Lets gather and swap caching tales and discover and move along trackables

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The date on this event is also for the windup for the Texas Winter Caching Games. The windup is scheduled to start at the posted coordinates on Saturday, February 14, 2026.

We will gather at 11 a.m. and wrap the winner presentations by 12:30 p.m. Please Note----The time, and location are subject to change. Read below to see if you would like to participate in this Edition of the Texas Winter Caching Games. This year the games are Hosted by South Texas Team. This is 90 dayish-game ending with an event.

The games will be commencing on Saturday, November 15, 2025 at 12:00 am and ending on  Friday, February 13, 2024 at midnight..... ALL LOGS FOR ALL TASKS AND BONUS MUST BE POSTED BEFORE THIS TIME. The event wrap up for the games will start February 14, 2026, 11 a.m.

**This year** -- The Games begin on November 15, 2025 but we are giving participants until November 29, 2025 to sign-up to participate! If you want to play you can POST a NOTE to this cache page before the end of the day 11:59 pm Saturday November 29 this lets the South Texas Team that you are participating 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 14, 2026.

TASK DOCUMENTS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR PLAYERS VIA EMAIL.  They are saved as a WORD Document. 

Prize Categories

High Point Positive

Low Point Negative

Closest to Average

New this year there will be a Texas Winter Games Pathtag awarded to All Finishers of 22 tasks. 

**** KEY NOTE FOR ALL PLAYERS** 22 tasks over the entire Games period. 7 tasks MAXIMUM from the Whole Games task list

** the remaining 15 tasks choose between front half task list and back half task list (available Jan 2026) players choice.

Biweekly Bonus and Monthly Bonus are optional for all players however can be used to strategically used. The Challenge bonus is also optional.

We are extending the deadline for players to choose to play. New Deadline for all cachers who would like to play is December 5th. (post a note to the page that you would like to play)

Here are the Rules 

Rules

Short Version

• Claim a total 22 Tasks over the 3 months (November 2025 to February 13, 2025). 

• Using the “Write Note” feature on this event cache page, 
• report your claims with Task Number,
•  GC Code (multiple if required),
•  including D/T rating,
• IN THE INSTANCE THAT THERE IS A CHECKER AVAILABLE FOR THE TASK POST THE RESULTS TO YOUR NOTE
• Points Claimed,
• ***** Tasks must be claimed within 7 days of fulfilling.  

*********************************************

•        Your log will look something very similar to this:
•              Log it as a Note:
•                TASK # ( or Weekly/Monthly Bonus- include week    or month)
•          GC Code(s)
•                    DT (if require)
• CHECKER RESULTS WHERE AVAILABLE
•                    Points Claimed ( Please clarify Positive OR Negative...THERE WILL NOT BE OPPORTUNITY TO CLAIM ZERO POINTS)
•    Some Tasks have an outright points value stated, while others are dependent on the cache found.  Some offer positive points, negative points, or the geocachers choice between them. (this year there will not be tasks with a zero value as there has in past years) 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 November 15th 2025 through to 11:59 pm Friday, February 13th, 2026.

2.   Games participants need to register ** with a NOTE** to let us know you're playing; the sooner the better. 

Event attendees can log a will attend up to the day of the windup event.  

  3. Fulfill any 22 of the Tasks after the start of the Games.  To complete the Games, exactly 22 Tasks must be logged. Choose any you like between the front half and back half and WHOLE GAME task lists to account for this total of 22.

       4. Caches you claim for the game must be logged on www.geocaching.com during the time frame of the game.  No caches found previous to the start date of the games or late finds will be allowed. ALL CACHE FINDS MUST BE WITHIN THE STATE BOUNDARY OF TEXAS.

       5. Tasks must be claimed within 7 days of finding the cache and before 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.  Post your claims as a Note on this event page. New this year you may use a checker for the task and post the  checker results along with the task and points claimed. 

       6. ****Caches found as part of these games must be published before the start of the game on November 15, 2025. Any Task or weekly/monthly bonus that requires new cache(s) to be placed (physical or event) does not fall under this rule. ALL IN THE STATE OF TEXAS

      7. Tasks that require caches to be hidden must be published prior to 11:59 pm Jan 2nd, 2026 FOR THE FRONT HALF TIME FRAME and in the BACK HALF TIME FRAME prior to 11:59 pm Feb 13th, 2026 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.

       8. Each Task must be claimed on a cache previously unfound by you or any player on your team.

      9. Each Task must be claimed against a different cache, unless the requirement states otherwise. For example claiming points for a Large cache find cannot be used for any other Task.

*****Exceptions:  The Challenge.

       10. 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 or team will not be allowed.

          ******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 or zero where available.) when you are claiming the Task. Once claimed, your point values cannot be changed.

     14. There will be multiple prizes available for the players who complete the games.  All will be awarded to players who have completed 22 Tasks.  See previously mentioned prizes categories.

     15. In the event of a tie score, the earliest score will be used as the tiebreaker. This has happened once in the 8 years of the games. Early logging tasks became an advantage…. In this case it was a time stamp difference on the emails on the logs submitted of 20 minutes. ** no pressure…lol

     16. No "arm chair" caching is permitted.  You can only use caches that you/your team 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. *** CONTINUING this year. Front Half Tasks and Back Half Tasks. The former are available from Day one of the games start date and will go away giving way to the new Back Half Tasks. Please plan on completing any of the Front Half Tasks by January 2nd  before the Back Half Tasks are made available.

19. BiWeekly Bonus Tasks will be posted either Sunday Evening or Monday of the new week. Monthly Bonus Tasks will be posted on the schedule posted in this description

We, South Texas Team, 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.

