiar neighborhoods. The adventure is in the journey, but the real thrill can begin when you close in on the coordinates.

Geocaches can be recycled containers like pill bottles
Geocaches can be recycled containers like pill bottles

When you uncover a geocache, a hidden story is revealed: who traveled to this location and the adventure they had along the way. But the exact appearance of the container you’re looking for is often a mystery. The geocache page will usually tell you the size of the geocache, but sometimes you’ll encounter an “other” or a “not chosen.” They’re the wildcard size for geocache containers.

cache6
Some geocache containers are easier to find than others…

At the top of this page, you’ll see eight geocache containers. Odds are you’ll encounter geocaches of this size most often. They’re all small or micro geocaches. More than 70% of geocaches listed on Geocaching.com are either listed as “micro” or “small.”

There are hundreds of variations on geocache shapes, from whimsical (think a small yard gnome in the woods) to devious (think of a fake security camera attached by magnets to the side of a building).

The most interesting geocache containers are often the ones you’ve never encountered before and likely will never see again. Keep your eyes and your mind open when you’re geocaching.  If you’re stuck, geocache pages often include helpful hints. Previous logs and pictures can also offer clues to find the geocache.

If you have more questions, check out the Geocaching 101 page. You can also post a question on the Geocaching Facebook page for the community to answer. To see clever geocaches being discovered, check out this video below for a look at 5 Geocaches in 30 Seconds.

[vsw id=”OW9bi5_b-Wc” source=”youtube” width=”425″ height=”344″ autoplay=”no”]

/ Adela B /

Cache ‘o Mat (GC1A11C) – GEOCACHE OF THE WEEK – January 24, 2013

Cache 'o Mat - the geocache vending machine
Cache ‘o Mat – the geocache vending machine

 

Geocaches come in all shapes, sizes and colors. Cache ‘o Mat (GC1A11C) on the other hand, a one of a kind geocache vending machine, has set a new standard for unique geocaches.

It’s easy to spot, easy to get stickers and easy to see why this is a favorite geocache. Sometimes, however, it’s not as simple to log the difficulty 3.5, terrain 1 geocache as it appears. In order to do so, geocachers will need to use their geo-sense.

While the geocache sits in plain sight, it is not highly muggle-sensitive. With some creativity from the geocache owner and help from the German geocaching musical act Dosenfischer, geocachers can enjoy a one of a kind geocaching anthem (in German) at the vending machine. Now, how often do you get that kind of entertainment when you find a geocache?

Jeremy signed the logbook
Jeremy signed the logbook

Thanks to JoFrie, this clever and creative geocache has been part of the Niedersachsen, Germany community since March, 2008. Over 1,800 geocachers have claimed their smiley and awarded it 849 Favorite Points. Among those who logged the geocache is Geocaching CEO and Co-Founder, Jeremy Irish.

The extensive and elaborate logs describe a lot of fun and entertaining experiences – exactly what this geocache is all about!

Cache 'o Mat Logbook
Cache ‘o Mat Logbook

One geocacher writes, “Natürlich habe auch ich schon oft von diesem Schmuckstück gehört. Zu finden ist die Lokation ja nicht unbedingt schwer. Aber das sieht man auch schon auf den ersten Blick ins Listing. Das Auffinden der eigentlichen Dose war dann schon schwieriger, hat aber Spaß gemacht. Einfach mal alles ausprobiert, überall gedrückt und gezogen, bis nach einiger Zeit tatsächlich etwas ruckte. Klasse gemacht, wirklich. Vielen Dank für diesen tollen Cache!”

This translates to, “Of course, I have often heard of this gem. Finding the location isn’t exactly difficult. But, you can see that at the first glance of the listing. Finding the actual box was then more difficult, but it has been fun. Just tried everything – pushed everywhere and pulled everything. After some time, something snapped. Well done, really. Thanks for this great cache!”

Continue to explore some of the most engaging geocaches around the globe. Check out all the Geocaches of the Week on the Geocaching blog or view the Bookmark List on Geocaching.com.

If you would like to nominate a Geocache of the Week, send an email with your name, comments, the name of the geocache, and the GC code to pr@groundspeak.com.

There's something for everyone at this vending machine!
There’s something for everyone at this vending machine!
/ Eric Schudiske /

Geocaching Unlocks the Secrets of the Earth – Geocaching Weekly Newsletter

Happy Birthday EarthCaching

EarthCache image orangeThe world’s first EarthCache just turned nine. EarthCache I in Australia was created on January 10, 2004 and EarthCaching has been growing up ever since. There are now more than 14,000 active EarthCaches around the globe. Instead of a physical container, EarthCaches use unique geological features as the “find.” Geocachers must then answer questions posted in the geocache description in order to mark the geocache as found. EarthCaches can reveal why rocks crack to look like a brick road or how an eternal flame can flicker behind a gushing waterfall. Get inspired to find an EarthCache with our new EarthCaching video, which takes adventurers to a rare find deep in the mountains.

Eternal Flame Falls EarthCache
Eternal Flame Falls EarthCache

This month, the EarthCache guidelines have been updated to clarify the process of development and review. All EarthCaches published after January 1, 2013 must meet these new guidelines. The year ahead will bring more EarthCaching news, including the Second International EarthCache Mega-Event on September 7 in the U.S. state of Utah. More than 500 EarthCache fans are expected to attend. We hope to see you there!

[vsw id=”qotIZiTDz9U” source=”youtube” width=”425″ height=”344″ autoplay=”no”]

/ Eric Schudiske /

GPS Adventures Maze Travels to Colorado

GPS Adventure Maze LARGE picThe new GPS Adventures Maze is all set to open its doors just a short drive from downtown Denver. You can navigate the fun, interactive museum exhibit at The Wildlife Experience. Join Geocaching Co-Founder Jeremy Irish and hundreds of fellow geocachers at the opening event on February 9 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

GPS Adventures Maze
GPS Adventures Maze

The GPS Adventures Maze is open for exploration through May 27. You’ll be able to test your geocaching knowledge and sense of adventure inside the life-size maze. Plus, while you’re making your way through the family-friendly maze you’ll learn the inside-story of GPS technology, unlock navigational history, and discover geocaching fun facts. Those who log the maze will even earn the unique GPS Adventures Maze Exhibit cache type icon.