Add one point to a geocaching list - PEP BB community.sand.geocache

May 15, 2019 21:24:56

This is a badge bit (BB) that is part of the PEP curriculum. Completing this BB is part of getting the sand badge in Community.

In this Badge Bit, you will add one point to a geocaching list. Your "point" should be a permanently waterproof container with some stuff in it. The location is to be listed on www.geocaching.com or it could be simply part of an internal private geocaching adventure for your site. (note, if you are doing this at wheaton labs, it would be private)

Here's a video on making and posting a geocache point:

A geocache must not be buried. It must be hidden in such a way that somebody that is not looking for it will not see it, but somebody that is looking for it will find it.

Most geocaches are an ammo container or some other sort of container that will be weather proof. Here are some clever geocaches:

source

source

To qualify for this badge bit, you must
- Post a picture of your geocache box/container
- Post a picture of it installed in its permanent location
- Show a screen shot of the geocache point on the website (private (blocking out private bits) or public)

Aug 28, 2019 07:02:11

I like the idea that, in time, a community might have 40 caches on their site. All private. The only people that would know about the caches are the people that are visiting the site.

Each cache would be at a point of note. And that point might have a story.

Aug 28, 2019 10:16:05

paul wheaton wrote:I like the idea that, in time, a community might have 40 caches on their site. All private. The only people that would know about the caches are the people that are visiting the site.

Each cache would be at a point of note. And that point might have a story.

The Badge Bit says,

Show a screen shot of the geocache point on the website (private (blocking out private bits) or public)

So if the geocatching was actually private, would it be listed on any website, or just put on a piece of paper or poster that people in that community could find? Or just a note at a different geocatch on the site? And then we would just take a picture of the note/paper/poster, rather than a picture of the website?

Aug 28, 2019 11:09:30

So if the geocatching was actually private, would it be listed on any website, or just put on a piece of paper or poster that people in that community could find?

A private cache could just be something on paper. Although it is possible that somebody puts in on something private and webby.

The cool thing about it being on the web is that people can possibly add fun things to the web pages. Like pics.

Nov 03, 2019 09:07:36

This is the geocache before I filled it.

This is the geocache after I filled it.

This is the geocache before I hid it,.

This is the geocache while I hid it.

This is the geocache after I hid it

.

This is the location where I hid the geocache.

This is the updated hand-drawn map that I made. I added the geocache that I hid to the map. It is located at the three-log bench by the Caldera on Basecamp. I started a [ublicwiki page for Wheaton Labs and Basecamp Geocaches!

At the bottom of this post are my screenshots.

Nov 03, 2019 09:27:22

Dave, I just wanted to say how fun it is for me to see some of the natural dyed yarn worked up into some things and then used for this cache....the scarf, looks like the cosmos dyed wool? and your hat some bodark, onion skin and weld I think?...great crocheting...love the stitches!

Nov 03, 2019 09:29:29

Geocaches aren’t supposed to be buried, so I’m going to fix this

Nicole Alderman · Nov 03, 2019 09:59:59

I fixed my hiding of the geocache. To quickly explain for BB reviewers, I am NOT using latitude or longitude, but instead a hand drawn map, because of marketing for Wheaton Labs and Basecamp. I want people to publicly know that there is a geocache to find on Basecamp, but we still want to keep the location of Wheaton Labs and Basecamp a secret (to prevent unannounced visits). Now, this post and these updated hiding photos ought to make it so that I qualify for this BB!

Once this is approved, I think I will then qualify for the Community Sand Badge!

The attached photos are of the geocache in its above ground hiding spot beneath the three log bench at the Caldera on Basecamp!

Nov 03, 2019 15:49:11

Mike Haasl · Jul 27, 2020 16:20:25

Geocaching is _yet ANOTHER_ of those things that sounded cool that I've been wanting to try out for years. Now I have!

I was planning to make a cache at Tulip Island (my front yard by the sidewalk), but another cache was too close. So I found a better place:

"All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players..."

Jul 30, 2020 20:26:52

Wow. Didn't realize permies had a geocache BB. I haven't been too active in the past few years but it's great fun & an excellent way to explore the outdoors or a city. I'll post one or more specifically for permies. Need to give it some thought first.

I'll dig up a few pics & links for some really cool ones to post here. If anyone has questions I can probably help.

For now I'll just say good tupperware type containers are much more waterproof than pickle jars. A good way to help keep it from disappearing is to leave a note inside (available via geocaching.com) or use some steel cable.

Pretty cool. Just now realized today is my 10 year anniversary of geocaching. Definitely have to go make a fun hike soon. My sights are on one that hasn't been found in a few years. About a 5 mile hike on top of a ridge near a firetower that should have an excellent view.

