Hello from an interesting concrete bench built in the 1950s at Worlds View in Natal. Right near GC35EBP. I wish I could tell you that this is a lovely holiday but the truth of it is that a close family member landed up in hospital here and needed some surgery so I'm in town. Fortunately they're okay now but for the 7 hours they were in theatre, I needed a distraction and caching in the midlands totally hit the spot. Well that and my Spotify algorithm. I actually made a playlist from the history of the day and wanted to share it as a geocaching playlist but then when I pictured some of you rocking out to some angsty teen 90s heavy nu-metal, it looked too awkward for reality but I did like the idea of a GoSA playlist all the same.

So let's have it! Let's have the songs that you cache to. If you're on Spotify, you can add them to the playlist or we could go old school and list the songs here.

Don't spend too much time on this as we need your input on something more important: our Mega Survey that will guide how we approach setting up a big event in 2025! There will be a separate write up on this further down.

While we're talking separate write ups, thanks for all the feedback regarding the new aspects of the newsletter from last edition. We've had helpfully constructive discussions on it and it's grand to see the community this engaged.

Speaking of engagement, we've had a few requests for a monthly puzzle. If there's anybody who would like to set up 12 geocaching puzzles that we can line them up for a year, that would be awesome.

In the meantime, there's a night of puzzles coming your way in June. More on that further down!

That's enough rambling from me. I'm going to enjoy this view a little longer! Happy caching and on with the newsletter! 

Geocaching Adventure in South Africa: A Journey of Reconnecting and Discoveries
by RAINHUNTERS

Dear Geocaching Enthusiasts,

Greetings from the heart of Namibia! We recently embarked on a geocaching expedition that not only allowed us to explore the vibrant landscapes of this beautiful country but also provided a unique opportunity to reconnect with family and friends.

Our journey started with a heartfelt mission to reunite my mother-in-law with her family after more than a decade. Little did we know that this trip would become a memorable geocaching experience, with the highlight being the geocaching event (GCAF83B) that we organized at The Green & Gold in Roodepoort. The pub, with its delightful ambiance, scrumptious food, and impeccable service, set the stage for a warm meet-and-greet with old geocaching pals and the chance to forge new friendships in the game.

The adventure began in the enchanting town of Stellenbosch, and one of our prime targets was the multi-cache, “The Botanical Gardens Rock” (GC5E47K), located within the Botanical Garden. Following a delightful family lunch, we immersed ourselves in the beauty of the garden, attempting to unravel the various clues that would lead us to the cache's hidden location. Unfortunately, the ticking clock and the allure of the garden's other wonders meant we had to reluctantly abandon our quest for the day. However, this unresolved challenge has left us eager to return someday, ensuring that the multi-cache in the Botanical Garden remains on our geocaching bucket list for future adventures. In the meanwhile, we have learnt that the cache was temporarily disabled due to ongoing maintenance work at the premises and we eagerly anticipate a future visit when the cache is once again ready to be discovered.

If you ever find yourself in the charming vicinity of George, a detour to Herolds Bay is an absolute must. Take a leisurely stroll along the picturesque promenade, where people revel in the joys of swimming and leisurely activities. Don't miss the opportunity to embark on a geocaching adventure with the well-crafted cache at Stella Maris Church, affectionately known as "The Chapel" (GC8J4P2). This hidden gem promises not only a delightful coastal experience but also the thrill of a well-designed geocaching challenge amidst the beauty of Herolds Bay.
 

A surprising highlight awaited us on the road to Port Elizabeth from George, where we stumbled upon a well-crafted cache, “Hole in One” (GCADC9G) just outside a quaint town, Willowmore. To our delight, we unexpectedly clinched a First to Find (FTF), adding a unique feather to our geocaching cap, since it was outside the borders of our home country.

