To earn this souvenir, geocachers must find a total of 3 geocaches, Event Caches, and/or Adventure Lab® Locations between September 22nd–28th.
Tag: Geocaching Souvenirs
News & New Caches 150
A couple of new traditional caches and events published since our last post:
GCAXA2K Welcome to Holyhead by Glaslyn1 Traditional D2/T2
GCAXN5G Dyffryn Nantlle by sionyn68 Traditional D1.5/T1.5 Premium Member Only
Events
GCAXW35 9 Usual Suspects – Nosh & Natter 71 by 9 Usual Suspects
When: Thursday 26th September 2024
Where: Parc Snowdonia, Waunfawr, Caernarfon, Gwynedd LL55 4AQ
Time: 7pm to 9pm or when the last person leaves
GCAXW19 CITO 2024 Season 2, Let’s Plant Trees! by 9 Usual Suspects
Where: Plas Gwernoer, Nantlle
When: Sunday 6th October, 2024
Time: 2.00pm-4.30pm
For this CITO we will not be picking up litter, but we will be planting a variety of native tree seeds to grow until they are large enough to plant in our local shared spaces next autumn. Our area has been hit very hard with the ash die back virus, the loss of these beautiful ash trees is changing our landscape and woodlands. Our aim is to replace these lost trees with a variety of trees that are resistant to this virus.
We ask all attendees while out and about geocaching to collect a few seed/berries to bring to this event. We will be supplying compost, pots etc. By attending this event you will earn CITO Season 2 Souvenir for 2024.
Souvenir Updates
Cosmic Quest Challenge
This challenge finished on Sunday 8th September. After extending the challenge by a week there was a final boost of points from the geocaching community ensuring the 15 million point target was achieved enabling the Cosmic Quest: Lift off souvenir to be awarded to all participants. Here are the stats for this challenge issued by Geocaching HQ:
- 111,205 players earned the Super Fuel Cacher souvenir by generating 20 units of fuel
- 40,829 players earned the Ultra Fuel Cacher souvenir by generating 100 units of fuel
- 18,981 earned the secret Discover the Spaceship souvenir by discovering a special Cosmic Quest virtual trackable
I find it surprising how few geocachers took part, after all it is a global game!
September Equinox
The September equinox represents a moment of balance in Earth’s orbit with nearly equal amounts of daylight worldwide. As the reverse of the March equinox, it marks the start of autumn in the northern hemisphere and the start of spring in the southern hemisphere. Geocaching HQ created a souvenir for geocachers to celebrate the September equinox. To earn this souvenir, geocachers must find a total of 3 geocaches, Event Caches, and/or Adventure Lab® Locations between September 22nd–28th.
CADW Open Doors
A quick reminder that CADW Open Doors has many historic sites, landmarks and hidden gems open to visitors free of entry charges throughout September. Here are a few of the places open this weekend:
Bodnant Gardens
Bodnant Gardens are open Sat 14 Sep – Sun 15 Sep 2024 from 9:30 – 17:00
It was created over 150 years, with plants collected and brought to Britain from far afield, and with the incredible vision of generations of the McLaren family. It’s a haven of rarity and beauty, with a stunning backdrop of the Carneddau mountains of Eryri.
Plas Newydd House and Gardens
Plas Newydd House and Gardens Sat 14 Sep – Sun 15 Sep 2024 from 10:30 – 17:00
The ancestral home of the Marquess of Anglesey sits majestically on the shores of the Menai Strait, a family home enjoying breathtaking views of Eryri. The house is home to a Waterloo-inspired military museum, works of art, regular exhibitions and, at its heart, Rex Whistler’s famous 58-foot fantasy landscape painting.
Rug Chapel
Rug Chapel Sat 14 Sep – Sun 15 Sep 2024 from 11:00 – 15:00
Step inside 17th century Rug Chapel and prepared to be wowed by its decorative flourishes.
Tours will be at 11am and 3pm. No booking required.
