Unfound geocaches in Geitner Park!

There are two geocaches listed on GPSgames.org that are unfound!  Both are hidden in Geitner Park in Hickory, North Carolina.

The first is “JUST OFF THE BEATEN PATH”.  This little Lock & Lock is just off the asphalt walking path.  It is easy to get to.  You may need to use a little stealth if you are there during the peak walking time.

Be prepared to copy the confirmation code!  You will need it to log your find.

The next unfound geocache is “Geitner Park Stash”.  This is a camouflaged Nalgene bottle.This one is a on the trails leading into the wooded area behind the picnic shelter. 

It will be a little harder to find.  Remember to download the additional waypoints linked on the geocache listing page as the trails take several turns.

Geitner Park has several geocaches hidden there from three different listing services.  There are paved walking trails and hiking trails through the woods.  Picnic tables, grills, and a shelter are available.  Fishing and a boat launch add to the appeal of this fine park.

If you are new to GPSgame.org, you will find that it is not your typical geocaching website.  It is far less restrictive than Geocaching.com.  It is more for the pioneer spirit.  One who is not impressed by the huge numbers of the “frog” service.

Use this opportunity to expand your geocaching experience.

Introduction To GPSgames - Marion, NC

CarolinaCacher will be hosting another "Introduction To GPSgames" event. This time it will be on the flyingpita farm in Marion, NC. This event will be on Saturday, March 14th, 2009 at 4:00 PM.

Flyingpita is hosting the second annual "Creekside Campout & Chili Cook-Off" and has asked me to give a presentation on the buffet of games available on GPSgames.org. The "Creekside" event will start at 1:00 PM. This event has been posted on Groundspeak and Terracaching.

GPSgames.org is a service for geocachers. All variations of geocaching are provided, as well as several other games utilizing the GPS receiver. I liken GPSgames.org as the geocacher's buffet! Some of the games available on GPSgames.org are Shutterspot, GeoGolf, GeoPoker, GeoVexilla, and others.

If you are a not yet a geocacher, this will be a good opportunity to learn about the hobby. If you are seasoned veteran, you will be surprised at the other games available to you. I look forward to seeing you there!

Look for this lawn sign:


There will also be some "door prizes" given away! I have designed a few unique GPSgames.org items:



So, come one, come all and partake in this event within an event! A good time will be had by all...Be a part of the, now historic "Creekside Campout & Chili Cook-Off" and the Introduction To GPSgames - Marion, NC event.

Geocaching ethics.

I am sure many of you have read the news articles where the local bomb squad was called out to dispose of a "suspicious object" and it turned out to be a geocache. In almost all cases, the container was larger than a micro and hidden on private property without permission.

An example is the Walmart parking lot geocache. Two things could keep the public from calling in the suspicious package report. Don't hide anything larger than a micro on private property that is being frequented by the public and get permission from the property owner!

Most of us who hide geocaches are guilty of not getting permission to place it on private property. The Walmart parking lot is private property! Ask the manager if it is ok to hide it there. You will probably get a "no", but at least you respected the property owner and you protected yourself from possible criminal prosecution.

Our sport is growing to a point where we are on the radar scope of the local law enforcement authorities. Sooner or later, a geocacher is going to be charged with a crime for placing a geocache. Don't let it be you!

NC Foothills - Geitner Park CITO (Winter)

The winter CITO event for the NC Foothills Geocachers has been set. The CITO event will be at Geitner-Rotary Park in Hickory, North Carolina on Saturday, February 28th at 11:00 AM.

I have submitted the geocache listing on Groundspeak, GPSgames.org, and Terracaching. I will post the listing Terracaching in a couple days. I will keep you updated on my CarolinaCacher CITO page and on the NC Foothills Geocachers event forum.

A CITO event is a great way for new geocachers to meet other geocachers and to get tips and tricks.

There are several geocaches from Groundspeak, GPSgames.org, and Terracaching in Geitner park, so bring your GPS reveiver!

NC Foothills Geocachers CITO events for 2009

I have submitted my schedule for the 2009 NC Foothills Geocachers CITO events to the City of Hickory Parks & Recreation department. I should hear from them soon.

The tentative date for the first CITO event is February 28th at 11:00 AM. It will probably be at Geitner Park.

I will provide updates here and on the NC Foothills Geocachers forums.

You got a GPS for Christmas...Now what?

Santa brought you a brand new GPS receiver (GPSr). Now what?

If you have a friend who is into geocaching, he or she is the person that can be of most help. But if not, here are few tips.

Garmin has an interesting page, "What Is GPS?" This page is a little technical, but does explain how a GPSr works.

