Tag: Event

News & New Caches 197

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.

News & New Caches 195

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.

Harlech Castle open free weekend 26th/27th September

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

News & New Caches 194

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.

  • You must have three non-Event geocaches published in 2025.
  • You must have created your geocaching account before July 29, 2025.
  • Prior Virtual Reward recipients are eligible to participate.
  • Players who opted-in for Virtual Rewards 2.0 and 3.0, and/or who qualified for Virtual Rewards 4.0, but did not receive a Virtual Cache will have a higher likelihood of receiving a Virtual Reward 5.0.

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.

News & New Caches 191

More Earthcaches for the Premium Member and a couple of new caches have been published since our last post:

GCB8QA8 Wood You Look Here by hrytty Traditional D1/T1.5

Premium Member Only
GCB93KQ War Memorial Nefyn by ECOBAKE Multi D2/T1.5

A just few more Earthcaches…. all premium member!
GCB92F2 Little Orme Trig by MrMagnaDefender Earthcache D2.5/T3.5
GCB92BY Great Orme Grykes by MrMagnaDefender Earthcache D1.5/T2.5
GCB92CX Great Orme Summit Trig by MrMagnaDefender Earthcache D2.5/T1.5
GCB925N Way Out West ~ The Gwna Group Geology
GCB92A9 Criccieth…Blue Schist by MrMagnaDefender Earthcache D3/T1.5
GCB918J The Rocks of the Llewelyn Volcanic Group by MrMagnaDefender Earthcache D3/T4.5
GCB9160 Mass Movement at Nefyn by MrMagnaDefender Earthcache D2/T1.5
GCB907R The Snowdon Circle – Metasomatism by MrMagnaDefender Earthcache D3.5/T4.5
GCB8RF7 Anglesey GeoMon – Ancient Flooding by MrMagnaDefender Earthcache D2.5/T2.5
GCB8T0M YOSM #0598 Snowdon Summit by MrMagnaDefender Earthcache D1/T5
GCB8RCZ Anglesey GeoMon – The New Harbour Formation by MrMagnaDefender Earthcache D3/T3
GC8BRYX YOSM #1267 Garnedd Ugain by MrMagnaDefender Earthcache D2/T5
GCB8RQG The Snowdon Circle – A Tuff Climb by MrMagnaDefender Earthcache D2/T4
GCB8R9X Great Orme Kamenitzas by MrMagnaDefender Earthcache D1.5/T1.5
GCB8QHC Denbighshire Moors Climate Snapshot by MrMagnaDefender Earthcache D4.5/T1.5
GCB8QEK Concretions at Rhaeadr y Bedd by MrMagnaDefender Earthcache D3.5/T3.5
GCB8QKG War Memorial #2357 – Llanfairpwllgwyngyll by MrMagnaDefender Earthcache D2.5/T1
GCB8PBT Conwy Paleobotany by MrMagnaDefender Earthcache D1/T2.5
GCB8P89 Moel y Tryfan by MrMagnaDefender Earthcache D3/T3
GCB8N9A Manod Bach Jointing by MrMagnaDefender Earthcache D3.5/T4
GCB8NK4 Clogwyngarreg Dome by MrMagnaDefender Earthcache D3/T4
GCB8N50 Llyn y Dywarchen by MrMagnaDefender Earthcache D3/T3
GCB8N7W Clogwyngarreg Contact by MrMagnaDefender Earthcache D4/T4

Event
One for the diary:
GCB95X1 A view from a pier? by Ramblingt Event D1/T1
When: Wednesday 6th August 2025
Where: Aberystwyth Pier
Time: 2pm – 2.45pm
Ramblingt are hosting an event to meet local and not so local geocachers to discuss our wonderful hobby.

Event Reminder

GCB8G4G 9 Usual Suspects – Nosh & Natter 79 by 9 Usual Suspects
When: Thursday 26th, June 2025
Where: Parc Snowdonia, Waunfawr, Caernarfon, Gwynedd LL55 4AQ
Time: 7pm to 9pm or when the last person leaves

Yes, this tonight!

