Well done Glyn for snagging my first toil tag up above Nantlle back in November (I know, I’m sorry for the delay on the STT update guys…!). Everyone else- keep your eyes open, there’s only a week left for us hiders to get the remaining tags published!
There have been a few developments regarding up-and-coming STT games this year. Rather than rewriting what others have said, I’m copying the ‘important’ comments from Facebook below:
Morning all.
Just so we are all clear.
We have 2 upcoming games.
Both will have a presale. [i.e. You need to order your tag from Scott Kirby via Facebook / PayPal]
The first game is a 2nd round of UFO’s and this is on presale now.
The other mystery game is being revealed January and presales will go on sale mid February.
As usual i need a minimum of ten players to make the postage etc work.
The UFO’s hiders are $40 plus £10.00 for the bulk postage. [two tags to hide and a tag and coin to keep]
There are also supporters at $30 plus £10.00 for the bulk postage. [just a coin to keep and not part of the ‘game’]
The mystery game will be $39.00 plus £10.00 shipping
Supporters are TBC.
If you are interested in the UFO game please DM me
Scott Kirby – Facebook
I will not be hiding during the 2nd Watson / UFO game, but if anyone else is interested please send Scott a message on Facebook (alternatively contact me via geocaching and I can order for you.). He would like to know by this Friday (06/01/23) if you intend to hide in the 2nd UFO game.
In the meantime, I hear a cat is stuck up a tree somewhere nearby…
Here is a list of current and forth coming souvenirs available in the UK. We expect CITO season 1 & 2, International Geocaching Day and International Earthcache Day to be confirmed very soon.
Full Sail 2023
Full Sail 2023 earn by finding any geocache, attending an Event, or completing an Adventure Lab® Location from January 1st–8th 2023.
2023 Hider Souvenir
2023 Hider Souvenir is available from 1st January to 31st December 2023, to qualify either place a cache or hosted an event that is published is 2023.
Signal’s Labyrinth The current Castle Maze challenge that started on 5th December 2022 runs to 6th February 2023. Like the other maze challenges there are 2 souvenirs available, you must collect 50 points to earn the first souvenir and 500 points to earn the second souvenir.
Each labyrinth in Signal’s Labyrinth challenge has different point values for finding geocaches, Adventures, and bonus items. In the Castle Maze attending an event is worth maximum 35 points, with lanterns being the bonus item earning an extra 50 points. Like previous mazes these are awarded randomly. The maximum number of points you can earn for any cache log is 85 points.
Found an Adventure Lab Cache (Adventure Location)
10
Attended an Event
35
Found a Mystery Cache
30
Found a Multi-Cache
30
Found a Letterbox Hybrid
25
Found a cache with 10+ Favorite points
20
Found a Signal’s Labyrinth item
50
Found it*
15
*Log a Found it on any other cache type
The final Labyrinth Challenge starts on 6th February 2023 and runs to 3rd April 2023. Details and point scoring yet to be announced.
Labyrinth Challenge Bonus Souvenir this will be awarded to anyone who has earned the 12 Labyrinth Souvenirs.
Mega Event Souvenirs in UK
GC9MAXX London Calling 2023 Mega Event 11am-4pm Saturday, April 29, 2023
9 Usual Suspects would like to take this opportunity to say a very BIG THANK YOU to everyone for their support and making 2022 a very special geocaching year. We also wish everyone Blwyddyn Newydd Dda/Happy New Year and look forward to another year of fun and adventures………….
We have put together a video of our 2022 escapades………
Bet you can’t wait to see what we are planning for 2023!
There has been no new caches or Adventure labs published in our area since our last post, we have just a couple of event reminders.
Event Reminders
GCA31Z2 9 Usual Suspects Say Goodbye to 2022 by 9 Usual Suspects Where: Dinas Dinlle When: Saturday 31st December, 2022 Time: 10.30-11.00am
We had hoped that one of the cafes would be open so that we would have somewhere to shelter if the weather is bad, but sadly they are all closed until after the New Year. So the plan is to bring our mobile tea wagon (campervan), so that we can supply hot drinks and bacon rolls, oh and cake! There is a rumour that a new set of Adventure Labs plus a bonus cache may appear during this event.