Garmin has also produced a good document, "GPS Beginner's Guide." It is not very specific, but is worth reading.

One of the best documents is provided on wikiHow. It is titled, "How To Go Geocaching" and should be read completely. Many questions can be answered there.

Take a while to become familiar with your new GPSr. Learn the basic functions, especially how to add waypoints. Most new GPSr's come with a USB cable that allows you to transfer coordinates, but if not, you will have to enter them manually. This can be time consuming and I don't recommend it unless you don't have any other means of entering the information.

Take your GPSr into the back yard or a nearby park and walk around with it. Switch to the compass screen. On most models, the compass screen doesn't work exactly like a compass. A real compass will point north even when standing still. Your GPSr changes only if you are actually moving. This is because the computer inside is looking at several coordinates and calculating where you are, what direction you are heading, and your speed.

Explore all of the features of you new toy. You will find it can be very useful for things other than geocaching!

Happy Geocaching Holiday!

I found a nice, little geocaching holiday greeting on YouTube.



Happy holidays from CarolinaCacher!

I got my first Pathtag today!

I got my new Pathtag in the mail today. I am very happy with the results.

I decided to show my interest in GPSgames.org with this Pathtag. If you are not sure what Pathtags are, they are similiar to a geocoin, but smaller and far less expensive. They are the size of a United States quarter.

They differ from geocoins in that they are not trackable on Groundspeak. There is a serial number on the back. This lets you log it at Pathtags.com and add it to your collection.

There is a large group of Pathtag traders. You can offer any Pathtag you have for trade. If accepted, you both will send each other the Pathtags traded.

The cost of a new Pathtag is $99. This includes the making of the stamping die and 50 Pathtags. You can select an number of colors you want. Since the Pathtags are small, you can't get too detailed with the design, but with a little creativity, you can design a very nice Pathtag.

If you are interested in creating a Pathtag, I offer my help in designing it. Just send me a message and I will get all the details and start designing.

Take a tour of Pathtag by watching this YouTube video.

Do you "preserve" or "pilfer" the geocache?

When Dave Ulmer created and placed the first geocache, one of the rules was "take something, leave something". He didn't say so, but it should be implied that when you do trade, you trade equal or better.



I placed a large geocache a little over a year ago. In it I placed about $50 of good, new items. I wanted it to be a very pleasant surprise when they found the "Big Store" of geocache swag. After several months I stopped by to check on the cache and to my surprise the cache had been pilfered. No, everything was not taken, but most of the very good, new items was traded for used McD's toys and plastic army men.

So, I did what any geocache owner would do. I restocked the cache with many new items. Several high quality baseball hats were placed in the cache. Now, these were not the cheap hats, but even if they were, they would be worth $5.00 each!

Another few months went by and I checked on the cache again. PILFERED! I just don't understand it. After examining the logs I surmise the following:

Geocachers are not prepared for trading items. They have their GPSr, camera, cellphone, but not much else. When they arrive at the geocache, they see the nice goodies and decide to "just take one". Also, some geocachers cache in groups. Maybe it is their friends, or maybe children and their friends. When the children see all the goodies, they must have one.

Now understand, I don't blame the children. They are just doing what kids do. The adults are the ones who totally miss a teaching experience. BEFORE going geocaching with the children, the parents/adults should explain to the children what it means to trade fairly. The adults should encourage the children to pick a couple of their own toys that they really like. That way, when they trade, they are trading equal or better. If the adults arrive at the cache with the children and the adult was ill prepared, they should explain to the children what fair trading is and since they didn't bring anything nice to trade, they would have to come back another time when prepared.

But, I think, what really happens is that the privacy of the moment just "excuses" the parents/adults from having to exercise parental responsibility. I know it is difficult to tell a child no, but that's part of parenting! Not teaching a child when not to do something is just doing that child a disservice.

The lesson to learn is that if you go geocaching, be prepared to trade or don't take anything from the geocache. Parents should prepare their children in advance so the geocache is not pilfered. If you find the geocache and are not prepared to trade equal or better, then just sign the log and take nothing.

We all need to take care of the geocaches we visit. Be prepared with trade items, blank logs, paper towels to clean out damp caches, etc. Make sure the experience of the next geocacher is better than yours!

"Johnny Appleseed" keeps planting for GPSgames.org

My goals of holding the "Introduction To GPSgames" events is three-fold. First, to bring attention to fellow geocachers the existance and differences of GPSgames.org. Second, to hide more geocaches exclusive to GPSgames.org in my area. Third, to gather members of the geocaching community in an event to introduce them to the geocaching buffet which is GPSgames.org. Two out of three ain't bad!