UK Block Party
GCAWA2F Great British Geocaching Party by Milton Keynes Geocaching  Block Party D1/T1
When: 28th June 2025
Where: Scot Sports and Social Club, Selbourne Avenue, Bletchley, Milton Keynes, MK3 5BX
Time: 10am to 4pm
Admission Charge: £5.00 in advance £7.00 on the day under 18’s free

SideTracked Series Turns 18

This year marks the 18th anniversary of the SideTracked Series, and they are doing things a little differently.  Unlike previous years, they won’t be hosting a week-long celebration. Instead, they will focus their anniversary events on a single day: Sunday, 10th August. Why? This year also marks a once-in-a-generation milestone: the 200th anniversary of the modern railway in the UK.

On 27th September 1825, the Stockton & Darlington Railway officially opened, becoming the first public railway in the world to operate steam locomotives and carry both passengers and goods. This revolutionary achievement connected people, powered the Industrial Revolution, and ultimately changed the world.

To honour this historic event, a nationwide initiative Railway 200 is underway, with events, exhibitions, and celebrations taking place across the country. A special week-long SideTracked celebration is planned for September.

Join the SideTracked 18th anniversary celebrations by:

  • Publishing new SideTracked caches on 10th August
  • Finding a SideTracked cache or more on 10th August
  • Hosting one (or more!) SideTracked geocaching events
  • Sharing your stories and photos from your SideTracked adventures using the hashtag #SideTrackedSeries

Full event details, including naming conventions, are available on our website: https://sidetrackedseries.info/events.php

Moe’s Tavern Event Update

The Simpsons Duff at Moe's Authentic Licensed 2001 Poster - Etsy UK

At last, we now have Duff beer, just need a low tide!

News & New Caches 190

Another good week for Premium Member Earthcache fans…

Premium Member Only
GCB8E0V Bwlch y Groes by MrMagnaDefender Earthcache D3/T3
GCB8E30 Glacial Striations by MrMagnaDefender Earthcache D2/T3
GCB8E1T The Dolwyddelan Syncline by MrMagnaDefender Earthcache D3.5/T3.5
GCB8D26 Roché by MrMagnaDefender Earthcache D1/T2.5
GCB8D3G Moel Siabod Cleavage by MrMagnaDefender Earthcache D2/T4
GCB8CYK YOSM #1262 Carn Fadryn by MrMagnaDefender Earthcache D2.5/T3
GCB8CZR YOSM #1263 Mynydd Rhiw by MrMagnaDefender Earthcache D2.5/T3.5
GCB8D3Y YOSM #1264 Carnedd Moel Siabod by MrMagnaDefender Earthcache D3.5/T4.5
GCB8BWN Mynydd Graig Goch by MrMagnaDefender Earthcache D2/T4.5
GCB8C0W The Snowdon Volcanic Group by MrMagnaDefender Earthcache D4/T4.5
GCB8C2W Pelk Point by MrMagnaDefender Earthcache D3/T1.5
GCB8AMG Ordovician Mega Ripples by MrMagnaDefender Earthcache D3/T3


GCB782G Wedding Day by Optimist on the run Traditional D1.5/T1.5

The Happy Couple

On behalf of 9 Usual Suspects and all of the North Wales geocaching community we would like to say congratulations to Simon & Liz on their marriage, wishing them a very happy marriage with lots of fun, laughter and adventures.

Event
GCB8G4G 9 Usual Suspects – Nosh & Natter 79 by 9 Usual Suspects
When: Thursday 26th, June 2025
Where: Parc Snowdonia, Waunfawr, Caernarfon, Gwynedd LL55 4AQ
Time: 7pm to 9pm or when the last person leaves

TB Race Update

Our TB race is now just past the halfway point. This was the leader board on 13.6.2025

