Keeping the fun in Geocaching
The 9 Usual Suspects have been around since 2014, we are a group of Geocaching friends based in North West Wales of diverse ages and abilities. Our primary purpose is to get together, place caches, hold events, leave our environment in a better state than we found it and most importantly have fun. On average we hold about 20 events a year from monthly Nosh ‘n’ Natters, several Cache in Trash Outs (CITOs) and hosting the Geocaching Souvenir moments.
A couple of new traditional caches, CITO and event have been published since our last post:
GCBD867 Caernarfon a Bontnewydd A487 by ECOBAKE Traditional D2/T1.5
GCBD4DT REALLY SideTracked – Llanberis (SMR) by Clueless_Goose Traditional T1.5/D1.5
New Events
GCBD2G7 CITO 2025 Season 2 by 9 Usual Suspects
When: Saturday 4th October 2025
Where: The Old Bridge, Morfa Parc, Caernarfon
Time: 2pm – 3.30pm
We will be meeting at the old bridge, Morfa Parc, Caernarfon, on Saturday 8th March at 2pm. Our task for the day will be to pick up as much litter as possible starting from the the bridge, around the park then following the River Seiont to Lon Eifion. If we get enough volunteers we will pick the wooded area behind Tesco.
GCBD32K 9US Cake & Brew by 9 Usual Suspects
When: Saturday 4th October 2025
Where: Old Bridge, Parc Dre, Caernarfon
Time: 3.30pm to 4pm
As a Thank You to our hard working volunteers we will be supplying refreshments and a chance to catch up, swap TB’s and enjoy some geochat while having a brew and cake.
Event Reminders
There are several events happening in the next few days:
GCBCTEY 9 Usual Suspects – Nosh & Natter 82 by 9 Usual Suspects
When: Friday 26th September 2025
Where: Parc Snowdonia, Waunfawr, Caernarfon, Gwynedd LL55 4AQ
Time: 7pm to 9pm or when the last person leaves
Please note this event is on Friday not the normal Thursday.
Apologies everyone, I forgot to put this in for review and missed the deadline for Thursday evening.
GCBBXWD SideTracked Railway200 – Pwllheli by GO PUB CACHING
When: Friday 26th September
Where: Pwllheli National Rail Station
Time: 9.30am to 10am
GCBBXYH SideTracked Railway200 – Caernarfon by GO PUB CACHING
When: Saturday 27th September
Where: Welsh Highland Railway, Caernarfon
Time: 12.45pm to 1.15pm
GCBBGQ7 SideTracked Railway200 – Porthmadog Harbour by GO PUB CACHING
When: Saturday 27th September
Where: Welsh Highland Railway & Ffestiniog Railway, Porthmadog
Time: 6.00pm to 6.30pm
GCBC9EC Moley’s Meet up by Moley13 Event D1/T1.5
When: Saturday 27th September
Where: Llangollen Pavillion
Time: 6pm to 7pm
Moley is going to be in Llangollen for Hidden Earth – UK’s National Caving Conference and is keen to meet up with other geocaching cavers as well as any other geocachers who happen to be in the area. The meeting spot is a group of picnic tables at the side of Llangollen Pavilion.
GCBBXTH SideTracked Railway200 – Porthmadog by GO PUB CACHING
When: Sunday 28th September
Where: National Rail Station, Porthmadog
Time: 10.15am to 10.45am
CADW Open Doors
Every September, Cadw “Opens its Doors”. A selection of Cadw and other historical sites open their doors free of charge, some sites are not normally open to the general public, others may offer free guided tours and experiences.
Here are a couple of our favourite places that are open this weekend:
Barclodiad-y-Gawres
Open Sunday 28th September
Barclodiad-y-Gawres is a partially reconstructed Neolithic burial chamber, famous for its decorated stones. The spectacular, cliff side position of this later Neolithic monument is one of its great attractions and accessing it provides a short pleasant walk. Barclodiad-y-Gawres means ‘The Giantess’s Apronful’ and is a traditional local name. This is a chance to investigate this unique and important passage tomb which is not generally open to the public.
Free Tours will be at 11am, 1pm and 3pm. Meet at the monument. No booking required.
Harlech Castle
Open Saturday 27th & Sunday 28th September
Join guide, Siân Roberts, and discover the stories behind the stones of this spectacular structure in its stunning setting. We can highly recommend this tour, we held an event here last year followed by Siân’s excellent tour.
Free Tours will be at 11am, 1pm and 3pm. No booking required.
