Tag: Event

News & New Caches 118

We have 2 Earthcaches and 3 Events published since our last post:

Premium Member Only
GCAJ24B War Memorial #1969 – Beddgelert by MrMagnaDefender Earthcache D1/T1
GCAHP83 Fossil Hunt by MrMagnaDefender Earthcache D3/T2.5

Events

GCAHZJ0 CITO, A487 North, Quick Pick 10.30-11.30am D1/T3
When: Friday 19th January, 2024
Where: Lay by A487 North, Caernarfon
Time: 10.30-11.30am
Please note this event is on a Friday

GCAHZKC 9 Usual Suspects – Nosh & Natter 64 7-9pm Snowdonia Parc, Waunfawr
When: Thursday 25th January, 2024
Where: Parc Snowdonia, Waunfawr, Caernarfon, Gwynedd LL55 4AQ
Time: 7pm to 9pm or when the last person leaves

GCAHCV4 9 Usual Suspects Pop a Lock 2-4pm The PortaCabin, Cwm y Glo, Llanberis
When: Saturday 27th January, 2024
Where: The PortaCabin, Brynrefail, Llanberis
Time: 2-4pm

2024 9US Geocaching Event Calendar

We have decided to move Nosh & Natters to a Thursday night due to the continued uncertainty of some venues opening week nights.

20th January GCAHZJ0 CITO, A487 North, Quick Pick 10.30-11.30am D1/T3 (Please note this event is on a Friday)
25th January GCAHZKC 9 Usual Suspects – Nosh & Natter 64 7-9pm Snowdonia Parc, Waunfawr
27th January GCAHCV4 9 Usual Suspects Pop a Lock 2-4pm The PortaCabin, Cwm y Glo, Llanberis
18th February Ski Sunday
29th February Leap Day 2024 Nosh & Natter 65 7-9pm
16th March CITO 2024 Season 1
28th March Nosh & Natter 66 7-9pm
25th April Nosh & Natter 67 7-9pm
30th May Nosh & Natter 68 7-9pm
27th June Nosh & Natter 69 7-9pm
24th July Nosh & Natter 70 7-9pm
25th-29th July Piratemania 16, Eight bells nigh!
3rd August GCAAB24 South East UK Mega 2024 by South East UK Mega 2024 Team
The Mega Event will be on Saturday 3rd August 2024 from 10am-4pm
Camping and Side Events will run all week from 29th July to 5th August 2024
17th August International Geocaching Day
29th August Nosh & Natter 71 7-9pm
15th September CITO 2024 Season 2
26th September Nosh & Natter 72 7-9pm
12th October International Earthcache Day
31st October Nosh & Natter 73 7-9pm
30th November Christmas Dinner Nosh & Natter 74 7-9pm
31st December Farewell 2024

News & New Caches 117

A couple of new caches to report since our last post:

GCAH73T Happy Christmas 2023 by escapefromwork Traditional D1/T1.5
GCAA66Y War Memorial #1964 – Colwyn Bay by The Magna Defender Earthcache D1.5/T1.5

Event Reminders

GCAGXT5 9 Usual Suspects Say Goodbye 2023 by 9 Usual Suspects

Our last event of 2023 and a chance for a quick catch up before the New Year Celebrations begin. There is no better way to start your celebrations than meeting up with your geocaching friends!
A new venue for us, we will be in the garden room. This is a small venue so please log “will attends” to ensure we book enough space for everyone.
When: 31st December, 2023
Where: Scoops, 8 Palace St, Caernarfon LL55 1RR
Time: 11am-12pm

GCAGY4V 9 Usual Suspects Say Hello 2024 by 9 Usual Suspects

Our first event of 2024! Why not join us at Traeth Lafan Nature Reserve?
When: 1st January, 2024
Where: Bangor LL57 3YH
Time: 12-12.30pm

Depending on how awful the weather is, after the event we invite you to join us to explore part of the new section of the Wales Coastal Path and find the following cache:

GCA9KNY Bath House Ruins View by Qniu25 Traditional D2/T2.5

Please note after all the rain we have had this path will be wet and muddy.

Happy New Year

We would like to take this opportunity to Thank everyone for their support and wish you all a very Happy New Year, may 2024 be a year full of fun and adventures.

