Winter Caching Games 2020-2021

The date on this event is for the windup, which is currently posted and may change depending on participation. The windup is scheduled to start at the posted coordinates on Sunday, February 21, 2021. We will gather at 4 p.m. and wrap the winner presentations by 4:30 p.m. Please Note----The time, and location are subject to change weather dependant... if it is nasty weather we may decide to update the location with an announcement of change to amore sheltered location.

Anyone may log a will attend on this event without any participation in the "Games"

Any photos associated with a TASK have nothing to do with attending the event and are not a requirement for attending the final wind up on February 21, 2021. 

This is 90 dayish-game ending with an event. The games will be commencing on  Sunday, November 29, 2020 at 12:00 am and ending on Saturday , February 20, 2021 at 6:00 pm..... ALL LOGS FOR ALL TASKS AND BONUS MUST BE POSTED BEFORE THIS TIME. The wrap up for the games will start February 21, 2021 at 4 p.m. at the posted coordinates in a final wind up gathering.

**This year** -- The Games begin on November 29, 2020 but we are giving participants until December 5, 2020 to sign-up to participate!  By posting a note, initially, before the end of the day 11:59 pm Saturday December 5, 2020  that you are participating in the games, lets us know you are playing. 

Scoreboards - updated as the games go on.

Scoreboard  updates will be found in the Image Gallery

The Winter Caching Games is a fun competition to get you caching.  Designed for all cachers, the objective is to complete any

TWELVE (12)

 of the tasks not including the weekly bonus activities, during the 3 months that the game runs.  

Please note that this is not a race.  Tasks have higher or lower points assigned to them.  Read the Task requirements carefully and choose wisely.  You are seeking points, not completing the Games first; although there is danger in waiting too long.  Even if you don’t get the high score, a strategic approach may still result in a prize.

 In order to claim a smiley for this event, you must either: 1) Complete 12 Tasks, 2) Attend the windup event, or 3) Both. *** To clarify, you do not have to participate in the games to attend the event***

To qualify, all caches are limited to those located in Texas. 

If you are one of the prize winners, we will make every effort to accommodate pickup/delivery; however, it is ultimately your responsibility to collect your prize.

If you have questions about whether a cache is acceptable for a Task, please contact us via Geocaching Messages or email.  We will do our best to be prompt with replies, but we make no guarantee of speediness (depending on time of day and/or work schedule).  Lateral or creative thinking is encouraged for the Games, so we will make every effort to accept sideways logic. 

If we require further clarification of any claimed Tasks, we will be contacting you either via the Geocaching Messages or email.  Failure to reply within a reasonable timeframe may result in your Task being removed from the scoreboard.  We will not do this lightly, but it may happen.

Rules

Short Version

• Claim 12 Tasks in 3 months (November 29, 2020 to February 20, 2021). 

• Using the “Write Note” feature on this cache page, report your claims with Task Number, GC Code (multiple if required), including D/T rating, Points Claimed, and any Task specific requirements within 7 days of fulfilling.  
•        Your log will look something very similar to this:
•               Note:
•                  Task(or Weekly/Monthly bonus)
•                   GC Code(s)
•                    DT (if require)
•                    Points Claimed

·         Some Tasks have an outright points value stated, while others are dependent on the cache found.  Some offer positive points, negative points, or the geocacher’s choice between them.  Claimed point values must be stated on the Note, and cannot be edited.

• Watch for Bonuses. 
• Photos are encouraged.  If required, it will be stated in the Task requirement.

Full Rules

1.   Game runs from 12:00am Sunday, November 29, 2020 through to 11:59 pm Saturday, February 20, 2021.

2.   Games participants need to register in this thread to let us know you're playing; the sooner the better.  Event attendees can register up to the day of the windup event. 

     This will also help determine where the wrap up event is held, as the venue will likely depend on crowd size.

       4. Fulfill any 12 of the Tasks listed below after the start of the Games.  To complete the Games, exactly 12 Tasks must be logged.

       5. Caches you claim for the game must be logged on www.geocaching.com during the time frame of the game.  No previous or late finds will be allowed.

       6. Tasks must be claimed within 7 days of finding the cache and before the conclusion of the Games (Task 17 is exempt from being claimed within 7 days, but must be claimed prior to the conclusion of the Games). The post must clearly state which Task is being claimed, the GC Code of the cache (multiple if necessary), the Points being Claimed, and how the cache meets the requirement (if necessary).  Post your claims as a Note on this event page.

       7. Caches found as part of these games must be published before the start of the game on November 29, 2020. Any Task that requires new cache(s) to be placed (physical or event) does not fall under this rule.

