Geocaching Part 4: If You Hide It; They Will Come
Part 4 of the Geocaching Series
by Kari Frisch
Geocaching relies on two main facts—people will hide a cache and people will find the cache—it is a symbiotic relationship. So it goes that when a person hides a cache, they’re enriching the geocaching experience for not only themselves but for others as well. So, if you’re now intrigued by geocaching or have been finding caches for a few years but haven’t hidden one, now is the time to consider doing so.
There are many rules and considerations when deciding where and how to hide a cache, what type of container to use, how to mark its coordinates, how to document your cache online so it is accessible for others to find, and what you need to do to maintain it. The geocaching.com site offers several tips and guidelines. Although there are regulations the fun part comes in the creativity in making each cache unique.
Some people think that the GPS brings you to some cache that is just laying out in the open—that’s not the case. Part of the appeal of geocaching is looking around to figure out where it can be and then to see how cleverly it is disguised. Some caches are hidden on sign posts, sculptures, or fences. Others are under rocks, park benches, or birdhouses. For some people hiding a cache is considered an art form, for others it is a declaration of a challenge. There are even caches in Minnesota where you must have dive gear and others where you need rock climbing equipment.
Minnesota is also home to King Boreas, who truly is the geocaching King. He currently holds the world record for hiding the most caches. Although he just celebrated his 2000th hide this past April, he has already exceeded that by placing his 2056th cache. Many of his caches can be found all around the state of Minnesota.
So whether you hide one or 2000, most people who hide a cache find the experience a fun and rewarding aspect to the whole geocaching adventure. Two such adventurers are Josh and Patrick Hofmann of Fort Ripley, Minnesota. In the following interview Josh and Patrick share some of their expertise on geocaching.
How many caches have you hidden?
Two each.
Mom Kirsten adds: As a family we’ve hidden nine, four of which are currently active. The remaining five caches we archived for various reasons…one floated away in the Mississippi, one was located in what we found to be the local party spot, one was bulldozed, one almost got recycled along with the metal bleachers it was attached to, and one area we no longer frequented.
What do you have to think about before you decide on what to use as a cache container?
Patrick: The container has to withstand the weather. If you don’t choose a durable container, it could break and the contents (log book and SWAG) may get wet.
Josh: The cache container has to fit in it’s hiding spot, and be camouflaged enough that people won’t see it easily. We use camo duct tape to help make them less noticeable.
How long ago was it that you first hid a cache and how old were you at the time? (What was the cache's name?)
Patrick: My first hide was Boom Cache (archived). It was hidden on 8/26/2006. I was 7 years old. I hid it along a trail that runs around Boom Lake in Brainerd. I decided to hide it there because there were lots of hiding spots to choose from, and it’s my favorite park in Brainerd.
Josh: My first cache I named JBH’s First (still active). It was hidden the same day as my brother’s, on 8/26/2006. I was 9 years old. It’s hidden along a trail at a local park. The park is only a few miles from our house, and I like the walking trails there.
How do you decide what to name your cache?
Sometimes the name comes from the location, or it is a hint to where the cache is hidden.
How do you decide where to hide your cache?
Josh: Our caches aren’t hidden miles out on a trail. We want it to bring people to the area, but still have it be fun. It’s not always fun to hike a long distance, and not everybody can (like Dad who just had back surgery).
Patrick: We like to hide them in places that aren’t swarming with people, because that makes it hard to search without being spotted.
How long have you been geocaching?
Since: 7/25/2005
Why do you like geocaching?
Patrick: My favorite part of geocaching is hiding a new cache. I like to pick out what items will go in it. I also like to read about what people place in the cache after they’ve found it, especially Geocoins and Travel Bugs.
Josh: I like finding caches because you get to see how creative other cachers are.
How many caches have you found?
As a family we’ve found 174.
Of all the caches you've found, which one was your favorite and why?
Josh: My favorite cache was one of the first caches we found. It was hanging inside a hollow stump. The cache and stump were covered in fake spiders.
