Basic Information
Identification
There are over 3,000,000 Geocaches registered on Groundspeak's website, and every single one of them has a unique code. Codes are simply random letter/number combinations (that always start with "GC") used to designate individual Geocaches. When looking up a specific Geocache in Groundspeak's database, the code is always used in place of the name.
Status
There are 4 different states a Geocache can be marked as at any given time. These states represent the ability of the Geocache to be found and logged by players.
Active:
Generally speaking, 99% of Geocaches you'll find will be in this state. This state means that the Geocache has no problems and is ready to be found.
Disabled:
This means that there is a fixable problem with the Geocache, and it may be unable to be found at that time. A Geocache can only be marked as disabled by the hider or a reviewer by submitting a "Temporarily Disable Listing" log. If the problem is fixed, then the hider may submit an "Enable Listing" log, at which point the Geocache will become active. However, if the problem is not fixed...
Archived:
If a cache is archived then it is officially removed from play, and it is more than likely completely unable to be found. A Geocache can only be marked as archived by the hider and reviewers. Once it is archived, it will be removed from the map and most search results. Typically, disabled Geocaches will be archived if they are left in that state for too long. The cache pages for archived Geocaches are still accessible from the hider's profile page, and can even still be logged normally.
Unpublished:
Every Geocache both in and out of play was at one point within this state. Unpublished is exactly what it sounds like: it's a very new cache and hasn't been published yet. Unpublished Geocaches behave exactly the same as archived Geocaches with one key difference: they are completely inaccessible to anyone other than the hider. Usually, this status is reserved simply for Geocaches not yet ready for play. However, if an issue is found by the reviewer before it's published, then the cache can remain in this state indefinitely.
Size Ratings
To give Geocacher's a basic idea of what they're looking for, Geocaches are marked with size ratings. There are seven different ratings a Geocache can be registered as:
Micro:
The smallest size, Micro's are any Geocache with a volume smaller than 100 millilitres (ml). Includes the unrecognized (but very common) size of "Nano", a Geocache with volume less than 10 ml. This size usually only contains the Geocache's logbook. Examples include 35 mm film canisters, bison tubes, and magnetic key boxes.
Small:
The second smallest size, Small's are Geocaches with volume between 100 ml and 1 Litre (L). Generally speaking, Small's are usually large enough to hold small trading items and trackable items. Examples include lock 'n' lock containers, dry boxes, and cleaned out peanut butter jars.
Regular:
Getting into the upper half, Regular's are Geocaches with volume between 1 and 20 L. Despite their term, they're not actually the most commonly used size. Regular's are big enough to hold trading items and most trackable items, and will usually contain a writing implement. Examples include lock 'n' lock containers and .30 caliber Ammo Cans.
Large:
Technically speaking the original Geocache size. Large's are any Geocache with a volume above 20 L. Large's are able to hold virtually anything you could think to put in a Geocache, and will almost always include a writing implement. Examples include 5 Gallon pails and .50 caliber Ammo Cans.
Not Chosen:
What a Geocache is designated as when the hider didn't mark a specific size.
Other:
What a Geocache is designated as when the hider wants the container to be a surprise.
Virtual:
A size reserved only for the Virtual cache type, used when there is no physical container.
Difficulty Ratings
Difficulty is the statistic that marks how hard it is to locate the container once you're at the location. Difficulty is on a 9-point scale going up on half point increments from 1 to 5. Though Groundspeak has attempted to make proper guidelines regarding this rating, it's still very subjective.
Terrain Ratings
Terrain is the statistic determining how difficult it is to reach the location the cache is in. It is on the same scale as difficulty. Once again, it's very subjective, but there is one enforced rule: Terrain 1 Geocaches MUST be wheelchair friendly.
There are a total of 81 potential Difficulty/Terrain combinations.
There are a total of 81 potential Difficulty/Terrain combinations.
Geocache Types
As of now, 18 different types of Geocache have been registered. However, only 8 are able to be placed by the general public, 2 are volume-based, 1 is completely unique, 3 are able to be found but not placed, 2 have been eliminated entirely, and 2 are circumstantial.
Traditional Caches
Traditional's are the most common type. Their coordinates are exact, and they only must contain a logbook to be signed. Usually what one thinks of when they think of "Geocaching". New caches of this type are still able to be registered.
Mystery/Puzzle Caches
Mystery/Puzzle's, either one works, are the second most common type. They're the "catch all" of the Geocaching world, not really sticking to one concrete definition. Generally speaking, this type isn't at the posted coordinates, you must complete a "puzzle" in order to decipher the correct location, though exceptions do exist; for example, the "Challenge Cache", in which one must complete some sort of unrelated task in order to log the cache. New Mystery/Puzzle caches are still able to be registered.
Multi-Caches
Multi-Caches are similar to Mystery caches in the sense that their posted coordinates are never the final container. Multi's differ in the sense that one must always visit two or more physical locations in order to locate the final, while Puzzle's can sometimes be solved while at home. The posted coordinates for a Multi will always have some sort of clue for the next stage. Repeat until you get to the final. New Multi-Caches can still be registered
EarthCaches
EarthCaches are geological locations people can visit in order to learn about features of the Earth. Descriptions for this type will include educational notes. To log EarthCaches, one must typically answer a set of questions related to the location. New EarthCaches can still be registered.
