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
GCAGY4V9 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.
Only one event has been published since our last post:
GCAHCV4 9 Usual Suspects Pop a Lock by 9 Usual Suspects Event D1/T1
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
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.
Just a short post, one new traditional cache and a new Ad Lab to report:
Please note Premium Members only. GCAFZ9M Samhain Blessings by Squaddie101 Traditional D1.5/T1.5
New Adventure Lab
Capering around the Carneddau Created by Bobo Frett 5 nonsequential locations exploring the beautiful Carneddau mountains.
Event Reminder
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
We are not cancelling this event, hopefully storm Ciaran will have passed without causing any problems. Wrap up warm, the latest weather forecast for Friday night is for showers and for it to be a bit on the chilly side.
GIFF 2023
Just to let you know this years films arrived safely today…….. Big question are we going to have a sneak preview?
We must apologise for the lack of recent posts. Since our last post there have been two caches published:
GCAF0GC Church Micro 14959…Tremadog by Meltdiceburg Earthcache D2/T1
GCAE3K0 Y Foryd – Bioamrywiaeth/Biodiversity by Prifysgol y Plant – Children’s University Traditional D1/T1
Event Reminder
Don’t forget it is N&N this week…..
GCAEY11 9 Usual Suspects – Nosh & Natter 62 by 9 Usual Suspects When: Wednesday 25th October 2023 Where: Parc Snowdonia, Waunfawr, Caernarfon, Gwynedd LL55 4AQ Time: 7pm to 9pm or when the last person leaves
International Earthcache Day 2023
GCAEC35 9 Usual Suspects Return to Cwmorthin, Tanygrisiau by 9 Usual Suspects Event D1/T3.5
Another International Earthcache Day and our 3rd visit to Cwmorthin. Such a beautiful place, always a pleasure to return and discover more of the valleys secrets. We must give a big Thank You to Jen our event secretary for taking care of the admin. As always there was plenty of geochat and good humoured banter as we discovered/rediscovered the earthcaches before heading back to the car park for drinks and cake.
Christmas Dinner
We can finally confirm Christmas Dinner for Saturday 25th November at the Tafarn Yr Afr/The Goat Inn, Glandwyfach. The event is in for review and hopefully will be published before our next post.
Geocaching HQ 25 years Celebrations
2025 sees the 25th anniversary of Geocaching. We had expected there to be a 25th anniversary event or Block Party in Seattle but Geocaching HQ have made an announcement to confirm that there will be no big celebrations in Seattle or at HQ.
Two new traditional caches have been published since our last post:
GCAENRJ Milly’s Place by bobwedge Traditional D1.5/T1.5
Premium member Only GCAEJ1C Modern Art/Pile of Bricks by Glaslyn1 Traditional D4/T2
Wheel Of Challenges
Today is the last day of the Wheel of Challenges, Teamwork souvenir challenge. To qualify for the easy earn 100 points and the hard 1,000 points, you can keep track of your progress on your leaderboard. Unlike other challenges Ad Lab stages do not count as a ‘found it’ log.
Thankfully this is the last in the series of the Wheel of Challenges, but I am sure it won’t be long before Geocaching HQ present us with another equally mundane series of challenges!
International Earthcache Day 2023 Souvenir and Event Reminder
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.
Photo Andy YnysMonBirders
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
Adventure Lab Map Update
Have you discovered the new “Play nearby Locations” map feature?
While completing an Adventure Lab I think we all have passed by a stage of another Adventure Lab. This can be very annoying when visiting a new area with many Adventure Labs, you are often forced to retrace your steps to complete the next Adventure.
Premium members using the Adventure Lab® app can now view nearby locations from different Adventures right on the map. This will help plan routes so that you can collect all stages from several Adventures, thus enabling completion of all nearby Adventures in one outing.
To turn on the new feature, first make sure you have the latest version of the app: version 1.15.0. Then visit your Profile in the Adventure Lab® app and tap on the “Premium features” option. Toggle on “Play nearby Locations”. Next time you use the Adventure Lab® app open an Adventure and on the map will appear all local stages of other local Adventures.
Sycamore Gap
The demise of the beautiful Sycamore tree has been in the headlines all week, an act of pointless vandalism that we will never understand. The tree enhanced the beauty of the area, something that cannot be replaced.
Of course there is a geocache here and it appeared in Dave, Cwm DJ’s, favourite 10 caches (to date)
‘No. 747 – Crag Lough (GCJ3QF) – THE SMILEYS – 24th June 2015 I’ve not ventured as far as many of you have & my favourite, out of the few I’ve done outside Wales, was while walking a 3 day walk along the central section of Hadrian’s Wall. Situated at Sycamore Gap, made famous for its scene in the 1991 film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, starring Kevin Costner as Robin Hood.’