While in Johannesburg, we caught wind of the largest geocache in South Africa, “Giant Cabin” (GC7TDYF). We just had to find it, since we also own a big cache in Namibia – “The Box” (GCA4VPA). The thrill of the hunt led us to Hobby Park in Krugersdorp. Contrary to expectations, finding this hidden gem proved to be a challenge, as the cache was camouflaged amidst thick bushes and trees. Armed with determination and a bit of ingenuity, we turned to Google Earth images to guide us, eventually unveiling the cache tucked away in the overgrown greenery.

A visit to Church Square and the Statue of Paul Kruger in Pretoria led us to a quick "park & grab" cache – “Church Square” (GC5R7GC), allowing us to explore the historic heart of the city. The journey through history continued as we explored the Kruger House, delving into the trials of the past. Following this, we ventured to a lookout point on Klapperkop hill, treating ourselves to spectacular views spanning from the University of Pretoria to the distant Voortrekker Monument. The encounter with zebras on the hill added a touch of wildlife to our urban exploration. As we ended the tour, another quick roadside cache, “Mega SA 2012 – Fountains View” (GC3X66N), was successfully checked off our list, contributing to the rich tapestry of our South African geocaching adventure.

In our geocaching escapades, we've come to appreciate the diverse opportunities that Adventure Labs present for an alternative and engaging cache-hunting experience. During our travels, we made sure not to overlook the potential for Adventure Labs, successfully completing them in Stellenbosch (Stellenbosch Meander), Graaff-Reinet (Historic Graaff-Reinet), and Port Elizabeth (A Port Elizabeth beachfront stroll). The walk along the sun-kissed beaches of Port Elizabeth, offered a unique blend of discovery and relaxation. These Adventure Labs have added an extra layer of excitement to our geocaching adventures, encouraging us to explore new locations and enriching our overall caching experience.

Our milestone on this journey was passing the “700 finds” mark, marking a significant achievement in our geocaching adventures. The entire experience was a testament to the spirit of exploration, camaraderie, and the surprises that geocaching has to offer.

As we reflect on our South African geocaching escapade, we're reminded that the joy of the hunt goes beyond coordinates and hidden treasures. It's about the connections we make, the challenges we overcome, and the memories we create along the way.

Happy caching,
Rainhunters (Gunter & Henda)

 

South Africa has hosted 4 megas and it's time for something big again. The previous effort was unfortunately hampered by the lockdown restrictions but now that all of that is over and that geocaching is turning a whole 25 years old, it's about time!

Unfortunately there just doesn't seem to be a single region that will definitely give us the requisite numbers so we're going to have to be strategic about when and where to host this event. That's why we're turning to you.

We absolutely need your input because we'd love to make this happen!

If you'd like a refresher, check out how awesome the previous megas were:

So please give your input on our 2025 survey it's quick and investigates the when and where as well as the option of having a block party.

Feedback on the Maintenance Map
by SA Reviewer Knagur Green

I read with interest the 'maintenance map' that has been produced for SA. I am led to believe that this is a map of all caches that still show the 'spanner' . Does this mean that cachers of SA need to unite and go out in force and sort out the caches ... um no.

  The first thing cachers need to know that while 1700 caches may show a spanner , it is not the same as 1700 caches not  seen by a reviewer or that 1700 caches need maintenance. 

  On writing this there are exactly zero caches that have had a 'need reviewer attention' log , that have not been seen in South Africa, Lesotho, Eswatini,  Botswana , Namibia etc.  A reviewer will not see a cache that is missing and has had no 'reviewers attention' log sent or only a owners attention log until it hits below 60% poor health. So if the cache has been found 100 times and is now missing , and  10 cachers

DNF or owners attention the cache, with 90% good health, it is not within our radar and will not be for a long time even though it is likely to be missing. Cachers need to draw the reviewers attention to the problem. If a 'throw down' is placed or someone logs found and states oh it wasn't there but I was so I am claiming it anyway, again the cache shows improved or decent health when it is not. All of these things keep from being  archived and a new well maintained cache being placed.

