Geocaching 101 (Taranaki) Mystery Cache

Well another library cache for Taranaki, hope you enjoy.
 

Library open hours

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 9.00am - 6.00pm

Wednesday 9.00am - 9.00pm

Saturday and Sunday 9.00am - 5.00pm

Public Holidays closed

Glossary of Terms

BYOP, TFTC, and so forth - there are a number of unique terms in geocaching that you may not know if you're still a "muggle." This Glossary of Terms will help you translate this "geocaching speak"

5/5.....

meaning it was a very hard cache 5 Difficulty 5 Terrain

ALR'.....

"Additional Logging Requirement". Logging requirements beyond finding the geocache and signing the log. All ALRs must be optional for finders of a geocache.

Ammo Can.....

Ammunition boxes or ammo cans are containers originally designed for safe transport and storage of ammunition. Ammo cans are popular containers for regular or large geocaches.

Archive.....

Archiving permanently removes a geocache listing from search results. A geocache owner can archive their own listing. A geocache owner cannot unarchive it. As an alternative to archiving, the geocache can be temporarily disabled if maintenance is going to be performed or the container will be replaced in the near future.

Attributes.....

Icons featured on a details page for geocaches that describe specific characteristics of a geocache. There are several classes of attributes, such as whether or not you need special equipment, possible hazards along the way, or unique conditions one should be aware of. Attributes can show whether or not a cache is wheelchair accessible, dog friendly, requires a flashlight, and more. Attributes are also a tool to help you filter the types of geocaches you would like to search for when building a Pocket Query.

Basic Member.....

The introductory membership type for Geocaching.com. There are two types of membership, Basic and Premium. Geocaching Premium Membership offers additional features that Basic membership does not provide.

Bison.....

Also, known as a "Bison tube". A small, metal, water-tight cylindrical container that can be used for micro caches. Its name comes from the original manufacturer, but there are now several other brands on the market.

Bug.....

Also known as a Travel Bug. A trackable tag with a unique code that can be attached to an item. The trackable is then carried from cache to cache (or person to person) in the real world, and its progress can be followed on Geocaching.com.

BYOP.....

"Bring Your Own Pen/Pencil". An acronym often used by geocache owners to communicate to other geocachers that you will need to bring your writing utensil in order to sign the cache logbook. Cache A shortened version of the word geocache.

CACHE GUARDIAN.....

some sort of animal or bug that has moved in with the geocache.

Cacher.....

Also known as Geocacher. One who participates in geocaching.

Challenge Cache.....

A type of geocache that requires geocachers meet a geocaching-related qualification or series of tasks before the Challenge Cache can be logged online. Waymarking, Benchmark Hunting, and Wherigo-related qualifications or series of tasks also qualify.

CITO.....

"Cache In Trash Out" is an ongoing environmental initiative supported by the worldwide geocaching community. Since 2002, geocachers have been dedicated to cleaning up parks and other cache-friendly places around the world.

Click clack.....

container used for a geocache, normally know as a Sistema container

CO.....

Cache Owner

Coordinates.....

A pair of numbers (latitude and longitude) that pinpoint an exact position, or waypoint, on the Earth. Latitudes are horizontal lines on the globe that run parallel to the Equator (similar to rungs on a ladder). Latitudes never intersect, and one degree of latitude equals approximately 69 miles (111 kilometres). Longitudes (also called meridians) are vertical lines on the globe that converge at the North and South Poles. They are widest apart from each other at the Equator. The Prime Meridian runs through Greenwich, England near zero degrees’ longitude.

Difficulty and Terrain or D/T.....

Geocaches are rated in two categories, each designated on a 5-point scale (in half-point increments). Difficulty relates to the mental challenge of finding a geocache, while Terrain describes the physical environment. Therefore, a D1/T1 rating would be the easiest geocache to find, while a D5/T5 difficulty/terrain rating would be the most difficult. Our Geocache Rating System can be used to help set the rating for your geocache.

Dipping.....

The act of logging a trackable into a geocache, and immediately logging it back into one's possession. This registers miles travelled on a trackable. You can also achieve the same goal with a "Visit" log. More about Travel Bugs and trackables.

Disable.....

A status used to mark a geocache as temporarily inactive. A disabled geocache may need repairs or could be in an inaccessible area (construction, hunting, winter closures, etc...). This status is meant to be temporary and should be resolved within a reasonable amount of time.

DNF.....

"Did Not Find". An acronym used by geocachers to state that they did not find a cache.

EarthCache.....

An EarthCache is a special place that people can visit to learn about a unique geoscience feature of our Earth. EarthCache pages include a set of educational notes along with cache coordinates. Visitors to EarthCaches can see how geological processes have shaped our planet, how we manage its resources and how scientists gather evidence to learn about the Earth.

eclipse.....

container used for a geocache, small steal box normally used for mints

EGG.....

Easy Guardrail Grab

Event Cache.....

An Event Cache is a gathering of geocachers or geocaching organizations. The Event Cache page specifies a time for the event and provides coordinates to its location. Attending and logging an Event Cache increases your find count.