To find out what is open in your area click on this link CADW Open Doors
News & New Caches 149
Sionyn68 has been very busy during his summer break with 12 new traditional caches and a very nice field puzzle taking you to the highlights of the Penygroes area:
GCAXBC8 Ffordd Clynnog by sionyn68 Traditional D1/T1.5
GCAXBMK Ailgylchu by sionyn68 Traditional D1.5/T1.5
GCAXBFR Mynwant Macpelah by sionyn68 Traditional D1.5/T1.5
GCAXBD5 Costa del sol 2 by sionyn68 Traditional D2/T2
GCAXB92 Visit Penygroes – industrial Estate by sionyn68 Traditional D1.5/T1.5
GCAXBMP Hyfryd by sionyn68 Traditional D1.5/T1.5
GCAXBHE Talsarn by sionyn68 Traditional D1.5/T1.5
GCAXBB9 Penygroes Station by sionyn68 Traditional D1/T1
GCAXBE3 Y Rhwyg o Golli`r Hogiau by sionyn68 Traditional D1.5/T1.5
GCAXBKJ Eglwys Dolbenmaen by sionyn68 Traditional D2/T1.5
GCAXBJX Capel Tai Duon by sionyn68 Traditional D2/T2
GCAXBKW LLANWNDA – LLANLLYFNI by sionyn68 Traditional D1.5/T1.5
GCAXBET Pant ddu by sionyn68 Mystery D1.5/T1.5
Three new Earthcaches have also been published in our area:
GCAXD5P Penmaenmawr Prom – Going Green 🟢 by MrMagnaDefender Earthcache D3.5/T1
GCAXD4N SideTracked Caernafon by MrMagnaDefender Earthcache D3/T1.5
GCAXD7G Sir Hugh Owen by MrMagnaDefender Earthcache D3/T1
Event Reminder
GCAWQYQ SideTracked – Holyhead by RidgeGrovers Event D1/T1.5
When: Friday 6th September 2024
Where: Lidl Car Park
Time: 12.45-1.15pm
A quick meet before RidgeGrovers take the ferry to Dublin.
CITO 2024 Season 2
CITO Season 2 started on the 1st September and runs until 30th November. We are planning to host a litter pick, probably around our regular area in Caernarfon and a tree seed planting event at 9US HQ with tree associated activities. For this event we plan to plant a variety of different seeds, grow them on and then next year host an event to plant the resulting trees. We ask everyone while out and about geocaching this autumn to collect a few seeds and berries, eg acorns, rowan etc, to bring along to the event. We hope to get both events published very soon.
Zip World Autumn Sale
For a weekday booking from now until Friday 25th October Zip World are giving their subscribers up to 50% off 5 of their adventures here in North Wales. Anyone interested in joining us? Further details contact us.
The world’s fastest zip line.
A mountain karting adventure.
A shared zip line adventure.
An incredible underground adventure course.
An epic treetop adventure course.
News & New Caches 148
Just one new event published since our last post:
GCAX1YV 9 Usual Suspects Visit Harlech Castle by 9 Usual Suspects Event D1/T1.5
When: Sunday 29th September 2024
Where: Harlech Castle Car Park LL46 2YH.
Time: 12-12.30pm
A castle set in a beautiful location with a fascinating history. After the event we invite all attendees to join us on a free guided tour of the castle as part of CADW Open Door project.
Please note dogs are only allowed on the ground floor of the castle.
Event Reminder
This is tonight!
GCAWF8W 9 Usual Suspects – Nosh & Natter 70 by 9 Usual Suspects Event D1/T1
When: Thursday 29th August 2024
Where: Snowdonia Parc, Waunfawr, Caernarfon, Gwynedd LL55 4AQ
Time: 7pm to 9pm or when the last person leaves
Cosmic Quest Challenge Update
This challenge was original scheduled to run until Sunday 1st September but Geocaching HQ have announced that it has been extended a week to Sunday 8th September. Is this because the accumulative point total has not reached their target of 15,000,000? Currently the total is 2,300,000 short!
There is the possibility of three souvenirs available, two to be individually earned and one by the geocaching community reaching a target of 15 million fuel points.
See the table below for information about how many fuel points different geocaching actions generate:
| Activated a trackable | 1 |
| Attended an Event | 3 |
| Received a Favorite point on an owned geocache | 2 |
| Found an EarthCache | 5 |
| Found it* | 1 |
*Logged a Found it on any other cache type, excluding Webcam Caches.
Players can earn the Super fuel cacher souvenir by generating 20 fuel points and players can earn the Ultra fuel cacher souvenir by generating 100 fuel points. If the accumulative fuel points total reaches 15 million the 3rd souvenir will be awarded to all those that have taken part in the challenge.