News & New Caches 116

Only one event has been published since our last post:

GCAHCV4 9 Usual Suspects Pop a Lock by 9 Usual Suspects Event D1/T1

Vintage Original Antique Padlocks for sale | eBay

Have you ever wanted to learn how to pick a lock?
Why not join us for a lock picking workshop where our expert Cemlyn, MFW, will be on hand to demonstrate and instruct us on the use of racks, hooks, combs and jigglers, he may let you have a play with his bump and ball picks! All tools will be provided.
When: Saturday 27th January 2024
Where: The PortaCabin, Brynrefail, Llanberis
Time: 2-4pm

December Solstice Souvenir

Around the world, people celebrate the solstice in many different ways. Here in the Northern Hemisphere, the December solstice marks the shortest day of the year.

Geocaching HQ have created a souvenir for geocachers to celebrate the December solstice. To earn this souvenir, geocachers must find a total of 12 geocaches, Event Caches, and/or Adventure Lab® Locations between December 17–23, 2023. Why 12 caches? Because December is the 12th month of the year.

2024 Souvenirs

Here are the confirmed souvenirs for 2024:

  • Greetings 2024: January 1–8
  • 2024 hider: January 1–December 31
  • Leap Day 2024: February 29
  • Cache In Trash Out®, Season 1: March 1–May 31
  • Blue Switch Day: May 2–4
  • June Solstice: June 19–21
  • International Geocaching Day: August 17
  • Cache In Trash Out®, Season 2: September 1–November 30
  • World Postcard Day: October 1
  • International EarthCache Day: October 12–13
  • December Solstice: December 20–22
  • Farewell 2024: December 24–31

News & New Caches 114

We have 2 new events published:

Events

GCAGXT5 9 Usual Suspects Say Goodbye 2023 by 9 Usual Suspects

Our last event of 2023 and a chance for a quick catch up before the New Year Celebrations begin. There is no better way to start your celebrations than meeting up with your geocaching friends!

When: 31st December, 2023
Where: Scoops, 8 Palace St, Caernarfon LL55 1RR
Time: 11am-12pm

A new venue for us, we will be in the garden room. This is a small venue so please log “will attends” to ensure we book enough space for everyone.

GCAGY4V 9 Usual Suspects Say Hello 2024 by 9 Usual Suspects

Our first event of 2024! Why not join us at Traeth Lafan Nature Reserve?

When: 1st January, 2024
Where: Bangor LL57 3YH
Time: 12-12.30pm

After the event 9 Usual Suspects invite all attendees to join them on exploring the new section of the Wales Coastal Path.

New Year Souvenirs

There are 2 souvenirs to earn over the Christmas/New Holidays, ‘Farewell to 2023’ and ‘Greeting from 2024’ by finding any type of geocache, attending an event or completing an Adventure Lab stage.
Farewell to 2023 is available from 24th to 31st December.
Greetings from 2024 is available from 1st to 8th January.

Christmas Dinner Event Review

GCAFM95 Christmas Dinner – Nosh & Natter 63 by 9 Usual Suspects

For this years Christmas dinner we returned to the Tafarn Yr Afr/Goat Inn, Glandwyfach. Again we all had a very enjoyable evening, great company with plenty of geochat and banter, fun Secret Santa and lovely food. Was this event sponsored by Lidl?

UK 2024 Mega Event 2024

GCAAB24 South East UK Mega 2024

Are you planning to go to next years UK Mega? Have you booked your camping pitch? December is the last month to secure a discounted pitch price, in January the price will revert to full price. So if you want to pay a reduced price book your pitch now!

The following text is taken from the November edition of the South East UK Mega news letter:

“South East Mega NEEDS YOU…!
2024 is an amazing year, not only does it have the South East Mega, it is also a leap year! And that means, 2024 has a very special day, February 29th! Some players might have been waiting almost 4 years to tick this date off their calendar.
We would love it if you could help us mark this very special day with an event and if you can, some fundraising on our behalf. Host an event on Thursday 29th February 2024 and if you could run a game, a raffle or some other competition at your event to help us with fundraising we would really appreciate it. The host of the event that raises the most for us will receive one of our money can’t buy Event Winner Geocoins, along with a few other goodies and of course an amazing shout out on our socials! Feb 29th events can be published now, so find that location and get that event planned.”