EVIL.....

evil cache, evil hide, means that the geocache was very cleverly hidden,

FIGS.....

Found In Good Shape

FP.....

favourite point, a premium member can give one of these to show that it was enjoyed and other cachers should try it.

FTF.....

"First to Find". An acronym written by geocachers in physical cache logbooks or online when logging cache finds to denote being the first to find a new geocache.

GADGET CACHE.....

is a cache with a gadget keeping it closed, you need to find out how to open the cache by following clues and hints. Can involve anything from pouring in water to getting a ball through a maze

GC Code.....

A unique identifier associated with every geocache listing. The GC Code starts with the letters "GC" and is followed by other alphanumeric characters, such as GCK25B.

GEO DOG.....

a dog that goes geocaching with you

geo kit.....

a kit that goes geocaching with you

GEO NUT.....

some one who really loves geocaching

Geo sense.....

a 6th sense that you use when you get to GZ and just know where the cache is.

geo trail.....

a trail that shows you the way, made by other cachers before you get there

Geocache.....

A hidden container that usually includes a logbook for geocachers to sign. Also known as a cache. However, there are currently over a dozen geocache types, each type being a different variation of the game.

Geocacher.....

One who participates in geocaching.

Geocaching.....

A real-world, outdoor treasure hunting game using GPS-enabled devices. Participants navigate to a specific set of GPS coordinates and then attempt to find the geocache hidden at that location.

Geocoin.....

Geocoins work similarly to Travel Bugs. They are coins with a unique code that can be attached to an item. The geocoin is then carried from cache to cache (or person to person) in the real world, and its progress can be followed on Geocaching.com. Geocoins are often created as signature items by geocachers and can also be used as collectibles.

Giga-Event.... .

An Event Cache that is attended by 5,000+ people. These large events attract geocachers from all over the world and are often held annually. Note: A Mega-Event cache is attended by 500+ people.

GPS.....

"Global Positioning System". A system of satellites working with a GPS receiver to determine a person’s location on Earth.

GPSr.....

Slang for a GPS receiver. Equipment to receive GPS signals for use in navigation.

Ground Zero.....

The point where your GPS device shows that you have reached the geocache location. At ground zero, you are zero feet (or zero meters) away from your destination. GZ Ground Zero - refers to the cache's hiding spot

ICT.....

Ivy Covered Tree

Letterbox(ing).....

Letterboxing is another form of treasure hunting using clues instead of coordinates. In some cases, the letterbox owner has made their container both a letterbox and a geocache and posted its coordinates on Geocaching.com. If there is a stamp inside a Letterbox Hybrid, it is not an item intended for trade; the stamp is meant to remain in the box so visitors can use it to record their visit.

LN.....

"Left Nothing". A common term used when a geocacher leaves nothing in the geocache and simply signs the logbook.

Log.....

The physical record of everyone who has signed/interacted with a geocache.Also, The online record of everyone who has interacted with a geocache.

Logbook.....

A physical record of everyone who has found a geocache. Usually made of paper, logbooks come in many different sizes, shapes, and formats.

LPC.....

"Lamp Post Cache". A common type of geocache hidden under an unsecured lamp post base.

Mega-Event Cache.....

An Event Cache that is attended by 500+ people. These large events attract geocachers from all over the world and are often held annually. Note: A Giga-Event cache is attended by 5,000+ people.

Micro.....

The smallest geocache size. Micros are about the size of a film canister, and sometimes smaller. Nanos (about the size of a pencil eraser) are a subset of Micros.

Muggle.....

A non geocacher. Based on "Muggle" from the Harry Potter series, which is a non-magical person.

Muggled.....

The discovery of a geocache by a non geocacher. When a cache has been "muggled", it usually means it was dismantled or removed by an unsuspecting non-player.or you can caught by a muggle trying to find a cache

Multi-Cache.....

A Multi-Cache involves two or more locations. The final location is a physical container. There are many variations, but most Multi-Caches have a first stage with a hint to find the second stage, and the second stage has a hint to the third, and so on. See the full list of Geocache Types.

Mystery Cache.....

A non-Traditional Cache type that doesn't fit into the other categories. Coordinates listed on the cache page are often bogus, and the final coordinates must be solved for through a series of steps or instructions. Also known as a Puzzle Cache.

Nano.....

The tiniest of all Micros—the smallest unofficial geocache size. Nanos are about the size of a pencil eraser.

NIAH.... .

needle in a haystack

P&G, Park & Grab .....

refers to a cache that would be close to a parking spot that can be quickly found

PAF .....

Phone a Friend - when a cacher calls a friend to get a hint as to a cache hide

Power Trail.....

A path with a large number of caches placed within close proximity to each other. Promotes players' ability to easily increase their find count.

Preform.....

A plastic container similar in appearance to a test tube, but with a threaded neck. Normally formed into containers such as soda bottles by securing them into a mold then injecting them with compressed air. Preforms are durable and water tight, which makes them excellent geocache containers.

Premium Member .....

Geocaching.com members with a paid Geocaching Premium Membership. Premium members have more features available to them than Basic members.

Puzzle Cache.....