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
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
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.
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 Event
75
Attended a CITO Event
75
Found a cache with 10+ Favorite points
50
Received a Favorite point on an owned cache
50
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.
GCADDJN Mountain View by TeuluOBedwar Traditional D1.5/T1.5 GCAD7W2 St. Iestyn by BobPuffin Traditional D1/T1.5
Event Reminder
GCACYNA 9 Usual Suspects Visit a Wreck by 9 Usual Suspects D1/T5 When: Saturday 2nd September 2023 Where: Wallasey Beach, New Brighton, Wirral Time: 7.15-7.45pm
For any one who would like to walk out to the wreck as part of a group we’ll be meeting in the corner of the Wallasey beach car park, N 53° 25.888 W 003° 04.748. We will be starting our walk to the wreck around 6.50pm. Let’s hope for a lovely dry evening…….
The Demise of the SS Denham
The SS Denham, a 103-ton survey vessel, had left Liverpool landing stage between 8am and 8.30am on the morning of July 18th 1946 to make a survey in Liverpool Bay. The vessel was heading back to Liverpool after completing its survey between 1pm and 2pm when it struck a German mine that was still hidden in the waters off New Brighton despite the bay having been swept for such devices. The explosion tore the vessel apart, killing eight members of the crew and left only one survivor, FC Whitby, who was thrown unconscious into the water by the force of the blast.
The inquest found the German mine had lain undetected on the bed of the river after being dropped during an air raid. A crater was later found underneath the wrecked vessel containing fragments of the detonated mine.
The inquest heard from a witness who upon hearing the boat had struck a mine, left Liverpool landing stage by motor boat to try and aid the stricken vessel. On arrival he heard Mr Whitby had been rescued, and spotted the SS Denham. It had sunk in 18 feet of water just over a mile from St. Nicholas’s Church. The tide was ebbing and as soon as the wheelhouse was uncovered he boarded the wreck with a diver. After the tide had fallen further and they had removed a considerable amount of wreckage they recovered the body of ship’s master, Kennedy, from the wheelhouse. He was found alongside the wheel. They searched the engine room and found MacDonald. The weather began to deteriorate, and they discontinued the search when all the bodies but those of Campbell, Roscoe, and Haldane had been found. They searched again on July 20, and these last three were found. He added that the SS Denham was so damaged as to be a total loss.
Photo by Jo (73JLS)
Later the wreck’s wheelhouse and funnel were removed so as not to cause a hazard to shipping.
Crew on board SS Denham killed in the explosion
CAMPBELL, WALTER JAMES (59), First Engineer Officer, Denham SS, Lighthouse and Pilotage Authorities
COLLINS, WILLIAM (37), Able Seaman, Denham SS, Lighthouse and Pilotage Authorities
GIBBONS, GILBERT ERNEST (61), Principal Surveyor, Denham SS, Lighthouse and Pilotage Authorities
HALDANE, WILLIAM HENRY JAMES (56), Steward, Denham SS, Lighthouse and Pilotage Authorities
KENNEDY, MALCOLM (43), Master, Denham SS, Lighthouse and Pilotage Authorities
MACDONALD, ROBERT (37), Fireman, Denham SS, Lighthouse and Pilotage Authorities
RICHARDSON, JOHN EDWARD (28), Seaman, Denham SS, Lighthouse and Pilotage Authorities
THOMAS ATKINSON (31), Mate, Denham SS, Lighthouse and Pilotage Authorities
New Section of Coastal Path from Aberogwen to Porth Penrhyn
The new section of the Wales Coast Path between the Spinnies Nature Reserve, Aberogwen and Porth Penrhyn, Bangor was opened to the public on the 31 July 2023.
Back in May 2021 Gwynedd Council issued a ‘Public Footpath Creation Order’ to establish a public footpath through the Spinnies Nature Reserve and the Penrhyn Estate. After successful negotiations between Gwynedd Council, Penrhyn Estate and North Wales Wildlife Trust the new route was agreed. The new path will be accessed through the Spinnies main gate, then follow the estate wall crossing over Afon Ogwen via the old estate bridge.
The new section follows the coast on the edge of Penrhyn Estate with stunning views of the Menai Straits, Anglesey and Penrhyn Docks. This is the most significant re-alignment project since the opening of the Wales Coast Path in 2012.
The path has been developed sensitively to ensure that the unique intertidal habitat of the Menai Strait is protected. Work have been taken to reduce any negative impact including screening the path from the beach roosting birds, erecting bat and bird boxes to mitigate the effects of creating the new path through a semi ancient woodland.
Please note, you will not be able to access the Penrhyn Castle from the path.