      8. Tasks that require caches to be hidden must be published prior to 11:59 pm February 20, 2021.  Please plan accordingly, and do not leave this to the last minute.  By placing a geocache as part of these Games, you agree to follow all the guidelines set out by www.geocaching.com in owning a geocache.

       9. Each Task must be claimed on a cache previously unfound by you.

      10. Each Task must be claimed against a different cache, unless the requirement states otherwise.

*****Exceptions:  The Challenge.

       11. Tasks, Bonuses, and Challenges can only be claimed once per geocaching login (single person or team of cachers).  Multiple claims against the same Task, Bonus, and/or Challenge by the same geocacher will be rejected. 

          ******Exception: If the first claim of this Task was rejected, it can be attempted again. 

     12. Once Tasks, Bonuses, and Challenges are claimed, you may not substitute another.

     13. Points vary by Task, Bonus, and Challenge; these are clearly defined below.  Some give participants a choice in point value, therefore you must clearly state the point value (including positive or negative) when you are claiming the Task. Once claimed, your point values cannot be changed.

     14. There will be multiple prizes for the players who complete the games.  All will be awarded to players who have completed 12 Tasks.  Prizes will be for Highest, Lowest, and Closest to Average.  Other prizes will likely be available.

     15. In the event of a tie score, the earliest score will be used as the tiebreaker. 

     16. No "arm chair" caching is permitted.  You can only use caches that you found, signed the log, and logged on www.geocaching.com on the same day (or within reason).  Claiming a cache that you found months ago and just got around to logging is not permitted in the Games.  

     17. Multi-player teams would be more than 1 person using the same name, with the other members present. All members of multi-person teams must meet the qualification of the Task, and must be present when claiming the cache.  It is likely OK if the other member(s) of your team are in the vehicle.  However, if one member of your team members is in a different country or is “home with the kids”, and others are claiming caches for this game, then that is not allowed.  This rule applies to all Tasks, Bonuses, and Challenge.

***Spouses, etc., that occasionally cache with the primary geocacher are exempt from this rule. However, these individuals (let's call them Squibs for the JK Rowling fans out there!) will not be considered Muggles either. If there is any confusion, please let us know.

      18. New Tasks may be added to the list as the game goes on.

We, Team Winter Jazz, will administer the game and our decisions are final.  We reserve the right to provide clarifications to the rules at any point during the game.

Have fun!

Tasks

Tasks may only be claimed once per participating geocaching login (single player, or multi-player team).

Task 1. Bring a Muggle to an Event: 15 points (+/- plus or minus)

• Bring a muggle to an event and then log the event.  Your muggle is a person who has never gone geocaching before.  This person must not be registered on
• www.geocaching.com before the beginning of the Games.  Your cache log must indicate that you attended the event your Muggle friend, and contain a picture of the 2 of you while attending the event. 

Task 2. Help a New Hider Place a Cache: 20 points (+/- plus or minus or zero)

• Help a geocacher that has never placed a cache before to place a new geocache.  This person must have zero hides prior to the beginning of the Games.  The hider will need to make a note in the description of the cache about who helped them place the cache.  The other geocacher does not have to be participating in the Games to qualify.  Your Task Note must contain the name of the other geocacher, the name and GC number of the new cache. 

Task 3. How About That Sunrise/Sunset!!

5 points each plus or minus or zero for a total of 15 points plus minus or zero. You may claim this task with just 1 cache and photo

Find up to 3 caches at Sunrise/Sunset and take photos and include them with your log. Please state the time of day the photo was taken.

To claim the points you will need to include the photos with your note on the games and identify which photo was at which cache. These must be 3 different days. They cannot be the same sunrise/sunset

Task 4. Attend/ host an Educational Event: 25 points(+/- plus or minus)

• Attend any educational geocaching event.  Educational events include the following: 

• Geocaching 101
• GSAK Class
• How to Create an Earthcache
• How to Create a Reverse Where I Go
• How to hide a traditional cache
• How to hide a multi cache
• How to make a creative geocache hide
• Your log must indicate the GC number and name of the event! 

Task 5. Cache with a ‘Noob’: 5 points (+/- plus or minus)

• Log any physical cache with a geocacher who had less than 50 finds prior to this “team up”.  This geocacher must have been registered on www.geocaching.com prior to the beginning of the Games.  Both caching logs must reference the other geocacher.  The other geocacher does not have to be participating in the Games to qualify.  Your Task Note must contain the name of the other geocacher. 