We have four new caches and an event published since our last post:
GCBCBCD Geobabies Secret Beach 😀 by svl379 Traditional D1/T2.5
GCBCD0G The holiday one by svl379 Traditional D1.5/T1.5
GCBCG04 Little Bridges # 3241 Twthill Footbridge (C’fon) by Clueless_Goose Traditional D1.5/T1
GCBCGTM YOSM #1283 Pen y Graig by Clueless_Goose Mystery D1.5/T1
Events
GCBCTEY 9 Usual Suspects – Nosh & Natter 82 by 9 Usual Suspects
When: Friday 26th September 2025
Where: Parc Snowdonia, Waunfawr, Caernarfon, Gwynedd LL55 4AQ
Time: 7pm to 9pm or when the last person leaves
Please note this event is on Friday not the normal Thursday.
Apologies everyone, I forgot to put this in for review and missed the deadline for Thursday evening.
9US 10th Anniversary Coins
Celebrate a decade of discovery with the limited edition 9 Usual Suspects 10th Anniversary Geocoin! Crafted from slate. This unique Geocoin features an engraved mountain scene on the obverse, on the reverse the iconic 9 Usual Suspects logo along with a trackable number. The Geocoin is a limited run with just 20 available, it’s a must-have keepsake for collectors and geocachers alike, marking ten unforgettable years of adventures for the 9 Usual Suspects.
Pre-order price is just £12, the coins will normally retail at £14. To order please contact us through the comments or email SlateCoins@9usualsuspects.uk
Coins will be available to purchase and collect from our events.
Christmas Dinner Diary Date
I know it is only September and no one wants to think about Christmas but for our Christmas Dinner Event we have to book way in advance to get our preferred date and venue. We have booked Tafarn Yr Afr/The Goat Inn, Glandwyfach on Saturday 29th November at 7pm. We are still waiting confirmation of this years Christmas menu, once received we’ll publish the event and start taking bookings.
CADW Open Doors
Every September, Cadw “Opens its Doors”. A selection of Cadw and other historical sites open their doors free of charge, some sites are not normally open to the general public, others may offer free guided tours and experiences.
Here are a few of our favourite places that are open this weekend:
Cae’r Gors
Open Saturday 20th & Sunday 21st September
Cae’r Gors is the childhood home of authoress Kate Roberts. She was born and raised in Rhosgadfan at the turn of the 20th century, when the slate industry was at its most productive and industrious.
Free Tours at 11am (Welsh), 2pm (English) and 3pm (Welsh).
Address – Cae’r Gors, Rhosgadfan, Caernarfon, Gwynedd, LL54 7EY.
Denbigh Open Doors Weekend
The 2025 Denbigh Open Doors Weekend launches Friday 19th September 2025 with an evening lecture exploring property deeds at the Theatr Twm o’r Nant. Over the weekend, Saturday and Sunday 20th and 21st September 2025 from 10am to 5pm more than thirty historically important sites in the locale will be open to the public, supplemented by talks and guided tours. Please note booking is required for some talks and tours.
Denbigh Castle
Open Saturday 20th & Sunday 21st September
Denbigh Castle is one of the fortresses that formed King Edward I’s “ring of castles”. Construction of the castle began in 1282 by Henry de Lacy, one of Edward I’s chief commanders. It was not the first stronghold to occupy this strategic site: it was built over the stronghold of Dafydd ap Gruffudd, the Welsh leader crushed by Edward in 1282. During the Civil War (1642-1649), the then decaying castle was repaired by Colonel William Salesbury. In 1646 the castle endured a nine month siege. When Denbigh finally surrendered on 26 October 1646, it was only after the king had personally ordered Salesbury to do so.
Open fro 10am to 5pm No Booking Required
Wireless in Wales Museum
Open Saturday 20th & Sunday 21st September
This building was adopted as the headquarters of a Welsh Language Centre in Denbigh by David Evan Jones in 1991. Mr Jones had had a passion for radio and its role in the broadcasting history of Wales, but sadly passed away just before his vision officially opened to the public. The museum celebrates, from a Wales perspective, the evolution of radio and radio broadcasting. Chronological displays show some rare and representative radios and memorabilia.
The building had housed the old Denbigh Library until 1989. And in the 19th century, its forerunner, the Working Men’s Reading Room, was established here.
Opening Times 10am to 4pm No Booking Required.
Address – Canolfan Iaith Clwyd, Bridge Street, Denbigh, LL16 3LG.
