Traditional GC2MFZN by omabande Difficulty: 1 Terrain: 1 Location: Egypt N 25° 31.868 E 034° 38.471 Every hundred years (give or take a decade), a message in a bottle washes ashore from the sea, its origin often mysterious and the contents weathered. It is rare that such a vessel takes the form of a curiously vacant yacht marooned for years. This led a resourceful cache owner to place a container within, creating a bottle big enough to search inside for this Geocache of the Week! Image by gecko1971Just steps off the coast of the Red Sea in Egypt, rests the ANTARES, a leisure yacht that wrecked its hull after the captain miscalculated the height of the Red Sea reefs. This was a common occurrence after the opening of the Suez Canal, which expedited the shipping route between Europe and Asia, where an unknown number of vessels sunk due to the reefs and shoals. Fortunately the ANTARES didn't meet the same demise as its sunken predecessors and ended up on the white, sandy beaches (a T1 instead of a T5) where it has remained ever since. Image by pdc2008Since 2011, the ANTARES has offered visitors something special to discover: a geocache within its hull following the namesake of its host. Those who wish to seek this cache and adventure can reach it by water taxi, diving, or even camel! For everyone else, the cache is a short walk from Port Ghalib Marina, Egypt's first private seaport. Image by GeckoJJThe owner of this Traditional Cache, omabande, preserves the thrill of the hunt with only a brief descriptor on the cache page's hint [spoiler!]: “Inside.” Cachers are then led to explore the nooks, crannies, and crevices of the weathered vessel for the small container aboard. Although the boat is only 30 ft (9 m) deck bow to stern, there are still many hiding places to be discovered. Image by Crunchy34Those that venture in can enjoy life on the starboard side, as this yacht can only make right turns without its rudder (and the water to maneuver through). It still has some of its interior intact, including the remains of its galley (kitchen), bulkhead (dividing wall), and cleats (anchoring tie-offs). Image by CacheMichlContinue to explore some of the most amazing geocaches around the world. Check out all of the Geocaches of the Week on the Geocaching blog. If you would like to nominate a Geocache of the Week, fill out this form. [...]

Did you know there are over one million* active trackables traveling around the world from geocache to geocache? Trackables add a layer of fun to the game, letting you experience an epic journey, one story and one geocache at a time. Whether you're a seasoned geocacher or a newbie just starting out, here are five reminders about trackables. 1. Trackable (trakābəl), nounTrackables are traveling game pieces that geocachers send out into the world by placing in a geocache or at an event. Trackables come in many shapes and sizes, and each one has a tracking code: a unique series of letters and numbers. This code allows geocachers to track the real-world travels of the item online. Trackables may have missions or goals they are trying to achieve, which makes their journeys more fun! You can read entries of your trackable's travels, see photos from your trackable's travels, and connect with geocachers who carry your trackable from geocache to geocache. 2. SWAG is swapped and trackables travelIf you take a SWAG (Stuff We All Get) item from a geocache, then you should leave something of equal or greater value behind. However, trackables move from cache to cache, so no need to leave a trackable when you take one. Just ensure you can help move a trackable toward its goal if you take one from a geocache! 3. Log or it never happenedLogging a trackable helps the owner know it has been picked up and that its journey is continuing. When you find a trackable, follow these steps to log a trackable in the Geocaching® app: From the cache details, scroll down and select Trackables. Select Log from the trackable you wish to log. Enter the trackable's tracking code to select from the log types Retrieve, Discover, or Grab. Or select Write Note. Write your log, submit a photo if you wish, and post! 4. Keep on keepin' onEach trackable may have a mission or goal that it is trying to achieve. Some trackable goals are specific, such as visiting every state in the US, or some just want to go on adventures to as many caches as they can. Most often, a trackable just wants to be moved. So, when grabbing a trackable from a cache, move it along in a timely manner to a cache where it is likely be picked up by someone else and actually will fit. Try to move it closer to its goal even if you can't move it far. 5. The muggle struggle is realSometimes trackables go missing. There are a number of reasons: a cacher mistook a trackable for a SWAG item, a trackable was dropped and lost (but sometimes they're found!), or a cache is—dun dun dun—muggled. Some believe that muggles are just people who aren't geocachers yet, but until they come to that realization, we still have to encounter their mistakes! If you think a trackable is missing, follow these steps to inform the cache owner and trackable owner. If it's truly missing, the trackable owner can reuse the lost item's tracking code on a replacement item. Inspired to send a trackable out on a journey of its own? View our trackable album on Facebook to gather some ideas for your next trackable or visit the collection at Shop Geocaching! But we want to know, what's the best trackable you've ever encountered? If you're a seasoned geocacher, what tips do you have about trackables? Tell us in the comments below! *trackables with a log since August 1, 2017. [...]

