Winter Caching Games 2019-2020

The date on this event is for the windup, which is currently posted and may change depending on participation. The windup is scheduled to start at the posted coordinates on Sunday, February 23, 2020. We will gather at 4 p.m. and wrap the winner presentations by 4:30 p.m. Please Note----The time, and location are subject to change once we have a confirmed number for reservation. 

Anyone may log a will attend on this event without any participation in the "Games"

Any photos associated with a TASK have nothing to do with attending the event and are not a requirement for attending the final wind up on February 23, 2020. 

This is 90 dayish-game ending with an event. The games will be commencing on the 24^th of November at 12:00 am and ending on February 22nd at 6:00 pm..... ALL LOGS FOR ALL TASKS AND BONUS MUST BE POSTED BEFORE THIS TIME. The wrap up for the games will start the 23rd 4 p.m. at the posted coordinates in a final wind up gathering.

**New this year** -- The Games begin on November 24, 2019 but we are giving participants until December 1, 2019 to sign-up to participate!  By posting a note, initially, before the end of the day 11:59 pm December 1st that you are participating in the games, lets us know you are playing. 

Scoreboards - updated as the game goes on

Scoreboards updates will be found in the Image Gallery

The Winter Caching Games is a fun competition to get you caching.  Designed for all cachers, the objective is to complete any

fifteen (15)

 of the tasks not including the weekly bonus activities, during the 3 months that the game runs.  

Please note that this is not a race.  Tasks have higher or lower points assigned to them.  Read the Task requirements carefully and choose wisely.  You are seeking points, not completing the Games first; although there is danger in waiting too long.  Even if you don’t get the high score, a strategic approach may still result in a prize.

 In order to claim a smiley for this event, you must either: 1) Complete 15 Tasks, 2) Attend the windup event, or 3) Both. *** To clarify, you do not have to participate in the games to attend the event***

To qualify, all caches are limited to those located in Texas. 

If you are one of the prize winners, we will make every effort to accommodate pickup/delivery; however, it is ultimately your responsibility to collect your prize.

If you have questions about whether a cache is acceptable for a Task, please contact us via Geocaching Messages or email.  We will do our best to be prompt with replies, but we make no guarantee of speediness (depending on time of day and/or work schedule).  Lateral or creative thinking is encouraged for the Games, so we will make every effort to accept sideways logic. 

If we require further clarification of any claimed Tasks, we will be contacting you either via the Geocaching Messages or email.  Failure to reply within a reasonable timeframe may result in your Task being removed from the scoreboard.  We will not do this lightly, but it may happen.

Rules

Short Version

• Claim 15 Tasks in 3 months (November 24, 2019 to February 22, 2020). 

• Using the “Write Note” feature on this cache page, report your claims with Task Number, GC Code (multiple if required), including D/T rating, Points Claimed, and any Task specific requirements within 7 days of fulfilling.  

• • Some Tasks have an outright points value stated, while others are dependent on the cache found.  Some offer positive points, negative points, or the geocacher’s choice between them.  Claimed point values must be stated on the Note, and cannot be edited.

• Watch for Bonuses. 

• Photos are encouraged.  If required, it will be stated in the Task requirement.

Full Rules

1. Game runs from 12:00am Sunday, November 24, 2019 through to 11:59 pm Saturday, February 22, 2020.

2. Games participants need to register in this thread to let us know you're playing; the sooner the better.  Event attendees can register up to the day of the windup event. 

     This will also help determine where the wrap up event is held, as the venue will likely depend on crowd size.

       4. Fulfill any 15 of the Tasks listed below after the start of the Games.  To complete the Games, exactly 15 Tasks must be logged.

       5. Caches you claim for the game must be logged on www.geocaching.com during the time frame of the game.  No previous or late finds will be allowed.

       6. Tasks must be claimed within 7 days of finding the cache and before the conclusion of the Games (Task 17 is exempt from being claimed within 7 days, but must be claimed prior to the conclusion of the Games). The post must clearly state which Task is being claimed, the GC Code of the cache (multiple if necessary), the Points being Claimed, and how the cache meets the requirement (if necessary).  Post your claims as Notes on this event page.