CITO Season 2
CITO Season 2 2025 started on September 1st and runs to November 30th. We are planning a litter pick for Saturday 4th October, further details once published.
Since our last post two new multis, a couple of new earthcaches plus 3 events have been published:
GCBC4GJ Church Micro 15502… Caernarfon by Math1212 Multi D2.5/T1.5
GCBC0AM SideTracked – Porthmadog by Clueless_Goose Multi D2/T1.5
GCBC12P A Tuff EarthCache by Mr MagnaDefender Earthcache D2.5/T2.5
GCBBZR6 Bwlch Mawr Trig & Lava by Mr MagnaDefender Earthcache D3/T3
Events
GCBC9EC Moley’s Meet up by Moley13 Event D1/T1.5
When: Saturday 27th September
Where: Llangollen Pavillion
Time: 6pm to 7pm
Moley is going to be in Llangollen for Hidden Earth – UK’s National Caving Conference and is keen to meet up with other geocaching cavers as well as any other geocachers who happen to be in the area. The meeting spot is a group of picnic tables at the side of Llangollen Pavilion.
Saturday 27th September is a very popular day for events in our area, this is event is the 4th to be published on this date
GCBC2HX Happy Halloween by 9 Usual Suspects Event D1/T1
When: Saturday 25th October
Where: Plas Gwernoer, Nantlle LL54 6BB
Party Starts: 5pm
Party Ends: 8pm or when the last person leaves
Attire: Optional Halloween Fancy dress
A repeat of last years event with a few extra scary surprises. Wrap up warm, as, weather permitting, we plan to have some outside activities including a pumpkin lantern competition. There will be prizes for adults and children, to enter bring your carved pumpkin on the night. Of course there will be a BBQ and the bar will be open to late.
GCBC20Q GIFF 2025, Geocaching International Film Festival by 9 Usual Suspects Event D1/T1
Where: Talysarn Community Centre, Station Road, Talysarn, Caernarfon LL54 6HL
Date: Sunday 9th November 2025
Doors open: 3.00pm
Film showing starts: 3.15pm approx, duration approx 1 hour.
Venue closes: 5.00pm
We invite you to join us for Geocachings International Film Festival 2025. More details of films etc will be announced nearer the date. As this venue is not cheap to hire we will be fund raising and looking for volunteers to help with setting up, manning our geocaching shop and very importantly running the kitchen.
Famous Suspects
Recently some of the Usual Suspects have been featured in the Geocaching media.
At a very wet event in Bristol during UK Mega week 3 Usual Suspects were caught on camera by GO PUB CACHING and appear on his YouTube site pubtv. See link below:
https://youtube.com/clip/Ugkxe5pGtX_mgn1-SION02caFer4O-rv6d5z?si=t7youjJ2BSzlOR_l
74Jen and ECOBAKE now have worldwide fame after they were included in a recent post by Geocaching HQ in their blog, LogBook:
Highlights from “Where’s 25? – Locationless Cache”
“We’re more than halfway through 2025, which means that time is running shorter for you to log GCA2025 Where’s 25? – Locationless Cache! This special cache is active only through December 31, 2025 in commemoration of geocaching’s milestone anniversary.
The geocaching community has found “25” all over since the Locationless Cache was published in January. More than 26,000 geocachers have logged a find, and shared more than 32,000 photos of “25” sightings worldwide.”
