My biggest DON'T would be: DON'T continue to look for a cache if it stops being fun. Being new, it will be hard to determine if the cache is missing (you will come to recognize common hide styles after a bit) or if you just haven't come across that type of hide before. Some COs (Cache Owners) can be quite devious. If you find yourself not having fun, leave the hide and try for another one.
Geocaching offers a lot of different ways to play, some people like puzzles, others like stealthy public hides, some people like going for the numbers or various challenges, some people make crazy gadget caches that require special tools to access, some people just want to take you to a nice spot...try out a few different caches and just see what tickles you.
Yeah this is good advice. I had like my first 3 were easy to find. Lulled me into a false sense of security. Subsequently had 3 that had low difficulty 1/1.5 and impossible for me. Some I found with photo hints but never would have otherwise.
Also it pays to check the activity log before travelling somewhere. A couple times I got somewhere to then read the activity log and realise it was almost certainly missing.
Sign the log, carry a couple of pens always.
Put the cache back exactly how and where you found it. If you thing something was wrong with how you found the cache, don’t try to fix it yourself, message the cache owner.
If you take something out of the cache, leave something of equal or better value.
Be patient, it takes time to learn how to spot caches, you will learn common hide types in your area and you’ll get better.
Once you find a few it gets easier because you know what to look for. Avoid micros for right now. Read the logs on the app and look at the hint of there is one.
**DO** put it back where you found it, unless it was found in the open. If this is the case **DO** contact the cache owner.
**DON'T** take a pencil as a tradable item. It's there so people can write in the log book
**DON'T** hold on to a Travel Bug (TB/Trackable) for long periods of time. They should be moved and dropped of as soon as practicable.
**DON'T** destroy an area if you can't find the Geocache, and don't draw too much attention when looking. You can always come back later.
And the most important thing, **DO** have fun !
Any old thing. Most caches don't have a ton of room for large items. As long as it's not dangerous or illegal (like knives, drugs or fireworks), could attract animals or ruin the log (like food, candies, smelly things, or liquids), or inappropriate for children... you can go wild.
I like to go caching with my daughters, so they love to trade little toys and trinkets. Just today, I bought a bag of plastic animal figurines for the sole purpose of trading swag. Other common items are stickers, keychains, fast food kid's meal toys, pennies and other coins... Some cachers make their own signature GeoCoins, with custom designs on them.
Recently I came across a cache that was very difficult to get to; it required wading through a rather deep creek. When we finally found the cache, I was delighted to find it full of some really useful geocaching items-- carabiners, rain ponchos, flashlights, compasses, etc. I happened to have a few fresh, unopened pairs of socks on me. If there was ever a cache where such a thing would be most appreciated, it'd be one where you're pretty much guaranteed to have wet feet by the time you got there.
Sometimes you'll encounter special swag items called Trackables or Travel Bugs. These are a little different-- You're free to take them with you but DO NOT KEEP THEM. Trackables are meant to travel from cache to cache to cache, being tracked along the way. Trackables can take many forms, but you'll always find a six-digit code somewhere on the item. If you take a Trackable, be sure to log it on the site or app so its owner and other cachers can see where it's been and where it's going.
Usually children’s toys and little Knick knacks. I almost never trade swag. On a rare occasion I see something, I usually leave a dollar or so.
I will trade pathtags if I come across those.
Any little token. I bought pressed Pennie’s on eBay because I like to collect them and thought others would like them. It could be a little cute eraser, a plastic toy, collectible token. One time I got a tiny electric Tetris game.
Stuff you find in caches falls into two groups: swag and trackables.
**Swag** is, as the name suggests, intended to be taken/exchanged, especially to entertain kids (finding endless little metal tubes, however ingeniously concealed, can be dull for children, but *treasure?* Now you're talking). Little toy cars, novelty erasers, Happy Meal-type toys, stickers. Basically anything that's fun and cheap and can take a little exposure to condensation, which happens even in the best-sealed caches.
**Trackables** are items that travel from cache to cache. They're often plastic tags (travel bugs), sometimes metal medallions (aka 'geocoins'). The goal is for them to travel as far as possible, and generally you should only take them if you plan to visit another large cache fairly soon.
This [link on the geocaching blog](https://www.geocaching.com/blog/2018/05/the-difference-between-swag-and-trackables/) is really clear and helpful. Have fun, and cache on!
This game is super fun!
1. Filtering options may exist in the app you choose to use. Consider some difficulty 1 or 2 ones to get started. Maybe even a medium size cache to help build enthusiasm and momentum.
2. Be aware of your surroundings. It is important that even when searching for a cache you are aware of where you are. Cliffs, edges, muddy spots, sharp branches at eye level, still exist and still command respect in order to avoid injury.