       7. Caches found as part of these games must be published before the start of the game on November 24, 2019. Any Task that requires new cache(s) to be placed (physical or event) does not fall under this rule.

      8. Tasks that require caches to be hidden must be published prior to 11:59 pm February 22, 2020.  Please plan accordingly, and do not leave this to the last minute.  By placing a geocache as part of these Games, you agree to follow all the guidelines set out by www.geocaching.com in owning a geocache.

       9. Each Task must be claimed on a cache previously unfound by you.

      10. Each Task must be claimed against a different cache, unless the requirement states otherwise.

*****Exceptions:  The Challenge.

       11. Tasks, Bonuses, and Challenges can only be claimed once per geocaching login (single person or team of cachers).  Multiple claims against the same Task, Bonus, and/or Challenge by the same geocacher will be rejected. 

          ******Exception: If the first claim of this Task was rejected, it can be attempted again. 

     12. Once Tasks, Bonuses, and Challenges are claimed, you may not substitute another.

     13. Points vary by Task, Bonus, and Challenge; these are clearly defined below.  Some give participants a choice in point value, therefore you must clearly state the point value (including positive or negative) when you are claiming the Task. Once claimed, your point values cannot be changed.

     14. There will be multiple prizes for the players who complete the games.  All will be awarded to players who have completed 15 Tasks.  Prizes will be for Highest, Lowest, and Closest to Average.  Other prizes will likely be available, and we will update as information is available.

     15. In the event of a tie score, the earliest score will be used as the tiebreaker. 

     16. No "arm chair" caching is permitted.  You can only use caches that you found, signed the log, and logged on www.geocaching.com on the same day (or within reason).  Claiming a cache that you found months ago and just got around to logging is not permitted in the Games.  

     17. Multi-player teams would be more than 1 person using the same name, with the other members present. All members of multi-person teams must meet the qualification of the Task, and must be present when claiming the cache.  It is likely OK if the other member(s) of your team are in the vehicle.  However, if one member of your team members is in a different country or is “home with the kids”, and others are claiming caches for this game, then that is not allowed.  This rule applies to all Tasks, Bonuses, and Challenge.

***Spouses, etc., that occasionally cache with the primary geocacher are exempt from this rule. However, these individuals (let's call them Squibs for the JK Rowling fans out there!) will not be considered Muggles either. If there is any confusion, please let us know.

      18. New Tasks may be added to the list as the game goes on.

We, Team Winter Jazz, will administer the game and our decisions are final.  We reserve the right to provide clarifications to the rules at any point during the game.

Have fun!

Tasks

Tasks may only be claimed once per participating geocaching login (single player, or multi-player team).

Task 1. Bring a Muggle to an Event: 5 points (+/- plus or minus)

• Bring a muggle to an event and then log the event.  Your muggle is a person who has never gone geocaching before.  This person must not be registered on

• www.geocaching.com before the beginning of the Games.  Your cache log must indicate that you attended the event your Muggle friend, and contain a picture of the 2 of you while attending the event. 

Task 2. Help a New Hider Place a Cache: 10 points (+/- plus or minus)

• Help a geocacher that has never placed a cache before to place a new geocache.  This person must have zero hides prior to the beginning of the Games.  The hider will need to make a note in the description of the cache about who helped them place the cache.  The other geocacher does not have to be participating in the Games to qualify.  Your Task Note must contain the name of the other geocacher, the name and GC number of the new cache. 

Task 3. Group Caching: 5 points (+/- plus or minus)

• Go caching with a minimum of 3 other geocachers (minimum group size is 4).  These geocachers must have been registered on www.geocaching.com prior to the beginning of the Games.  All caching logs must reference the other geocachers.  The other geocachers do not have to be participating in the Games to qualify. Your Task Note must contain the names of the other geocachers.

Task 4. Attend an Educational Event: 5 points(+/- plus or minus)

• Attend any educational geocaching event.  Educational events include the following: 

• Geocaching 101

• GSAK Class

• How to Create an Earthcache

• How to Create a Reverse Where I Go

• How to hide a traditional cache

• How to hide a multi cache

• How to make a creative geocache hide

• Your log must indicate the GC number and name of the event! 

