Tag: Geocaching HQ

/ Eric Schudiske /

Texas Challenge XI: A Taste of Southern Hospitality

adela and de
Adela (left) and Texas Geocaching Association President, De

Editor’s note: Geocaching HQ staff are joining geocachers at Mega-Events around the world to celebrate and share the adventure of geocaching. Adela Bahtijaragic, a.k.a. DellaBell, attended Texas Challenge XI (GCW8GT) in Port Aransas, Texas, USA in April. Adela has been on Geocaching HQ’s marketing team since 2012. This is Adela’s account of her trip.

By Adela Bahtijaragic, a.k.a. DellaBell

They say that half the geocaching journey is getting there. This much was true when I traveled to Port Aransas, Texas – home to Texas Challenge XI. Located deep in the heart of Texas, “Port A” was the place to be during the weekend of April 5. Geocachers in the great state of Texas, and beyond, gathered to celebrate what they love – geocaching.

Over the course of 11 years, the challenge has grown into a fun-filled weekend comprised of activities for people who wish to compete in the contest or those simply looking to socialize and geocache around town. With plenty to see and do, I was lucky enough to have had my very own tour guide for the day. I got to hang out with the 2011 – 2013 Texas Geocaching Association (TXGA) President, De (of Team-DnD), who went above and beyond to make this an unforgettable day for me.

Human log book
Human log book

De and I spent the day exploring the city, the beach, and local geocaches. She introduced me to members of the TXGA, seasoned and new geocachers, and a number of geocachers who attended from places as far away as Australia (firesafe). Of course, I took part in some of the creative Mega-Event challenges, including a joust with a knight from Monty Python’s Holy Grail.

Adela and knight square off
Adela and knight square off

A bonfire gathering at the beach (GC454VH), which included a jalapeno eating contest, potluck, and limbo was the perfect way to end a busy day. We quickly figured out that the lack of a logbook was no problem. Thanks to Travis (SKnight579) and his Hawaiian shirt, turned geocaching “logbook,” we had a conversation piece and possibly even a new tradition for future after-challenge-events.

I felt welcome and a part of a community I had never celebrated with before. The weekend of April 5 was only my very first trip to Texas, but also my very first Mega-Event. I could not have asked for a better group of people to embrace geocaching with. Their hospitality and love for geocaching goes beyond everything I expected.

TXCXI Group Photo
Texas Challenge XI Group Photo

 

 

/ Eric Schudiske /

Town Grows by 15% during Geocaching Mega-Event

Kerb (middle) with geocachers BeaverC2407 (left) and BeaverC2605
Kerb (middle) with geocachers BeaverC2407 (left) and BeaverC2605

Editor’s note: Geocaching HQ staff are joining geocachers at Mega-Events around the world to celebrate and share the adventure of geocaching. Kerb Lydick,  aka KerbL , attended MOGA 2013 (GC3GN2E) in Shelbyville, Illinois, USA in April. Kerb has been a Volunteer Support Specialist and part of Groundspeak’s Volunteer Coordination and Support Team (VoCS) since 2011. This is Kerb’s account of her trip.

By Kerb Lydick –

When the theme of a Mega-Event is Cachelot-Quest for the Dragon’s Cache (see the official video). there are a wizard, knights and a sword in a stone involved, you know you’re going to have a good time.  On April 5th Midwestern geocachers streamed into the small town of  Lake Shelbyville. The population of just under 5,000 swell by more than 15% by our calculations. The bright orange lanyards round the necks of attendees could be spotted up and down main street, cross farm fields, and surrounding the 11,100 acres of Lake Shelbyville which this year celebrates it’s 50th anniversary.

Welcome to MOGA 2013
Welcome to MOGA 2013

In it’s 10th year, MOGA (Midwest Open Geocaching Adventure) was seamlessly organized Pam Rankin (Racer2814) and Tom Hankins (gossamer) and the team. I was thoroughly impressed with the level of attention their volunteer staff provided each and every geocacher from newbie to geocaching athletes and experts!  From the satellite events surrounding the geocacher competition to the awards ceremony seemed to doubled as a MOGA family reunion and celebration of this legacy event, this team of organizers were simply amazing.

Friday night BYO…Bash Before the Big Bash #7 (GC43CH7) included a costume contest, live music by Patchwork, and magic by local magician Anthony W. Stockton (king0806)

Youth costume contest winner LegoExplorer and The Sword in the Stone.
Youth costume contest winner LegoExplorer and The Sword in the Stone.

During one particularly feisty day of geocaching with local celebrity and volunteer Reviewer Jones, and we came across two of these friendly and resourceful folks. I can still hear Reviewer Jones exclaiming ‘You’re the man Phil’ after we managed to safely replace The X Bridge (GC2P5F3) with the help of BeaverC2407 and BeaverC2605 (Phil) of Oswego. That’s me in the middle in the picture at the top of the post, smiling because we were unscathed.

Indeed Sir! The trials and tribulations of ActMoritz faced to pull the Sword in the Stone cache rivaled that of King Arthur.
Indeed Sir! The trials and tribulations of ActMoritz faced to pull the Sword in the Stone cache rivaled that of King Arthur.