Drop anchor Souvenir
GCA3214 9 Usual Suspects Say Hello 2023 by 9 Usual Suspects Where: Ty Coch Inn, Porthdinllaen, Morfa Nefyn, Gwynedd LL53 6DB When: Sunday 1st January, 2023 Time: 12.30-1.30pm or when the last person leaves
According to the pubs website ‘The Ty Coch Inn is arguably the best pub in Wales and OFFICIALLY in the top ten beach bars in the world…’
We would like to wish everyone a very Happy, Healthy 2023 and Thank You for supporting 9US throughout 2022.
It’s the most wonderful time of the year… for geocaching! And as we gather with our fellow geocachers to celebrate the holiday season, we can’t help but think about the “Usual Suspects” we might encounter on the trails.
First, there’s the “Grinch” cacher who hides caches they have found in more difficult, obscure locations, to give others a bit harder challenge. But don’t worry, a little determination (and possibly a GPS signal boost) will help you track them down.
Then there’s the “Elf” cacher who is always full of cheer and ready to lend a helping hand to others. It’s a good thing they’re around, because without them we might all turn into the “Scrooge” cachers, who always are grumbling about the cold, rain and the mud.
Of course, no geocaching adventure is complete without encountering a few “Reindeer” cachers – you know, the ones that are always on the move replacing damaged logs and containers. And let’s not forget the “Santa” cacher who generously shares their caching knowledge with the rest of the community and replenishes SWAG, bringing joy to junior cachers.
So as we set out on our holiday geocaching adventures, see how many of these Christmas cacher types you can spot.
Thank You from Gwynedd Council
A message from Norman Hughes, Clean & Tidy Officer, Gwynedd Council. On behalf of the council he would like to Thank all litter pickers for their fantastic work throughout the last year and to say they appreciate all that you do. He also would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone Nadolig Llawen, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
And finally…………..
A Christmas Cracker Joke to get you all in the mood:
What do they sing at a snowman’s birthday? – “Freeze a jolly good fellow…”
From all of us at Nine Usual Suspects, we wish you a very Merry Christmas/Nadolig Llawen!
If you’re an outdoor enthusiast, you know the importance of having a reliable and rugged smartphone by your side. The Ulefone Power Armor X11 Pro Rugged Smartphone is designed specifically with durability and versatility in mind, making it the perfect choice for anyone who loves to spend time in the great outdoors.
Phone in bright sunlight
One of the standout features of the Ulefone Power Armor X11 Pro is its ruggedness. It’s built to withstand even the toughest conditions, with an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance. This means that it can be submerged in water up to 1.5 meters deep for up to 30 minutes without any damage. It’s also shockproof, able to withstand drops from up to 1.5 meters without any damage.
In addition to its rugged design, the Ulefone Power Armor X11 Pro is packed with features that make it perfect for outdoor activities. It has a large 5.5 inch HD display that’s perfect for viewing maps and other information, even in bright sunlight. It also has a powerful 8-core processor and 4GB of RAM, making it capable of handling even the most demanding apps and games.
Quick to obtain GPS lock and accurate
But where the Ulefone Power Armor X11 Pro really shines is in its GPS capabilities. It’s equipped with high-precision GPS, GLONASS, and BeiDou navigation systems, allowing you to track your location and movements with incredible accuracy. This is especially useful for activities like geocaching, where it’s important to get a quick lock onto your exact location and give exact readings to that elusive cache.
The Ulefone Power Armor X11 Pro also has a range of other features that make it perfect for outdoor adventures. It has a long-lasting 8150mAh battery, so you don’t have to worry about running out of power when you’re out in the wilderness, I got a day of heavy GPS usage without having to recharge the phone and never ran out of battery. It also has a 16MP rear camera and a 5MP front camera, allowing you to capture stunning photos and videos of your adventures.
Excellent camera
Overall, the Ulefone Power Armor X11 Pro is an excellent choice for anyone who loves spending time outdoors. Its rugged design, powerful specs, and advanced GPS capabilities make it a fantastic outdoor companion. Whether you’re hiking through the mountains or exploring the wilderness in search of that cache, the Ulefone Power Armor X11 Pro has you covered. The phone is priced at £155 but as can be found for less.
GCA31Z2 9 Usual Suspects Say Goodbye to 2022 by 9 Usual Suspects Where: Dinas Dinlle When: Saturday 31st December, 2022 Time: 10.30-11.00am
There is a rumour that a new set of Adventure Labs plus a bonus cache may appear during this event.