Task 5. Cache with a ‘Noob’: 5 points (+/- plus or minus)

• Log any physical cache with a geocacher who had less than 50 finds prior to this “team up”.  This geocacher must have been registered on www.geocaching.com prior to the beginning of the Games.  Both caching logs must reference the other geocacher.  The other geocacher does not have to be participating in the Games to qualify.  Your Task Note must contain the name of the other geocacher. 

Task 6. Mini Spelling Bee: (Highest D + Highest T) points  (+/- plus or minus)

• Find a total of 8 caches, using the first letter of the cache name to spell “LEAP YEAR”.

• Does not qualify:  Caches that start with numbers or symbols

• This Task is exempt from Rule 5's statement of claiming within 7 days of finding the cache. You can take the entire Games to spell "LEAP YEAR", but you must claim the Task prior to the conclusion of the Games. 

Task 7. Abandoned Structure Cache: (D+T) points  (+/- plus or minus)

• Log any physical cache that displays the “Abandoned Structure” icon attribute. 

Task 8. Into the Dark: (2+D+T) points (+/- plus or minus)

• Log any physical cache that displays one or both of “Night Cache” or “Recommended at Night” icon attributes. 

Task 9. Find an Earthcache (3+D+T) points  (+/- plus or minus)

• Log any Earthcache after fulfilling all of the requirements for logging that particular Earthcache. 

Task 10. Field Medic: (1+D+T) points **ON YOUR OWN CURRENT HIDE** (+/- plus or minus)

• Perform field maintenance and log any physical cache that displays the “Maintenance Required” icon attribute.  Log must describe steps taken to perform the maintenance (replacing container, replacing logbook, or restocking the swag inside).  For those playing on a team choose one team members geocache to perform this Task.

Task 11. Create a Where-I-Go (10 points), Reverse Where-I-Go (7points) or Earthcache (10 points) (+/- plus or minus)

• Create either a Where-I-Go, Reverse Where-I-Go or an Earthcache

• Your geocache must be listed at www.geocaching.com, and must be published before the end of the Games.  Points cannot be claimed until the cache is published.  Please ensure you give adequate time for the cache reviewer to publish your hide.

Task 12. Happy Anniversary: - (+/- plus or minus)

• Find up to 5 caches on their "Hidden On” anniversary, regardless of what year they were placed.

  • Example: Cache states the date it was hidden on was January 11.  Finding this cache on January 11, 2019 will qualify you for this Task. 

           ***** SCORING FOR THIS WILL BE THE D PLUS THE T FOR EACH OF THE        

           CACHES ADDED TOGETHER PLUS AN ADDITIONAL 1-5 POINTS

           DEPENDING ON THE NUMBER OF CACHES FOUND*****

Task 13. Find any Where-I-Go: (15 points) - (+/- plus or minus)

• Find and Log any Where-I-Go or Reverse Where-I-Go.

Task 14. Find a Virtual Cache: (D+T) points (+/- plus or minus)

• Find and log a Virtual Cache anywhere in Texas.  You must meet all the requirements for logging the particular cache you are claiming for this task. 

Task 15. Host a National Day of Event or place 3 National Day of themed caches of different types – 15 points (+/- plus or minus)

• Pick a National Day of something and host an event to celebrate that day.

  • Use any website reference (Include this national day of reference in your LOG) to choose a national day of.

                                                              OR

• •  Place 3 National Day of themed-caches of 3 different types for example a traditional, a puzzle and a letterbox any combination of 3 different types.

Task 16. Cache with A Geo Pet or Furbaby – 10  points (+/- plus or minus)

• Log any cache (of any type) while caching with your Geo Pet or Furbaby (or a friend’s geo pet or furbaby)

  • To clarify, the pet or furbaby must be a live being not a stuffed animal.

  • To claim this task and earn points you will need to post a picture of you and your geo pet or furbabay to the Texas Winter Caching Games Facebook page.

Task 17. Spelling Bee: Calculation: (7 + Highest D + Highest T) - (+/- plus or minus)

Find a total of 15 caches, using the first letter of the Cache Name to spell “20^th ANNIVERSARY”.  

• Does not qualify: Caches that start with Symbols;

• This Task is exempt from Rule 5's statement of claiming within 7 days of finding the cache. You can take the entire Games to spell "20^th ANNIVERSARY", but you must claim the Task prior to the conclusion of the Games. 