  So should you place a throw down at a cache when you feel it is missing? NO . it is clear in the guidelines that you should not . But Why?  If the CO is active you could be missing a well hidden cache, claiming what you did not find and ruining their hide. Would you like to spend money and hours on a really good hide , and someone puts a shabby leaky container in easy reach that everyone can log rather than have the enjoyment of finding that wow cache? In time it leads to mediocre placements because why bother. If the CO is inactive, you are again extending the life of a cache that is not maintained and will become a problem shortly because you do not get the the emails stating DNF or OA or in fact come back and maintain the cache.

When placing a new container is acceptable - Contact the CO , tell them you are going to be there ,offer to check the cache and replace if needed. If they say yes please, then  then you  replace the container with permission. Let them know you have done so via private correspondence not your log. The CO needs to place a owners maintenance log on the listing, and enable if needed and yippee the spanner has gone from red to green. This is in the guidelines and help pages under throw downs. Do not just replace it and write ' i hope you don't mind' in the log. 99% of the time a CO does not respond or do the log .

Why are there so many red spanners and what can we do?

CO's check your dashboard it will tell you which caches you need to sort out.  Write your owners maintenance logs when needed, even if your cache was disabled and you have enabled. Enable does not remove the red spanner. Archive what you cannot maintain, Replace what you can. Look hard at your caches and why they have gone missing. Is it worth keeping one there now? Maybe the area has changed or here are roadworks. Archive, put a new one down later when things improve. There is nothing wrong with archiving a cache. It opens the space for you or someone else to place new exciting caches for others to find. When you physically go and look for a cache that is not there , look and see when it was really last found and place a reviewers attention if needed. It does not help to become a keyboard warrior and just place reviewer attention on all 1700 caches, again this is not within the guidelines, you need to actually be there to know it is missing. Remember not all caches that come to a reviewers attention will be archived or even disabled. D/T will be looked into, the notes at time of placing the cache will be read ( only reviewers see these) , and a human judgement call will be made, sometimes we just put this on a watch list ourselves and check back in a few months and reassess, other times we disable and ask the CO to check .Sometimes we just place a note.

Community  maintaining -very very rare. In a few exceptional cases the
community may choose to maintain a cache that is 15-20 years old, and is
amazing but the CO has given up and despite trying to contact them to
adopt it , the community has been ignored. It is risky as the CO can at
any time just archive it , but  if you as a very local community decide
who is going to watch the cache and sort out amongst ourselves who will
handle any problems ,it is possible to keep a cache in good condition.
There is a watch selection on each cache and anyone can watch a cache.
The cache needs to have maintenance quickly so its health does not drop.
If a new cacher places a RA, write a note above it stating that the
community will maintain this cache within 30 days due to its age . Your
reviewer will note this  when they check. But you as a community in the
area need to be on top of those caches. so chose wisely , don't try and
save inferior caches.  The same when a CO has past away and the family
is not interested. Decide if all or any of the caches will continue to
be maintained. Again not all caches are worth saving.

In a nutshell the maintenance of a cache belongs to the CO and them alone. The community cannot go rogue and start doing things to other CO's caches no matter how well intended. If you have had a full day hike only to claim 5 out of 50 caches, take it you have had fresh air and improved your health. Maybe plan to go back with 45 of your own better caches once the old listings are gone. Help fellow cachers by logging those reviewers attention as needed or dnf. This applies to 'lonely caches' too , they could be lonely as they have been missing ages and no one has bothered to log they are missing. If everyone did this there would soon be very few problematic caches left and spaces for a whole new exciting route

 

This Month's Caching Series
Virtual 3.0

As we begin to see the light of the Virtual Reward series 4.0 - Congratulations FireflyAfrica (GCAJH7H) and iPajero (GCAJFWW) on your new virtual hides by the way - we've never really listed those from series 3.0. It's time to correct that!

