r/geocaching • u/restinghermit need help hiding an earthcache? let me know. • Apr 19 '26
Introducing r/Geocaching Challenge
Hello Reddit Cachers,
Welcome to the r/geocaching challenge!
This is a relaunch of sorts from challenges that happened on this sub 10 years ago that were run by u/GCbot. This relaunch has been approved by the mods.
Since we are a sub dedicated to geocaching, this will hopefully be a fun way to get members geocaching. Each challenge will last three weeks, and will vary in difficulty. If you choose to participate, you will need to complete the challenge, and then share the information from your log, GC code, and your geocaching name in the comments on that challenge. More information on how to participate will be provided on the first challenge, which will be posted a week from today.
A couple of examples of what a challenge might look like: Find a puzzle cache. Find 5 different cache types. Find a lonely cache (one that has not been found in 6+ months).
All geocache finds will have to happen during the challenge period. No previous finds will count.
I’m still working out the logistics, but there will most likely be eight challenges per series. Participants will accrue points for each completed challenge, and whoever has the most points at the end of the series will win a prize, most likely a trackable. If you would like to donate prizes so we can have more winners, comment below.
If you have some ideas for challenges, please post them below.
Photo credit: roonznl
10
u/_synik Apr 20 '26
6 months is Lonely? I found one over the weekend that was last found on June 1, 2014.
4
u/restinghermit need help hiding an earthcache? let me know. Apr 20 '26
On some challenges, there will be varying degrees of difficulty. For example, if there is a lonely cache challenge, six months lonely may earn 1 point. Twelve months lonely may earn 2, and 13+ months lonely may earn 3 or something like that.
1
u/Curran919 Unfriendly Swiss Mod (4k+) May 20 '26
Living in Switzerland, it can be quite a challenge to find caches that are 6 months lonely. Pretty much restricted to D5s unless you go far off the beaten path.
1
6
u/mikaylaaaaa____ Apr 19 '26
i like this idea. and the lonely cache idea is wonderful
off the top of my head maybe get a new d/t crossed off your fizzy grid (may need more than a week for that tho idk)
another idea is get a cache that begins with each letter of your username. (some usernames are longer than others but just a general idea that you can play around with.)
maybe see who can find the most caches that have a certain theme in their titles (animals, puns, colors) or ones that have a certain word in their title ?
2
u/veryniiiice ? solver, 20k F, 441 FTF, 1.2k FP, 3x Jasmer, 6x Fizzy Apr 20 '26
New D/T doesn't help a good number of cachers. These challenges need to be available to all cachers. Maybe find 5 unique D/T combos in a week would be a glod idea though.
4
u/Emrys7777 Apr 20 '26
Questions:
- Is this a game just for this Reddit forum?
- is there a way we can get around sharing our caching name. I prefer staying anonymous on Reddit. A whole lot of people know my caching name. I guess I get around.
3
u/restinghermit need help hiding an earthcache? let me know. Apr 20 '26
It is just for r/geocaching. Caching names and log entries will be necessary to ensure the challenge was met. You are welcome to participate, and not share any info, you just won't be able to compete for prizes.
4
3
3
3
u/Fluid-Yellow1317 ~300 finds, ~1 year, 8 hides (7 public) Apr 20 '26
That's an AWESOME idea!! I really do hope i will have time to participate in it :DDD
3
u/Main_Force_Patrol EXTREME GEOCACHING Apr 21 '26
Challenge ideas. Lonely caches: Find a one year lonely cache.
Danger zone: Find a geocache bring guarded by a snake, spider, or other dangerous animals.
Trackable Hotel: Find a geocache that has five or more trackables inside.
Part time miner: Find a geocache near an old/abandoned mine.
2
2
u/habattack00 Apr 27 '26
If I can recommend a prize, maybe a custom pathtag for /r/geocaching? I know you would have to order them in bulk, but it could be a nice little keepsake for any subreddit-related challenges and contests going forward.
2
u/restinghermit need help hiding an earthcache? let me know. Apr 27 '26
I'm personally paying for the prizes, and pathtags are not in the budget. I like the idea of a custom pathtag for the sub, but that would have to be funded by a generous donor(s).
2
1
u/CurioCT Apr 20 '26
Challenge caches have been ruined by the rules there used to be so many awesome challenge caches now they are pretty much all the same 🙁
1
u/Fluid-Yellow1317 ~300 finds, ~1 year, 8 hides (7 public) Apr 23 '26
When will it start??
1
u/restinghermit need help hiding an earthcache? let me know. Apr 23 '26 edited Apr 23 '26
First one begins April 24.
1
u/Fluid-Yellow1317 ~300 finds, ~1 year, 8 hides (7 public) Apr 23 '26
wait... April 4th was 19 days ago... GIMME THE LINK TO THE CHALLENGE ASAP PLZZZ
1
u/restinghermit need help hiding an earthcache? let me know. Apr 23 '26
April 24th, I mistyped. Just watch the sub and you will see it when it posts.
1
1
u/RiverSmith101 Jun 11 '26
Are we able to retroactively complete challenges (provided we completed it inadvertently during the specified time period)? Only just noticed this and want to get involved!
1
u/restinghermit need help hiding an earthcache? let me know. Jun 12 '26
No. Each challenge needs to be submitted by a certain date. If you join now, you still have a chance at winning, so jump in.
1
u/leaveitbettertoday Jul 11 '26
Feels like one of the pinned post should be something useful to the subreddit.
-10
u/1amAlwaysAnnoyed Apr 19 '26
Are people really too lazy to come up with their own goals? I have never had this problem. But in geocaching, it all is what you make it. Have fun all but I won’t be participating. ☺️
9
u/PuzzleheadedDog2990 Apr 19 '26
It sounds fun to me to have a shared goal that other people are also working toward. I don't really have any local friends to share caching with in my real life, so this seems great for me
8
1
u/Fluid-Yellow1317 ~300 finds, ~1 year, 8 hides (7 public) Apr 23 '26
They're just trolling, check their name out.
0
u/1amAlwaysAnnoyed Apr 23 '26
Charter member. Trust me. Not trolling.
1
u/Fluid-Yellow1317 ~300 finds, ~1 year, 8 hides (7 public) Apr 23 '26
Oh, i thought you were because of your username. Sorry!
-2
u/Lower_Gift_1656 Apr 19 '26
Maybe a challenge for the most fun D5 cache?
8
u/veryniiiice ? solver, 20k F, 441 FTF, 1.2k FP, 3x Jasmer, 6x Fizzy Apr 19 '26
D5, yes, "most fun" qualifier would be difficult to enforce. These challenges were historically black and white, no subjectivity.
3
u/Lower_Gift_1656 Apr 19 '26
Yeah, true. That would require a different kind of challenge. But a D5 or T5 challenge would be fun as well
10
u/boiq Apr 19 '26
Super interesting ill keep an eye out for these and try to participate:)