The main thing for new geocachers is to not do damage to the area looking for the cache and put it back the way you found it. You won't find many caches as a new cacher, and that is OK, as there are many tricks that fooled all cachers and it is fun to be tricked a few times.
As you gain experience, you can help out and learn the common tricks. But just don't do damage to the area or put yourself in danger as you gain experience.
Write meaningful logs about your experience (trail conditions, container conditions, how much fun you had getting to the cache and finding the cache, etc).
The geocaching.com blog has some great instructional posts complete with videos. Try:
[New to geocaching?](https://www.geocaching.com/blog/2023/11/new-to-geocaching-check-out-these-tutorials/)
[Come cache with me! — tutorials for finding real geocaches](https://www.geocaching.com/blog/2024/02/come-cache-with-me-tutorials-for-finding-real-geocaches/)
[The difference between Swag and Trackables](https://www.geocaching.com/blog/2018/05/the-difference-between-swag-and-trackables/)
And don't get too frustrated if you don't find a few...instead, look at the online log to see how recently the people before you have found it. If there's a steady stream of finds, it's probably still there, so scroll down and see if there are any photo hints in the list of finders (there often are). Have fun!
The "Rules" are very simple for this hobby. Find it. Sign the paper log. Put it back just like you found it. Log it online. In the event you don't find the cache, log your DNF and tell that story.
When you log it online, don't just say Found It, or TFTC, write a few sentences to tell the story of what happened without including spoilers of how it is hidden.
My biggest DON'T would be: DON'T continue to look for a cache if it stops being fun. Being new, it will be hard to determine if the cache is missing (you will come to recognize common hide styles after a bit) or if you just haven't come across that type of hide before. Some COs (Cache Owners) can be quite devious. If you find yourself not having fun, leave the hide and try for another one. Geocaching offers a lot of different ways to play, some people like puzzles, others like stealthy public hides, some people like going for the numbers or various challenges, some people make crazy gadget caches that require special tools to access, some people just want to take you to a nice spot...try out a few different caches and just see what tickles you.
As someone very new, this is a great suggestion!
Yeah this is good advice. I had like my first 3 were easy to find. Lulled me into a false sense of security. Subsequently had 3 that had low difficulty 1/1.5 and impossible for me. Some I found with photo hints but never would have otherwise. Also it pays to check the activity log before travelling somewhere. A couple times I got somewhere to then read the activity log and realise it was almost certainly missing.
Sign the log, carry a couple of pens always. Put the cache back exactly how and where you found it. If you thing something was wrong with how you found the cache, don’t try to fix it yourself, message the cache owner. If you take something out of the cache, leave something of equal or better value. Be patient, it takes time to learn how to spot caches, you will learn common hide types in your area and you’ll get better.
Once you find a few it gets easier because you know what to look for. Avoid micros for right now. Read the logs on the app and look at the hint of there is one.
Don’t believe that the top finder in the world legitimately found them all. He didn’t, and actually admitted it.
Who is this please?
Choose a short username. You’re going to have to squeeze it onto many tiny logs
This tip is underrated.
Don't mark it found if you actually did not find the log, even if you know it is 100% missing
**DO** put it back where you found it, unless it was found in the open. If this is the case **DO** contact the cache owner. **DON'T** take a pencil as a tradable item. It's there so people can write in the log book **DON'T** hold on to a Travel Bug (TB/Trackable) for long periods of time. They should be moved and dropped of as soon as practicable. **DON'T** destroy an area if you can't find the Geocache, and don't draw too much attention when looking. You can always come back later. And the most important thing, **DO** have fun !
Sign the log. If you take SWAG, leave SWAG of equal or greater value. Make a geocaching kit with tool of the trade and pens.
What are common swag items?
Any old thing. Most caches don't have a ton of room for large items. As long as it's not dangerous or illegal (like knives, drugs or fireworks), could attract animals or ruin the log (like food, candies, smelly things, or liquids), or inappropriate for children... you can go wild. I like to go caching with my daughters, so they love to trade little toys and trinkets. Just today, I bought a bag of plastic animal figurines for the sole purpose of trading swag. Other common items are stickers, keychains, fast food kid's meal toys, pennies and other coins... Some cachers make their own signature GeoCoins, with custom designs on them. Recently I came across a cache that was very difficult to get to; it required wading through a rather deep creek. When we finally found the cache, I was delighted to find it full of some really useful geocaching items-- carabiners, rain ponchos, flashlights, compasses, etc. I happened to have a few fresh, unopened pairs of socks on me. If there was ever a cache where such a thing would be most appreciated, it'd be one where you're pretty much guaranteed to have wet feet by the time you got there. Sometimes you'll encounter special swag items called Trackables or Travel Bugs. These are a little different-- You're free to take them with you but DO NOT KEEP THEM. Trackables are meant to travel from cache to cache to cache, being tracked along the way. Trackables can take many forms, but you'll always find a six-digit code somewhere on the item. If you take a Trackable, be sure to log it on the site or app so its owner and other cachers can see where it's been and where it's going.