Task 6. Mini Spelling Bee: (Highest D + Highest T) points  (+/- plus or minus)

• Find a total of 6 caches, using the first letter of the cache name to spell “MUGGLE”.
• Does not qualify:  Caches that start with numbers or symbols
• This Task is exempt from Rule 5's statement of claiming within 7 days of finding the cache. You can take the entire Games to spell "MUGGLE", but you must claim the Task prior to the conclusion of the Games. 

Task 7. Abandoned Structure Cache: (10 points  (+/- plus or minus or zero)

• Log any physical cache that displays the “Abandoned Structure” icon attribute. 

Task 8. Into the Dark:

IF IT IS A MYSTERY GEOCACHE(5 points (+/- plus or minus)

IF IT IS A MULTI GEOCACHE(7 points (+/- plus or minus)

IF IT IS A WHERIGO GEOCACHE(9 points (+/- plus or minus)

• Log any physical cache that displays one or both of “Night Cache” or “Recommended at Night” icon attributes. 
•  

Task 9. Find an Earthcache (15 points  (+/- plus or minus)

• Log any Earthcache after fulfilling all of the requirements for logging that particular Earthcache. 

Task 10. Field Medic: (2+D+T) points **ON YOUR OWN CURRENT HIDE or a team member current hide** (+/- plus or minus)

• Perform field maintenance and log any physical cache that displays the “Maintenance Required” icon attribute.  Log must describe steps taken to perform the maintenance (replacing container, replacing logbook, or restocking the swag inside).  For those playing on a team choose one team members geocache to perform this Task.

Task 11. Create a Where-I-Go (20 points), Reverse Where-I-Go (5 points) or Earthcache (20 points) (+/- plus or minus)

• Create either a Where-I-Go, Reverse Where-I-Go or an Earthcache

• Your geocache must be listed at www.geocaching.com, and must be published before the end of the Games.  Points cannot be claimed until the cache is published.  Please ensure you give adequate time for the cache reviewer to publish your hide.

Task 12. Happy Anniversary: - (+/- plus or minus SEE BELOW FOR DETAILS OF SCORING)

• Find up to 5 caches on their "Hidden On” anniversary, regardless of what year they were placed.

·         Example: Cache states the date it was hidden on was January 11.  Finding this cache on January 11, 2021 will qualify you for this Task. 

           ***** SCORING FOR THIS WILL BE THE D PLUS THE T FOR EACH OF THE CACHES ADDED TO AN ADDITIONAL 1 BONUS POINT FOR EACH CACHE WITH A MAXIMUM OF 5 BONUS POINTS AWARDED*****

Task 13. Find any Where-I-Go: (10 points) - (+/- plus or minus)

• Find and Log any Where-I-Go or Reverse Where-I-Go.

Task 14. A 200 word log on a geocache find. (15 points plus or minus or zero)

This must be original it may not be copy and paste. Team players must have different logs.

Task 15. Host a National Day of Event or place 3 National Day of themed caches of different types FOR 25 points (+/- plus or minus or zero)

• Pick a National Day of something and host an event to celebrate that day.

·         Use any website reference (Include this national day of reference in your LOG) to choose a national day of.

                                                              OR

·          Place 3 National Day of themed-caches of 3 different types for example a traditional, a puzzle and a letterbox any combination of 3 different types.

Task 16. It’s all about the WILDLIFE (Bugs excluded this time around) Claim points on finds/maintenance or hides as follows: (points are + or- or zero)

1 cache 2 points total

2 caches 4 points total

3 caches 5 points total

Find a cache or maintain your own cache. At any cache that you claim a smiley on or that you maintain of your own OR your team member and you see wildlife take a photo to post with your log. Heck you can even hide a cache if you want. Include same photo in your log to claim points for this task and identify which photo goes with which cache find/maintenance log or cache hide GC.

  The only criteria is that you see wildlife near GZ. This can be even a …. Frog….lizard…snake…. anything (Bugs excluded). The wildlife must be clearly visible in the photo.

Task 17. Spelling Bee: Calculation: (14 + LOWEST D + LOWEST T) - (+/- plus or minus or zero)

Find a total of 15 caches, using the first letter of the Cache Name to spell “FESTIVAL GC8W9P1”.  

• Does not qualify: Caches that start with Symbols;
• This Task is exempt from Rule 5's statement of claiming within 7 days of finding the cache. You can take the entire Games to spell " FESTIVAL GC8W9P1", but you must claim the Task prior to the conclusion of the Games. 

Task 18. Mysterious Task: 12 points (+/- plus or minus)

• Find exactly 3 Mystery/Puzzle caches during a single calendar day (midnight to midnight).  Other cache types may be found during the same calendar day, but only 3 Mystery/Puzzles can be found in order to claim this Task. 

