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.
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!
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.
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?
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?
GCAED06 GIFF 2023, Geocaching International Film Festival by 9 usual Suspects Event D1/T1
A very big Thank You to everyone for attending. The weather was perfect for a GIFF event…… grey, wet and cold. A miserable Sunday afternoon when you really did not want to be outside caching. After hot drinks, snacks and plenty of geochat we settled down to watch the films. We started this years film show with a surprise addition, Dragons Quest, a film submitted by RichieBlod but sadly didn’t make Geocaching HQs final cut. This was by far the most popular film with our audience!
As in our previous GIFF events everyone was given a voting sheet and asked to mark the films out of 10. The results of the voting: 1) Geocare – Home for the Aged Geocacher 121 votes 2) Don E.T. 95 votes 3) Geocaching Might Be For You 81 votes
It will be very interesting to compare our results with those of the official vote run by HQ, GIFF People’s Choice Film. How to vote for GIFF People’s Choice Film: 1. Attend an official GIFF Event November 9 – 19, 2023. 2. After watching the films, go to surveymonkey.com/r/GIFF2023 . 3. Vote for your favourite film. One vote per Geocaching.com player account. Voting closes Thursday 23rd November.
We have to Thank Pete for the personalised event souvenirs, sorting the tech and being projectionist, Elaine for running the kitchen, Carole & Caleb for letting us show their film, Richard for helping setting/clearing up, Jen for the wonderful raspberry flapjack and everyone that helped out, supported us by buying raffle tickets, containers and making donations. Your support is very much appreciated!
Slate Geocoin Competition
Have you ever thought about designing a geocoin? 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.
Our first slate geocoins
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
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
We are in the process of finalising our plans for next Sundays event. Refreshments will be available through out the afternoon.
As in previous GIFF events we will be asking attendees to rate all films from 1-10, it will be interesting to see how this compares with Geocaching HQ’s worldwide vote for GIFF People’s Choice Film.
How to vote for GIFF People’s Choice Film: 1. Attend an official GIFF Event November 9 – 19, 2023. 2. After watching the films, go to surveymonkey.com/r/GIFF2023 OR scan the QR code at the end of the film. 3. Vote for your favourite film. One vote per Geocaching.com player account. Voting closes Thursday 23rd November.
If intending to be joining us please log a ‘will attend’ as this helps us to plan seating, refreshments and souvenirs!
Where: Tafarn Yr Afr/Goat Inn, Glandwyfach, Porthmadog LL51 9LJ When: Saturday 25th November Time: 7.30-9.30pm or when the last person leaves Dress Code: Anything Christmas
Please log ‘will attends’ asap as we need to confirm numbers. We are also now taking food orders, last day for menu choices is Sunday 19th November. For menu please see our last post.
9US Halloween Event
GCAEFH4 Trick or Treat with 9 Usual Suspects by 9 Usual Suspects Event D1/T1.5
Do you recognise your caching friends?
Thanks everyone for attending, a fun, spooky evening with all the usual banter and geo chat. Shame the weather leading up to the event was so wet and windy that we had to leave setting up to the last minute. What didn’t appear this year we will keep for our next years Halloween event. Yes, it looks like there will be one next year. As always Pete did a great job on the BBQ and impressed us all with his cocktail mixing skills! Gail should have let us know it was her birthday……. it’s now in the diary!
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.
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.
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:
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.