Patrick: My favorite cache was hidden in a birch log. The log was split in two and the cache was in between the two halves. When the log was put together you couldn’t tell it from any of the other logs nearby.
What are some of the different types of containers you've seen used for caches?
ammo boxes, nano container (about the size of a pencil eraser), treasure chest, altoids tins, film containers, magnetic key holders, peanut butter jars (or any screw top plastic jar), plastic test tubes, fake rocks, wooden bird houses
What plans do you have for hiding more caches in the future?
No real plans right now, but we’re on the lookout for new hiding spots.
Do you think other kids would enjoy hiding a cache? If so, why?
Yes, it’s like you’re on a secret mission!
Photo One: Josh and Patrick with younger brother Thomas on their family’s first day of geocaching in 1995.
Photo Two: Josh and Patrick Hofmann at one of their cache sites.
Photo Three: The three brothers at a cache site in 2009—youngest child Thomas has been caching over half his life!
Other Geocaching stories on Northern Community Internet include:
Geocaching Part 1: The Bucket List
Geocaching Part 2: GPS Marks the Spot
Geocaching Part 3: Minnesotans Wild About Geocaching
Photo one: Geocachers search around a landmark for a cache hidden within.
Photo two: The common appearance of this cache container makes it more difficult to “find” as cachers think it is just a nut and bolt on the sign post. It actually is hollowed out and contains a small log for cachers to sign.
Photo three: Some caches require special equipment such as this cache which is truly “muggle proof” as its title suggests. Here a cacher uses a tool with a magnet to explore the inside of a hollow tree.
READER COMMENTS:
"I really enjoyed reading the articles about Geocaching. It is a great sport and fun for all ages. Thanks for writing such educational and entertaining articles."
Deb Jacobson
DO YOU HAVE PHOTOS OR STORIES OF YOUR FAVORITE MINNESOTA CACHING FINDS? CLICK ON "SUBMIT COMMENTS" BELOW AND SEND THEM OUR WAY. WE'LL BE HAPPY TO POST THEM.
by Kari Frisch
Geocaching relies on two main facts—people will hide a cache and people will find the cache—it is a symbiotic relationship. So it goes that when a person hides a cache, they’re enriching the geocaching experience for not only themselves but for others as well. So, if you’re now intrigued by geocaching or have been finding caches for a few years but haven’t hidden one, now is the time to consider doing so.
There are many rules and considerations when deciding where and how to hide a cache, what type of container to use, how to mark its coordinates, how to document your cache online so it is accessible for others to find, and what you need to do to maintain it. The geocaching.com site offers several tips and guidelines. Although there are regulations the fun part comes in the creativity in making each cache unique.
Some people think that the GPS brings you to some cache that is just laying out in the open—that’s not the case. Part of the appeal of geocaching is looking around to figure out where it can be and then to see how cleverly it is disguised. Some caches are hidden on sign posts, sculptures, or fences. Others are under rocks, park benches, or birdhouses. For some people hiding a cache is considered an art form, for others it is a declaration of a challenge. There are even caches in Minnesota where you must have dive gear and others where you need rock climbing equipment.
Minnesota is also home to King Boreas, who truly is the geocaching King. He currently holds the world record for hiding the most caches. Although he just celebrated his 2000th hide this past April, he has already exceeded that by placing his 2056th cache. Many of his caches can be found all around the state of Minnesota.
So whether you hide one or 2000, most people who hide a cache find the experience a fun and rewarding aspect to the whole geocaching adventure. Two such adventurers are Josh and Patrick Hofmann of Fort Ripley, Minnesota. In the following interview Josh and Patrick share some of their expertise on geocaching.
MISSION POSSIBLE: An Interview With Two Central Minnesota Geocachers
How many caches have you hidden?
Two each.
Mom Kirsten adds: As a family we’ve hidden nine, four of which are currently active. The remaining five caches we archived for various reasons…one floated away in the Mississippi, one was located in what we found to be the local party spot, one was bulldozed, one almost got recycled along with the metal bleachers it was attached to, and one area we no longer frequented.