1. Golden Goose owner Clueless_Goose 23,487.8 km
2. GraPeS The Bear owner Bess’s Friends 22,719.0 km
3. I Met Signal Tag owner Ecobake 22,566.3 km
4. 16,113.9 km Leap Year Devon Mega 2017 owner FfiLli 16,113.9 km
5. DJ’s Dolphin Adventure owner Cwm DJ 16,100.5 km
6. 9US Race 2025 Go For It owner escapefromwork 15,911.9 km
7. Incy owner sionyn68 15,803.1 km
8. 2025 New Adventure racing Hummingbird owner Wendy2000 15,770.1km
9. 74jen Signal Race Tag owner 74jen 13,233.6 km
10. Racing Pirate owner Ann@Birdbrook 12,668.7 km
11. Compass Winnie owner Bess’s Friends 11,941.6 km
12. WanderBug the World Traveler owner naturesbyte 4,644.4 km
13. RACING KINGFISHER owner YnysMonBirders 4,481.2 km
14. BONUSTOWN I’M IN A RACE owner lostnwet 3,642.1 km
15. Lackey Tag owner Mossfamilymacc 2,053.9 km
16. Travel Sun geocoin owner WelshDisneyMum80 1,184.6 km
Stitch Lackey owner Geojade2013 1,184.6 km
18. Mardi gras 2015 owner Mossfamilymacc 363.6 km
19. Piratemania Chorley Chuckle jude100 194.0 km
20. Clogging all over the world owner Team Marzipan 0.0 km

Total distance traveled by all TB’s 204,064.9 km

A global race, so far 23 countries visited:
Argentina, Barbados, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czechia, Egypt, France, Falkland Islands, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey, UK, USA, Uruguay

Turtle Bridgetown Barbados

Currently the Best Picture award uploaded to a TB page goes to Golden Goose owner Clueless_Goose. I think this picture of a turtle in Barbados is going to take some beating….

Memories of Elaine

Cocktails for 70th Birthday

It is with great sorrow we have to announce the passing of Elaine Welch, a friend to all and a big part of 9 Usual Suspects adventures. Elaine & Richard attended their first 9US event way back in 2017 and quickly became involved with 9US escapades. One of the first to volunteer, becoming very proficient at putting up the tents, lights and props. Always mucking in wether making tea or washing up, she had a knack of spotting what was needed and getting it sorted without any fuss. Elaine hated litter and joined us on many of our CITO litter picks, deriving much satisfaction from leaving a rubbish free environment.

Her parents were Welsh and being a ‘Jones’ North Wales had a very special place in her heart. All her life she had holidayed in Wales. After retiring Richard and her had a caravan on seasonal pitches near Criccieth where they spent as much time as they possibly could.

We know she will be missed by all who knew her. Our thoughts at this difficult time are with Richard, their family & friends.

25.3.2017 First 9US Event
8.10.2023 9US Return to Cwmorthin
Litter Picking

News & New Caches 189

Another good week for Premium Member Earthcache fans…

GCB82ZM Benllech Multi by hryaaw Multi D2/T2

Premium Member Only
GCB7RZB Church Micro 15411…Rhoscolyn by Glaslyn1 Traditional D1.5/T1.5

GCB871K Criccieth Veins by MrMagnaDefender Earthcache D2.5/T2
GCB855J Dixie by MrMagnaDefender Earthcache D2.5/T1.5
GCB817W Machroes…Fault by MrMagnaDefender Earthcache D2.5/T2
GCB8185 Machroes…Ironstone by MrMagnaDefender Earthcache D3/T2.5
GCB81FT Machroes…Tessellation by MrMagnaDefender Earthcache D3.5/T2.5
GCB8189 Machroes…Cliff Spiral by MrMagnaDefender Earthcache D3.5/T2.5
GCB8183 Machroes…Slickensides by MrMagnaDefender Earthcache D3/T2.5
GCB8180 Machroes…Fold by MrMagnaDefender Earthcache D1.5/T2.5
GCB8181 Machroes…Lamination by MrMagnaDefender Earthcache D2.5/T1.5
GCB807A Porthmadog Stylolites by MrMagnaDefender Earthcache D3/T1.5

Event Reminder

GCAZVXE 2025 Community Celebration Event by Bess’s Friends Community Event D1/T1
When: Saturday 7th June 2025
Where: Rocklands, Cymyran Road, Caergeiliog, Anglesey LL65 3HN
Time: 1pm to 6pm
Join Bess’s Friends for a BBQ followed by an afternoon of fun and games to celebrate 25 years of geocaching.  If you have a favourite board game they ask you to bring it along.