Task 19. 10 for 10:  10 points (+/- plus or minus)

• Log 10 caches of any type hidden by the same Cache Owner (CO).  
• *****************None of these geocaches can be used for another task except the spelling bee tasks.

Task 20. HIDE A Multicache: (12 points (+/- plus or minus)

• HIDE any Multicache that has a minimum of 2 steps (posted coordinates, mid-point, and final location); there can be more than 2, but not less.  IF THIS CACHE EARNS MORE THAN 5 FAV POINTS BY THE END OF THE GAMES WE WILL ADD 3 POINTS TO YOUR SCORE. 

Task 21. Lonely: (points depend on length of time cache has not been found) (+/- plus or minus or zero)

• Log any physical cache that has not been found in Texas in the preceding:

180 days = 5 points.

            365 days = 6 points.

            2 years = 7 points.

            3 years = 10 points 

            4+ years= 15 points

Task 22. Fancy Dress or Costume: (3+D+T) points (+/- plus or minus)

• Log any physical cache, and post a photo of you dressed in attire which directly relates to the cache's theme.  Be creative; don’t wear normal clothes and try to make the theme fit. 

 Task 23. Host a CITO event: 25 points - (+/- plus or minus)

• Your event must be listed on www.geocaching.com, and must be published before the Games end.  Your event can take place after the Games end.
• Note: According to geocache guidelines, Event Caches should be submitted no less than two weeks before the date of the event, so please plan accordingly.  Also, please ensure you give adequate time for the cache reviewer to publish your hide. 

Task 24. Hide a Large Traditional Cache: 25 points (+/- plus or minus)

• Hide a large traditional cache.  A large container is described on Groundspeak as being “a minimum of 20L (around 5 imperial gallons)”. 
• Your geocache must be listed at www.geocaching.com, and must be published before the end of the Games.  Points cannot be claimed until the cache is published.  Please ensure you give adequate time for the cache reviewer to publish your hide.

Task 25. Make Things Mysterious: 8 points (+/- plus or minus)

• Hide a minimum of 3 Mystery/Puzzle caches.  A Mystery/Puzzle cache is described on Groundspeak as being “a geocache where the listed coordinates are not where the cache is placed”.  This could require a puzzle to be solved, a beacon to be found, etc.  Challenge caches would also meet the requirements for this Task. 
• Your geocaches must be listed at www.geocaching.com, and must be published before the end of the Games.  Points cannot be claimed until the caches are published.  Please ensure you give adequate time for the cache reviewer to publish your hides. 

Task 26. Become Friendlier: 12 points (+/- plus or minus)

• FIND a minimum of 3 caches with the attribute of “Recommended for kids” and must be a Regular sized cache. 

Task 27. X Factor: (points + or- or zero)

• By definition, an X Factor is the defining property or characteristic of a given situation, or the variable on a given situation that could have the most impact. Therefore, find a cache with minimum of 6 Attributes on the cache page.

• It can be any Attributes (positive or negative), but there has to be has to be a minimum of 6 attributes on the cache page.

The Key to this challenge is that you will be finding 10 caches by 10 different CO. All with the x-factor of 6 attributes or more.

Claim the points of 1 point per cache found up to a maximum of 10 points. You may choose to find a minimum of 1 or any amount up to the maximum.

Your log claiming points will look like this:

Team Vitriol

Claiming 5 points positive for the following finds for task # 27

-CO is gladrabbit attributes 8 on GCxxxxx

-CO is saskquatcheye attributes 10 on GCxxxxx

-CO is trumpetbaby attributes 6 on GCxxxxx

-CO is stuckinthemud attributes 7 on GCxxxxx

-CO is flowerchild762 attributes 12 on GCxxxxx

Task  28. All By Myself: 5 points (+/- plus or minus)

• Hide a physical cache (any type) where the next closest physical cache coordinates are a minimum of 1 mile away. 
• Your geocache must be listed at www.geocaching.com, and must be published before the end of the Games.  Points cannot be claimed until the cache is published.  Please ensure you give adequate time for the cache reviewer to publish your hide.

Task 29.  Complete UP TO 3 Adventure Lab SERIES: 10 points EACH(+/- plus or minus)

            As proof of your completing the Adventure Lab post a screen shot of the Adventure Lab showing your geocaching name at the top and the completed icon with check mark on the page see Example.  If your team is claiming this task you will need to submit a screenshot of each team player completion proof. ****************************************This Task may not be used in the spelling bee task.*****************

Bonuses

There will be both Weekly and Monthly bonuses.  NEW THIS YEAR WEEKLY BONUS’ WILL SPAN A 2 WEEK PERIOD (we are calling it biweekly and it will be posted as an announcement on the Saturday night before it begins.) Each participating geocaching ID may only claim each bonus once.