Task 18. Mysterious Task: 10 points (+/- plus or minus)

• Find exactly 3 Mystery/Puzzle caches during a single calendar day (midnight to midnight).  Other cache types may be found during the same calendar day, but only 3 Mystery/Puzzles can be found in order to claim this Task. 

Task 19. 10 for 10:  10 points (+/- plus or minus)

• Log 10 caches of any type hidden by the same  Cache Owner (CO).  

• None of these geocaches can be used for another task except the spelling bee tasks.

Task 20. Multicache: (2+D+T) points (+/- plus or minus)

• Log any Multicache that has a minimum of 3 steps (posted coordinates, mid-point, and final location); there can be more than 3, but not less.  There is an option to earn more points (10+D+T) if the multi has at least a minimum of 20 Favorite Points. 

Task 21. Lonely: (points depend on length of time cache has not been found) (+/- plus or minus)

• Log any physical cache that has not been found in Texas in the preceding:

180 days = 5 points.

            365 days = 7 points.

            2 years = 15 points.

            3 years = 25 points 

            4+ years= 50 points

Task 22. Fancy Dress or Costume: (5+D+T) points (+/- plus or minus)

• Log any physical cache, and post a photo of you dressed in attire which directly relates to the cache's theme.  Be creative; don’t wear normal clothes and try to make the theme fit. 

 Task 23. Host a CITO event: 15 points - (+/- plus or minus)

• Your event must be listed on www.geocaching.com, and must be published before the Games end.  Your event can take place after the Games end.

• Note: According to geocache guidelines, Event Caches should be submitted no less than two weeks before the date of the event, so please plan accordingly.  Also, please ensure you give adequate time for the cache reviewer to publish your hide. 

Task 24. Hide a Large Traditional Cache: 15 points (+/- plus or minus)

• Hide a large traditional cache.  A large container is described on Groundspeak as being “a minimum of 20L (around 5 imperial gallons)”. 

• Your geocache must be listed at www.geocaching.com, and must be published before the end of the Games.  Points cannot be claimed until the cache is published.  Please ensure you give adequate time for the cache reviewer to publish your hide.

Task 25. Make Things Mysterious: 8 points (+/- plus or minus)

• Hide a minimum of 3 Mystery/Puzzle caches.  A Mystery/Puzzle cache is described on Groundspeak as being “a geocache where the listed coordinates are not where the cache is placed”.  This could require a puzzle to be solved, a beacon to be found, etc.  Challenge caches would also meet the requirements for this Task. 

• Your geocaches must be listed at www.geocaching.com, and must be published before the end of the Games.  Points cannot be claimed until the caches are published.  Please ensure you give adequate time for the cache reviewer to publish your hides. 

Task 26. Become Friendlier: 12 points (+/- plus or minus)

• Hide a minimum of 3 caches with the attribute of “Recommended for kids” and must be a Regular sized cache.  These caches should be easily found by children regardless of location.

• Your geocaches must be listed at www.geocaching.com, and must be published before the end of the Games.  Points cannot be claimed until the caches are published.  Please ensure you give adequate time for the cache reviewer to publish your hides. 

Task 27. Find an Augmented Reality (AR) Cache: 10 points (+/- plus or minus)

• Find an augmented reality cache anywhere in Texas.  You will need to download the Metaverse app on your phone to complete the AR cache.

Task  28. All By Myself: 5 points (+/- plus or minus)

• Hide a physical cache (any type) where the next closest physical cache coordinates are a minimum of 1 mile away. 

• Your geocache must be listed at www.geocaching.com, and must be published before the end of the Games.  Points cannot be claimed until the cache is published.  Please ensure you give adequate time for the cache reviewer to publish your hide.

Task 29.  Complete an Adventure Lab: 10 points (+/- plus or minus)

            As proof of your completing the Adventure Lab post a screen shot of the Adventure Lab showing your geocaching name at the top and the completed icon with check mark on the page see Example.  If your team is claiming this task you will need to submit a screenshot of each team player completion proof. This Task may not be used in the spelling bee task.

Bonuses

There will be both Weekly and Monthly bonuses.  Any bonuses will be posted prior to the start of the active time period – We will be aiming at getting them posted the evening before.  Each participating geocaching ID may only claim each bonus once.

