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On our geocaching podcast today, we have some beginner tips on how to hide a geocache, a story of cache maintenance failure, a city event called “Hello Lamp Post”, a different kind of travel bug question, News from the Northwest, psychic GPS in the news and much more.
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Links mentioned in the show
Brain compass implant gives blind rats psychic GPS
The Spindoc Bob Memorial Geocoin
Bubbenhall - Avon Calling - in the UK
SXSW website
Hello Lamp Post Austin
Moustache Trackable Decal - At Cache-Advance (listen to show for discount code)
Cache Crate Subscription Service by Cache-Advance
Geowoodstock XIII
PodCacher GW13 Experience BUNDLE - reserve YOURS today!
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NEW CONTEST: Win a Pi Day Geocoin
WWFM XII Bookmark List
Official World-Wide Flash Mob Geocaching Event Website
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First thing I thought of when I saw the title (besides the obvious) was the 59th Street Bridge Song by Simon and Garfunkel.
Love that song!
So do I
Here’s my geocache hiding tip: When hiding a 1.0 – 2.0 difficulty cache, consider leaving a hint, even if it is painfully obvious. These types of caches often show up as “newbie friendly” and what seems obvious to the hider may not be obvious to newer cachers (or sometimes even veterans!) Also, it helps avoid situations when a cache goes missing and the cacher searches the obvious spot (where the cache had been) and it isn’t there, but they keep searching for a long time since it should be “easy.”
That’s a good tip George!
I also couldn’t find my own geocache a few times when I was doing maintenance. I did end up finding then though and made sure to take pictures of the hiding spot so I could find it again in the future. Thanks for the tips!
Glad it’s not just only us!
I like the hint tip mentioned by Limax. Especially in urban settings when you have no other choice than hit and grab. On such places a good hint helps against a cache rip.
You are not crazy Sonny. This is the site with the red states. http://douweosinga.com/projects/visited?region=usa
Thanks, Mike. Would hate to have Sonny think he’s crazy!!
I remember the red states too, and definitely NEVER visited douweosinga.com. I really do believe it was geocaching.com at some point in the past, but could have been cacherstats.com.
Or it could have been http://www.mygeocachingprofile.com.
Another great podcast just like always. Thanks for making the Monday drive more tolerable.
You’re very welcome. Glad we can help the commute!
Great show once again. A tip for hiding a great geocache is to think about what you would like to find. More often than not, chances are that others will like it too.
Nice tip, thanks!
Great tips for newbie hiders! I remember my first hidden cache. There were so much problems with it! I was changing the place, the container and the hint several times due to a comments that was rather critical. Now, the cache has been active for almost 2 years and was found 93 times. I’m not very proud of it but I really appreciate what I learned from the whole process of improving that cache. So my tip for hiders is: read the comments and listen to those who find your cache!
Very good point. There is always room for improvement and ways to learn!
In regards to finding your own caches while trying to do maintenance. When Evil Ninja cache was 1st published I was FTF on it. It was a evil hide but was able to come up with it in a few minutes. I got lucky and knew it. Other finders didn’t have the same success. I have since adopted, but before I did the cache owner had moved it to another spot. One day I went to do maintenance on it and I was couldn’t find it. I contacted original CO and he told me where to look. Nothing there. I landed up placing another CC in a similar hiding spot. I search even more just in case. Didn’t find it. So I went on my way. A few weeks ago I went to check on it after a DNF or 2 and well because of all the different spots I couldn’t remember where I placed it. I search for 30 minutes and couldn’t find it. So I placed another CC but this time I took photos and placed cache notes on it for myself. I think I have more DNF on it than anyone else.
Keep on caching
Glad to know we aren’t the only ones!!
The lamp post is nice to talk to, but beware of the bench. He’s pretty rude after you sit on him.
yes! I’ve DNF’d my own geocache! Actually, I ended up finding it but I spend WAY more time finding it…I’ve only found 600 and hid 100 so I am a newbie still…
Yep, glad to know we’re not alone!
Another great show, thanks for all the advice!
It can be difficult to find a place that is meaningful to you. At least in my area, someone else has already claimed that spot as their own. Geocaches around here don’t get archived too often (which can be a good thing), so you might be limited to a bison hanging on a fence.
That’s very true, especially in cache-congested locations. It can be challenging to find a “good” spot!
A tip for hiding? When you’re not sure about your hide idea, you can always ask a friend to beta test. If you have an questions about how a cache will be received, rated, found, or solved there is no shame in getting a second pair of eyes. Most cachers are more than happy to help you out, they just want to see more awesome caches being hidden. Give them a little thank you for being your beta in the cache listing and maybe a small token of thanks for their time.
Awesome tip! Beta-testing is a great idea.
Thanks for another great show! I found your tips on hiding geocaches very helpful. I have not hidden any yet, but plan to soon.
Awesome! Good luck with your first cache hide, and let us know when it is ready to go so we can celebrate the milestone with you!
Hello Lamp Post sounds amazing! Wish they would bring it to my town too!
I always look forward to Podcacher each week. Thanks for another great podcast!
Great show guys!
A tip from me would be to not hide a cache just for the sake of hiding a cache. And be mindful of mother nature! If you are hiding a cache for the sake of hiding a cache, don’t hide it in a way that hurts the area when cachers come rushing in to make the find.
Great reminder – thanks!
Hoping to be randomly chosen for the pi Day Geocoin. I’ve been geocaching for almost 10 years now, and haven’t placed my first cache yet. Paralysis by analysis I suppose. I’ll have to jump in and place one even if it isn’t the best, just to get me started.
Just remember to enter the Pi Day Geocoin contest here: http://j.mp/1zExcws The winner won’t be chosen from comments this time. Good luck!
I agree that sometimes so many of the “good” locations can be taken and so as compensation for a fence hide, I like to make interesting challenge caches to give people something to work for. I was glad to be able to place the 360 degree challenge for Minnesota (with many thanks to project-gc).
Yep, a challenge cache is a great idea when the location may not be super interesting.
I am behind listening to the podcasts, but since listening to it this morning, thought I throw out a couple of suggestions for the new cache hider.
1. I use a program for the smart phone called GPS Averaging (both for IOS and Android) it will take multiple readings and do the averaging for you.. It does help to walk a round a bit. You can save/share the results in multiple ways, that all include links to different mapping apps/programs.
2. I have an EVERNOTE account just for my hides. I take videos of the hiding place, pictures of the cache container, initial swag included, and the link from GPS Averaging that shows the location on google earth (or whatever map you choose).. Once the cache is posted, I include a screen shot and link.. (screen shot is totally not necessary lol, but it just makes the note look cool!) Of course set your note/folder to private lol…
as always, love your show!
oceansoul41
Rockport Texas
Great tips – thanks!!