New Treasures

Tuesday 10th June sees the release of two new Treasure Collections, Event mementos and Planets. To start collecting Treasures in Event mementos, geocachers must first complete Classic trackables. To start collecting Treasures in Planets, geocachers must first complete Mystery books.

CITO Tree planting Update

GCAXW19 CITO 2024 Season 2, Let’s Plant Trees!

Back in October we hosted a CITO that instead of picking up litter looked at trees and their contribution to our local environment. We asked attendees to gather tree seeds while out geocaching and to bring them along to the event which we then planted. The response of our attendees was incredible….

Gathered Seeds

We supplied all necessary pots, containers etc.

Busy planting….
Planted seeds…

We can now report that some were a success and others a dismal failure. Sadly the Squirrels and Jays had a feast on the acorns but one has survived, the biggest success is the beech trees followed by the horse chestnuts. The Hawthorns are still germinating.

Just a few of the Horse Chestnut, Beech, Oak & Holly sapplings.

If you have space for a tree and would like any of the trees please contact us.

News & New Caches 186

Something for everyone this week, for those that enjoy Earthcaches an especially good week! Please note all the new caches are Premium Member Only.

GCB76DH Porth Ceiriad – A look into the Quaternary by MrMagnaDefender Earthcache D4/T2
GCB76FY Porth Ceiriad – Fantastic Folds by MrMagnaDefender Earthcache D1/T3.5
GCB769Z Port Bach – Strata by MrMagnaDefender Earthcache D2/T3
GCB76EY Porth Ceiriad – Bouma Sequence by MrMagnaDefender Earthcache D4/T2.5
GCB7A9M St Tudwal’s Islands by MrMagnaDefender Earthcache D4/T5
GCB79P3 Natural Concrete by MrMagnaDefender Earthcache D2.5/T2.5
GCB79NA YOSM – Penychain by MrMagnaDefender Earthcache D3/T3
GCB78QT Peridotite Perambulation by MrMagnaDefender Earthcache D3.3/T2.5
GCB7834 Longshore Drift at Abersoch by MrMagnaDefender Earthcache D2.5/T2
GCB78NX Porth Ceiriad – Unconformity by MrMagnaDefender Earthcache D3.5/T3.5
GCB78MM Into the Ordovician by MrMagnaDefender Earthcache D2/T4
GCB78JB YOSM – Mynydd Penarfynydd by MrMagnaDefender Earthcache D4.5/T3
GCB78Q4 Pwllheli Fracture by MrMagnaDefender Earthcache D3/T2
GCB7AA9 YOSM – Mynydd Tîr-y-cwmwd by MrMagnaDefender Earthcache D4/T4

GCB766M St Mair’s Church – Y Felinheli by ECOBAKE Multi D2/T1.5
GCB5RVZ Steller Droid 97 by sdharding Traditional D1.5/T3.5

Event
GCB7484 9 Usual Suspects – Nosh & Natter 78 by 9 Usual Suspects
When: Thursday 29th May, 2025
Where: Parc Snowdonia, Waunfawr, Caernarfon, Gwynedd LL55 4AQ
Time: 7pm to 9pm or when the last person leaves

We are back again at Snowdonia Parc for this months N&N.

UK Mega 2026?

It looks like there will be a UK Mega in 2026:

We are looking out for the announcements….

News & New Caches 184

Thanks to a very busy Clueless_Goose we have several new caches since our last post:

GCB5YXY REALLY SideTracked – Port Dinorwic by Clueless_Goose Traditional D2/T1.5
GCB5RKC SideTracked – Llanfairpwll by Clueless_Goose Mystery D3.5/T1.5
GCB5V3A SideTracked – Bangor (Gwynedd) Traditional D2.5/T1.5
GCB5QE3 Pont Britannia by Clueless_Goose Multi D2/T2.5
GCB5M1E Taken for Granted by Clueless_Goose Multi T2/D2

Premium Member Only
GCB60FP Water Under The Bridge by OuroborosOutdoors Traditional D4/T4.5
GCB5V2C REALLY SideTracked – Griffith’s Crossing by Clueless_Goose Traditional D2.5/T1.5
It is nice to see a cache back here, see below for a brief history of this once ‘famous’ station.