GCA3214 9 Usual Suspects Say Hello 2023 by 9 Usual Suspects Where: Ty Coch Inn, Porthdinllaen, Morfa Nefyn, Gwynedd LL53 6DB When: Sunday 1st January, 2023 Time: 12.30-1.30pm or when the last person leaves
According to the pubs website ‘The Ty Coch Inn is arguably the best pub in Wales and OFFICIALLY in the top ten beach bars in the world…’
Please note the Ty Coch does not open until 12pm, food is only available until 2.30pm and there is no table reservations.
GCA31ZX 9 Usual Suspects Present Ski Sunday by 9 Usual Suspects Where: Plas Gwernoer, Nantlle LL54 6BB When: Sunday 15th January, 2023 Time: 2-4.15pm or the last person leaves……
The Cache Bar will be open, hot drinks available all afternoon and fondue will be on the menu.
We would like to thank everyone for attending on a very cold Sunday afternoon. It was our first event here in the Blondin Restaurant, chosen because of the facilities and to launch our slate geocoins, Penrhyn Quarry being the source of the slate. We must say thanks to Mike for suppling the entertainment, a new game to us, Fossball. Who says geocachers are not competitive?
Gail and Dawn playing Fossball
We still have some coins available at £9.00 each, to place an order please contact us through the comments or message 9 Usual Suspects geocaching account.
Zip World, Velocity 2
Do you fancy zooming down a 1.5 kilometre zip line at speeds up to a 100 miles per hour? In planning events for 2023 we are considering the Blondin Restaurant but also giving attendees the opportunity to ‘fly’ Velocity 2. Prior to Covid we had a very positive response from Zip World about hosting an event here, placing a geocache and discounts on Velocity 2. Before we approach Zip World to negotiate discounts we need rough numbers for those interested in the zip wire or maybe one of the other activities at Penrhyn Quarry, Quarry Karts or Quarry Flyer. Note To join us on Velocity 2 you do not have to be a geocacher, friends and family are very welcome. Please contact us through the comments or message 9 Usual Suspects geocaching account.
Bob & Judy (Jude100)
Bob and Judy are now settled into their bungalow at Chorley, though they very much miss North Wales and their geocaching friends. Their new home overlooks Astley Park, is in easy walking distance to the centre of Chorley and most importantly close to their family. They would like to say ‘Hello’ to all their geocaching friends and wish them a very Happy Christmas and New Year.
Just two new traditional caches published since our last post:
GCA2QQK Golygfa Cob Porthmadog (Porthmadog Cob View) by Hitch-Hikers Traditional D1.5/T2.5 GCA2TNZ Cornel Cob Crwn (Cob Crwn Corner) by Hitch-Hikers Traditional D2/T1.5
Be safe in the hills and mountains this winter
To have safe adventures in the hills and mountains, it’s important to plan ahead and be prepared for the conditions. Here are some tips to help you have a safe and enjoyable time:
Check the weather forecast before you go and plan your route accordingly. The UK can experience harsh weather conditions, remember that the weather can change in minutes, so it’s important to be prepared for the elements.
Wear appropriate clothing and footwear. Layering is key to staying warm, and sturdy boots with good grip are essential for hiking on slippery terrain, if you are going up on to the ice, ensure you have the correct equpment .
Tell someone your plans. Let someone know where you are going and when you plan to return. This will allow them to raise the alarm if you don’t return as expected.
Take a map and compass and know how to use them. It’s also a good idea to carry a GPS device in case you get lost, don’t rely on your phone, battery life is dramatically reduced in freezing conditions.
Bring food and water. Pack enough water and snacks to keep you going, especially if you’re planning a long hike.
Be aware of your surroundings. Watch out for steep drops, loose rocks, and other potential hazards.
Stay on trails. This will help you avoid getting lost and will also protect the environment.
Be prepared for emergencies. Carry a first aid kit and know how to use it. It’s also a good idea to have a mobile phone with you in case you need to call for help.
By following these tips and using common sense, you can have a safe and enjoyable adventures this winter.
9 Usual Suspects 2022
We are in the process of compiling a YouTube video of our 2022 Geocaching adventures. Have you any photos/video that you would like to be included? If so please email them to me, ann@birdbrook.net, in original or large format.
There have been no new Geocaches or Adventure Labs published since our last post.
Event Reminder GCA2704 9 Usual Suspects Visit Penrhyn Quarry by 9 Usual Suspects D1/T1 Where: Blondin Restaurant, Zip World Penrhyn Quarry, Bethesda LL57 4YG When: Sunday 4th December Time: 2.30pm-3.30pm
To celebrate the arrival of our slate geocoins we are visiting Penrhyn Quarry the source of the slate. The Blondin Restaurant has great views across the famous slate quarry with the fastest zip wire in the world running just metres away.