We know how hard it is to raise money to fund 9US exploits so to fund raise for a Mega Event must be a nightmare. We are planning to have a 9US Leap Day event, should we support the Mega Team by running a fundraiser on their behalf?

News & New Caches 106

One traditional cache and 2 events have been published since our last post:

GCAEG8R Church Micro 14937…Aberffraw by Glaslyn1 Traditional (Premium Member Only) D2/T1.5

Events

GCAEFH4 Trick or Treat with 9 Usual Suspects by 9 Usual Suspects Event D1/T1.5

When: Friday 3rd November
Where: Plas Gwernoer, Nantlle LL54 6BB
Party Starts: 6pm
Party Ends: 9pm or when the last person leaves
Attire: Optional Halloween Fancy dress

This event is still very much work in progress there for we will publish more details nearer the day.

GCAED06 GIFF 2023, Geocaching International Film Festival by 9 usual Suspects Event D1/T1

Where: Talysarn Community Centre, Station Road, Talysarn, Caernarfon LL54 6HL
Date: Sunday 19th November 2023
Doors open: 2.00pm
Film showing starts: 2.45pm approx, duration approx 1 hour.
Venue closes: 5.00pm 

The GIFF 2023 souvenir will be awarded to all attendees of this event.

GIFF a Brief History

The Geocaching International Film Festival (GIFF) began in 2013 and was a part of the ‘Geocaching Block Party 2013’ held at Geocaching HQ, in Seattle. The finalist films were screened in a park near HQ and it was a huge success. There was another GIFF in 2014 with the same format.

In 2015 all of the finalist films were ready to go but there was a torrential rain storm. The GIFF team were forced to cancel the event in the park and came up with an alternative plan. Geocachers across the world were invited to host events to show the films in their local communities. This was a great success and this has been the format ever since. 9 Usual Suspect have hosted every GIFF event since 2015.

GIFF Stats

2013: Hosted in Seattle only
2014: Hosted in Seattle only
2015: 449 Events | 46 countries
2016: 123 film submissions | 16 finalists | 526 Events | 44 countries
2017: 47 submissions | 17 finalists | 601 Events | 55 countries
2018: 83 submissions | 16 finalists | 656 Events | 58 countries  
2019: 54 submissions | 16 finalists | 688 Events | 56 countries
2020: Cancelled due to Covid
2021: 61 submissions | 17 finalists | 425 Events | 40 countries
2022: No GIFF due to 20 year anniversary celebrations

News & New Caches 105

Just one new traditional cache near Barmouth and our event published since our last post:

GCAE2D0 Geobabies waterfall walk by svl379 Traditional D1.5/T1.5

International Earthcache Day 2023

This year International Earthcache Day is Saturday 7th October, any earthcache logged on either the 7th or 8th will qualify for the souvenir. To earn the souvenir visit the physical location of an EarthCache, complete the logging requirements to receive both a smiley and the 2023 souvenir.

All non-Premium EarthCaches are open to everyone throughout the weekend on the Geocaching® app from 11:00:00 UTC on Friday, October 6, until 10:00:00 UTC on Monday, October 9.

9US Earthcache Day 2023

Our original idea was to visit the earthcaches at Black Rock Sands but the tide times are against us so we have had to revise our plans and put this event on hold for another day. To find earthcaches that our regular attendees (especially Glyn) have not found is hard, but there are 2 earthcaches at Cwmorthin that have very few finds by locals. This will be our 3rd earthcache day event at Cwmorthin but as it is such a beautiful location I am sure no one will object to returning. For any one who has not geocached here there are a further 15 earthcaches, 25 letterbox and traditionals mostly with high D/T ratings.