Introducing a new four-month series called “You might be a geocacher if…” Each month from September through December, use the Friend League to individually earn points toward a new Geocacher Personality Souvenir. Are you an Adrenaline Junkie? A Caching Connoisseur? A Social Butterfly? A Trackable Lover? Collect them all to be the ultimate geocacher. Keep reading to learn September's challenge below! In September, you might be an Adrenaline Junkie if… It's all about the thrill of the hunt. You crave physical and mental challenges that include long days of geocaching with “gear, (some) fear, and fun!” Whether you're climbing, diving, or rappelling, there's nothing easy about getting to this GZ. To earn the Adrenaline Junkie souvenir, earn 50 points individually on your Friend League beginning Monday, September 3 at noon UTC and ending at noon UTC Monday, October 1. During this time, earn double points for difficulty and terrain! The scoring*: Found it log: 5Difficulty: x2Terrain: x2Found a geocache with 10+ Favorite points: 10Difficulty: x2Terrain: x2Attended Event: 5Drop Trackable: 3 When finding a geocache, receive double points for difficulty and terrain ratings. *The Friend League will not reflect this scoring until Monday, September 3 at noon UTC. FAQ: How do I play? Find different geocache types to individually collect 50 points on the Friend League between Monday, September 3 at noon UTC and Monday, October 1 at noon UTC and earn the Adrenaline Junkie souvenir. How can I earn points? If you log a cache, attend an event, or perform other geocaching actions, you collect points. Action Point value Log a Found it on any geocache 5 Earn double points for the Difficulty and Terrain ratings X2 Log a Found it on a geocache with 10 or more Favorite points 10 Earn double points for the Difficulty and Terrain ratings X2 Attend any event 5 Drop off trackable 3 * The max number of points you can earn for any cache log is 30 points by finding a D/T 5/5 geocache with 10 or more Favorite points. What is the Friend League?The Friend League is a leaderboard that shows you and your friends' geocaching activity. Earn points when you log a cache, attend an event, or complete other geocaching tasks. The number of points vary depending on the task at hand. The Friend League displays the total points you individually collect during the month. You can also see how many points your friends have earned. The Friend League will reset to zero on Monday, October 1 at noon UTC when a new souvenir challenge will begin. Can I join at anytime?Of course! Join anytime between September 3 through October 1 and earn 50 points individually on your Friend League and earn the Adrenaline Junkie souvenir. Where can I see my souvenirs? As soon as you collect a certain number of points, the associated souvenir will automatically be awarded to your profile. The souvenirs appear on your profile under the souvenir tab. Is the Friend League in the Geocaching® app?The Friend League is not in the Geocaching® app but can be viewed in your phone's web browser. My Friend League points aren't correct. Help! If you change a Note, DNF, or other log type to a Found it log, it will not be recognized on the Friend League. You may have found and logged a Lab Cache. At this time, the Friend League does not award points for finding Lab Caches. You logged on Monday, September 3 before noon UTC (convert to your local time here). We suggest that you wait to log until AFTER Monday noon UTC – which in some places like New Zealand is Tuesday at midnight – to log your geocaches. Otherwise the points will not count for the first week. You saved a Draft on a Monday, September 3 before noon UTC (convert to your local time here). If you have already posted your logs, select “View / Edit Log / Images”, then click the pen icon and “Submit Log Entry” on the website. Your logs should now be counted towards your total. What does UTC stand for?Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) is the basis for civil time today. It is the time standard (not a time zone) commonly used across the world. You can convert UTC to your local time here. Do I get points for attending a CITO, Mega or Giga-Event? Yes. Attending any event earns you five points. Still have a question?Having trouble logging your finds? Have a question about scoring? The best way to get answers quickly is to write to us using this form. Thanks and good luck! [...]