Here are just a few of the fun examples:
Several new caches and events to report since our last post:
GCBBW14 Foxy’s neighbour by Tiriondavies Traditional D2/T1.5
GCBBTQ4 Cache is calling by Tiriondavies Traditional D1.5/T2
GCBBN8K WMW #2 – Playing with Stones by Wizard_001 Earthcache D4.5/T2.5
Premium Member Only
GCBBK2E Church Micro 15487…LLanddeiniolen by ECOBAKE Traditional D1.5/T1.5
GCBBXDF A Different Kind of Pavement by Mr MagnaDefender Earthcache D4/T4
GCBBXBX Wales Mountain Bowling Green by Mr MagnaDefender Earthcache D3/T5
GCBBW7B Mimetolith by Mr MagnaDefender Earthcache D2.5/T4
GCBBKDM Anglesey GeoMon – Spilite by Mr MagnaDefender Earthcache D3.5/T1.5
GCBBH79 Clogwyn Brith ~ Metasomatism by Mr MagnaDefender Earthcache D4/T2
GCBBGY1 Penygadair by Mr MagnaDefender Earthcache D3/T4
GCBBF7Y War Memorial #2425 – Llanberis by Mr MagnaDefender Earthcache D3.5/T1.5
GCBBFJY Anglesey GeoMon – Porth y Mór by Mr MagnaDefender Earthcache D2.5/T2.5
Events
GCBBXWD SideTracked Railway200 – Pwllheli by GO PUB CACHING
When: Saturday 27th September
Where: Pwllheli National Rail Station
Time: 9.30am to 10am
GCBBXYH SideTracked Railway200 – Caernarfon by GO PUB CACHING
When: Saturday 27th September
Where: Welsh Highland Railway, Caernarfon
Time: 12.45pm to 1.15pm
GCBBGQ7 SideTracked Railway200 – Porthmadog Harbour by GO PUB CACHING
When: Saturday 27th September
Where: Welsh Highland Railway & Ffestiniog Railway, Porthmadog
Time: 18.00pm to 18.30pm
GCBBXTH SideTracked Railway200 – Porthmadog by GO PUB CACHING
When: Sunday 28th September
Where: National Rail Station, Porthmadog
Time: 10.15am to 10.45am
Event Reminder
GCBAX9G 9 Usual Suspects – Nosh & Natter 81 by 9 Usual Suspects
When: Thursday 28th August 2025
Where: Parc Snowdonia, Waunfawr, Caernarfon, Gwynedd LL55 4AQ
Time: 7pm to 9pm or when the last person leaves
Please note for this event we are back to normal, tomorrow night.
Diary Dates
We currently have in for review the following events:
GCBC2HX Happy Halloween on Saturday 25th October
GCBC20Q GIFF 2025, Geocaching International Film Festival on Sunday 9th November
More details once published.
Upcoming Souvenirs
September Equinox Souvenir
Geocaching HQ has a new September equinox souvenir available from 19th-22nd September 2025. To earn the souvenir find one geocache, attend an Event, or complete an Adventure Lab® Location.
This year the changing seasons will be celebrated with souvenir artwork inspired by the Sandhill Crane. Why Cranes? Because they represent migratory patterns and seasonal change.
Adventure Day Souvenir
To earn the Adventure Lab® Adventure Day souvenir, complete five Adventure Lab Locations, these do not have to be in the same Adventure, between Friday 17th October to Sunday 19th October 2025.
It’s holiday season and we have a lot of new caches to report to keep everyone busy, all premium member apart from one:
GCBB79Q Holyhead Path Cache by caccbag with the generous help of Glaslyn1 Traditional D2/T1.5
Premium Member Only
GCBB00J A Fine Pair # 1865 ~ Conwy – Rose Hill Street by Hitman9956 Multi D2/T2
GCBAX3P War Memorial #2400 ~ Conwy by Hitman9956 Mystery D2/T2
GCBB09A Church Micro 15474…Conwy – St John by Hitman9956 Multi D2/T2
So nice to see some new caches around Llanberis appear on the map, Llanberis has been in need of some new caches for a very long time.
GC5T0VR REALLY SideTracked – Caernarfon by Clueless_Goose Traditional D2/T1.5
GCBAF99 LlP 1 – Pont Pen-y-Llyn by Clueless_Goose Traditional D2.5/T1.5
GCBAFA6 LlP 2 – Helygen by Clueless_Goose Traditional D3.5/T2
GCBAFCT LlP 3 – Craig yr Undeb by Clueless_Goose Earthcache D3/T1.5
GCBAFGB LlP 4 – Ffens Pren by Clueless_Goose Traditional D2/T1.5
GCBAFGM LlP 5 – Twnel Llanberis by Clueless_Goose Letterbox D2.5/T3.5
GCBAFJC LlP 6 – Peipen by Clueless_Goose Traditional D1.5/T2
GCBAFJP LlP 7 – Afalau Bach by Clueless_Goose Traditional D2/T2.5
GCBAFK2 LlP 8 – Out on a Limb by Clueless_Goose Traditional D2/T4.5
GCBAFKB LlP 9 – Samsara Cyclepath by Clueless_Goose Traditional D2/T2
GCBAFKM LlP 10 – Wal Werdd by Clueless_Goose Traditional D3/T2
GCBAFKT LlP 11 – Pont Ddu by Clueless_Goose Traditional D1.5/T2.5
GCBAFM1 LlP 12 – Stwmp by Clueless_Goose Traditional D1.5/T2.5
GCBAFM6 LlP 13 – Y Glyn by Clueless_Goose Traditional D2.5/T1
GCBAFMK LlP 14 – Rydych Yma by Clueless_Goose Multi D3/T1.5
GCBAFQC LlP 15 – Maes Parcio by Clueless_Goose Multi D1.5/T1.5
GCBAG1C LlP 16 – Llafn y Cewri by Clueless_Goose Multi D2.5/T1.5
GCBAG1P LlP 17 – Stesion Llanberis by Clueless_Goose Multi D2.5/T1
GCBAGZ3 LlP 18 – Cae’r Ddol by Clueless_Goose Multi D1.5/T2
GCBAGZC LlP 19 – Derwen by Clueless_Goose Multi D3/T2
GCBAGZE LlP 20 – Pont Afon-y-Bala by Clueless_Goose Multi D1.5/T1.5
Event Reminder
9US 10th Birthday Party and International Geocaching Day
By attending this event you will earn the International Geocaching Day 2025 finders souvenir.