Coins will be available to purchase at £9.00 each.
Signal’s Labyrinth, Escape the Castle
Monday 5th December sees the end of Signal’s Hedge Maze challenge and the beginning of the Castle Maze. Like the other maze challenges there are 2 souvenirs available, you must collect 50 points to earn the first souvenir and 500 points to earn the second souvenir.
Each labyrinth in Signal’s Labyrinth challenge has different point values for finding geocaches, Adventures, and bonus items. In the Castle Maze attending an event is worth maximum35 points, with lanterns being the bonus item earning an extra 50 points. Like previous mazes these are awarded randomly. The maximum number of points you can earn for any cache log is 85 points.
Found an Adventure Lab Cache (Adventure Location)
10
Attended an Event
35
Found a Mystery Cache
30
Found a Multi-Cache
30
Found a Letterbox Hybrid
25
Found a cache with 10+ Favourite points
20
Found a Signal’s Labyrinth item
50
Found it*
15
*Log a Found it on any other cache type
This challenge runs until Monday 6th February, 2023
CITO News
Tuesday we collected gloves, a couple of different design bag hoops to review and 7 boxes of bags each containing 200 bags! I’m not sure how much litter the council think we are going to pick but they are making sure we never run out of bags. Our next litter pick will be early 2023. Please contact us if you know of an area that could do with a tidy up.
9 Usual Suspects 2022
I am in the process of compiling a YouTube video of our 2022 Geocaching adventures. Have you any photos/video that you would like to be included? If so please email them to me, ann@birdbrook.net, in original or large format.
Just one new cache, a tricky puzzle to get the brain cells working.
GCA29G4 Let’s Arrange It! by Clueless_Goose Mystery/Puzzle D4/T2
Event Reminder GCA2704 9 Usual Suspects Visit Penrhyn Quarry by 9 Usual Suspects D1/T1 Where: Blondin Restaurant, Zip World Penrhyn Quarry, Bethesda LL57 4YG When: Sunday 4th December Time: 2.30pm-3.30pm
To celebrate the arrival of our slate geocoins we are visiting Penrhyn Quarry the source of the slate. The Blondin Restaurant offers a combination of indoor seating and an outdoor terrace with views across the famous slate mine and over the turquoise waters of the lake in Penrhyn Quarry. According to their website, ‘it’s a modern, bistro-style venue featuring locally sourced delights’.
Coins will be available to purchase at £9.00 each.
PanIQ Room/Christmas Dinner 26th November
The weather might have been awful but that didn’t matter as all our planned adventures where for once inside. A pint in the Australia is always a good start to a day of fun and again was the perfect base while the ‘non competitive’ teams completed the challenge of the Christmas escape room. Did the best team win? Well, one team now holds the record for the fastest escape ever! A big Thanks goes to Julie for arranging. The Clairvoyants Curse returns in March, anyone interested in joining us for another fun day in the PanIQ Rooms and Australia?
It was our first event at Tafarn Yr Afr/Goat Inn, the olde world pub with the lovely Christmas tree and festive music made for a very Christmassy atmosphere. Pete’s ‘Home Bargains’ Christmas jumper lowered the standard and would have won the worst jumper in any competition. It was not long before everyone was seated and the food began to arrive. Gwenllian and Pete took the opportunity in a lull between courses to deliver the ‘Secret Santa’ presents, I must say there was a high standard of gifts this year. I’ll be very interested to see what Sion does with his wheels! I think we all ate far too much with this meal being one of the best we have had at a 9US Christmas Event. It was a shame the coffee & mince pies never showed up but I don’t think we had room for them anyway.
In the past, pre-covid, we have held events on New Years Eve and New Years Day. Should we re-start the tradition? Let us know your opinions by either messaging us or through the comments.
January N&N is scheduled for Wednesday 25th, due to local staffing problems and the general economic situation we are concerned that many pubs may not be open mid week or may have restricted opening hours, so we are considering moving N&N to either Friday 27th or Saturday 28th. We will review the situation early in the New Year.
Ski Sunday is coming to the Nantlle Valley in January, proposed date Sunday 15th. More details once plans have been finalised.
In February we are planning a puzzle solving event, with puzzle boxes and the ultimate challenge
Have you any suggestions for 9US events and adventures? All suggestions very welcome.