Code	Waypoint Name	Placed By	Placed	Logs	State
GC9P5RZ	Glentana	4x4Medic	2023/02/28	9	Western Cape
GC9P6JY	Wolhuter Hut	JuliaAnn	2023/02/22	22	Mpumalanga
GC9P62J	Heidelberg Heritage - Virtual Reward 3.0	macaddikt	2023/02/18	10	Gauteng
GC9P7MG	Concrete Jungle	Wild Waldo of the Jungle	2023/01/01	10	Kwazulu Natal
GC9P8PA	Ashton Arch	Coco_Rose	2022/12/26	26	Western Cape
GC9P7D3	Lion's Head Peak	pieterix	2022/12/24	25	Western Cape
GC9P84J	Plett Beacon Virtual Reward 3.0	Team4RA	2022/11/08	15	Western Cape
GC9P74H	English Education at Bloemfontein	Uncle Chem	2022/05/17	15	Free State
GC9P7E1	Virtual Reward 3.0-Lanseria International Airport	Voëlhond	2022/05/02	17	Gauteng
GC9P8NF	Elands Bay Cave - Virtual Reward 3.0	Skurwejantjies	2022/04/30	8	Western Cape
GC9P5W3	The Dolos History – Virtual Reward 3.0	tigu717	2022/04/14	11	Eastern Cape
GC9P8W0	Blue Lagoon	BelvidereBelle	2022/03/13	26	Western Cape
GC9P62G	Camps Bay Beach Strip Virtual 3.0	Fairest Cape	2022/03/11	33	Western Cape
GC9P652	THE QUAINT HAMLET OF VAL	Eksteen	2022/03/01	9	Mpumalanga
GC9P525	The Dragon's Tranquillity	Fier	2022/03/01	14	Kwazulu Natal
GC9P89Y	Gearing's Point	ge0cath	2022/03/01	34	Western Cape

 

Last year, we tried an event in every province on the same day. We got up to 4 events which wasn't too shabby for a first attempt but now it's time to step it up! On Friday 21 June 2024. The quiz can be done anywhere but you'll need to host or attend an event to enter!

The Quiz starts at 7pm and consists of 10 rounds.

You should be excited because this isn't your ordinary geocaching quiz. This one is filled with near impossible local trivia. Haven't you ever wondered who has the second longest streak or which province had the most foreign cachers in 2014? This is where you're going to find out.

You'll be required to view the quiz-master through Google Meets and each individual can participate on their phone through their browser. 

So set up your braais or book a place in a pub and invite your caching mates over.

The questions have already been set and we're looking forward to this project! More info and the history of this idea in the May newsletter.

Once your event has been published, do register to receive the link for the quiz right here.

Feature App of the month
Apps make our lives better and whether you're using the official app, C:Geo, cachly or whatever your poison, there are so many other apps to make geocaching better, even if they're not designed for geocaching. 

This month, we're looking at Photo Circle

We all love taking photos and since the dawn of digital photography, the cost of a photo has gone from 10 bucks to nearly free...so there are a ton more pics out there. The only problem is who takes the photo and how do they share it?

Yes, sure, on a geocaching trip, you can identify somebody to be in charge of photos but you know as well as anybody that it never stays that way. And what about the awesome shots that other cachers have taken on the trip?

Oh the dreaded whatsapp group? C'mon. Even if you could accept the severe reduction in quality, you'd have to sift through and delete whatever you don't want.

Introducing Photo Circle!  A free way of sharing photos among a group. You can look through the thumbnails and decide which ones to download and you can share the link with anybody who is on your trip.

If you want to make your geocaching adventure photo sharing that much easier, you could do worse than looking at Photo Circle.

 

They are your local go-to people, so keep their details for future reference
                                            

Eastern Cape	FireflyAfrica (Jonker Fourie)	082 889 2459
Free State	Uncle Chem (Richard Chemaly)	072 431 7131
Gauteng	Leon St (Leon Stoop)	071 330 8435
KwaZulu-Natal	M²C²D (Mark & Ceinwen Oosthuizen)	M 083 324 6176 C 083 324 2167
Limpopo	Boats007 (Willem Botha)	082 463 3700
Mpumalanga	Bouts777 (Gerhard Botha)	082 876 3572
North-West	Team Tip Top (Hansie & Zaneta Van Huyssteen)	H 082 753 8082 Z 083 258 5926
Western & Northern Cape	SKATTIE@1 (Elize Louw)	074 138 6360