West Bend GeoTourWest Bend, Wisconsin, is the Geocaching Capital of the Midwest and ready to be discovered. Geocache your way through historic sites, parks, trails, museums, and more on the West Bend Four Seasons GeoTour. It's named the Four Seasons GeoTour for good reason — all the caches are accessible year-round. So slather on the sunscreen or slip on snow boots and come cache with us! Great caches on this GeoTour Twenty geocaches have been hidden that highlight the best of historic West Bend. These three caches are not to be missed WBGT 01: Historic Frisby House, GC53BATWBGT 01: Historic Frisby House, GC53BAT The Frisby house is named after Leander F. Frisby, a prominent figure in Wisconsin history and is now home to the West Bend Chamber of Commerce. This is a great first stop on your tour — grab your passport and find the first cache right outside. WBGT 02: Old Courthouse Square, GC53BB1 Clad in brick, the courthouse was built in 1889 in the Richardson Romanesque Revival Style and served as the county courthouse until 1962. Today, The Old Courthouse Museum is thought by many to be the best local history museum in the Midwest. Albino deer drinking waterWBGT 13: Shalom Wildlife Zoo, GC53GBA A diverse, 100-acre farm/zoo featuring deer, bison, elk, red fox, mink, and more than 400 other animals call Shalom Wildlife Zoo their home. Their mission is to preserve the wilderness while providing education, enjoyment, and wildlife encounters in a natural ecosystem. Local events for geocachers to discover while on the Four Seasons GeoTour From mid-May through the end of October, pay a visit to the West Bend Farmers Market, held every Saturday. It's one of the largest farmers markets in the state. From Thanksgiving through Christmas, enjoy an interactive light show with music, and performance at Enchantment in the Park. West Bend $1,000 Cache Ba$h If you're a fan of contests and cash, check out Wisconsin's only Mega-Event, the West Bend $1,000 Cache Ba$h, held annually during the second weekend in August. Other great reasons to visit West Bend In addition to being the Geocaching Capital of the Midwest, West Bend is an amazing place to visit Ice Age TrailTons of great trails to hike and bike including the Eisenbahn State Trail, Ice Age National Scenic Trail, and Kettle Moraine State Forest. Two wonderful downhill skiing locations, one with the world's largest tubing park! A charming downtown bustling with restaurants, unique shops, and museums, including the stunning Museum of Wisconsin Art. Geocache “WBGT 04: Art and Trains”, GC53BBB, informs of the art museum and the area's railroad history. Prizes! Receive a limited-edition West Bend Four Seasons geocoin when you collect 25 points on your passport. Plus, if you find every cache on this GeoTour, you'll earn the official digital souvenir for your profile! West Bend GeoCoin What geocachers are saying Thank you for bringing us to some great and historic areas. I can't wait to finish the rest of the caches! -ptrol64 We really enjoyed the buildings around here. We were most surprised at the wildlife. -wigglesworth We had a lot of fun finding the different cache types and going to amazing spots. We worked together to find the answers needed for the Virtuals and Earthcaches. We found some very cool caches. -Bike_4_me [...]

Virtual Cache GC7B7JV by Ally Pirelli Difficulty: 2 Terrain: 3.5 Location: Duisburg, Germany N 51° 28.820′ E 006° 46.808′ Virtual Caches are a great way for geocachers to visit special locations worthy of discovery but unable to host a physical geocache. Mitten im Pott is located in the Landschaftspark Duisburg-Nord, Germany. It is part of a region called the Ruhrgebiet, which is colloquially also known as Ruhrpott. This Geocache of the Week combines geocaching with learning about the history of this fascinating location. The park is located at a coal and steel production plant that was abandoned in 1985. It is an anchor point of the European Route of Industrial Heritage, a network of the most important industrial heritage sites in Europe. To log the cache you must climb to the top one of the blast furnaces, answer a question, then take a picture of yourself or a personal item. Visitors are encouraged to take their time and take in the view as you can see for miles and miles on a clear day. The preserved industrial structures connect through a combination of gardens, terraces, and landmarks creating an interesting environment where people can learn about the rich industrial history of the area. The park is a hub for all sorts of activities. Recreational divers, as well as police and firefighters, use a decommissioned gasometer filled with water. A blast furnace is now a parkour course, and part of one of the ore bunkers was transformed into an alpine climbing garden with over 400 routes, some of them of the highest difficulty. The park is also used for musical performances, theater festivals and as an open-air cinema. Continue to explore some of the most amazing geocaches around the world. Check out all of the Geocaches of the Week on the Geocaching blog. If you would like to nominate a Geocache of the Week, fill out this form. [...]

How do you explore your local forest, wander through your favorite park or get over the river and through the woods to grandma's house? You use a trail! Trails are pathways to discovery across the U.S., whether they're winding through the Great Smoky Mountains, along the breathtaking Pacific Coast or in your backyard. This year, we're celebrating the 50th anniversary of the U.S. Trails System Act, which established a national network of trails, including the Appalachian Trail. To do so, we have partnered with Discover the Forest, a campaign from the U.S. Forest Service and the Ad Council, to create custom Discover the Forest trackables. Request a free trackable at geocaching.com/DiscovertheForest. Experience all that America's trails have to offer while geocaching with or searching for one of the 1,500 limited-edition Discover the Forest trackables. And don't forget to share your adventure on social with #DiscovertheForest! If you're looking for more opportunities for exploration after locating a trackable, visit www.discovertheforest.org to find a trail or park near you. You and your family can then reconnect with nature by experiencing it first-hand! [...]