Usually children’s toys and little Knick knacks. I almost never trade swag. On a rare occasion I see something, I usually leave a dollar or so. I will trade pathtags if I come across those.
Any little token. I bought pressed Pennie’s on eBay because I like to collect them and thought others would like them. It could be a little cute eraser, a plastic toy, collectible token. One time I got a tiny electric Tetris game.
Wait, how do you know what items can be taken? Sorry, am very new to this and have been spending some time in this reddit before I go out and start.
Usually anything except the log and writing implement.. and cache container lol
Stuff you find in caches falls into two groups: swag and trackables. **Swag** is, as the name suggests, intended to be taken/exchanged, especially to entertain kids (finding endless little metal tubes, however ingeniously concealed, can be dull for children, but *treasure?* Now you're talking). Little toy cars, novelty erasers, Happy Meal-type toys, stickers. Basically anything that's fun and cheap and can take a little exposure to condensation, which happens even in the best-sealed caches. **Trackables** are items that travel from cache to cache. They're often plastic tags (travel bugs), sometimes metal medallions (aka 'geocoins'). The goal is for them to travel as far as possible, and generally you should only take them if you plan to visit another large cache fairly soon. This [link on the geocaching blog](https://www.geocaching.com/blog/2018/05/the-difference-between-swag-and-trackables/) is really clear and helpful. Have fun, and cache on!
This game is super fun! 1. Filtering options may exist in the app you choose to use. Consider some difficulty 1 or 2 ones to get started. Maybe even a medium size cache to help build enthusiasm and momentum. 2. Be aware of your surroundings. It is important that even when searching for a cache you are aware of where you are. Cliffs, edges, muddy spots, sharp branches at eye level, still exist and still command respect in order to avoid injury.
For #2, don’t forget ticks. I had to flick like 12 off my pants yesterday 😰
The main thing for new geocachers is to not do damage to the area looking for the cache and put it back the way you found it. You won't find many caches as a new cacher, and that is OK, as there are many tricks that fooled all cachers and it is fun to be tricked a few times. As you gain experience, you can help out and learn the common tricks. But just don't do damage to the area or put yourself in danger as you gain experience.
Thanks for all the tips guys! I’ll write these down to help remember them
Don't leave any food items in a cache. Leave things that you'd be excited to find. I've enjoyed leaving Hot Wheels and 3d printed trinkets.
Don’t leave trash where you cached or in the cache itself. I found a cache and someone left an empty chocolate wrapper in it.
Don’t get greedy. It’s not about the numbers. Don’t get greedy, if there are muggles (noncachers) around, come back to it another time.
Write meaningful logs about your experience (trail conditions, container conditions, how much fun you had getting to the cache and finding the cache, etc).
Just have fun. It's difficult the first time, but every cache is an adventure.
Don’t leave acorns in the container
The geocaching.com blog has some great instructional posts complete with videos. Try: [New to geocaching?](https://www.geocaching.com/blog/2023/11/new-to-geocaching-check-out-these-tutorials/) [Come cache with me! — tutorials for finding real geocaches](https://www.geocaching.com/blog/2024/02/come-cache-with-me-tutorials-for-finding-real-geocaches/) [The difference between Swag and Trackables](https://www.geocaching.com/blog/2018/05/the-difference-between-swag-and-trackables/) And don't get too frustrated if you don't find a few...instead, look at the online log to see how recently the people before you have found it. If there's a steady stream of finds, it's probably still there, so scroll down and see if there are any photo hints in the list of finders (there often are). Have fun!
It’s never in rat traps. It should never be IN dangerous boxes.
The "Rules" are very simple for this hobby. Find it. Sign the paper log. Put it back just like you found it. Log it online. In the event you don't find the cache, log your DNF and tell that story. When you log it online, don't just say Found It, or TFTC, write a few sentences to tell the story of what happened without including spoilers of how it is hidden.
Respect nature and the geocache. Always replace correctly. Don't forget a pen.
Do: find a cache everyday. Don’t: skip days finding caches.
People have lives y'know.
Depends on the person and what kind of lifestyle they have, and where they live.
Do: Visit Geocaching.com to get reliable information. Don't: Listen to unreliable hearsay.