News & New Caches 146
As part of our International Geocaching Day celebrations we have added a further 5 new caches to our Lon Eifion series:
GCAVG57 Lon Eifion, Gwaith Llechi by 9 Usual Suspects Traditional D1.5/T2
GCAVG55 Lon Eifion, the Corner by 9 Usual Suspects Traditional D3/T1.5
GCAVG4P Lon Eifion, Be Seated by 9 Usual Suspects Traditional D1.5/T1.5
GCAVG4Y Lon Eifion, Theraphosidae by 9 Usual Suspects Traditional D1.5/T1.5
GCAVG49 Lon Eifion, Not a Fine Pair! by 9 Usual Suspects Traditional D2/T1.5
Event
GCAWQYQ SideTracked – Holyhead by RidgeGrovers Event D1/T1.5
When: Friday 6th September 2024
Where: Lidl Car Park
Time: 12.45-1.15pm
A quick meet before RidgeGrovers take the ferry to Dublin.
Event Reminders
Saturday is a busy day on Anglesey.
GCAVXKP Beaver Badge Celebration by MonHunter Event D1/T1
When: Saturday 24th August 2024
Where: Caffi Twr Marcwis
Time: 11-11.30am
An event to celebrate a challenge accepted by MonHunter made by his Beavers Leader to find and maintain caches during the summer holidays as to gain a Personal Challenge Beavers award. So come along and celebrate completing the challenge at one of our favourite places, Caffi Twr Marcwis (the Marquis Column cafe).
GCAVXAQ Meet and Greet Holyhead Maritime by shavonrg Event D1/T1.5
When: Saturday 24th August 2024
Where: Maritime Museum, Holyhead
Time: 4-4.30pm
A group of Geocachers from the US and Canada would like to meet local cachers to discuss our fascinating hobby.
Event Review
GCAVKYR 9US Celebrate International Geocaching Day 2024 by 9US Event D1/T1
Once again we were lucky with the weather, it may not have been a lovely warm sunny day but at least it did not rain. To start our International Geocaching Day celebrations at 9am 5 new caches along Lon Eifion went live. We hadn’t expected there to be so much competition for the FTF’s but it did keep us entertained.
After finding some fishing caches at the UK Mega we decided to introduce this style of hide to local cachers in the form of an Ad Lab, Fishing at Plas Gwernoer. As Ecobake put in his log this ‘kept the kid’s of all ages amused’. After the BBQ Mike produced this years extreme game, target catapulting…. not quite as dangerous as the knife throwing!
A big thanks to Pete for manning the BBQ, Mike & Gail for the games, everyone who brought tickets for the tombola & raffle, the washing up fairy, everyone for helping clear up and of course for attending.
The Ad Lab will be available at forth coming events at Plas Gwernoer or by prior arrangement with Pete or Ann.
New 9US Coins
Our new geocoins designed by Julie of Bess’s Friends are selling fast, at just £11.00 each a must have for your geocoin collection. They will be available to purchase at our events or contact us either through the comments or email geocoins@9usualsuspects.uk
News & New Caches 143
There has been lots of caches published since our last post:
GCAV1CG YOSM #0115 Porth Ysgaden by Clueless_Goose Traditional D2/T2
GCATH1R Abersoch REBORN by rubenxamber Traditional D1/T1.5
GCATH2E Dune Discoveries by rubenxamber Traditional D2/T1.5
GCATJC8 Abersoch’s Beachside Mystery by rubenxamber Traditional D1/T1
GCATJD5 Abersoch Pre-Beach Treasure by rubenxamber Traditional D1/T1
GCATJBM Sailor’s Secret by rubenxamber Traditional D1/T1
GCATRHJ Lobster’s Lair: Potted Treasure by rubenxamber Traditional D1/T1.5
GCATRGX Dockside Delight by rubenxamber Traditional D1/T1.5
Multi
GCAV82C It’s all Shakespeare to me by Clueless_Goose Multi D3.5/T1.5
Earthcache
GCATK97 Royal Charter Memorial by 74jen Earthcache D2.5/T3
Mystery
GCATXCK Age of AI by Clueless_Goose Mystery D3/T2.5
Wherigo
GCATD9A YOSM #1127 Douglas Hill by Clueless_Goose Wherigo D2.5/T3
Event
GCAV1Z4 9 Usual Suspects – Nosh & Natter 69 by 9 Usual Suspects Event D1/T1
Cosmic Quest Challenge
The Cosmic Quest starts on July 22nd and runs to September 1st with the possibility of three souvenirs available, two to be individually earned and one by the geocaching community reaching a target of 15 million fuel points.