GCAW0G4 9 US Celebrate International Geocaching Day by 9 Usual Suspects
Where: Plas Gwernoer, Nantlle
When: Saturday 16th August, 2025
Time: 2pm-6pm (the bar will remain open until the last person leaves!)
Games Start Time: 2.30pm
BBQ: 5pm
Trackable Raffle Draw: 5.30pm
9 Usual Suspects invite you to join them in the beautiful Nantlle Valley to celebrate their 10th Birthday, 25 years of Geocaching and International Geocaching Day, the theme for this years event is ‘An Afternoon of Birthday Fun Games’. We will also be taking a look back at our adventures over the last 10 years.
Please log will attends so that we have a rough idea on numbers for catering, prizes and souvenirs.
International Geocaching Day Souvenir
International Geocaching Day is always the 3rd Saturday in August, normally just one souvenir, but to celebrate 25 years of geocaching, there are two new souvenirs to earn for International Geocaching Day 2025.
International Geocaching Day 2025 finder:
To earn this souvenir, geocachers must find and log one geocache, attend an Event, or complete an Adventure Lab® Location between Friday 15th and 17th August, 2025.
International Geocaching Day 2025 hider:
Any non-Event geocache type (excluding Adventure Lab®) counts, as long as it is published between Tuesday 15th July and Monday 25th August
Anglesey Column Abseil
Fancy Abseiling the Anglesey Column?
Climb the 115 steps, take in the breathtaking views, log our virtual cache, then abseil 35 metres back down – all under the guidance of the amazing Go Vertical team. Once your feet are back on solid ground, you’ll be treated to a breakfast bap or homemade soup and a drink in the Column Café.
Two dates only – and spaces are limited: Saturday 9th August or Friday 22nd August
Price: £65 per person or £195 for a family of 4 (2 adults + 2 children) plus booking fee
To book follow this link Abseiling Anglesey Column
One new Earthcache, an event and the UK Mega have all been published since our last post:
GCBAVJW Pwllheli Stone Circle by MrMagnaDefender Earthcache D2/T1.5
Events
GCBAX9G 9 Usual Suspects – Nosh & Natter 81 by 9 Usual Suspects
When: Thursday 28th August 2025
Where: Parc Snowdonia, Waunfawr, Caernarfon, Gwynedd LL55 4AQ
Time: 7pm to 9pm or when the last person leaves
Please note for this event we are back to normal, the last Thursday of the month.
UK Mega 2026
Today at 10am the cache page for next years UK Mega went live:
GCB910M East Anglia UK Mega Event by EastAngliaMega26
When: Saturday 8th August 2026
Where: Norfolk Showground, Dereham Rd, New Costessey, Norwich NR5 0TT
Time: 10:00am to 4pm
The Norfolk Showground is located just outside Norwich, with easy access by car. The showground has ample space for camping and plenty of toilet blocks and showers.
Evening events will be held in the St Walstan Hall on site.
Camping will be available from Tuesday 4th to Monday 10th August. More details will be added when available.
For more information see their website: East Anglia UK Mega 2026
World Postcard Day Souvenir 2025
Did you know that Wednesday 1st October is World Postcard Day? To celebrate this day Geocaching HQ have announced a new souvenir. To qualify for the souvenir you need to attend an Event from September 28th to October 4th, 2025. All Events, including Community Celebration Events and Block parties, qualify for the souvenir.