Weekly bonuses will be Sunday to Saturday (over a span of 2 weeks).

BIWEEKLY  BONUS 1>>>>>> NOV 29 TO DEC 12

• CITO at 5 cache locations. Post the 5 different GC codes in your note and 5 different photos of you with your 5 different CITO loots (or trash bags for the non-pirates in the games). For Cache owners you may post a cache maintenance log with a different CITO photo for the same game points as a find.

• POINTS>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> .5 (yes ½ POINT) PER LOCATION FOR A MAX TOTAL OF 2.5 POINTS.

• This bonus must be claimed prior to 11:59pm on December 12.

BIWEEKLY  BONUS 2>>>>>> DEC 13 TO DEC 26

Geocaching Grocery list bonus

1-  Post a photo of Christmas lights on the 2020-2021 Texas Winter Caching games facebook page for 2 pts(+/- or zero)

2-  Find 3 caches in each of 2 counties, for a total of 4 pts(+/- or zero)

3-   Find 4 caches with 4 or more attributes each for a total of 4 pts(+/- or zero)

In your log claiming points for this bonus.

-Post the date of your photo share to the facebook page and the points you are claiming.

-Post the GC of each cache and which county it is in along with the points you are claiming.

-Post the GC of the 4 caches you found plus which attributes are on each cache along with the points you are claiming.

This bonus is not eligible to be earned on caches that you have previously found or that have published after the start of the games. ***You do not have to do all of the items on the grocery list you may choose to do all or 1 or 2 of them.

All of these cache finds will be geocaches that were published before November 29,2020 and may not be combined with any other task or bonus except The Challenge.

Please post your log for points before Dec 26^th, 2020 11:59 p.m.

BIWEEKLY BONUS 3>>>>>> DEC 27 TO JAN 9

QUICK PICK – Chose only 2 of the 3. Post only one note claiming points for your bonus, please.  See below how to submit your note for points.

1.Add SWAG to your own cache or any other cache. All caches must be published before the games started. Post a photo of the cache before and after SWAG was added with your log submission

 (2 points +/-, or zero points.)

2.Favorite Milestone Cache. Tell a story about your favorite milestone cache, even[JB1]  if it is your first one!  If playing on a team, ALL players on the team must share a story. The team captain can include the stories in the log claiming points. Share a photo naming the milestone, if you have one.  Otherwise post any caching photo and your story to 2020-2021 Texas Winter Caching Games Facebook Page. (8 points +/-, or zero points.) 

3.Make a donation to the Food Bank (2 points +/-, or zero points.)

Post a photo of donation and where the donation was made.  Share a photo to 2020-2021 Texas Winter Caching Games Facebook Page

Your Log claiming Points for the Bi-weekly bonus must be organized like the following: (Make only one log for both choices, please. And of course any 2 of the 3 choices)

Player/Team (name) claims +10 points for the following 2 choices for this bonus

1.Added swag to GCXXXXX.  Photo with this log for 2+ points

2.Favorite milestone for 100 finds for Player (name). Story at the end of this log for 8+ points

Milestone story example

100 milestone Player (name)

Decided to get back into caching in 2020 after joining in 2010. Hit this milestone while fighting an alligator off my dog at GZ. It was fun and we all survived… even the alligator…see photo on the 2020-2021 Texas Winter Caching Games Facebook Page

Please post your log for points before Jan 9th, 2021 11:59 p.m.

BIWEEKLY  BONUS 4>>>>>> JAN 10 TO JAN 23

Find them & Hide-em

A 2 Part bonus

Part 1:

Find and log 4 geocaches that have the first number after GCXXXXX be consecutive numbers or consecutive letters. No need to find either choice in consecutive order.

Examples of GC codes would be like this

Gc2????                         or                               GCD????

Gc3????                                                            GCE????

Gc4????                                                            GCF???? 

Gc5????                                                            GCG????

OR  be hidden in 4 Consecutive Years

Example would be 4 different caches hidden in consecutive years of:

2010

2011

2012

2013

To be clear the caches that you find do not have to match up to the examples given.  They can be any set of 4 as long as they are consecutive.

Points +/- or zero 5 points

PART 2 of this biweekly bonus

Create any cache type that highlights a benchmark.

Usually we do a find a benchmark bonus. However this year the bonus will be to create a cache that highlights a benchmark in Texas. There are 2 requirements for this particular cache and one additional optional part to the bonus.