A type of Mystery Cache involving puzzles to be solved to determine the final coordinates. The puzzle should be solvable from the information provided on the cache page.

Reviewer.....

Community volunteers from all over the world who review geocaching listings for content and publish cache listings on Geocaching.com. Published geocaches must adhere to Geocache Listing Requirements / Guidelines.

ROT13.....

A simple letter substitution cipher, or code, where each of the letters are rotated 13 characters up or down in the alphabet. Hints for geocaches are encrypted using ROT13.

Signature Item.....

An item unique to a specific geocacher that is left behind in caches to signify that they visited that cache. These often include personal geocoins, tokens, pins, craft items or calling cards.

SL.....

Signed Log

SOOP.....

Something Out of Place - describes an oddity at GZ that hints to finding a cache

Spoiler.....

A spoiler is information that can give details away and ruin the experience of something. For example, telling someone the end of a movie before they see it. In geocaching, a spoiler gives away details of a geocache location and can ruin the experience of the find.

STF.....

"Second To Find". The second person to find a geocache after it has been placed.

SWAG.....

"Stuff We All Get." Trade items left in caches by geocachers.

TB.....

"Travel Bug". A tag with a unique code that can be attached to an item. The trackable is then carried from cache to cache (or person to person) in the real world, and its progress can be followed on Geocaching.com. Also known as Trackables and GeoCoins.

TB Hotel.....

"Travel Bug Hotel". A geocache with the intended purpose of acting as an exchange point for Travel Bugs. These are almost always regular or large sized containers.

TBD.....

Travel Bug Drop

TFTC.....

"Thanks For The Cache". An acronym written by geocachers in logbooks or online when logging cache finds. Occasionally written as T4TC. Side note: Please take time to write at least a few sentences when you log your find online. This how you say "thank you" to the cache owner for creating and placing the geocache.

TFTE.....

Thanks for the Event

TFTH.....

"Thanks For The Hide". Occasionally written as T4TH.

TNLN.....

"Took Nothing. Left Nothing". Usually written in geocache logbooks by geocachers who do not trade for material contents in a cache.

TNLNSL / TNSL.....

"Took Nothing. Left Nothing. Signed Logbook" / "Took Nothing. Signed Logbook". tool item needed to get into a cache or find the cache

TOTT.....

"Tools of the Trade". An acronym used for any of the tools that might be used to search for/retrieve/find/log a geocache.

Trackable .....

A tag with a unique code that can be attached to an item. The trackable is then carried from cache to cache (or person to person) in the real world, and its progress can be followed on Geocaching.com. Also known as Travel Bugs, TBs, and GeoCoins..

Tracking Number.....

A unique number associated with a Travel Bug or trackable. Tracking numbers are used as proof that a geocacher physically came in contact with an item. Tracking numbers also double as a way for users to locate the personal web page for a Travel Bug.

Traditional Cache.....

The original geocache type. The coordinates listed on the Traditional Cache page provide its location. Geocache containers vary in size, but must include a logbook or logsheet. Large geocaches generally include SWAG or trackable items for trade, while small “micro” caches may only hold a logsheet.

Travel Bug.....

A trackable tag with a unique code that can be attached to an item. The trackable is then carried from cache to cache (or person to person) in the real world, and its progress can be followed on Geocaching.com. .

TROLLS.....

a cache found under a bridge

UPS....

Unusual Pile of Sticks - this would also be SOOP

Virtual (cache)....,.

A grandfathered geocache type where geocachers discover locations rather than containers. The requirements for logging a Virtual Cache vary—you may be required to answer a question about the location, take a picture, complete a task, etc. In any case, you must visit the coordinates before you can post your log. These are still available to find, but no longer available for creation on Geocaching.com. .

Watchlist.....

Lists that users maintain to receive notifications regarding specific geocaches and/or trackables. Users receive a copy of each posted log via email.

Waypoint.....

A reference point for a physical location on Earth. Waypoints are defined by a set of coordinates that typically include longitude, latitude and sometimes altitude. Every geocache listed on our website is a waypoint. Geocaching.com generates a unique GC code associated with every geocache listing.

Webcam Cache.....

A grandfathered geocache type using existing web cameras placed by individuals or agencies that monitor various areas such as parks or business complexes. The idea is to get yourself in front of the camera to log your visit, then use a smartphone or ask a friend on a computer to look up the website displaying the camera shot. You or your friend must save the picture in order to log the cache. These are still available to find, but no longer available for creation on Geocaching.com.

Wherigo Cache.....

Wherigo.com is a toolset for creating and playing GPS-enabled adventures in the real world. By integrating a Wherigo experience, called a cartridge, with finding a cache, the geocaching hunt can be an even richer experience. Among other uses, Wherigo allows geocachers to interact with physical and virtual elements such as objects or characters while still finding a physical geocache container. A Wherigo-enabled GPS device or a smartphone running the Wherigo app is required to play a cartridge.

YAPIDKA.....

Yet Another Park I Didn't Know About

YMBAGI.....

You Might Be A Geocacher If ...... you read all of the above

geocaching terms are always changing. If you have suggestions for future additions, please add it to your log, and I will update