Event Reminder

GCB5JC5 9 Usual Suspects Nosh & Natter 77 by 9 usual Suspects
When: Thursday 24th April 2025
Where: Snowdonia Parc, Waunfawr, LL55 4AQ
Time: 7pm to 9pm
For this months Nosh & Natter we are back at the Snowdonia Parc, Waunfawr.

Griffith’s Crossing, a Brief History

The Griffiths Crossing Station was a Station on the Menai Bridge to Afon Wen line which was opened in stages between 1852 and 1871.

13th July 1913 the royal train arrives at Griffith’s Crossing

In 1911 a ceremony was held in which the future King Edward VIII was invested as Prince of Wales at Caernarfon castle. Part of the event was a procession into the town led by King George V and Queen Mary. Griffiths Crossing was chosen as the location at which the royal party would alight. The station facilities were considered inadequate for the royal party, so temporary timber structures were erected which included an extension to the down platform and a canopy. The Royal train stopped at Griffiths Crossing on 13th November 1911. After the event, the station reverted to its basic form.

Griffith’s Crossing station at time of closure in 1937

The station closed in 1937 even though the line remained busy into the 1960s, but following the closure of Caernarfon and Afon Wen section in 1964, it went into decline. In the second half of 1966 the line through the station was singled, and the former down line lifted. On 1st July 1969 Prince Charles was invested as Prince of Wales at Caernarfon castle, once again it was decided that a procession would take place and that Griffiths Crossing would be the ideal location for the royal party to alight the Royal train. As Griffiths Crossing had been demolished a temporary platform was built further west then the original station, where the bridge passed over into the Ferodo Factory. 

Below is a video showing guests to the investiture arriving at Caernarfon Station, now Morrisons, and the royal train arriving at Griffiths Crossing with the then new Ferodo Factory in the background.

All services ended on the 4th January 1970. However on 23rd of May 1970 a fire on the Britannia Bridge isolated Holyhead from the railway network. Holyhead was at the time an important freightliner depot, so Caernarfon was pressed into use for freightliner services. Freightliner trains passed through Griffiths Crossing until 5th February 1972. The line then closed completely and was lifted.

The site of the station was lost under a road improvement scheme but the house nearby is the old Station Master’s House, and is the only evidence of a station once being here.

News & New Caches 182

In our area we have had five new caches, all placed by Clueless_Goose published and a some events for your diary, a CITO and after CITO event.

GCB5210 Church Micro 15374…Llanedwen by Clueless_Goose Multi D2.5/T1.5

Four of the new caches are an extension to the highly recommended Bryngwyn Slate Trail linking the end of the existing trail back to Rhostryfan. If parking at Rhostryfan this creates a circular walk.

GCB4VDV Alexandra Tramway by Traditional D2/T2
GCB4VZ4 Capel Hermon by Clueless_Goose Multi D2/T2
GCB4W7H Behind the Bush by Clueless_Goose Traditional D1/T1
GCB4W7Z Winging It by Clueless_Goose Traditional D2.5/T1.5

GCB4TNP Grit and Grime by Bradshaws65 Event D1/T1
When: Friday 11th April 2025
Where: Bridge End, Llangollen
Time: 6.15pm to 7.15pm
A chance for local and not so local cachers to meet up and discuss our fascinating hobby.

GCB4YXC CITO 2025 Season 1, Lon Eifion by 9 Usual Suspects D1/T2.5
When: Saturday 12th April 2025
Where: The Old Bridge, Morfa Parc, Caernarfon
Time: 2pm – 3.30pm
This is our last CITO to gain the Season 1 Souvenir. We will be concentrating our litter picking on Lon Eifion, most of the cycle path is litter free but some areas are awful. Our base will be on the old bridge as in previous litter picks. We will be splitting up into 2 groups with some volunteers starting in Bontnewydd to work their way back towards Caernarfon while others starting at the beginning of the path in Caernarfon. Hopefully in the allotted 1.5 hours the two groups will meet some where around the ‘Crossing’ cache.

GCB4YY7 9US A Thank You, Cake and a Brew by 9 Usual Suspects D1/T1
When: Saturday 12th April 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.