CADW Open Doors 2025
This September, more than 200 of Wales’ historic sites, landmarks and hidden gems will offer visitors free entry, events or guided tours.
It’s all part of Open Doors — Wales’ annual contribution to the European Heritage Days initiative, which invites heritage organisations, private owners, local authorities and others to open their doors or offer activities to the public free of charge during September.
Funded and organised by Cadw, to encourage Welsh residents and visitors alike to explore some of the country’s lesser-known and smaller-scale sites ― several of which are usually closed to the public.
Last year we took advantage of the free entry to host an event at Harlech Castle. We can highly recommend the castle and the guide tour which is also free.
For further details visit CADW Open Doors
We are now back and catching up after attending the UK Mega events. A nice range of cache types and difficulties have been published in our absence:
GCBAQC4 Walk to the beach by JGibson16062012 Traditional D2/T2
GCBAP8B River below by Theonator8772 Traditional D1/T1
GCBAP78 Ciara’s crash by Theonator8772 Traditional D3/T2
GCBAMGA Stone pole by Jackinnorthwales Traditional D1/T1
GCBAHNZ Bethel, Pont Charlie by Math1212 Traditional D2/T2
GCBAD9Y Dod yn ôl at fy Nghoed by Clueless_Goose Mystery D3.5/T2
GCBA909 The Toy Box by gethv1 Traditional D1/T2
Premium Member Only
GCBAVKR The Bridge, the Beast and the Bounty! by RichieBlod Traditional D1/T1
GCBAMKV Anglesey GeoMon – Orogenic Origins by MrMagnaDefender Earthcache D4/T2.5
GCBAMFB YOSM #1277 Mynydd Bodafon by MrMagnaDefender Earthcache D3.5/T3
Event Reminder
Tomorrow night!
GCBA6JY Come and Join Us at Criccieth by The Creepy Crawlies Event D1/T1
Where: The Lion Hotel, Criccieth
When: Wednesday 6th August, 2025
Time: 6pm-7pm
The Creepy Crawlies will be travelling around Wales for a week on holiday. They would like to meet both local and not so local Geocachers to discuss our fascinating hobby. Also they are fully supporting the UK Mega 2026 Committee and are keen to discuss this event.
9US Birthday Party
GCAW0G4 9 US Celebrate International Geocaching Day by 9 Usual Suspects
Where: Plas Gwernoer, Nantlle
When: Saturday 16th August, 2025
Time: 2pm-6pm (the bar will remain open until the last person leaves!)
Games Start Time: 2.30pm
BBQ: 5pm
Trackable Raffle Draw: 5.30pm
9 Usual Suspects invite you to join them in the beautiful Nantlle Valley to celebrate their 10th Birthday, 25 years of Geocaching and International Geocaching Day, the theme for this years event is ‘An Afternoon of Birthday Fun Games’. We will also be taking a look back at our adventures over the last 10 years.
Please log will attends so that we have a rough idea on numbers for catering and prizes.
Virtual Awards 5.0
Geocaching HQ have announced the next release of 4,000 Virtual Caches as part of their 25th anniversary celebrations. Geocachers who meet the following criteria will automatically be eligible for selection on February 3rd, 2026.
On February 3rd, 2026, Geocaching HQ will randomly select up to 4,000 eligible geocachers to receive one Virtual Cache. Recipients will have one year to create their Virtual Cache page and submit it for review (February 3rd, 2026–February 3rd, 2027). The caches must comply with Virtual Cache-specific guidelines.
Note: An algorithm to help distribute Virtuals will be used favouring countries/areas that do not have many Virtual Caches.
Why not make Virtual Caches available for everyone to hide?
Because today’s active Virtual Caches are rare and generally well-liked, people often forget the problems that led to the Virtual becoming a legacy cache type in 2005.
The Virtual Cache type was initially created to place a cache where physical caches were not permitted or high-traffic areas made a physical cache impractical. While the intent of this cache type was positive, it created significant problems for geocaching community volunteer reviewers and often led to poor cache quality. Some players used Virtual Caches as a shortcut to create basic caches that did not require maintenance. Guidelines were eventually updated to require Virtuals to have special qualities to set them apart from other caches. However, the subjectivity introduced to the review process became difficult for both reviewers and cachers. The decision was finally made for the Virtual to become a legacy cache type to avoid these issues.
GIFF 2025
We have been asked if we are hosting GIFF this year. We intend to host this popular event on Sunday 9th November. We still have to confirm the venue but hope to be returning to Canolfan Talysarn, as soon as the venue is confirmed we will publish the event and further details.
