Creative Containers

It’s always a joy to find a geocache, but sometimes the container can become repetitive or ordinary. When I discover a geocache in a unique container, the experience becomes more memorable instantly. They are the kind of finds that I like to tell my friends and family about and I love when I find them unexpectedly. Creative containers don’t have to be complex and difficult to hide. Today I’ll share with you some creative ideas for creating containers at home, or where you can pick one up for cheap.

Creatively Camouflaged

Rock geocache container

I found this creative cache container at my local REI store, and I think it is the perfect container for those who are looking for a container that is both sturdy and unique. I hid one myself and it has lasted through heavy weather conditions. It blends in perfectly with most environments and is a fun treat to find!

Do-It-Yourself

Log Geocache

If you don’t have the cash to buy a cache, you can easily make one at home! Just drill a hole into anything you think would make a good container (does it blend in well with the environment? will it protect the log from storms?) and seal it up! That’s it!

Want to see the most creative cache I’ve found so far?

I found this one when I was visiting family in Tampa, FL. The GPS took me to an old shed located next to a baseball field. The size of the container was not specified the hint was “not a glue.” As I was searching near an electrical box, I noticed a pipe coming from the ground with a gardening hose attached. I pulled the pipe right up from the ground and found the cache inside. So clever!

Do you make and hide creative caches? What is the most creative cache you have found? Leave a comment and let me know!

Recent Finds

I’ve been trying to catch up on my geocaching before it gets too hot to be away from the AC for more than five minutes. Here’s what I’ve found in the last few weeks:

This cache was in a beautiful area. The title was “Power Point” (GC31T0Q) and it was, you guessed it, stuck to an electrical box. I definitely had to spend a little time looking for it, though. All in all, it was a blast!

Next up:

This one (GCA4T4) was so much fun. It was located in a little park that I never knew existed. It was just your average container, but I really had fun searching for it. I was riding my bike with family and when I checked for nearby caches…voila! It was 300 feet away (Don’t you love when that happens?)

I loved this one:

This was within walking distance from my house, so I decided to bike to the spot during sunset. SG1 (GC2E459) was the perfect combination of business and pleasure. It was definitely not easy to find, but it was so exciting to find it in an untraditional spot. I really enjoyed it.

Lastly,

This was the tiniest geocache I’ve ever seen! It didn’t even have a container. The log was simply hidden in a bolt of a street sign. It’s named “Get Outside #3″ (GC2ERMJ) and I definitely needed to pull out my tweezers for this one!

I’d like to know….

What geocaches have you found lately? What type of geocache is your favorite to find? Write a comment and let me know!

Happy Caching!

 

What would YOU like to see on College Cacher?

Hey everybody!

I realize that I have not been keeping up with this blog as much as I would like to. I thoroughly enjoy writing to everyone who has the same passion for caching as I do and I want this to be a place where cachers all over the world can communicate about all things geocaching.

In the following weeks, I will continue to update more often, but I really want to know what you would like to see from this blog.

Would you like to see more geocaches that I find? More tips and advice for geocaching? Maybe a video of me geocaching? Please comment and let me know.

Have a great day and happy caching!

Geocaching Newbies

I found this video on the official geocaching blog and it really tied into what I was talking about in my last post. Introducing the hobby of geocaching to a friend or family member can be a fulfilling experience. Explaining what geocaching is all about is definitely not as rewarding or fun than getting out and showing them instead.

Even experienced geocachers who have found thousands of caches were still a newbie at one point. However, over time, geocachers can slowly gain vital experience through their previous adventures to find out what types of geocaches work and which ones do not. These experiences can lead to a more pleasant geocaching adventure.

So, whether you’re still anticipating your first GPS-enabled treasure hunt or you’ve been caching for years, there’s still a thrill to seek for everyone.

 

What do you think? Do you plan on introducing someone to geocaching? Have you done so already? Leave a comment and let me know!

Sharing the Experience

When I told a good friend of mine about geocaching, she thought I was crazy. “There are over one million hidden containers in the world? And there is one nearby us right now?” she asked. I had to prove to her that this hobby is real. I turned on my geocaching app on my phone, and found one that was located about two-thousand feet away from where we were standing. Suddenly, we jumped out of our seats and headed outside to find the prize. She also insisted on wearing a head lamp.

We hopped on the Light Rail and got off on the next stop. After we searched the surrounding area for a few minutes, I zoned in on this little geocache, named Stick’em Up (GC1MH33).

My friend was so shocked to see how many people have found this cache previously. She had absolutely no idea that a hobby like this existed. Once we signed the log, we headed back and logged our experience on geocaching.com. It was really special to share my new found hobby with a friend and have someone to go on future geocaching adventures with.

Who do you take on geocaching adventures with? Leave a comment below, I’d love to hear your response!

The Little Things

With final exams and projects slowly approaching, I decided I needed a little geocaching “TLC” to brighten my day. After realizing I haven’t been on a geocaching excursion in a while, I decided to track one down not too far from Arizona State University on the Tempe Campus. When I turned on my GPS, I discovered I was only 500 feet from a geocache – and I zeroed in on it shortly after!

This cache, (GC21FWF) creatively named “Get Your Daley Drink”, is located in a busy Tempe park named Daley Park. It was fairly easy to find and I spotted it from several feet away. I grabbed the cache, took it over to the nearest park bench, and examined the items stashed inside.

An official geocaching pencil, a marble, a dice dradle, a donkey travel bug, and a smiley face coin graced me with their presence when I opened up the cache. However, the most important element I found was the log book. I signed it, dated it, and put it back in the container. Although it doesn’t seem like a big deal, finding a simple treasure in the midst of my busy day allows me to unwind and realize how the little things make an important impact on my life.