Weekly bonuses will be Sunday to Saturday.

 The first will start November 24, 2019.

• Weekly Bonuses will be your choice of minus (-), 0, or plus (+) points, unless otherwise noted to help you with your desired strategy in the Games!****** weekly bonuses are worth -1, 0, or +1 unless otherwise stated so track each new one as they are added*****

WEEKLY BONUS'

 Week 1 Bonus – November 24 – 30, 2019*****

What the DNF???

Avenge a DNF  points are calculated D Plus T plus the number of attributes. (+/- Points) 

for example your dnf you are avenging is a 1D 4T and has 7 attributes your points claimed will be 1+4+7=12 points total calimed in your Log for this weekly bonus.

• This bonus must be claimed prior to 11:59pm on November 30, 2019. 

•  

•  Week 2 Bonus – December 1-7, 2019*****

   

  How About That Sunset!!

   

  Sunset photos for 2 caching days at each of 2 caches. Points can be claimed for 1 Sunset at a cache as well. (+/- Points) 

  Points for the weekly bonus 5 for each photo at the cache for a maximum of 10 points.

  • This bonus must be claimed prior to 11:59pm on December 7th, 2019. 

  Week 3 Bonus – December 8-14, 2019

Single CO/ REVIEWER Day:

10 Points PLUS OR MINUS

• Find 3 caches from the same CO OR published by the same reviewer, in a single day.

• These caches must have been either been originally placed, or have since been adopted, by the same CO. You may use either the original owner or the adopted owner, but it must be clear on the cache that it was an adopted cache and which CO you are using for this task. The CO's caching name must be included in the Claim Note. EVENTS DO NOT COUNT FOR THIS WEEKS BONUS

***** caches for this week’s bonus may be published at any time, EVEN AFTER THE GAMES BEGAN…However they must be published by a CO not playing/participating in the Winter games this year.

This bonus must be claimed prior to 11:59 pm on December 14th, 2019

Week 4 –December 15th to 21st , 2019

 Post Your best “Phoon”…not a dab but a phoon!!

 -be as creative as you like… most of all have fun with it Check out the website www.phoons.com where you will find lots of photos of people phooning and some history about the phenomenon. If you’ve never phooned before, try it, take a photo, it’s fun. If you are usually shy about adding photos of yourself in your logs, don’t worry. A phoon photo does not have to be a close up. In fact, it is usually a distant shot of a landscape or a structure, with you phooning somewhere in the frame. When doing a true phoon, you shouldn’t be looking at the camera, so you can add a photo of yourself phooning and still remain completely anonymous. Pictures of people phooning usually make us all laugh, because it is such a silly thing. Add some silliness to your caching fun and ENJOY! P.S. I’ve added some photos of phooning so you can get the idea.******NEW THIS YEAR- SHADOW PHOONING is allowed. A photo of your shadow phooning will be accepted be as creative as you like. Group phooning is encouraged…. The laughing that will ensue will be sure to bring good luck for finding the harder caches this week.

Points for this bonus 3 points +/-. Extra points can be earned for each 1 person phooning in the photo submission up to 7 people.

How to do the phoon:

 1. Stand sideways to the camera. (A Phoon is always viewed from the side.)

 2. Bend your arms at the elbows. (Look like an athletic runner, not a ballerina.)

 3. Lift your rear elbow (not your hand) so that it is easy to see behind your back.

 4. Lean forward at the waist. This will help you look more energetic and will help you lift your rear ankle.

 5. When possible, do not look at the camera and do not smile.

 6. Either arm can be the rear arm. Either leg can be the rear leg.

 Your Log submission for this will be accepted at any cache find not published before the start of the games 2019 **cache events are excluded for the published before the games started rule.

 ***************Here is a sample Log:

 Week 4 Bonus for ExtraWizard (players/team name)

  Photo with log

 +3 points

 Add 4 for the 4 extra phooners for a total of

 +7 points Please.