We have 3 new traditional caches and some new events to report since our last post:
GCB9QT2 Nice and Easy by Bess’s Friends Traditional D1/T1.5
GCB9Y2G Ffawydden by Tiriondavies Traditional D2/T2
GCBA4FR BST 7 – Pont y Trên by Clueless_Goose Traditional D2.5/T1.5
Event Reminder
GCB8G4G 9 Usual Suspects – Nosh & Natter 80 by 9 Usual Suspects
When: Wednesday 24th, July 2025
Where: Parc Snowdonia, Waunfawr, Caernarfon, Gwynedd LL55 4AQ
Time: 7pm to 9pm or when the last person leaves
Please note this is Wednesday night (tomorrow) and a week earlier than normal due to several of the regulars attending the UK Mega events.
Events
GCBA6JY Come and Join Us at Criccieth by The Creepy Crawlies Event D1/T1
Where: The Lion Hotel, Criccieth
When: Wednesday 6th August, 2025
Time: 6pm-7pm
The Creepy Crawlies will be travelling around Wales for a week on holiday. They would like to meet both local and not so local Geocachers to discuss our fascinating hobby. Also they are fully supporting the UK Mega 2026 Committee and are keen to discuss this event.
9US Birthday Party
GCAW0G4 9 US Celebrate International Geocaching Day by 9 Usual Suspects
Where: Plas Gwernoer, Nantlle
When: Saturday 16th August, 2025
Time: 2pm-6pm (the bar will remain open until the last person leaves!)
Games Start Time: 2.30pm
BBQ: 5pm
Trackable Raffle Draw: 5.30pm
9 Usual Suspects invite you to join them in the beautiful Nantlle Valley to celebrate their 10th Birthday, 25 years of Geocaching and International Geocaching Day, the theme for this years event is ‘An Afternoon of Birthday Fun Games’. Please log will attends so that we have a rough idea on numbers for catering and prizes.
GIFF 2025
There is just 2 weeks to submit your short film for a chance to be featured in the 2025 Geocaching International Film Festival (GIFF)!
🗓 Submission deadline: August 1, 2025
📏 Film length: 1–5 minutes
📬 How to submit: Read the rules and submit your film online at geocachingfilmfestival.com
We are planning to host our GIFF event on Sunday 9th November.
Treasures, Making Memories
This collection has 6 Treasures to collects. Find and log any geocache that meets these criteria:
Leader Board Challenge, Making Memories
This challenge is to celebrate International Geocaching Day and 25 years of geocaching will run from Monday 21st July to Sunday 17th August. Help Signal fill his scrapbook by finding caches, attending Events, and collecting Treasure. To fill the scrapbook the geocaching community need to earn 25 million points, see table below:
| Found it* | 1 |
| Attended an Event | 3 |
| Received a Favourite point on an owned geocache | 3 |
| Found an Adventure Location | 1 |
| Found a geocache with 5+ Favorite points | 3 |
| Collect a Making Memories Treasure | 5 |
*Logged a Found it on any other cache type, excluding Webcam Caches.
There is the opportunity to earn 3 souvenirs:
Crafty Cacher: earn this souvenir by completing the Making Memories Treasure collection.
Memory Maker: earn this souvenir by individually contributing 40 pages (40 points)to Signal’s scrapbook.
Signal’s Scrapbook: If the global community fills 25,000,000 pages before Making Memories ends, all participants will receive this souvenir on Monday 18th August.
A Favourite Cache
While traveling to Piratemania Germany we found just one brilliant cache in the Netherlands:
GC4Z1XM Stokrozen Cache by Onnorvid Traditional D1.5/T1.7
At the time of writing this cache has 741 well deserved favourite points which I’m sure will only increase.
A Geocaching event to Remember
GCAAR25 Piratemania Germany by Piraten Crew Block Party D1/T1
On July 5, 2025, the ever popular UK geocaching event Piratemania has spread across the North Sea and had a very German take at the Panarbora Nature Discovery Park in Waldbröl, North Rhine-Westphalia. Held as a Geocaching HQ Block Party and coinciding with geocaching’s 25th anniversary, the event drew adventurers from across Europe for a day of pirate-themed exploration and family fun.
The scenic Panarbora Park— with its breathtaking treetop walkway, 40m high observation tower, and nature trails—served as the perfect family friendly backdrop, there were geocaching & AdLab routes, shopping, story telling, treasure hunts, and an evening’s entertainment for those staying on site.