GCB53M3 Caernarfon, Gwynedd – Final Counties Tour by goldpot & FLtravelers Event D1/T2
When: Tuesday 29th April 2025
Where: Black Boys, Caernarfon
Time: 7pm to 8pm
Goldpot & FLtravelers are touring every area of the UK finding caches in every county. While in Gwynedd they are hosting this event and would like to meet up with local and not so local cachers to discuss our fascinating hobby.

GCB53QA Pontcysyllte, Wrexham – Final Counties Tour by goldpot & FLtravelers Event D1/T1.5
When: Wednesday 30th April 2025
Where: Pontcysyllte Viaduct
Time: 2pm to 2.45pm
A continuation of Goldpot & FLtravelers Uk geocaching tour of the UK.

Celebrate 25 years of geocaching at Community Celebration Events – Official Blog

GCAZVXE 2025 Community Celebration Event by Bess’s Friends Community Event D1/T1
When: Saturday 7th June 2025
Where: Rocklands, Cymyran Road, Caergeiliog, Anglesey LL65 3HN
Time: 1pm to 6pm
Join Bess’s friends for a BBQ followed by an afternoon of fun and games to celebrate 25 years of geocaching.  If you have a favourite game they ask you to bring it along.

New Treasures

From April 1st two new Treasure collections, Navigational tools and Egg hunt, became available for geocachers to collect when they find and log qualifying geocaches. To access these collections, you must first complete the Celebrating 25 years collection.

Navigational tools
This collection celebrates the tools that explorers have used to navigate the world. The collection features five Treasures ranging from an astrolabe to a map.

You can collect these Treasures by finding and logging any Traditional geocache with a difficulty rating of 2 or higher, and a terrain rating of 1.5 or lower.

Egg hunt
This collection highlights seven different geocache types with seven different Treasures. Each Treasure in this collection has different criteria for the geocaches you have to find and log in order to collect the Treasure. The Treasure can be collected in any order:

    • Egg 1: Collect by finding and logging one Traditional Cache with a difficulty rating of 2 or above
    • Egg 2: Collect by finding and logging one Mystery Cache with a difficulty rating of 2 or above
    • Egg 3: Collect by finding and logging one Multi-Cache with a difficulty rating of 2 or above
    • Egg 4: Collect by finding and logging one Letterbox Hybrid with a difficulty rating of 2 or above
    • Egg 5: Collect by attending any regular Event Cache
    • Egg 6: Collect by finding and logging any EarthCache
    • Egg 7: Collect by finding and logging any Virtual Cache

News & New Caches 181

We have replaced 2 of the caches that have regularly gone missing on Lon Eifion with different hides, just the same location. Hopefully this time they will stay in place!

GCB4QFY Lon Eifion, Another Oak Tree by 9 Usual Suspects Traditional D3/T1.5
GCB4QFC Lon Eifion, Sycamore Gap Returns by 9 Usual Suspects Traditional D3/T2

Event Reminder

GCB496T 9 Usual Suspects – Nosh & Natter 76 by 9 Usual Suspects Event D1/T1
When: Thursday 27th March, 2025
Where: Parc Snowdonia, Waunfawr, Caernarfon, Gwynedd LL55 4AQ
Time: 7pm to 9pm or when the last person leaves

CITO Season 1

After a recent maintenance run along Lon Eifion we were very disappointed on the amount of litter we found between Bontnewydd and Caernarfon. So we are planning another littering picking CITO for the weekend 12th/13th April. This will give anyone that has not collected CITO Season 1 souvenir a chance do so. Please let us know if you prefer Saturday or Sunday for this event.

Blue Switch Day Souvenirs

On May 2nd, 2000, the United States government decided to discontinue restricting GPS accuracy, known as Selective Availability, making GPS technology more accurate for everyone. May 2nd became known to geocachers as “Blue Switch Day.” The first geocache was hidden the following day on May 3rd, 2000.

To celebrate 25 years of geocaching there are two new souvenirs to earn for Blue Switch Day 2025, a finder and hider.

To earn the Blue Switch Day 2025 Finder souvenir log one geocache, attend an Event, or complete an Adventure Lab® Location between May 2nd and 4th.

To earn the Blue Switch Day 2025 Hider souvenir have any type of geocache excluding events and Ad Labs published between May 1st and 31st 2025.