Tag: News

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 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 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.

News & New Caches 111

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?

News & New Caches 109

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.

News & New Caches 108

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.’

Photo by Dave showing the tree in all its glory.