Tag: Gwynedd

News & New Caches 122

We have a couple of new events published since our last post:

Events

The following two events are part of our Leap Day celebrations, hopefully there will be some new caches published on the 29th February to keep everyone busy between breakfast and dinner enabling everyone to earn the Leap Day souvenir.

GCAJWJ6 The Extra Day, Leap Year 2024 by 9 Usual Suspects
When: Thursday 29th February 2024
Where: Caffi Gerlan, Inigo Jones Slate Works, Groeslon
Time: 10.30-11.15am

GCAJXR3 9 Usual Suspects, Leap Day Nosh & Natter 65 by 9 Usual Suspects
When: Thursday 29th February 2024
Where: Anglesey Arms, Harbour Front, Caernarfon LL55 1SG
Time: 7pm to 9pm or when the last person leaves

Leap Day 2024 Souvenir

To earn the Leap Day souvenir find 4 caches on the 29th February 2024, any type of cache including events and Ad Lab locations count towards this souvenir.

Event Review

GCAHCV4 9 Usual Suspects Pop a Lock 2-4pm The Cabin, Cwm y Glo, Llanberis

We have to thank Cemlyn for being a brilliant tutor in the art of lock sport and for arranging the venue for this event. We all learnt a lot about locks, maybe they are not as secure as we would like to believe, enabling some of our attendees to acquire new skills to enhance their geocaching abilities.

Cemlyn has arranged a discount code for anyone that wishes to purchase any lock picking equipment from uklockpickers.co.uk
It’s a one man band and really looks after his customers.
GIFT code for 10% off.

The Facebook forum he is on mostly is the UKlockpickers one. Full of really nice people.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/17548013766/?ref=share
He is known as Richard Jones on there. One of the so called group experts.

Cache series near Piratemania 2024

Are you going to Piratemania? The following may be of interest if you are, especially if you are already planning caching days, the message comes from Hampshire Geocachers FB regarding archiving series near Piratemania:

‘The following series from mikes54 and GilDean will be archived in September, and a new large series will replace them in late October, or early November from mikes54.
The cache series that will be archived are:
The Detectives
The Comedians
The Thing
Oh Balls
CHS, CHL, CHLS
Plus a few other individual ones in the area.
If anyone has them solved and wants to collect, they should do so before end of September 2024.’

News & New Caches 121

We have one new event and an event reminder:

GCAJE8C Carrotking 🥕👑 @ White Rabbit 🐰 by Carrotking Event
When: 10.3.2024
Where: Promenade Shelter, Llandudno
Time: 5-5.30pm

This is one for your diary. Carrotking is visiting our area from Vorderer Odenwald, Germany and would like to meet up with other geocachers to discuss our great hobby.

Event Reminder

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

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.
Light refreshments will be available throughout the afternoon.

Cemlyn has got a complete lockpick set for sale if anyone is interested in picking up the hobby.
He has it listed at £40 but will offer it for £35 to anyone in this group.

Big Garden Birdwatch Weekend

Big Garden Birdwatch is the UK’s biggest citizen science wildlife survey. By taking part, you can help the RSPB understand how our garden birds are doing right now. Spend an hour watching the birds in your patch, between 26 and 28 January, and record the birds that land.

For further information and record your sightings go to Big Garden Birdwatch

News & New Caches 120

Since our last post we have one new Earthcache and an Event:

GCAJN3E War Memorial #1977 ~ Bangor by 74jen Earthcache D2/T1.5

Events

GCAJMC4 9 Usual Suspects Present Ski Sunday 2024 by 9 Usual Suspects Event D1/T2

Ski Sunday is returning to the Nantlle Valley. We can’t guarantee perfect snow conditions for our afternoons skiing but we are sure there will be plenty of banter and lots of laughter.

This year we will be attempting the ski jump! Will we discover another ‘Eddie the Eagle’?

Wrap up warm, join us either as a competitor or spectator for a fun filled afternoon. Refreshments including hot drinks and, of course, the Cache Bar will be available throughout the afternoon. 

When: Sunday 18th February 2024
Where: Plas Gwernoer, Nantlle LL54 6BB
Time: 2-5pm

Event Reminders

We have 2 events in the forth coming week:

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

First N&N for 2024. Please note this event is on Thursday night not Wednesday.

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

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.
Light refreshments will be available throughout the afternoon.

Virtual Cache Award Update

Are Virtuals BACK?!? - PodCacher: Geocaching Goodness

Thank you for all the comments and ideas of where to place our Virtual Reward Cache. There are so many places here in North Wales that deserve a virtual cache from historic sites to fantastic landscapes, we are spoilt for choice. Should it be placed some where accessible to everyone or maybe a trek to a location that is rarely visited? So many questions to be answered that we have decided to hold an event to discuss all the possibilities followed by a vote to decide the final location.

Watch this space for further details.

News & New Caches 119

A couple of new earthcaches and an Ad Lab in a stunning mountain location with a bonus cache to report since our last post.