1. The name of the cache should have the word Benchmark in it 

2. The cache description should hold some information about what a benchmark is and how to find it on the geocache page.  The description should also mention the benchmark with its corresponding Code.

3. Optional: In the description of the cache should be a  “how to log a benchmark” instructions (for brand new cachers).  There will be 1 additional point awarded for doing this option.

Key Points to know.

This Benchmark can be one that you have already found.

If there is information on the Benchmark Page that give better coordinates for finding the benchmark please do that.

It would be great but it isn’t requited that you log a not on the benchmark page that you have created a geocache that promotes this benchmark specifically.

  Points +/- or zero 5 points for completing Step 1 and 2, and 1 additional point +/- for fulfilling the optional part of this bonus

Here are a couple of links to read about benchmarks if you want to learn more.

https://www.geocaching.com/mark/

If you are completely unfamiliar with Benchmarks we can help with this. Just message us and we can get you on your way.

Please post your log for points before Jan 23th, 2021 11:59 p.m.

BIWEEKLY  BONUS 5>>>>>> JAN 24 TO FEB 6

Where is the kid in you?

It's the Paper Bag Princess/Prince bonus. Find any cache (still published before the start of the games) and take a photo of you with a paper bag over your head and include it with your cache find log. Decorate it any way you like…keep it plain…make it with holes to see…without holes to see…any way you like...let your inner child play! Point value for this Bonus is 5 points + or-or zero.

Find any geocache type and a scene of our Beautiful State.

Find any cache anywhere in Texas. Note the GC code (please make sure it is a valid code) in your log to claim the points as usual. The twist here is to add a photo to your log of any scene from around Texas and include the coordinates of the view of the photo.  Point value for this Bonus is 5 points + or -or zero.

The added twist here is to post your scenic photo to the Texas Winter Games Facebook page for a whopping additional 25 points + or -.

Please note:  the photo you post MUST be taken between 24 Jan 21 and 6 Feb 21.

Please post your log for points before Feb 6th, 2021 11:59 p.m.

FINAL BIWEEKLY  BONUS 6>>>>>> FEB 7 TO FEB 20

WE ARE CALLING THIS THE "Triple Dip"

Lucky You!!! These bi-weekly challenges are unique standing alone or done collectively for the points you choose. Do one or two or all three.

1.   Waymarks;    Each geocache page holds a link to both benchmarks nearby and for waymarks nearby.

Your challenge is to find 2 waymarks this week. Your log to claim these waymarks for a credit of .5 points each positive or negative or zero.

Included with your log, have the photo you took at the waymark with your Personal item in the photo…. Go ahead and name said item…. Foot…. Hand…. Trackable…. Vehicle….whatever that is known to be yours.

If you are claiming waymarks linked to 2 different geocaches you must include both GC# in your log. And of course the exact name of the waymark. 

2.   Trackables:   About those trackables that you have in your inventory

 DROP 3 trackables over the 2 week period in 3 different caches. (only one trackable in each cache)

 a. To record your trackable DROP, post a photo with your winter games log of the non- recordable side of the trackable and the trackables name with the cache container.

 b. GC code of the cache the trackable is dropped in and a screenshot of the trackable inventory of that geocache for credit for points on your note to the winter games.

 c. Send a private message to the CO of the Texas Winter Caching Games of the trackable code for verification only. This needs to be done on the same day as you log your note for this bonus, otherwise the scorekeeper cannot give credit for points.

 Points for this bonus 1 points for each trackable up to 3 total trackables. Total possible points 3 plus or minus but you don’t have to do all 3 to earn points. If there is only 1 trackable in your inventory to drop this is fine. You may drop your own or other trackables owned by others. You may earn 1,2 or 3 total points.

 If you are playing on a team you need not double this…. Only one player on the team need drop the trackable. Please make note of which team player had the trackable in their inventory that was used for this bonus.

3.       Post Your best “Phoon”…not a dab but a phoon!!

-be as creative as you like… most of all have fun with it Check out the website www.phoons.com where you will find lots of photos of people phooning and some history about the phenomenon. If you’ve never phooned before, try it, take a photo, it’s fun. If you are usually shy about adding photos of yourself in your logs, don’t worry. A phoon photo does not have to be a close up. In fact, it is usually a distant shot of a landscape or a structure, with you phooning somewhere in the frame. When doing a true phoon, you shouldn’t be looking at the camera, so you can add a photo of yourself phooning and still remain completely anonymous. Pictures of people phooning usually make us all laugh, because it is such a silly thing. Add some silliness to your caching fun and ENJOY!