Jul 30, 2020 21:53:41

Hey Ash ... this one is a container like yours. Very well hidden right under people's noses. It's all in the name. You might want to watch it just for grins. I helped build many of those trails & otherwise volunteered with their greenbelt alliance for many years. I may or may not be responsible for some of the more physically challenging caches there & in the other nature areas around the general area. https://www.geocaching.com/geocache/GC32JG5

This MONSTER kicked my butt. https://www.geocaching.com/geocache/GCKGF2_monster

This one is super cool. People come from all over the world to see it. Check out the pics. The owner is a well known game software millionaire & ex astronaut & adventurer. He spared no expense or effort with it. Best way I can think of to tour Austin in a couple days. His other caches are simply amazing too. https://www.geocaching.com/geocache/GC2B034_necropolis-of-britannia-manor-iii

Here's one with a high difficulty & terrain rating. It's not that it's hard to get close to or find. It's just hard to claim. Much higher than the pic looks. With more big rocks below than it appears. Freezing water too. Whee. https://www.geocaching.com/geocache/GC3EHXK

This one hurt too. 26 miles minimum in August heat in TX. Ouch. https://www.geocaching.com/geocache/GC1VWBD_goodwater-clockwise

These are a few examples of some of the more unusual or difficult ones. There are millions more in the world. Most are simpler & easier. Almost guaranteed to be one (or thousands) near you.

Jul 30, 2020 23:09:50

Thanks for sharing those, Mike! Those look cool, especially the monster there all over Austin. I'll have to take a look at those when I'm back down in Texas again.

There's plenty by me, I'm still just getting my senses trained to find them.

gir bot · Mar 05, 2021 18:11:09

I'm not sure if this counts or not, but I was Geocaching very actively for years, I have finds over 100 finds in at least 3 states. I also have 3 listed hides, my favorite was the "mechanic's cache" which clearly said to bring a screwdriver (flathead, Philip's or even a coin would have worked) and very few people did. It was in an old breaker box literally on the ground next to the country road, and sat there for years. I also hid an urban large- an ammo can in parking lot landscaping, and taught the local scout troop to cache. MEMBER ID 1109384

gir bot · May 30, 2021 10:03:16

I added a point to the Geocaching.com list yesterday and so far two people have attempted to find it without success. It's a tricky one.

May 30, 2021 12:13:41

Looks great R. I see it's close to geocaching HQ too. Betcha there's some excellent ones nearby. Cell phone apps are close enough for many cases but not accurate enough for others. The way to adjust location on the map (without knowing accurate coords) is to edit the cache info. Tweak it a little at a time until it displays properly. I noticed one of the seekers is rather experienced & probably has a true gps. That's a good sign the posted cords are a little too far off.

edited to add ... just noticed the correction pic you posted there. WAY too far off. Gradually decrease the north coordinate until it gets much closer. Longitude looks fairly close.

Another hint to get accurate coords is to use Google Earth. Put your cursor on the location & coords will display in the lower right corner. You might need to change the default type of coords displayed by that software first.

Wanted to throw you a favorite point there but I'm out. Guess I need to go find some more to earn that perk!!! Definitely on my radar since I recently moved & it's great way to learn a new area.

Here's a screenshot of the most favorited ones near your cache. Happy hunting! If you need any assistance learning the ropes there feel free to send me a PM here.

Mike Barkley · May 30, 2021 18:16:48

I fixed the coordinates, and since it seems you are quite far away Mike, I've added one more photo for you to give you a better sense of the install location.

gir bot · Jun 16, 2021 08:47:32

This is my best geocache. When I lived in TX I did much volunteer work with the San Marcos Greenbelt Alliance. We built trails & removed invasive plants along with restoring native species. I have a lot of sweat equity in that particular nature preserve.

This particular cache is part of a series of special type of cache called a mystery cache. I used the series to mark the trail so people wouldn't get lost. Look at the full map for details of that. Signs & trail markers were eventually added. The final cache is right there, hidden very well:) I also used a special feature of some gps receivers called projections. A specific coordinate is given to start from, along with a direction & distance from there. The person looking for the cache has to determine exactly where to go based on that info. It has a high difficulty & terrain rating. It's called Purgatario for a reason. It's a rather challenging hike & it's not supposed to be easy. The logs will verify that!

gir bot · Oct 11, 2022 07:36:09

hello! I finished setting up my geocache. I also published it on the official website. So now you could find it at our local park if you want to!

gir bot · Nov 16, 2022 13:10:50

Here's my submission for my first geocache. Little simple but it'll do the trick. Next i'm planning a bigger private list, already bought the stuff for next summer. I'll have time to make it educational too.

gir bot · Jan 26, 2024 14:46:39

This is a fun one. We actually get some geocache traffic here in a pretty rural area, and our rating is good for Chipmunk's Doorstop. We moved in this place in 2020 and soon after hid a cache on our private property. Here's the cache:

https://www.geocaching.com/geocache/GC8QTME

You also want a picture of the cache itself, and a photo of it in it's hiding place:

https://jimgarlits.files.wordpress.com/2024/01/geocaching-bb.jpeg?resize=900%2C900

Top left, the cache. Top right, the dry contents. Bottom left, the hiding place uncovered. Bottom right, the hiding place covered with a piece of bark.

It's a tough little guy to find!

j

Who among you feels worthy enough to be my best friend? Test 1 is to read this tiny ad:

Learn Permaculture through a little hard work

https://wheaton-labs.com/bootcamp

Sepp Holzer Desert or Paradise Documentary