Our last visit back in 2017

GCAEC35 9 Usual Suspects Return to Cwmorthin, Tanygrisiau by 9 Usual Suspects Event D1/T3.5

Where: Cwmorthin, Tanygrisiau, Blaenau Ffestiniog
When: Sunday 8th October 2023
Time: 11am to 11.30am

We will meet up in the car park for the event, around 11.30am we will head up the hill to discover:

GC8AGBJ Rhosydd Crazy Stones…. by treboR nosnwoT Earthcache D2/T4.5
GC8AGQC Rhosydd Vesicles….. by treboR nosnwoT Earthcache D2/T2

CITO 2023 Season 2

Another trailer full……

GCADQC3 CITO 2023 Season 2 by 9 Usual Suspects

Thank you everyone for attending and for your hard work making this another very successful litter pick. 12 bags and 6 blue boxes were filled with the usual cans, bottles, fast food containers and general litter. There was a few bizarre items including a hand held vacuum cleaner, a micro wave oven and set of oars. I would love to know how the oars got to the wood behind Tescos. After the litter pick cake, drinks and geochat were enjoyed before everything was packed away for another day. All collected rubbish was disposed of at the recycling centre.

Christmas Dinner

Yes, we know it is only September but bookings for groups are already being taken. We are planning to return to Tafarn Yr Afr/The Goat Inn, Glandwyfach, on either Saturday 25th or 29th Wednesday November. Do you have a preference? Please contact us either through comments or message 9 Usual Suspects geocaching account.

Another 2025 Event

Save the Day……. London Calling Mega 2025

London Calling have announced that they will be hosting this event for the third time on Saturday 3rd May 2025.

News & New Caches 104

GCAE2X5 9 Usual Suspects – Nosh & Natter 61 by 9 usual Suspects Event
When: Wednesday 27th September
Where: Anglesey Arms, Harbour Front, Caernarfon LL55 1SG
Time: 7pm to 9pm or when the last person leaves

Event Reminder

GCADQC3 CITO 2023 Season 2 by 9 Usual Suspects
When: Saturday 16th September 2023
Where: Parc Dre/Morfa Caernarfon
Time: 11am-1pm

Why not come and join us for another litter pick at one of our regular sites. 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 towards Lon Eifion cycle path. By attending this event you will earn CITO 2023 Season 2 and 75 points towards this months Wheel of Challenges souvenirs.

Cadw, Open Doors 2023

Cadw is a Welsh word meaning ‘to keep’ or ‘to protect’ and is the historic environment service of the Welsh Government. Cadw works to protect the historic buildings, structures, landscapes and heritage sites of Wales.

This September, more than 200 of Wales’ historic sites, landmarks and hidden gems will offer visitors free entry, events or guided tours. Explore some of the country’s lesser-known and smaller-scale sites ― several of which are usually closed to the public.

Why not take the opportunity to visit Barclodiad-y-Gawres Burial Chamber.

When: Saturday 23rd Sep – Sunday 24th Sep 2023
Where: Barclodiad-y-Gawres Burial Chamber, Ty Croes, Anglesey, LL63 5TE
Time: Tours will be at 11am, 1pm and 3pm. Meet at the monument.

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.

To find out what is happening near you click on this link Open Doors

2025, A Big Year for Geocaching

2025 sees not only the 25 anniversary of Geocaching but also 9 Usual Suspects 10th birthday – there will be a lot happening. Below is the first event that has come to our attention:

Piratemania Germany

Save the date! Piratemania Germany 4th-6th July 2025

It has recently been announced that in 2025, Piratemania will travel from England through the English Channel across the North Sea and through the Rhine to Germany. The event has yet to be published but will be somewhere in North Rhine-Westphalia. We will keep you updated as more information is released.

Hopefully we will be there…….. will you?

News & New Caches 103

It has been a busy few days so apologies for the delayed post and it may be a bit longer than normal.
We have 3 recently published caches:

GCASW19 Cefni Dam by CheesyPasta Traditional D1.5/T1.5
GCADW0A Damsel fly city! by CheesyPasta Traditional D1.5/T1.5

Premium Member Only
GCADNZN Village Hall Series 1475 – Llanfairpwll by Glaslyn1 Traitional D2.5/T1.5

Event

GCADQC3 CITO 2023 Season 2 by 9 Usual Suspects
When: Saturday 16th September 2023
Where: Parc Dre/Morfa Caernarfon
Time: 11am-1pm

Why not come and join us for another litter pick at one of regular sites. 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 towards Lon Eifion cycle path. By attending this event you will earn 75 points towards this months Wheel of Challenges souvenirs.

