Geo Caching is addicting

^{Geo Caching image created with ChatGPT}

Hey guys!

If you read my recent posts from the last vacation and my actifit posts you saw that I got into geo caching recently. I had no clue what it is and how it works but one member (Katja) of our mouse wander group came up with this and shared the app with me. After explaining how it works and when we found the first cache, I was intrigued. That was like a throwback into my childhood when I played a game called 'Schnitzeljagd' in German which is a scavenger hunt. It's perfect for people who are hiking or on a bike.

Fun fact: Millions of people world wide are playing this game. I was baffled how many caches exists world wide.

Geocaching enjoys great popularity worldwide and is run by an active community.

📊 Current geocaching statistics

• Active geocaches worldwide: Over 3.3 million caches are hidden in 191 countries on all seven continents, including Antarctica.
• Active geocachers: In 2024, 1,846,540 geocachers found at least one cache.
  Geocaching
• Events: Over 59,000 geocaching events take place annually, where the community exchanges ideas and goes treasure hunting together.
  Geocaching Newsroom
• Top countries: Germany is one of the leading countries in both the number of caches found and the number of newly hidden caches.
  Geocaching

🧭 Geocaching in Germany
There are approximately 432,000 active geocaches in Germany, making it one of the most active geocaching areas in the world.

I don't know what it is with the Germans but it seems to be in our genes because I like it too.

So far I learned that there are the easy green caches, the orange multi caches and the mystery caches. I saw also world caches but I don't know what that means.

As a beginner you should start with the green ones and when you found a few you know how it works and you can start with the orange ones. With a multi cache you have to solve riddles and do some math to find the next location. Multiple locations will give you multiple hints to find the final locations with the cache.

The mystery cache are just riddles you have to solve to find the right location.

When you found the cache, you sign the logbook and also mark the place as logged in the app. If there is something wrong like the logbook is wet or you didn't found it, you also note it into the app.

The app you need is c:geo in the playstore and you have to register on a 3rd party site too. I think it has to do with the different maps. I joined the German site. I don't know how the app is called on iPhones but I guess there is something similar if not the same.

Here are some photos from different caches we found:

A magnetic nano cache

This was funny, because there was nothing else in this area which was metal. Still it took me some circles around the shield and a look from different angles to find it. The logbook was inside and very tiny.

A very well hidden info

This yellow block was hidden and you had to look very deeply to find it. It had info for the final location.

Info for the next location

This info on the back side of the tree wasn't easy to find. You really had to search for it.

A hidden bird house

You see this because I took this photo close enough but a few meters away you saw nothing. It was well hidden.

When you chose a cache in your area you get many information for this cache. You see the blue smiley which means I didn't found it.

(Sorry this is German but it should look similar to your language)

You get the name of the cache, how far away it is, difficulty, coordinates, last logs and so on. You can also navigate to the location where you have to start.
You can also start and host your own cache. I'm already thinking about one but not sure yet what it will be.

Geocaching is fun for many reasons—it blends adventure, technology, and the outdoors in a way that's both simple and surprisingly rewarding. Here’s why people love it:

🧭 1. It's a Real-Life Treasure Hunt
You use GPS coordinates to find hidden containers (called "geocaches") placed by others. There’s a thrill in tracking something down that’s been hidden in plain sight.

🌲 2. Exploring New Places
Geocaching often leads you to parks, trails, landmarks, or hidden gems you might never have discovered otherwise—even in your own city.

🧠 3. It’s Challenging (In a Good Way)
Some caches are easy, others require puzzles, problem-solving, or physical effort. It engages your mind and body.

👨‍👩‍👧 4. Great for All Ages
Kids love it because it feels like an adventure. Adults enjoy the strategy and discovery. It's an ideal family activity or solo hobby.

🌍 5. There’s a Global Community
Geocachers all over the world hide and seek caches, log their finds, and connect through online logs and events. You’re part of something bigger.

🧘 6. Encourages Mindfulness & Presence
You notice more: tree bark textures, strange rock piles, hollow logs. Geocaching makes you look closer and be present in nature.

🎯 7. It Gives Purpose to a Walk or Trip
A simple walk becomes a mission. A road trip becomes an adventure. It turns “just being outside” into something exciting.

Thanks for reading and let me know in the comments if you are into geo caching. Would you like to try it? Are you already a pro? Did you ever heard about geo caching? How many did you already finish?
Feel free to ask any questions.

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Images and screenshots are from me and the c:geo app