See the table below for information about how many units of fuel different geocaching actions generate:
| Activated a trackable | 1 |
| Attended an Event | 3 |
| Received a Favorite point on an owned geocache | 2 |
| Found an EarthCache | 5 |
| Found it* | 1 |
*Logged a Found it on any other cache type, excluding Webcam Caches.
Players can earn the Super fuel cacher souvenir by generating 20 units of fuel and players can earn the Ultra fuel cacher souvenir by generating 100 units of fuel.
News & New Caches 141
A couple of new caches, an Ad Lab with bonus and 3 events all published since our last post.
GCAT9KQ Phone Home by Caio, Ifan a Tomi Traditional D1.5/T1.5
Premium Member only
GCAT6AN Emily’s walk – we see swans! by CheesyPasta Traditional D1.5/T1.5
Adventure Lab and Bonus Cache
Magnificent Murals created by RichieBlod nonsequential
This Ad Lab takes you on a tour of murals painted by Ffion Roberts-Drakely around Amlwch. The starting point is the pay & display carpark but the stages can be done in any order. There is a bonus cache, see below for details.
GCAR7B1 Magnificent Murals Bonus Cache by RichieBlod Mystery D2.5/T2
Events
GCARYZH SideTracked – Rhyl by GeotrainTGV Event
When: 29.6.2024
Where: The Sussex (Wetherspoons), 20-26 Sussex St, Rhyl LL18 1SG
Time: 12.15-13.15pm
GCAT1ZG War Memorial #2024 ~ Porthmadog by 9 Usual Suspects Event D1/T2
When: 30.6.2024
Where: The War Memorial, Porthmadog
Time: 3-3.30pm
GCARZ12 SideTracked – Colwyn Bay by Wandafree Event
When: 30.6.2024
Where: The Picture House (Wetherspoons), 24-26 Princes Dr, Colwyn Bay LL29 8LA
Time: 2-3pm
Event Reminder
GCARMJM 9 Usual Suspects – Nosh & Natter 68 by 9 Usual Suspects
When: Thursday 27th June 2024
Where: Parc Snowdonia, Waunfawr, Caernarfon, Gwynedd LL55 4AQ
Time: 7pm to 9pm or when the last person leaves
For this months Nosh & Natter we are back at the Snowdonia Parc, Waunfawr
Cosmic Quest, the Next Challenge
For anyone who tried to decipher last weeks message from HQ but didn’t succeed here it is in plain English:
Hello, earthlings! We have come across a reference to “Geocaching.com” on a metal creature roving the planet Mars. It seems this ‘geocaching’ is an activity meant to further exploration and community. We would like to better understand this interesting human activity and we are traveling to Earth to learn more. We only hope we’ll have enough fuel in our spaceship to keep exploring!
The Cosmic Quest starts on July 22nd and runs to September 1st with the possibility of three souvenirs available, two to be individually earned and one by the geocaching community reaching a target of 15 million fuel points.
See the table below for information about how many units of fuel different geocaching actions generate:
| Activated a trackable | 1 |
| Attended an Event | 3 |
| Received a Favorite point on an owned geocache | 2 |
| Found an EarthCache | 5 |
| Found it* | 1 |
Players can earn the Super fuel cacher souvenir by generating 20 units of fuel and players can earn the Ultra fuel cacher souvenir by generating 100 units of fuel.
News & New Caches 138
Just a couple of event reminders:
Event Reminders
GCAPJD7 9 Usual Suspects – Nosh & Natter 67 by 9 Usual Suspects Event D1/T1
When: Thursday 30th May 2024
Where: Anglesey Arms, Harbour Front, Caernarfon LL55 1SG
Time: 7pm to 9pm or when the last person leaves
GCAQVE7 9 Usual Suspects Celebrate Their Virtual Award by 9 Usual Suspects Event D1/T1.5
When: Sunday 2rd June
Where: Anglesey Column
Time: 3-4pm
We are returning to the Anglesey Column to celebrate the publication of our virtual cache. Why place our virtual cache here? Because from the viewing platform at the top of the column you look out over our ‘patch’. Refreshments will be available from the cafe, but no purchases have to be made to attend this event. We can highly recommend the cakes……
June Solstice 2024 Souvenir
The solstice on June 21st marks the longest day in the Northern Hemisphere and the shortest day in the Southern Hemisphere. To celebrate the solstice HQ are issuing a souvenir, to qualify simply find a cache of any type of geocache including events and Adventure Lab stages between 19th – 21st June.