Letterbox Hybrids
Letterbox Hybrids are Geocaches that can also be played using Letterboxing rules. They can be found either by the normal methods, using a GPSr and inputting coordinates, or by using a set of clues starting at a predetermined location. Additionally, Letterboxes' are signed using a different method; the player carries a notebook and a customized stamp, and the Letterbox contains a large logbook and it's own stamp. When a Letterbox is found, the player stamps the Letterboxes' log using their own stamp, while they stamp their own notebook with the stamp in the Letterbox. New Letterbox Hybrids can still be registered.
Event Caches
Event Caches are organized gatherings of local Geocachers. The page for this type details the time, date, and location of the event. This type is logged as "Attended" rather than "Found". After the event occurs, the page is archived. They become Mega-Events if more than 500 people attend, and Giga-Events if more than 5000 attend. Cache In Trash Out (CITO) Events are events where Geocachers clean up the area of the event. New caches of all of these types are able to be registered, but 2 of them are based on how many people attend.
Wherigo Caches
Wherigo Caches are Geocaches utilizing coded Wherigo software to get to the final location. The player must download a Wherigo "Cartridge" to a suitable device. Wherigo caches have FAR too much diversity for me to cover in this brief paragraph, so I may dedicate an entire post to this type at a later date. New Wherigo Caches are able to be registered.
Geocaching HQ Geocache
Located in Seattle, Washington, this Geocache is located at Groundspeak's primary HQ. The cache has its own unique icon on the map, and sometimes appointments must be made 48 hours in advance. This Geocache is completely unique, and no new caches of this type can be registered.
GPS Adventures Maze Exhibit
This type of find represents attendance for a GPS Adventures Maze Exhibit. These exhibits are designed to introduce people of all ages to GPS technology. New caches of this type can only be registered by Groundspeak.
Lab Caches
Lab Caches are experimental Geocaches placed by Groundspeak to test new ideas to shape the game. As none of our members have actually found one, we don't really know much more than that. New caches of this type can only be registered by Groundspeak.
I've already spent way too much time writing this article, and it's starting to get a bit too long for what I'd like this blog to be. If this is the first you've heard of Geocaching, I hope you've learned something, I'll see you in the next post.
Virtual Caches
Virtual Caches are all about finding a location rather than a container. The logging requirements for this type vary based on what the hider intended. Virtual Caches can no longer be registered by the general public, but there was a time in the past year or so where some hiders with high enough standing could place new ones. Despite the fact new caches of this type cannot be registered, preexisting Virtual Caches can still be found and logged.
Webcam Caches
Webcam Caches are caches where one must take a screenshot of themselves on certain public webcams to log the find. No new Webcam Caches can be registered, but preexisting caches of this type can still be found.
Project A.P.E. Caches
This type was created back in 2001 as part of a tie-in to promote the new Planet of the Apes movie. 14 caches of this type were created, but only 2 still remain in play. No new caches of this type can be registered, but if one finds themselves near one of them, they can still find and log it.
10 Years! Event Caches
This type was simply applied to any event that took place between April 30th and May 3rd 2010 to celebrate Geocaching's 10th anniversary. No new caches of this type can be registered, and seeing as it was an event type, one can no longer log them.
Locationless/Reverse Caches
Rather than finding a container, this cache type required you to find a certain object and log its coordinates. No new caches of this type can be registered and every cache of this type has been archived.
Terminology
There are several terms and acronym's used in Geocaching that mean several different things. These include, but are not limited to:
DNF: "Did Not Find"
DNSL: "Did Not Sign Log", usually used when the logbook is either full or soaked.
FTF: "First to Find", being the first to find a Geocache.
Ground Zero: Often shortened to "GZ", the general location of a Geocache.
LPC: "Light Post Cache", a Geocache hidden on/in a light post.
Muggle: Taken from the Harry Potter books, someone who is a non-geocacher.
Muggled: When a Geocache is removed or damaged on purpose, presumably by someone who didn't know what is was.
SL: "Signed Log"
TNLN: "Took Nothing Left Nothing", means the contents of the cache have not changed.
SWAG: "Stuff We All Get", used as a general term for items within a Geocache.
TFTC: "Thanks For The Cache", sometimes used as a complete log in of itself.
TFTF: "Thanks For The Find"
TOTT: "Tools Of The Trade", refers to items often used to find and log Geocaches.
Trackable Items
Trackable items are Geocaching game pieces marked with unique codes so that the path of the item may be "tracked" from Geocache to Geocache. Trackable items do not have the same rules as the rest of the cache's contents. You don't have to trade for them, and more importantly, you NEVER keep them. When you pick up one of these items, you put it in another Geocache and mark the transition on the website. Currently, trackable items are divided into two main categories:
Geocoins
Geocoins are the older type of trackable, but are somewhat less common. As their name implies, Geocoins are very much like coins, they're round, usually made of metal, and have their code printed directly on the surface, so they can act as standalone items. While Geocoins usually act as trackable items, it's not uncommon for cache owners to leave inactivated Geocoins in their caches for the FTF to decide what to do with them. It's also worth noting that users sometimes have "Personal Geocoins" that act as a sort of online log for Geocachers they've met out in the field.
Travel Bug Dog Tags
Travel Bug dog tags, or just "Travel Bugs", are the other type of trackable item. They're quite literally dog tags, just with the trackable code printed on them. Most Travel Bugs will have a secondary item attached in some way, known as a "Hitchhiker". Travel Bugs are slightly more recent than Geocoins, but seem to be moderately more common than the former.
I've already spent way too much time writing this article, and it's starting to get a bit too long for what I'd like this blog to be. If this is the first you've heard of Geocaching, I hope you've learned something, I'll see you in the next post.