How do you unwind after a stressful day? I’d love to hear from you!

Geocaching Essentials

Plan on spending the entire day geocaching? You might need more than a GPS to have a successful trip. It can be a rough experience being outside all day in the sun, jumping from rock to rock, or climbing over tough terrain. I know there have been many occasions when I was geocaching and I did not enjoy my adventure because I forgot to bring an important tool or article of clothing with me. Geocaching can be dangerous if you’re not prepared.

Shoes, Hat, First Aid, Tweezers, Pen, Watch, Water Bottle, Sunglasses, Flashlight, Sunblock, Backpack

A backpack to carry all of your items is vital. I chose this backpack because it is large enough to hold multiple items and it appropriately blends in with nature. It also has many side pockets which makes it easier to organize your belongings.

Staying out of the sun is important for your skin and your overall health. Your body will thank you later in life when you wear a hat with a visor (shown above) and plenty of sunscreen. Apply the sunscreen multiple times during the day so you’ll stay protected and skin cancer free! Sunglasses are a plus if you need some extra protection.

Heavy duty sneakers or boots are essential if you plan on exploring outdoors. Shoes with arch support will support your back after a long day of bending and climbing. And speaking of climbing – bringing a first aid kit with you in case you fall and hurt yourself can come in handy. It’s always better to be safe than sorry!

Some other bonus essentials include a flashlight in case it gets dark sooner than you expected, a pen to sign the logbooks inside the geocaches, tweezers for extracting geocaches from difficult to reach areas, and a watch to keep track of time.

Last but certainly not least – drink plenty of water! Water will hydrate your body so you can have the energy to be outside all day and not feel dehydrated.

Geocaching with a friend is the safest way to explore, but if you decide to go alone, always tell someone where you are going and bring a cell phone in case of an emergency.

What are your geocaching essentials? Leave a comment and let me know!

 

Under Your Nose

Admit it: We’ve all searched for geocaches high and low and cannot seem to close the find. Finally, you zero in on the cache and say to yourself, “Why didn’t I look there in the first place?”

Don’t fret! There are some precautions you can take to to assure yourself that you are looking in the right location.

1. If possible, do not rely on only one GPS device. If you have two or three GPS-enabled devices, they will all give you a better estimate on where the geocache is hiding. Remember, GPS devices are more accurate when you are in motion (walking, bicycling, etc.). If you stand still and stare at the screen, you’ll find your compass jumping in different directions. Nowadays, many smart phone devices provide applications for geocaching, which can be helpful if your GPS is not cooperating.
2. Pretend you are the hider. If you were the cache owner, where would you hide it? Often times, you’d be surprised how obvious this might be. If you stop and look at the surrounding area, look for a clue that might be suspicious. This might be a pile of rocks, a small path of footprints, or a point of reference in a prominent area.
3. Communicate with previous finders. If you know you will be looking for a difficult cache, it might be beneficial to talk to geocachers who have already located the cache. They don’t have to spoil the fun, but they can provide some insightful hints to help you find it.

Still can’t find it?

If you were unable to locate the geocache, there is a possibility it may have disappeared. It is important to notify the owner on the cache website if you did not find the cache because it will help the owner decide if they need to go check on it and replace it if needed.

I’m curious, though. Do you log a ‘Did Not Find’ on the website if you couldn’t locate it?

Happy Caching!

The Thrill of the Hunt

A geocache in Butler, PA

Geocaches are everywhere. We probably walk by them everyday without even knowing they exist. In my opinion, they serve one important purpose: To stop and realize the little things in life.

When I go geocaching, there are a few things I keep in mind:

1. Don’t look obvious. Wandering around aimlessly with a GPS in front of your face can make you look suspicious to non-geocachers (aka “Muggles”). If you’re searching in a high-populated area, you must be stealthy and act natural.

2. It’s not about what you find. The trinkets and logbook that are stashed inside a geocache are fun to look at, but that’s not the reason I enjoy geocaching. It’s about the thrill of hunting for buried treasure, and the satisfaction of the find.

3. Relax and enjoy your surroundings. Geocaching is meant to share beautiful,scenic views with others who want to experience your favorite places. After finding the cache you’ve worked hard to find, take a moment to look around and enjoy the destination.

A geocache in Butler, PA

New to Geocaching?

Here are some things you’ll need:

• A pen or pencil to sign logbooks
• Sneakers
• Plenty of water
• Trade items to leave inside a geocache

That’s it! So what are you waiting for? Get outside and start exploring!

What do you think?

What items do you bring when you go geocaching? Leave a comment and let me know!

What is Geocaching?

Geocaching, as defined by Wikipedia, is an outdoor activity in which the participants use a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver or other navigational techniques to discover containers, called “geocaches” or “caches”, anywhere in the world.

There are over 1 million hidden geocaches in the world, just waiting to be found. To start geocaching, just go to the Official Geocaching Website, create a free basic membership, and then click on the “Hide & Seek A Cache” tab. From there, you can look up the nearest caches by entering a zip code, address, or latitude/longitude coordinates. Once you discover a cache you want to find, grab your GPS and head outside!

Geocaching can range from an easy “park and grab”, to a difficult hike or climb. But don’t sweat! Every geocache is rated by difficulty and terrain on the website.

Once you find a geocache container, sign the log book and admire the goodies and trade items that are stashed inside.

The rules are simple:

• If you take an item from a geocache, please leave something in return for the next geocacher to find
• Return the geocache to its original hiding place
• Log your experience at geocaching.com

Here’s a video to sum it all up:

Geocaching is a rewarding experience and is an unusual way to explore your community, discover beautiful scenic views, and travel outdoors. Happy Caching!

What do you think?

Have you ever been geocaching before? How did you first hear about geocaching? Leave a comment and let me know!