News & New Caches 133
Just 2 new traditional caches have been published since our last post:
GCAP46W Can you see the monument by Coxystar79 Traditional D1/T1.5
GCANYPN Porth Swtan byTheAngleseyClarkes Traditional D1/T1.5
Please note there will be NO Nosh & Natter this month, but they will resume in May.
Llanfaglan Church
GC8DH3W Church Micro 12800…Llanfaglan by 9 Usual Suspects Multi D2/T1.5
While enjoying a guided history tour of Caernarfon we met Ifor Williams who takes care of this lovely old church on behalf of the charity Friends of Friendless Churches. He has kindly offered to give us geocachers a guided tour of this fascinating church. The tour would last between 30-45 minutes. Our plan is to hold an event here, either a Saturday or Sunday afternoon, to include the tour and a BBQ or picnic just down the road by the ‘pirate ship’. Are you interested? Please let us know as we need to have a rough idea of numbers before making any further plans.
Blue Switch Day
On May 2nd, 2000 the U.S. government opened up accurate GPS technology for public use, prior to this day the technology had only been available to the US military. The very next day the first geocache was hidden and the beginning of the game we all love. Known as Blue Switch Day geocachers like to commemorate this day by finding a cache and earning a souvenir.
To earn this years Blue Switch Day souvenir simply find one geocache, attend an event, or Adventure Lab® Location between 2nd to 5th May, 2024.
News & New Caches 131
Happy Easter! Since our last post a new series of 6 drive-bys with a seasonal theme have been published. Please note they are all premium member only.
GCANFM7 #1 Easter Egg Hunt 2024 by Squaddie101 Traditional D1/T1.5
GCANFMC #2 Easter Egg Hunt 2024 by Squaddie101 Traditional D1.5/T1.5
GCANFMK #3 Easter Egg Hunt 2024 by Squaddie101 Traditional D1.5/T1.5
GCANFMQ #4 Easter Egg Hunt 2024 by Squaddie101 Traditional D1.5/T1.5
GCANFMT #5 Easter Egg Hunt 2024 by Squaddie101 Traditional D1.5/T1.5
GCANFMX #6 Easter Egg Hunt 2024 by Squaddie101 Traditional D1.5/T1.5
Event Reminder
GCAN1D5 9 Usual Suspects Visit Anglesey Column by 9 Usual Suspects
When: 2.4.2024
Where: Anglesey ColumnParc Dre, Caernarfon
Time: 2-4pm
So, are you ready for the 115 step challenge to the top? Please note there is a charge to climb the steps to the viewing platform but not to attend this event.
The cost to climb to the top of the column is for adults £7.50 and for children £3.50.
Please note the climb is not recommended for children under 3 years.
GeoGuessr Souvenir
GeoGuessr, we love this game and spent many hours travelling the world playing this game in Covid lockdowns. So what is GeoGuessr? It is an interactive geography game that ‘drops’ players to random locations around the world using Google Street View, the objective being to guess where you are. Players must use their knowledge and deduction skills to guess their precise location. The more accurately a player guesses, the more points they earn.
A special limited-time collaboration between Geocaching HQ and GeoGuessr allow all geocachers a free trial of ten places inspired by real-world geocaching locations. By playing the game geocachers can earn a limited edition souvenir!
In order to earn the limited-time souvenir:
- Play The Geocaching Challenge between March 26–April 12 and correctly identify at least one location.
- Find the hidden tracking code on the completion message screen.
- Discover the code at Geocaching.com before April 12, 2024 to earn a special souvenir.
If you couldn’t find the hidden tracking code, don’t worry—a second tracking code will appear at the end of the game after guessing all ten locations. Discovering either tracking code will earn the souvenir.
NOTE: Geocaching HQ gives permission for these trackables to be discovered virtually.
The best experience is on desktop and this game will not appear in the GeoGuessr mobile app.