GCAJDN7 Victorian Drinking Fountain by 74jen Earthcache D2/T1
GCAJ9AC Alveolar Weathering by MrMagnaDefender Earthcache D2.5/T2.5 note Premium Member only

Yr Eifl created by Clueless_Goose Sequential
This Adventure Lab explores the mountain ranges of Pen Llŷn. The adventure begins in the car park and takes a gradual uphill climb to Bwlch yr Eifl, then onward to the top of Mynydd Gwaith. You will then head back down to the bwlch and up Garn Ganol to the summit of Yr Eifl and highest point on Pen Llŷn. You’ll finally follow the trail to Tre’r Ceiri and ultimately head back down to the car park picking up the bonus cache:

GCAJ5A0 Yr Eifl by Clueless_Goose Mystery D2.5/T4

Geocaching Statistics for 2023

Most geocachers like numbers and statistics, to fill a grid is often what drives us to find those extra and more difficult caches. Geocaching HQ put together stats:

9US Event Stats

2023 was a very busy year for 9 Usual Suspects here is some statistics on our achievements:
We hosted 26 events, 11 of which were Nosh & Natters and 3 were CITO’s.
We had 70 geocaching accounts register a find on an event with our event at the SS Denham the most popular having 40 logged attended, a record for us and one that will be difficult for us to beat.

Can You Help?

We are looking for someone with a sewing machine who would be prepared to make us some camouflage bags to be used in a new series we are planning to publish as part of our Leap Day celebrations.

We will be supplying all materials. For more details please contact us either in the comments below or email us at talktous@9usualsuspects.uk

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.

Slate Geocoin Competition Reminder

There is still time to enter our competition to design our next slate coin.

We have 15 blank slate coins that are awaiting your design. The coins will be sold at our events to raise money for 9US funds.

Rules/Guidelines
The slate coins are approx 50mm in diameter. The coin will have two designs one on the obverse (heads) and one on the reverse (tails). The design needs to contain the wording ‘9 Usual Suspects’ and ‘Track at Geocaching.com’. Space has to be left for TB 6 digit tracking number which will begin 9U. No brand names, trademarks or logos to be used. The coin design has to go through an approval process by Geocaching HQ. Designs to be either emailed to competition@9usualsuspects.uk or handed directly to us. The competition closing date is 31st December 2023.

Further details message us either through the comments, 9 Usuals Suspects Geocaching account or competition@9usualsuspects.uk

Merry Christmas/Nadolig Llawen

Christmas is not Christmas without bad Christmas cracker jokes, here are 3 to get you in the festive mood:

What did Santa do when he went speed dating?
He pulled a cracker.

Why could the skeleton not go to the Christmas party?
Because he had nobody to go with.

last one… Did Rudolph go to school?
No, he was elf-taught

Remember this:

We would just like to wish everyone a very Happy Christmas and Thank you all for your support over the last year.

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 115

Another week with no new caches and Adventure labs published since our last post.

GIFF 2023 Results

Geocaching HQ have counted the votes for both the Signal and the People’s Choice Awards.
The Signal Award winner, selected by a panel of geocaching community volunteer reviewers from around the world, is….. Tilius Travel. Congratulations to the filmmakers  Thorro, Occultator, and der_SiR!

In the heartwarming story of Tilius Travel, Tilius the Travel Bug® gets separated from his creator and has to find his way back in a series of adventures through the Black Forest. He encounters geocachers, geocaches of all shapes and sizes, and the dangers of the wilderness. It’s one trackable against the world on an epic journey to return home.

The People’s Choice Award winner, selected by the geocaching community whom took part in the online survey to vote for their favourite film, is….. Geocare – Home for the Aged Geocacher. Congratulations to the filmmaker chooknchunk! This was the winner of the vote at our event.

Geocare – Home for the Aged Geocacher is a hilarious glimpse into the future of geocaching. This lighthearted film shows a group of elderly geocacher residents as they attempt, with the help of their nurses, to find a newly-published geocache. Relatable, witty, and containing a surprise twist, this film resonates with many dedicated geocachers and was by far a fan favourite.

Here are some GIFF 2023 numbers:
Over 11 days, geocachers logged over 14,000 ‘Attended’ logs at registered GIFF Events.
58 film submissions from 21 different countries
18 finalist clips from 11 different countries
549 total Events in 46 different countries, including 547 regular Events and 2 Mega-Events
10,000+ votes for the People’s Choice Award

GIFF Intermission

Sadly there will be no GIFF for 2024, but the red carpet will be rolled out again in 2025 as part of the 25th anniversary celebrations. So that gives us a whole 2 years to make that winning film!

Locationless Cache

GC9FAVE Discovered while geocaching – Locationless Cache

If you have not already logged this special cache time is running out as it is going to be archived and locked on the 1st January, 2023.

In order to find this special cache, simply revisit and share a favourite local place that you discovered while geocaching. Then, go to the cache page and post your Found it log with

  • One (1) photo of yourself or a personal item at your favourite local place that you discovered while geocaching. At least one photo is required to log this cache, old photos are not permitted.
  • State where the place is located, for example, the city of Paris, or the GC code of the geocache.

2023 Hider Souvenir

2023 Hider Souvenir

There is still time to earn the 2023 Hider Souvenir but time is quickly running out, either hide a cache or host an event by the 31st December 2023.