 • This bonus must be claimed prior to 11:59 pm on December 21st , 2019

 Sharing these photos to the Texas Winter Caching Games facebook page is encouraged but not required for points

Week 5 –December 22nd to 28th , 2019

 We really like this bonus…Make a donation to the Food Bank, donate a food or a coat to those without one, an animal rescue organization or anything else you can think of. Post a note that you made some sort of contribution; elaborate in your note as you see fit. Points available for this task are 15 points plus or minus

 This week’s bonus is available for players who are traveling outside of Texas for Christmas.

 Photos not required for points but encouraged.

 Example log for reference;

 Geocachername/team claiming +15 points for donating 2 bags of kitty food to the Cats of Navaria Rescue on 11th Street Bobbalouie City.

 We cuddled the cutest white fang kitty (photo included)

 • This bonus must be claimed prior to 11:59 pm on December 28th , 2019

 Week 6 –December 29th 2019 to January 4th, 2020

 This week is a double double.

 A 200 word log on a geocache find. The double part of the challenge is that it will need to be on a cache that has at least 10 attributes. The cache cannot be published before the start of the games. The geocache find must not have been found already before the dates indicated in this week 6 bonus challenge.

 Point value for this week are 7 points plus or minus or 0 (zero)

 Example log for reference;

 /team claiming +7 points for

 These are the attributes for this cache as follows in the order listed on the geocache page:

 Sky climbing Bowling ball lifting

 Bee testing Smurf interpretation

 Bear taming Buffalo feeding

 Kid scrambling Humming bird egg hatching

 Marble rolling Knee knocking

 *** FYI these were just for fun and entertainment…. Make sure that your attributes listed are actually the 10 attributes listed to that GC.

 ***** For teamplayers each team player must also have a 200 word log on the same cache claimed for points. The GC code and attributes need only be listed in the note claiming points for this weekly bonus. Team Captains MUST make sure that their team players have logged the same cache with 200 word count log.

 • This bonus must be claimed prior to 11:59 pm SATURDAY on January 4th 2020.

 Week 7 – January 5th to January 11th, 2020

 Week 8 – January 12th to January 18th, 2020

 ***** This weekly bonus is worth 5 points per benchmark for a total possible points of 10 plus or minus points to be claimed at the time of logging.*****

 • Log 2 benchmarks...................include with your log to claim this bonus photos of your foot with each benchmark and a list of the benchmark codes for each one. In the instance that the benchmark is not a benchmark disc we recommend that you figure out some way to make the photo include something with a part of you in it.... your hand... your ear... the back of your head..... or your smile. Another idea is to use a personal trackable in each photo (minus the trackable code of course) **** In the instance of playing with a team this will indeed mean that you will have to have multiples of said smiles etc for the bonus to be claimed or a team mascot trackable or some such iconic item. Have fun with it and enjoy the fun of finding benchmarks.

 Please log the benchmarks on Benchmarks.com

 Photos are not required for logging benchmarks on the benchmark website but are helpful to future benchmark seekers/finders.

 • This bonus must be claimed prior to 11:59 pm SATURDAY on January 18th 2020.

 Week 9 &10 TOGETHER – January 19th to February 1, 2020

 Team Canada/Texas team up on hold for now.

 We will go ahead and keep this bonus over a 2 week period though as for many reasons this seems to work logistically.

 2 parts

 1st part

 About those trackables that you have in your inventory

 DROP 3 trackables over the 2 week period in 3 different caches. (only one trackable in each cache)

 a. To record your trackable DROP, post a photo with your winter games log of the non- recordable side of the trackable and the trackables name with the cache container.

 b. GC code of the cache the trackable is dropped in and a screenshot of the trackable inventory of that geocache for credit for points on your note to the winter games.

 c. Send a private message to the CO of the Texas Winter Caching Games of the trackable code for verification only. This needs to be done on the same day as you log your note for this bonus, otherwise the scorekeeper cannot give credit for points.

 Points for this bonus 5 points for each trackable up to 3 total trackables. Total possible points 15 plus or minus but you don’t have to do all 3 to earn points. If there is only 1 trackable in your inventory to drop this is fine. You may drop your own or other trackables owned by others. You may earn 5, 10 or 15 total points.

 If you are playing on a team you need not double this…. Only one player on the team need drop the trackable. Please make note of which team player had the trackable in their inventory that was used for this bonus.

