Top 18 Geocaching Types

Top 18 Geocaching Types

Today's post is going to break down all the different kinds of Geocache out there for you to find. With the popularity of the game, you cannot expect a one cache fits all kind of game. When I first started Geocaching and looked at the diversity of the map and everything you can find it got a little overwhelming, I had no idea what cache to look for. With time you will become a pro at all the caches you will stumble on. For today, let's break them all down so you can be aware of the different kinds of geocaches before selecting one to find for yourself. 

Traditional Cache / Summer 2017
Photo Credit: Jessie C
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1. Traditional Caches: The traditional cache will be the most original cache you will set out to find. The basic items you will find in the container will be at least a log book and pencil. Normally these items are hidden inside a plastic container, ammo box or a bucket filled with goodies. Be sure to bring pen or pencil in case these caches are too small to hold one inside you will come prepared to sign the log book. I've hiked to a few and realized once there it was a trip back to the car to pick up the pencil, we learn from our mistakes hehe. The coordinates that will be located on the geocaching page are the exact coordinates to where the cache is hidden. 

2. Multi-Cache: This cache stands for multiple caches. You would most likely need to travel to more than one location with more than one cache being found, the final location would hold the home of the Geocache. I've seen many different kinds of multi-caches, however, most times the first Geocache will hold hints to find the second Geocache and so on and so forth until they have all been found and you reach the final location. The posted coordinates are usually to the first geocache that will set you off on your adventure in finding all the other caches to the multi-cache. The final cache will hold your logbook with sometimes some goodies inside. Let's see the stages of a Multi-Cache;

 - Find a container or object that provides the coordinates

 - Use a given formula to convert information to coordinate or clues

 - Count objects at the location

 -Solve a simple math equation

 - Solve a simple cipher ( ex: A=1,B=2 )

 - Answer multiple choice questions about something at the location

 - Solve a simple field puzzle

 - Follow a projection starting from coordinates in the field

3. Mystery Or Puzzle Caches: These caches are a lot of fun to solve and decode to get access to the logbook. These caches can involve complicated puzzles that will require being solved in order to find the coordinates. You may also need to perform some task at the cache location or taking photographs. Be sure to read the entire descriptions to see what the Cache owner is looking for in order to find the Geocache. There are some mystery caches that you will need to write an online log in a format or with content that satisfies the cache requirements. Due to the creativity of each Geocacher, this has become the staging ground for new and unique challenges. 

Puzzle Cache / Required finding the correct words in order to get access to
the combination that opened the container holding the logbook / Autumn 2017
Photo Credit: Jessie C
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4. Letterbox Hybrid: A letterbox cache is another form of Geocache you may encounter in finding someday down the road, this cache is a little different. Instead of using coordinates to locate the cache it uses clues to get to a specific location. In some cases, the letterbox cache may have a coordinate with clues along with them as the cache owner decided to combine a letterbox cache with a traditional cache. These caches are an older sort of geocache out there, you don't see them too often but they are fun to solve. The reasoning behind letterbox caches is because back in 1854 before the GPS existed, the finder followed written instructions to discover the container. Each letterbox should contain a logbook and a rubber stamp. When a letterboxer finds the cache they must stamp the logbook with their personal stamp, and also stamp their personal notebook with the stamp they find in the container as a souvenir of their visit. The stamp remains in the container with the logbook for another letterboxer to find. 

5. EarthCache: An EarthCache is a special place that people can visit to learn about a unique geoscience feature or aspect of our Earth. EarthCaches include a set of educational notes and details about where to find the location. People that visit an EarthCache can see how our planet has shaped by the geological process, how we manage the resources and how scientist gather evidence to learn about the earth. Did you know that the Geological Society of America administers the listing of EarthCaches sites around the world on Geocaching.com

6. Event Cache: Event Caches are really fun to attend. We have attended a few and loved the experience. It's usually a gathering or local cachers or geocaching organization. If you checked the event cache page it will specify a time for the event and you will be provided with coordinates to its location. After the event has ended the event is archived. 