The Sword in the Stone was a handmade wonder (created by sixrows). It was later auctioned off at the tune of $330, proceeds donated to the local school and host of MOGA Central.  The craftsmanship and detail in this piece was inspiring to viewers who took eagerly jumped at the chance for a photo ops.

As I shared with all my fellow attendees during the event, it was perfection to spend a weekend with my two favorite groups of people, geocachers and Midwesterners.  It doesn’t get any better than that, unless Merlin shows up…which he did.

Check out this video of the MOGA Sword in the Stone Geocoin: http://vine.co/v/bt6TunMVjl3

See upcoming Mega-Events for one near you!

Special thanks to the MOGA Board of Directors – Mike Griffin (Brawny Bear), Bridget Griffin (BWAT), Tim + Pam Ueltzen (Tim, Pam + Molly), John Elfrank (L Frank), Laurie Elfrank(denmother), Steve Bromley (javapgmr).

The geocaching competition yielded over 61 teams and 46 individual competitors participated in this year’s competition. Winners are listed at the MOGA 2013 (GC3GN2E). Congratulations to all those dedicated geocaching athletes who participated in this amazing adventure.
The geocaching competition yielded over 61 teams and 46 individual competitors participated in this year’s competition. Winners are listed at the MOGA 2013 (GC3GN2E). Congratulations to all those dedicated geocaching athletes who participated in this amazing adventure.

 

/ Eric Schudiske /

Here are 9 Geocaching Tools – What Else Should You Pack?

Click on the image for the answer to all nine pieces of geocaching gear
Nine pieces of important geocaching gear

Whether you’re geocaching in a park or grabbing a T5 from a rappel, having right tools may be the difference between a smiley and a DNF. In fact, thanks to some clever geocache hiders, some geocaches may require certain tools to be found. The tools in the photo above are some of our favorites that help make geocaching easier and more fun. Here’s a look at 9 essentials for your geocaching pack (smartphone with Geocaching App and/or GPS device not included):

1) Flashlight

2) Spare batteries (occasionally used to power motors that open geocaches)

3) Camera – Don’t forget to post your photos on our Facebook page

4) Utility tool – this also includes a tweezers to remove log books from micro caches

5) Pen – often best to bring more than one

6) A log roller – use this to help re-roll logs for micro caches

7) A magnetic pen – sometimes metal geocaches hide in hard to reach locations

8) Swag – bring this along to place in geocaches after you’ve found them

9) A retractable mirror – a smart geocachers tool for looking under benches

 

geocaching gear suppli
Even more geocaching gear

The funny thing is, when you ask people at Geocaching HQ for essential geocaching gear, sometimes… okay, all the time, there’s always even more gear. So here are four more pieces of gear geocachers at HQ use out on the trail. And if you’re a shorter geocacher or just need to extend your range a little – number 1 might be perfect for you.

1) Grabber thing – it really works!

2) Headlamp – Free up your hands for searching

3) UV light – This is mostly for night caches with special UV reflectors

4) Metal poking device – Sometimes it’s a good idea to poke things before reaching in with your hands

 

In the comments below, tell us what else people should bring along while geocaching!

/ 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.

 

/ Eric Schudiske /

Geocaching Caption Contest 37 – Win a Barely Coveted Prize

Your caption here!
CuriousGeorge59 was not happy to have missed the FTF (First to Find) by seconds.

CuriousGeorge59 was not happy to have missed the FTF by seconds.

Devise your most creative caption for this picture of these two geocachers and they’re unlikely companion. You could even win a ‘barely coveted prize’ in the 37th Geocaching.com Caption Contest. This picture was originally posted on the official Geocaching.com Facebook page. Share your pics there for a chance to have your image used in a future caption contest.

One coveted, and one barely coveted prize. Win them both!
One coveted, and one barely coveted prize. Win them both!

Submit your best – most King Kong geocaching appropriate caption – by clicking on “Comments” below. Please include your Geocaching.com username in all entries. Then, explore the captions other geocachers have posted.

Try to ‘influence’ the voting process (*nudge*nudge*). “Like” the caption that you believe should take home the barely coveted prize. If you think your caption should win, convince your fellow geocachers, your friends, and family to “like” your caption. Lackeys vote from the top finalists to decide the winner of the contest.

kids geocaching
Click on the image to see the winner of this caption contest

The winner receives this month’s ‘barely coveted prize.’ The prize consists of one coveted and one barely coveted prize. Up for grabs is a rare John Grisham Geocoin, and an seldom used office pen.

Click on the image to your right to discover the winner of this Geocaching.com Caption Contest. Lackeys voted to award the winner of the 36th Geocaching.com Caption Contest a barely coveted prize. Click on the image to your right to read the winning caption of that contest.

Explore all the winning captions by checking out all the Geocaching.com Caption Contests. If you have suggestions for Geocaching.com Caption Contest photos, send a message and the image to pr@groundspeak.com.