Do this near a cache and post your photo to the cache log. Within a reasonable distance... not more than a mile. We are going to use the honor system here and trust that you will abide by the distance especially since for this phooning activity only it can be done at an event or cache that has been published after the Games started but can also be used on any other cache as well. ONLY FOR THIS PART OF THE BIWEEKLY BONUS DOES THIS APPLY( the other 2 aspects of this biweekly adhere to the cache being published before the start of the games... of course the waymark GC applies as well just to clarify)

How to do the phoon:

1. Stand sideways to the camera. (A Phoon is always viewed from the side.)

2. Bend your arms at the elbows. (Look like an athletic runner, not a ballerina.)

3. Lift your rear elbow (not your hand) so that it is easy to see behind your back.

4. Lean forward at the waist. This will help you look more energetic and will help you lift your rear ankle.

5. When possible, do not look at the camera and do not smile.

6. Either arm can be the rear arm. Either leg can be the rear leg.

Image: http://www.phoons.com/images/howto.gif

OOOOHHHH!!!! You are all the way through reading and wondering about points!!!

Here ya go!!

Points for this 5 points plus or minus or zero. As always a little twist…..

1 point added to your score for sharing a photo of your phoning with friends or muggles on the 2020-2021Texas Winter Games Facebook page. A maximum 6 points can be earned.

Please post your log for points before Feb 20th, 2021 11:59 p.m.

Log example for waymark points

*1*

  I/We claim .5 points (+or-) for waymark linked to GCXXXXX. The date of our find on this GC is Feb 10-2021....Fred Flintstone Clock as seen on the waymark page.  

*2*

Trackable Drop 

1 trackable for 1 point *Photo posted to 2020-2021 Texas Winter Caching Games Facebook Page and message to CO of Games page

*3* 

Phooned 

Claiming 5 points Phooned with the cachers at GCXXXXX event photo attached to log

Total points claimed for this final biweekly bonus are 6.5 points positive

Monthly bonus’ will be 1^st to the last day of the month or as otherwise noted at the beginning of the games and the last day of play.

THESE WILL BE POSTED ON SATURDAY NIGHT BEFORE THE WEEK COMMENCES AND THE 1^ST OF EACH MONTH FOR THE MONTHLY BONUS’

1^st MONTH BONUS NOV 29 (Sunday) TO DEC 31 (Thursday)

RAK- Random Acts of Kindness.

MUST BE SOMETHING YOUR HAVENT DONE BEFORE … EVER.

5 DIFFERENT RAK. THIS IS THE MONTH TO SPREAD JOY…. EVEN AT A DISTANCE. HAVE FUN WITH IT. GRAB LIFE BY THE HORNS AS IT PASSES BY AND SPEAD KINDNESS AS A PAY IT FORWARD.

POST ONE LOG WITH EACH DATE AND A DISCRIPTION OF HOW THE RAK OPPORTUNITY CAME TO YOU SPONTANEOUSLY.

POINTS>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> .5 (yes ½ POINT) PER LOCATION FOR A MAX TOTAL OF 2.5 POINTS.

This bonus must be claimed prior to 11:59pm on December 31st.

2^nd MONTH BONUS JAN 1 (Fridday) TO JAN 31 (Sunday)

2nd MONTH BONUS JAN 1 (Friday) TO JAN 31 (Sunday)
 
Favorite Points
Find caches that have favorite points. Find a maximum of 5 caches with a minimum of 50 favorite points.  You will need to list each GC that was used to obtain this bonus and the number of favorite points on each GC.  And the caches must have been published before the start of the Games on 29 Nov 2020.
Points for this are (+/- or zero) 7 pts.

AND
 
Thank our Heroes in a special way. There have been so many heroes this year in so many ways. Choose EMT, Police, Sheriff, Fire Department, Military, Doctor or Nurse and honor them in a special way. Post your tribute to the 2020-2021 Texas Winter Caching Games Facebook Page.
Points are (+/- or zero) 13 pts.

************************************************
Next month bonus is about your grid.loop.fizzy. To earn part of the points for next month’s bonus you will need to share a screenshot of your grid to the log for this month’s bonus. Team Players include all Players’ current grid screenshot.  Deadline to post this screenshot is January 31, 2021 @ 11:59 pm.

3^rd MONTHLY BONUS Feb 1 (Monday) to Feb 20 (Saturday)

The Grid

If you have submitted your D/T Grid (prior to 11:59 p.m. on 31 Jan 2021), you may choose 6 contiguous squares as a target to increase by 1 or 2.  You will, also, need to post your D/T grid(s) that is current on the day you or your team claim this bonus. 

If you chose to increase 6 contiguous squares within your grid by 1, then you or your team will earn 15 points plus or minus.

