While hunting down wild geocaches is fun, at some point you may want to create and hide your own geocache. It’s a whole different ballgame, with lots of things to consider, including making sure you have accurate coordinates, most people don’t want to just hide a cache—they want to create a memorable cache that will be enjoyed for years to come. But it isn’t as hard as you think. Here are six tips for making your geocache really shine:
1. Be original
Anyone can hide a piece of Tupperware or an ammo case in the woods. If you really want your cache to be memorable, then making it something original is key. Use an unusual (but waterproof) container, make it themed, or add a puzzle element. There are tons of options; so be creative!
2. Choose a good location
Obviously location is a big thing. You want something that isn’t likely to be muggled, provides some challenge, and is relatively protected from the elements. Bonus points if it’s in a really beautiful location or somewhere that most people might not know about.
3. Use a durable container
If you want your geocache to last, it’s important to choose the right container. You want something that is hidable, sure, but it also needs to be waterproof and durable. Generally speaking, anything disposable (including temporary containers for cottage cheese and the like) will not be durable enough to withstand the elements.
4. Protect the logbook
Half of the fun of finding a cache is signing the logbook, so make sure that you take precautions to protect it against occasionally drips and moisture. While there are weatherproof logbooks that you can buy, a popular option is to place them in a durable plastic bag. I recommend freezer bags as they are a little thicker than normal, and make sure you don’t put the pencil in with it, as it will poke holes in the bag.
5. Use pencils
I personally like it when the cache has a writing utensil already in the cache. Sure, I usually bring my own, but it’s nice to have that just in case. However, if you’re going to do that, use a pencil which can write in any number of climates. Be sure to include a sharpener with it though!
6. Maintenance is key
Even if you have picked the perfect location, things happen. It’s important that you check your cache fairly regularly to make sure that everything is as it should be, and that the cache is still in good working condition. There’s nothing worse than an abandoned cache. 🙁
Have you hidden a cache before? Got any tips you’d like to share? Leave a message below!