****Most of ALL Have fun!

HERE IS THE SCHEDULE FOR THE GAME.

Front Half Tasks dates
Nov 15-Jan 2

TASKS available via email as a WORD document when you post a note that you intend to play
Back Half Tasks dates
Jan 3- Feb 13
Whole games Tasks dates
Nov 15- Feb 13

TASKS available via email as a WORD document when you post a note that you intend to play


Biweekly bonus dates
 Nov 15 Nov 28

Find and qualify for 5 Challenge caches

OR

Hide 2 Challenge caches

Here is the link for the guidelines for this activity.

https://www.geocaching.com/help/index.php?pg=kb.chapter&id=127&pgid=206
 

POINTS AVAILABLE 10 points plus or minus no zero

2 Nov 29 Dec 12

Complete 3 singular treasures.

Geocaching is currently running a treasures activity that allows you to find caches with different criteria depending on the series of treasures. This biweekly bonus is completely optional. If you choose to do it simply find a cache that fulfills any treasure in any Treasure series. Proof of your fulfilling this is a screenshot of the treasure that you earned that states which cache you found to earn it. Here is a screenshot image that shows thewildroseoftexas earned this treasure with THE NAME OF THE CACHE AND THE DATE. tHE DATE EARNED WILL NEED TO FALL BETWEEN THE DATES OF THIS BONUS. The treasures you earn do not have to be from the same series.

Point value for this  bonus is 9 points.

Your log to claim this bonus will have 3 screenshots and will state the gc of each cache you found.

GC2ZQ9Z

***THE DATE ON THIS SCREENSHOT IS NOT A QUALIFYING DATE FOR THIS BONUS. THIS IS ONLY AN EXAMPLE FOR THE PURPOSES OF DEMONSTRATING THE BONUS.

3 Dec 13 Dec 26

It’s a Scavenger hunt. Non cache related

3 different snowmen

2  different snowflakes

1 gingerbread man

5 different Santa’s

4 different holiday lights

POST PHOTOS TO YOUR LOG FOR POINTS CLAIMED

POINTS FOR THIS BIWEEKLY

** You may choose  any number of the scavenger hunt items

for example all santas. or all snowflakes. or snowflakes, santas and a gingerbreadman. 

Your choice of Points to claim (plus or minus no zero)

2 photos= 5 points

5 photos= 7 points

10 photos= 9 points

15 photos= 15 points

4th Biweekly Bonus

Dec 27 Jan 9

Find any 2 caches, any type or size with a total DT when added together equal 5 or higher.

For Example; D1T4 or D1.5T3.5 both these combinations equal 5. Also if you find a cache that is a D2 4T this also qualifies since the total is 6 which is higher than 5. There are many combinations that will qualify we hope you have fun with this one.

POINTS 8 plus minus no zero

5th Biweekly Bonus

 Jan 10 Jan 23

2 choices... please pick 1

A.   Hide a cache that is a non trad that celebrates one of the current active players. South Team will draw a name from a hat for you. Notify them through the cache page to let you know what geonick you will celebrate (this avoids duplicates)

OR

 B.     Find a non-traditional cache that has 1 favorite point. This cache can be placed after the start of the games but needs to have been published prior to the start of the back half tasks Jan 3.

Point value for this biweekly bonus

IT is worth 11.3 points plus or minus IF CHOOOSING A

 IT is worth 7.3 points plus or minus IF CHOOSING B

6 Jan 24 Feb 6 end

Monthly Bonus Dates
 Nov 15- Dec 14

Avenge the DNF

It can be last week or last year or 4 years ago. In your note claiming points state your experience of the DNF at that time. You must post a photo of the current log with the previous finders ink on the log to claim this task. If the cache owner has posted a maintenance log prior to the game beginning date of Nov 15 the avenging a DNF log photo will also count. 

POINTS AVAILABLE 5 points plus or minus no zero

2 Dec 15 Jan 16

Cachers always give back when they cache.

CITO EXTRAVAGANZA 

3 PARTS FOR POINTS ** earn an extra 1.5 Points if you choose to complete all 3 parts. Of course as always this bonus is optional and not required to be a finisher.

Part A

Cito. 3 caches that you have not found.

Points 6 Points plus or minus 

Part B

Cito 2 of your own caches as cache maintenance 

Points 4 Points plus or minus 

Parts C

Cito 2 new hides ** wait to post Points and photos til after ftf

Points 8 Points plus or minus 

**Choose any or all for Points. You can choose to do one or two or all 3 parts. Once complete please state the gc codes for each plus photos of cito at each cache GZ. Minimum 1 grocery bag of trash per cache site please let's prove we are amazing stewards when we geocache.

3 Jan 17 Feb 12 THURSDAY

2025-2026 

10th Annual Texas Winter Caching Games

RETURNING TO THE GAME THIS YEAR IS THE **CHALLENGE BONUS**

CHALLENGE BONUS

• Quite strategic with some calculated risk thrown in. This runs through the entire length of the games from the 1st when it starts to the final day for completing tasks.

• This Challenge may only be claimed once per single player 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: 4 point

• 41 F to 50 F: 5 points

• 31 F to 40 F:  6 points

• 22 F to 30 F:  7 points

• 21F or colder: 8 points

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

HERES THE TWIST

MAKING A SNOWMAN BIGGER THAN 24 INCHES WILL GET YOU AN EXTRA 5 POINTS ADD 1 POINT IF A FRIEND IS IN THE PHOTO WITH YOU AND YOUR CREATION

MAKING A SNOW ANGEL WILL GET YOU AN EXTRA 8 POINTS ADD 2 POINTS IF YOU AND A FRIEND DO IT TOGETHER (photo proof needed)

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

• 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 

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

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