If you chose to increase the same 6 contiguous squares within your grid by 2, then you or your team will earn 20 points plus or minus.

The definition of contiguous is sharing a common border, so for this instance the 6 squares can be in a straight line, or in a block that touch each other.  This block could be a square shape but is not limited to that shape as there are varying ways to have 6 squares that share at least one common border with the next.  As long as all 6 squares share at least one side with the next square and then that square shares a common border with the next in the series, until all 6 squares are connected contiguously, that will be accepted. Squares in a diagonal will not be allowed as they do not fit the definition of sharing a common border.

***For team members this will be doubly hard as both grids will need to increase, however, the contiguous squares of each player’s grid does not need to be identical and they may overlap. This applies for both the 1 and 2 increase.

***REMEMBER these caches MUST have been published before the start of the games.***

Your log will look like this for this part of this bonus

The Grid Bonus

Nittygrittydirtykids claim 20 points for 6 contiguous grid squares increase. Date of first grid screenshot submitted Jan 30^th with a grid increase of 2 on the following caches:

GCXXXXX 3.5/3.5,

GCXXXXX 3.5/3.5,

GCXXXXX 3.5/4,

GCXXXXX 3.5/4,

GCXXXXX 3.5/4.5,

GCXXXXX 3.5/4.5,

GCXXXXX 4/3.5,

GCXXXXX 4/3.5,

GCXXXXX 4/4,

GCXXXXX 4/4,

GCXXXXX 4.5/4.5

GCXXXXX 4.5/4.5

Here is the current screenshot for Nittygrittydirtykids

E.L.E.V.A.T.I.O.N.

Find 2 caches with the maximum spread of elevation at GZ on the ground…terra firma…not in the tree at GZ if it is a tree climb.

A spread of 0-100 ft elevation is worth 10 points plus or minus or zero.

A spread of 100-150 ft elevation is worth 7 points plus or minus or zero.

A spread of 150-200 ft elevation is worth 5 points plus or minus or zero.

A spread of 200-250 and above ft elevation is worth 15 points plus or minus or zero. 

Your log must include the GC of the 2 caches, the date they were found, the elevation at each GZ and the coordinates at each GZ.  There are several ways for you to determine the elevation of a geocache.  When you find your cache, please take note of the elevation.  This can be from your Compass App, GPSr or any way you can get this.  A screenshot or photo of the elevation must be included in your claim log.

Your log for this will look like this:

1. Found cache GCXXXXX date Feb 7, 21 elevation 65 ft coordinates N29 36.123 W098 42.321

2. Found cache GCXXXXX date Feb 17, 21 elevation 165 ft coordinates N 29 50.123 W 103 52.321

Points claimed 10 points positive

***YOU HAVE THE OPTION OF DOING ONLY ONE OF THESE BONUSES OR BOTH OF THESE BONUSES TO EARN POINTS.***

***REMEMBER these caches MUST have been published before the start of the games.***

CHALLENGE BONUS

• Quite strategic with some calculated risk thrown in.

• This Challenge may only be claimed once per participating geocaching login (single player, or multi-player team), and no substitutions/replacements will be allowed once claimed.

• This Challenge is exempt from Rule 9: your Challenge cache can be claimed for another Task.

• Overview:

• Log a physical cache, and receive Challenge Bonus points based on specific air temperature ranges in degrees Fahrenheit (Challenge Bonus point values can be your choice of positive or negative):

• 41 F to 50 F: 2 points

• 31 F to 40 F: 3 points

• 21F to 30 F: 5 points

• 20 F or colder: 8 points

• This is the WINTER Caching Games after all! So biggest bonuses go to the heartiest of cachers (or the craziest!!).

ADDED TWIST FOR 2020-2021[JB10] 

MAKING A SNOWMAN BIGGER THAN 20 or 21 INCHES WILL GET YOU AN EXTRA 5 POINTS

MAKING A SNOW ANGEL WILL GET YOU AN EXTRA 5 POINTS (ALL TEAM MEMBERS IF PLAYING ON A TEAM)

• Please note that the temperature ranges above are referencing Air Temperature, not Wind Chill nor

• Your Challenge Note must include both:

• A screenshot of the temperature (weather app, website, thermometer, etc)

• A photo of you at the cache (try to at least pretend to look happy with us!)

POINTS CLAIMED FOR THIS CHALLENGE CAN BE PLUS OR MINUS OR ZERO

• This Challenge must be claimed within 48 hours of logging the find. No going out at 30F on December 12th, and waiting until February 20th to claim – that is the calculated risk portion of the Challenge!

• As with all Tasks and Bonuses, this Challenge can only be claimed once.