7. Cache In Trash Out Event (CITO): This environmental initiative is supported by the Geocaching community. We got to experience this very fun experience recently during the Summer of 2017. We cleaned out the local park with a group of other Geocachers, we had a lot of fun. The main goal of this program is to clean up and preserve the natural areas that we enjoy while geocaching. These events are larger gatherings of geocachers that focus on litter clean-up, removal of invasive species, they help plant trees, vegetation and trail building. 

Geo kids helping out with the trash in trash out event! We had a lot of fun !!
Photo Credit: Jessie C
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8. Mega-Event Cache: A Mega-Event Cache is an event that is held by over 500+ people. Many of the Mega-Events will offer the Geocachers a day full of activities. There are often several days of additional activities surrounding a Mega-Event. These large events attract Geocachers from all over the world and they are often one held each year. 

9. Giga-Event Cache: This one would be one of the rarest geocaching types out there. A Giga-Event is an event that is attended by over 5000+ people. These events are similar to the Mega-Event and may include activities also. It could last several days and are usually held annually. Since these events are so rare they attract many Geocachers around the world. 

10. Wherigo Cache: Wherigo is a tool for creating and playing GPS-enable adventures in the real world. By entering a Wherigo cartridge, with finding a geocache, the geocaching experience can be something entirely different than experienced before. Among other uses, Wherigo allows geocachers to interact with physical and virtual elements such as objects or characters while still finding a physical geocache container. You will need a Wherigo enable-GPS device in order to play this game and experience its adventure. 

11. Geocaching HQ Geocache: This Geocaching is located in Seattle, Washington. Geocachers that are interested in visiting the Geocaching HQ to log the geocache should make an appointment 48 hours before their planned visit to hqvisit@geocaching.com  

12. GPS Adventures Maze Exhibit: A find of this kind would mean you attended the GPS Adventure Maze Exhibit or a regional variation. GPS Adventure Mazes are designed to teach people of all ages about the GPS technology and geocaching through interactive science experience. 

13. Lab Caches: A lab cache is an experimental and extremely rare geocaching type. These geocaches are a way for Geocaching HQ to use innovative and test new ideas to make geocaching even better. By finding a lab geocache you're helping shape the future of geocaching. 

There are some " Grandfathered" caches which are types of geocaches that are still available for finding, however, we cannot hide anymore of these kinds. The reason why some have been grandfathered varies with the geocache. 

14. Virtual Cache: A virtual cache is all about finding a specific location rather than finding a cache container. The way you log a virtual cache varies depending on the cache owner. You may be required to answer a question about the location, take a picture, complete a task etc. Either way, you must visit the location in order to log this kind of geocache. Many of these locations are very interested to see and should stand out enough to make a Geocacher want to travel to its destination. Virtual caches are considered waymarks on waymarking.com

15. Webcam Cache: These Geocaches use existing web cameras that monitor various areas like parks or business complexes. The idea of this would be to get yourself in front of the camera and save a screen capture from the website where the camera is displayed in order to log a find. New webcam geocaches can be found in the web camera category on waymarking.com

16. Project A.P.E. Cache: In 2011, fourteen geocaches were placed in conjunction with 20th Century Fox to support the movie Planet Of The Apes. Each geocache represented a fictional story in which scientist revealed an Alternative Primate Evolution ( A.P.E ). These geocaches were made using specially ammo containers and contained an original prop from the movie. There are only a few of these original caches that exist today. I can only imagine how many people went stealing the prop. It's even hard to keep a traditional cache standing for a while without a muggler stealing it. 

17. 10 Years! Event Cache: This is a 10 Year Event cache that was specially made for the event held on April 30 - May 30, 2010, to celebrate 10 years of Geocaching. 

18. Locationless (Reversed) Cache: A locationless cache could be looked at as being the opposite of a traditional cache. Instead of finding a hidden container, you locate a specific object and log its coordinates. New locationless geocaches are now in waymarks. 

As Geocaching gains its popularity as an activity, new variations of geocaches are being created. At the same time, some caches are no longer being created but remain hidden and active on geocaching.com to be found. These would include virtual caches, where the location is to find a place rather than a container, and webcam caches that use existing webcams around the world to log a visit. These types of caches help develop a new activity called "Waymarking" which we will talk about in a future blog post. 

* Happy Caching * 😊