Wheel Of Challenges, Teamwork

This is the final month of the Wheel of Challenges souvenir challenges and there is another two souvenirs available, easy and hard. To qualify for the easy earn 100 points and the hard 1,000 points, you can keep track of your progress on your leaderboard. Events and CITO’s gain the maximum 75 points and unlike other challenges Ad Lab stages do not count as a ‘found it’ log.

This challenge started on Monday 4th September and runs to Sunday 1st October.

Here are the leaderboard point values for this challenge:

Attended an Event75
Attended a CITO Event75
Found a cache with 10+ Favorite points50
Received a Favorite point on an owned cache50
Found it*25
*Log a Found it on any other cache type except Adventure Lab® Locations.

SS Denham Event

GCACYNA 9 Usual Suspects Visit a Wreck by 9 Usual Suspects D1/T5

Well what can we say about this event? Here in North Wales 9US hold a lot of events with the average attendees of 8 -12, for this event within a week of publication we had 25 ‘will attends’! This has certainly smashed our records as I write this we have 37 logged attendances and over 100 photos in the gallery! We have joked many times in the past about ‘our’ weather god and they certainly came up trumps for this event, a perfect evening for a stroll across the sand followed by beautiful sunset. It was a shame about the photographic club who thought they had sole rights to the wreck site. We would like to say a very BIG THANK YOU to everyone who attend making this such a special event. See our video below:

One for the Future…….

GC7B7E1 St Helens Fort by Mario McTavish Virtual D4/T5

Any one interested in a trip to the Isle of Wight? This has been on our ‘to do’ list for a while, maybe a 9US road trip with an event here. Interested? Contact us either through the comments or message us via our geocaching account.

News & New Caches 100

Two new caches since our last post, both Premium Member only, plus several events for your diary:

GCACMY5 A Fine Pair # 1737 ~ Llanfairpwllgwyngyll by Glaslyn1 Multi D3/T1.5
GCACNPA The geocaching bug by seanx90 Traditional D1.5/T1.5

Events
GCACV3K 9 Usual Suspects – Nosh & Natter 60 by 9 Usual Suspects
For this months Nosh & Natter we are back at the Snowdonia Parc, Waunfawr.
When: Wednesday 30th August 2023
Where: Parc Snowdonia, Waunfawr, Caernarfon, Gwynedd LL55 4AQ
Time: 7pm to 9pm or when the last person leaves

Photo by Jo (73JLS)

GCACYNA 9 Usual Suspects Visit a Wreck by 9 Usual Suspects
Another 9US adventure this time to visit the wreck site of the SS Denham…… more details in our next post.
When: Saturday 2nd September 2023
Where: Wallasey Beach, New Brighton, Wirral
Time: 7.15-7.45pm

GCACVFT REALLY SideTracked – Great Orme, Victoria Station by Pink icing
When: Saturday 14th October 2023
Where: King’s Head, Old Rd, Llandudno LL30 2NB
Time: 1.30-2.30pm

GCACRX3 Geocaching Halloween Event at The Bryntirion Inn by martin&lindabryn
Whether you’re looking for tricks or treats, this Halloween bash at The Bryntirion Inn is the place to be. 
When: Saturday 28th October 2023
Where: The Bryntirion Inn, Llandderfel, Bala
Time: 7pm – 11pm

Event Reminder

GCAB70R 9US Celebrate International Geocaching Day 2023 by 9 Usual Suspects Event D1/T1.5
Where: Plas Gwernoer, Nantlle
When: Saturday 19th August, 2023
Time: 2.00pm-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 International Geocaching Day, the theme for this years event is ‘An Afternoon in the Pub’. There will be darts, dominos and a pub quiz, fun for everyone. If intending to be there please log a ‘will attend’ to enable us to plan catering for the day.

By attending this event you will earn a souvenir, International Geocaching Day 2023.

9 Usual Suspects 29 Series

Some of our caches in our 29 series are getting increasingly difficult to maintain so we are giving notice of intention to archive all at the end of October except the 3 Church Micros and the TB hotel. The series has been very popular since its publication on the 29.2.2016.

For everyone that has completed the series Lon has designed a profile badge.

Copy and paste the following text to your profile page:

<a href=”https://imgflip.com/gif/148sl8″><img src=”https://i.imgflip.com/148sl8.gif“/></a>

We hope to place a new series on leap day 2024………..