Again, bad weather threatened the event up to about an hour before. The skies did start to clear and it turned into a beautiful day. The lessons I have learned is that there should be a little more time between these events to allow geocachers to prepare for it.

Instead of holding them once a month, I will try about two months (maybe a little less) between events.


I arrived about 10:30 AM and shortly after, set up shop. The park is usually more active, but the weather was a major factor. Some "muggles" glanced over. I would love for one to come over and ask, "What the heck is going on?"


The fall leaves against the lake this morning was breath-taking. I love this time of year. The weather is cooler. The insects are fewer. The colors are beginning to pop!


Geitner Park in Hickory has it all. If you haven't visited it yet, go soon! Geocaching is plentiful and there are several trails, some easy and some a little difficult.

There are now two GPSgames.org exclusive geocaches in the park. These along with geocaches from Groundspeak and Terracaching will make your geocaching experience a full one at Geitner park.

I will be planing the next event soon. Keep an eye out for it. It will probably be in mid-December. If you have any suggestions, please comment on this blog entry.

"Heritage Trail Freeloader" has been placed.

I have placed a new traditional geocache in Newton, North Carolina. "Heritage Trail Freeloader" is listed on GPSgames.org. I call it a "Freeloader" because it is inside of another geocache that is listed on "the other service".

My hopes is that this will introduce some to the buffet of games available on GPSgames.org.

Heritage Trail Greenway is a project by the City of Newton, North Carolina. It is a nice, little walking trail along a creek just a couple minutes away from the downtown area.

Enjoy the new geocache!

My Pathtag is being minted.

I finally took the plunge. I ordered my first Pathtag. Pathtags are a custom design coin about the size of an American quarter. You submit your design and in four to six weeks, you have your . A PathtagPathtag!

They are not geocoins. They do have a serial number on the back, but it is the same for every coin in the series. Each coin is not trackable like a geocoin or travel bug. The benefit is that they are much cheaper! You get the first 50 minted for $100. Additional coins are less than $1.00 each.

My first tag represents my appreciation for GPSgames.org; a geocaching games service that offers many games to be played using your GPS receiver.

If anyone would like to consider having a Pathtag minted, I will be happy to help you with the design. Just contact me and we will work on one for you.

Handicaching Ratings On Your Geocaches

There are many geocachers that also have some degree of disability. The rating system on all of the geocaching listing services do not contain enough information for these geocachers to make an informed decision on which geocaches to attempt.

Luckily, there is a rating service that fills this gap. Handicaching.com does offer a more detailed geocache rating system tailored to those with disabilities. Here is a statement of the rating system's purpose:

Handicaching aims to improve the accessibility of Geocaching for disabled people all over the world.

By rating caches using a simple system, disabled geocachers can quickly find the caches they are able to do. Too often a 1 star or 2 star rated cache turns out to be impossible, causing dissapointment. Our ratings aim to avoid that.

You can help by taking a few moments to quickly rate the caches you have visited!

For disabled geocachers we also provide tools and resources to find caches with ratings, find out what caches you will likely be able to do and a quick reference guide to the rating system.

I have started rating my geocaches using this system. Please consider using this valuable service to inform everyone who may search for you geocache.

"Introduction To GPSgames II" Event

The first "Introduction To GPSgames" event was such a success, I decided that there should be a series of these events. Each in a different park in Catawba county. So, the "Introduction To GPSgames II" has been listed.

The second in the series will be held at Geitner-Rotary Park in Hickory, NC. Geitner Park is a geocache rich environment! There are geocaches listed on GPSgames.org, Groundspeak, and Terracaching. Be prepared to cache! Bring your GPS receiver and some trade items.

We will meet at the gazebo marked by the listing coordinates on Saturday, October 25, 2008 at 11:00 AM. Soft drinks and bottled water will be provided. There will be door prizes available for those who attend. I will have extra GPS receivers with coordinates loaded for those who may not have one with them.

Two new GPSgames Exclusive geocaches have been hidden in the past week and there are several others to be found. Make sure to load-up your GPSr before coming! Make this a full day of geocaching!

GPSgames.org is a service for geocachers. All variations of geocaching are provided, as well as several other games utilizing the GPS receiver. I liken GPSgames.org as the geocacher's buffet! Some of the games available on GPSgames.org are Shutterspot, GeoGolf, GeoPoker, GeoVexilla, and others.

If you are a not yet a geocacher, this will be a good opportunity to learn about the hobby. If you are seasoned veteran, you will be surprised at the other games available to you. I look forward to seeing you there!