Accommodation consisted of either cosy treehouses or motorhome spots which were adjacent to the Event, admission to the event was €10 (this is perfectly normal for events on mainland Europe), though overnight guests entrance fee was covered in the treehouse agreement.
Ann@Birdbrook and Naturesbyte, opted for the ‘International’ motorhome site. As the only Brits among the overnight campers, they were warmly welcomed by their European neighbours, highlighting the inclusive and friendly spirit that defines the geocaching community.
Blending adventure, community, and outdoor fun, this German edition of Piratemania truly embodied the spirit of geocaching—bringing people together to explore, connect, and create unforgettable memories in the great outdoors.
Many thanks to the The “Piraten Crew” who so worked hard in making this event happen.
Again apologies for the lack of posts. Nice to see 3 new Traditional caches plus more Premium Member Earthcaches and a Multi.
GCB9KY3 Postyn Pren by Tiriondavies Traditional D2/T2
GCB9ABN Yr hen siop by Tiriondavies Traditional D1.5/T1.5
GCB9AG4 Llwybr Cyhoeddus Ardal Glan-yr-Afon By Mat1212 Traditional D2/T2
Premium Member Only
GCB96T4 REALLY SideTracked – Minffordd by ECOBAKE Multi D2/T1.5
Earthcaches
GCB9P31 Castell Mawr Rock by MrMagnaDefender Earthcache D1/T2.5
GCB9PBN Anglesey GeoMon – Unconformity by MrMagnaDefender Earthcache D4/T2.5
GCB9P49 Anglesey GeoMon – Mudstone Clasts by MrMagnaDefender Earthcache D3.5/T2.5
GCB9PD9 Parys Mountain Trig by MrMagnaDefender Earthcache D1.5/T1.5
GCB9MWD Anglesey GeoMon – Limestone by MrMagnaDefender Earthcache D1.5/T1.5
GCB9J6C Llyn Pedarn Glaciation by MrMagnaDefender Earthcache D2/T5
GCB9FF5 Anglesey GeoMon – Cornstone by MrMagnaDefender Earthcache D1.5/T1.5
GCB9FDW Quartz Spar Coat by MrMagnaDefender Earthcache D1/T4
GCB9FF7 Trefor Terraces by MrMagnaDefender Earthcache D2.5/T2.5
GCB9A72 Anglesey Brachiopods by MrMagnaDefender Earthcache D2/T1.5
GCB9A6Y Llyn Melynllyn by MrMagnaDefender Earthcache D1/T4
GCB9A71 Moel Farlwyd Moraines by MrMagnaDefender Earthcache D1.5/T3.5
GCB9A4D YOSM #1273 Tal-Y-Fan by MrMagnaDefender Earthcache D2.5/T2.5
GCB99X2 Anglesey GeoMon – Palaeokarst by MrMagnaDefender Earthcache D3/T3
Event
GCB90G 9 Usual Suspects – Nosh & Natter 80 by 9 Usual Suspects event D1/T1
When: Wednesday 23rd July 2025
Where: Parc Snowdonia, Waunfawr, Caernarfon, Gwynedd LL55 4AQ
Time: 7pm to 9pm or when the last person leaves
PLEASE NOTE THIS N&N IS ON A WEDNESDAY AND A WEEK EARLIER THAN NORMAL AS MOST OF THE REGULARS WILL BE ATTENDING PIRATEMANIA & UK MEGA
After a lot of speculation wether there is going to be a UK Mega in 2026 it has been confirmed that the East Anglia Mega Team will be hosting the UK Mega on Saturday 8th August, 2026 at The Norfolk Showground, Dereham Rd, Norwich, NR5 0TT. Camping will be available from Tuesday 4th August to Monday 10 August. For more details East Anglia Mega 2026
Recommended Pub Stopover
While heading to Piratemania Germany in our campervan via Harwich we discovered this basic pub stopover, free as long as you use the pub. The Bricklayers Arms, Little Bentley, Essex is about 20 minutes from Harwich port making it very popular with campervan owners traveling from Harwich to Hook of Holland. The pub advertise space for 5 vans and request you phone ahead to reserve a space but the night we stayed there was at least 9 vans many of which had not booked. The food is very good and the beer excellent. Do check on opening times as we found they were different than quoted on the website.
For the geocacher there is a cache on the green opposite the pub GC8HCV4 K6 Red and many more locally including the 007 puzzle series.