What do you have to think about before you decide on what to use as a cache container?
Patrick: The container has to withstand the weather. If you don’t choose a durable container, it could break and the contents (log book and SWAG) may get wet.
Josh: The cache container has to fit in it’s hiding spot, and be camouflaged enough that people won’t see it easily. We use camo duct tape to help make them less noticeable.
How long ago was it that you first hid a cache and how old were you at the time? (What was the cache's name?)
Patrick: My first hide was Boom Cache (archived). It was hidden on 8/26/2006. I was 7 years old. I hid it along a trail that runs around Boom Lake in Brainerd. I decided to hide it there because there were lots of hiding spots to choose from, and it’s my favorite park in Brainerd.
Josh: My first cache I named JBH’s First (still active). It was hidden the same day as my brother’s, on 8/26/2006. I was 9 years old. It’s hidden along a trail at a local park. The park is only a few miles from our house, and I like the walking trails there.
How do you decide what to name your cache?
Sometimes the name comes from the location, or it is a hint to where the cache is hidden.
How do you decide where to hide your cache?
Josh: Our caches aren’t hidden miles out on a trail. We want it to bring people to the area, but still have it be fun. It’s not always fun to hike a long distance, and not everybody can (like Dad who just had back surgery).
Patrick: We like to hide them in places that aren’t swarming with people, because that makes it hard to search without being spotted.How long have you been geocaching?
Since: 7/25/2005
Why do you like geocaching?
Patrick: My favorite part of geocaching is hiding a new cache. I like to pick out what items will go in it. I also like to read about what people place in the cache after they’ve found it, especially Geocoins and Travel Bugs.
Josh: I like finding caches because you get to see how creative other cachers are.
How many caches have you found?
As a family we’ve found 174.
Of all the caches you've found, which one was your favorite and why?
Josh: My favorite cache was one of the first caches we found. It was hanging inside a hollow stump. The cache and stump were covered in fake spiders.
Patrick: My favorite cache was hidden in a birch log. The log was split in two and the cache was in between the two halves. When the log was put together you couldn’t tell it from any of the other logs nearby.
What are some of the different types of containers you've seen used for caches?
ammo boxes, nano container (about the size of a pencil eraser), treasure chest, altoids tins, film containers, magnetic key holders, peanut butter jars (or any screw top plastic jar), plastic test tubes, fake rocks, wooden bird houses
What plans do you have for hiding more caches in the future?
No real plans right now, but we’re on the lookout for new hiding spots.
Do you think other kids would enjoy hiding a cache? If so, why?
Yes, it’s like you’re on a secret mission!
Photo One: Josh and Patrick with younger brother Thomas on their family’s first day of geocaching in 1995.
Photo Two: Josh and Patrick Hofmann at one of their cache sites.
Photo Three: The three brothers at a cache site in 2009—youngest child Thomas has been caching over half his life!
Other Geocaching stories on Northern Community Internet include:
Geocaching Part 1: The Bucket List
Geocaching Part 2: GPS Marks the Spot
Geocaching Part 3: Minnesotans Wild About Geocaching
*****
GEOCACHING ALBUM
GEOCACHING ALBUM
Photo one: Geocachers search around a landmark for a cache hidden within.
Photo two: The common appearance of this cache container makes it more difficult to “find” as cachers think it is just a nut and bolt on the sign post. It actually is hollowed out and contains a small log for cachers to sign.
Photo three: Some caches require special equipment such as this cache which is truly “muggle proof” as its title suggests. Here a cacher uses a tool with a magnet to explore the inside of a hollow tree.
READER COMMENTS:
"I really enjoyed reading the articles about Geocaching. It is a great sport and fun for all ages. Thanks for writing such educational and entertaining articles."
Deb Jacobson
DO YOU HAVE PHOTOS OR STORIES OF YOUR FAVORITE MINNESOTA CACHING FINDS? CLICK ON "SUBMIT COMMENTS" BELOW AND SEND THEM OUR WAY. WE'LL BE HAPPY TO POST THEM.
posted by Katie Carter at
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