Look for this lawn sign:

Are you ready for muggles?

I was in Geitner Park today doing some geocaching. I was looking for a spot to place a new geocache for listing on GPSgames.org. I am planning an event this month and wanted to get another geocache in the park for the attendees.

While searching, I used the opportunity to go after "Hickory Greenway Letterbox"; a geocache I have been meaning to find, but have always put it off. I did find the geocache, but the trail in was pretty difficult. I found an alternative route out. It went up hill all the way, but was easier than the way in.

As I was leaving the woods and entering the paved walk/bike way, I saw a man and his two boys. I took a little break. They noticed I had a GPSr and asked about it. I showed it to them and asked them if they ever heard of geocaching.

They never heard of geocaching, so I took the opportunity to brag about our hobby. Luckily, I was prepared! I carry business cards with my geocaching "handle" and other contact information. It also has my blog's web site address on it. I gave him a card and talked to them about geocaching. I even had the Lock-N-Lock geocache that I was going to hide to show them.

The boys really liked the trading aspect. The father was interested in the GPSr. He asked how much they cost. I explained that the cheaper ones are good for geocaching and will be a good unit to start with.

So be prepared! Have some literature ready for that chance encounter. You may be able to transform that muggle into a geocacher!

"Just Off The Beaten Path"

I just placed a new geocache listed only on GPSgames.org. "Just Off The Beaten Path" is a traditional geocache placed in Geitner Park in Hickory, NC. This geocache was placed in anticipation of an upcoming event.

The geocache container is a camouflaged Lock-N-Lock. Have fun finding it!

The First "Introduction" Event Was A Success!

Maybe the rain and gas shortage kept some away, but, the attendance to the first "Introduction To GPSgames.org" event exceeded my expectations!

I arrived at the park around 10:30 AM. The park was pretty empty because the rain just stopped about a half an hour earlier. The skies quickly started to clear and it turned into a great day for an event.

Soon after my arrival, ChiefWings and "Griz" pulled into the parking lot. "My attendance expectations has been exceeded by two!", I said.

I started the event off by explaining why I liked GPSgames.org. I feel that GPSgames.org embodies the spirit of the original geocachers better than the other geocaching sites. I went over the history of geocaching and how geocaching has evolved into a more restrictive and centralized hobby with Groundspeak. Don't get me wrong! Groundspeak is fine. I am not suggesting that you give up the frog, but rather, enhance your geocaching activities with the buffet of geocaching games available on GPSgames.org.

We discussed the variations of the geocaching games and the other "less traditional" games available on GPSgames.org. Shutterspot and GeoPoker spiked the most interest at the event.


About two-thirds of the way through the event mr007s shows up! He likes to make a late and fashionable entrance! I am glad he came because mr007s really knows much of the geocaching history in the foothills region. His perspective on the game is well appreciated.

I guess the meeting had to end sometime. The yellow jackets hastened the end of the event. They really liked Griz and one took special interest in my neck...OUCH!

I am very happy with the first "Introduction" event. I plan to have some more in the near future. With each event there will be more geocaches hidden. I think once people see the variety of games you can play with your GPSr, GPSgames will become popular in the foothills of North Carolina.

Geitner Park gets a new geocache!

I have hidden a new geocache and listed it on GPSgames.org only. While at the CITO event, I used the opportunity to give this Hickory city park a new addition.

"Geitner Park Stash" is a traditional geocache. It is a camouflaged Nalgene container hidden just off one of the nature trails that are along the Lake Hickory. These beautiful trails offer hikers and bikers convenient access to nature.

The geocache location is only about five minutes from the parking area. I have included this and other additional waypoints on the geocache page.

A new GPSgames geocache "Horizontal Trunk", has been placed!

A new geocache has been placed in Southside park in Newton, NC in anticipation for the upcoming event, "Introduction to GPSgames.org".

The geocache is "Horizontal Trunk". This is a camoed Nalgene container hidden in the northwest corner of the park. This geocache uses a confirmation code. Remember to make a note of the code. It is needed to log your find!

This geocache is a GPSgames Exclusive. You will not find it on any other geocache listing service!

A new geocache, "Southside Park", placed in time for event.

I have some good news. First, the Newton Department of Recreation has completed the cleanup of Southside park. This means that the "Introduction to GPSGames.org" event will still be held as planned.

Also, I hid a new cache in the park today...Just in time for the event. Feel free to go out and find it. There is a confirmation code, so please write it down.

I have heard that there are some from the world of the frog may be attending. The more the merrier!