 The Trackables may be dropped in NEW GEOCACHES HIDDEN AFTER THE START OF THE GAMES and is not restricted to caches hidden before the start of the games.

 If you do not have any trackables in your inventory at this time, you have 2 weeks to FIND OR ACTIVATE a new trackable to participate in this bonus.

 2nd Part

 This ties into the upcoming promotion from the Geocaching

 He along with HQ is promoting “Thank a geocache hider”

 Thank 3 geocache hiders via the geocaching messaging feature on the website or use a geocaching app that you can also take a screenshot of your message to share in the note you post to the winter games page saying why you choose this hider to Thank.

 For Team Players the hider that you thank cannot be a member of your team, even though they may be a favorite hider of yours. We would like to see that all team members have input in the thank you note sent to the hiders.

 Go to the Texas Winter Caching Games FB page to see the video from Geocaching Vlogger about this very kewl idea.

 Points of this Part 2 of the bonus are 3 points for each geocache hider thanked. A total of 9 points, either positive or negative can be earned for Part 2 of this bonus.

 Part 1 and Part 2 can be done in any order and once completed please do not hesitate to log your note on the games page for your points.

 This bonus must be claimed prior to 11:59 pm SATURDAY on Feb 1st, 2020.

 Week 11 &12 TOGETHER – February 2nd to February 16th, 2020

 Team Texas/Canada team.

 2 Options. Communicate with your Canadian Team player and choose between the Options. You

 may only choose one.

 1st Option

 Hide a 2 stage multi. One set of coordinates will be in either Canada or Texas. The final

 coordinates and hide will be in the other locale either Canada or Texas. It must be clearly

 attribute on the cache as well. This cache must publish before the end of the

 caching games final date.

 2nd Option

 Host 2 events simultaneously same date same Time and Coordinate a Facetime call (or other VideoCall available) to

 games final date.

 Points that can be earned for this bonus are 20 pts +or-.

 To claim the pts for this bonus your note to the Texas Winter Caching games will be like

 this example;

 Team Rascals claiming positive 20 pts for Options 2. Event GC8##### and Event GC8####

 This bonus must be claimed prior to 11:59 pm SATURDAY on Feb 16th, 2020.

MONTHLY BONUS

 Week 13 FINAL FUN ***** WILDLIFE*****

 – February 17th to February 22nd, 2020

 The final and last weekly bonus for this Winter games.

 Find any cache (yes excluded from Rule 7) or maintain your own cache. At any cache that you claim a smiley on or that you maintain of your own and you see wildlife take a photo to post with your log.

 Heck you can even hide a cache if you want. The only criteria is that you see wildlife near GZ. This can be even a bug…. Frog….lizard…snake…. anything. The wildlife must be clearly visible in the photo.

 Your points for this task are 5 plus or minus.

 Please log this task before NOON FEBRUARY 22ND. 12:00 PM ******NOON******. This helps us finalize the scorekeeping for the final event. Thank you so much for playing!!!! Ya’ll have done fantastic this year!!!

 Oh!!! And before we forget…… Please share your photos to the Facebook page… not required for points but certainly a great place to share after all those snow photos!!!

Monthly bonuses will be for each of the 3 months: 

• • The monthly bonus can be claimed only once per month (per participant/team)

 DECEMBER BONUS 

November 24 – December 31, 2019 (your choice of -5, 0, or +5 points)

CITO 4 GEOCACHE AREAS 

POST BEFORE AND AFTER PHOTOS TO THE TEXAS GEOCACHING WINTERGAMES FACEBOOK PAGE OF EACH GEOCACHE SITE INCLUDING THE GC CODE TO CLAIM YOUR POINTS

PLUS

LOG YOUR POINTS AND GEOCACHE INFORMATION TO THIS PAGE IN A LOG. PLEASE DO THE FACEBOOK POST AND THE LOG TO THIS PAGE ON THE SAME DAY TO CLAIM THE POINTS.

*********THE CITO CAN BE AT A GEOCACHES THAT YOU ALREADY HAVE FOUND BUT KNOW THEY NEED A CITO OR THE CITO CAN BE A GEOCACHE THAT YOU HAVE NOT FIND YET AND ARE SEARCHING FOR. GEOCACHES THAT PUBLISH AFTER THE GAMES BEGIN DO NOT QUALIFY.

You must claim this bonus by 11:59 pm on December 31, 2019.

 JANUARY BONUS January 1, 2020 (your choice of -25, 0, or +25 points)

 BINGO was his name oh!!!!

All 5 caches must have been published before the start of the games. All 5 caches must not have been found before the dates of this month’s challenge January 1 to January 31 of 2020. All geocaches must be in a line just like bingo either horizontal, vertical or diagonal and none can be lower than 2D 2T. This means no DT Lower or equal to a 2D OR 2T If you are playing on a team this bonus will be inclusive of all players. Tough but doable!! Worthy of the points for sure.

When you create your log please organize it like the example. The caches do not need to be found in order from lowest to highest DT but when you list them please list them in order from lowest to highest and include the date they were found. All caches of this months bonus must have been published BEFORE the 2019/2020 Texas Winter Caching games began.

Example Log when posting your note to claim the points will read as follows:

January Bingo was his name oh!!!

/team name claiming 25 points

HORIZONTAL LINE

GC Date found

3.5D/2.5T GCXXXXX Jan 24th

3.5D/3T GCXXXXX Jan 4th

3.5D/3.5T GCXXXXX Jan 10th

3.5D/4T GCXXXXX Jan 14th

3.5D/4.5T GCXXXXX Jan 4th

You must claim this bonus by 11:59 pm on FRIDAY, January 31, 2020

FEBRUARY Bonus Feb 1st through Feb 22,2020

X Factor:

• By definition, an X Factor is the defining property or characteristic of a given situation, or the variable on a given situation that could have the most impact. Therefore, find a cache with minimum of 6 Attributes on the cache page.

• It can be any Attributes (positive or negative), but there has to be has to be a minimum of 6 attributes on the cache page.

The Key to this challenge is that you will be finding 10 caches by 10 different CO. All with the x-factor of 6 attributes or more.

Claim the points of 1 point per cache found up to a maximum of 10 points. You may choose to find a minimum of 1 or any amount up to the maximum.

Your log claiming points will look like this:

Team Vitriol

Claiming 5 points positive for the following finds for the February Bonus

-CO is gladrabbit attributes 8

-CO is saskquatcheye attributes 10

-CO is trumpetbaby attributes 6

-CO is stuckinthemud attributes 7

-CO is flowerchild762 attributes 12

This bonus will be subject to Rule #7

This monthly bonus must be claimed before 11:59 pm the 22nd of February, 2020

CHALLENGE BONUS

• Quite strategic with some calculated risk thrown in.

• This Challenge may only be claimed once per participating geocaching login (single player, or multi-player team), and no substitutions/replacements will be allowed once claimed.

• This Challenge is exempt from Rule 9: your Challenge cache can be claimed for another Task.

• Overview:

• Log a physical cache, and receive Challenge Bonus points based on specific air temperature ranges in degrees Fahrenheit (Challenge Bonus point values can be your choice of positive or negative):

• 51 F and above: 1 point

• 41 F to 50 F: 2 points

• 31 F to 40 F: 5 points

• 21F to 30 F: 7 points

• 20 F or colder: 12 points

• This is the WINTER Caching Games after all! So biggest bonuses go to the heartiest of cachers (or the craziest!!).

ADDED TWIST FOR 2019-2020

MAKING A SNOWMAN BIGGER THAN 14 INCHES WILL GET YOU AN EXTRA 10 POINTS

MAKING A SNOW ANGEL WILL GET YOU AN EXTRA 10 POINTS (ALL TEAM MEMBERS IF PLAYING ON A TEAM)

• Please note that the temperature ranges above are referencing Air Temperature, not Wind Chill nor

• Your Challenge Note must include both:

• A screenshot of the temperature (weather app, website, thermometer, etc)

• A photo of you at the cache (try to at least pretend to look happy with us!)

POINTS CLAIMED FOR THIS CHALLENGE CAN BE PLUS OR MINUS OR ZERO

• This Challenge must be claimed within 48 hours of logging the find. No going out at 30F on December 12th, and waiting until February 28th to claim – that is the calculated risk portion of the Challenge!

• As with all Tasks and Bonuses, this Challenge can only be claimed once.