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  • EarthCaches
  • GoSA Grapevine October 2016 - MEGA & EarthCache Day

    MEGA 2016
    EarthCache Day
    Meet the Reviewers - ROTSIP
    GoSA NewLogo Grapevine

    MEGA TIME

    Mega 2016 is this weekend, and we hope to see many of you at this fantastic geocaching event.  Keep an eye on the event listing and Facebook page to stay up to date with the latest news.

    You also have until Saturday to put in a bid for the special limited edition Mega GeoCoin

    On October 9, you can earn a new souvenir by learning more about the Earth (aka geocaching’s game board). All you have to do is go out and find an EarthCache on International EarthCache Day!

    EarthCaches don’t have physical containers, but instead bring you to a unique location and teach you a geological science lesson. To make the find, you’ll have to check the EarthCache’s description and answer questions based on where you are and send your answers to the cache owner.

    At long last, the finalists for the 2016 Geocaching International Film Festival have been chosen and the list of finalists is available here.

    These films stood out above the rest for their creativity, production quality, and contribution to the global geocaching community. Attend a GIFF event from November 3-7, 2016 to watch all 16 films and earn the GIFF 2016 souvenir.
     
    Want to organize your own GIFF event? Visit this page to find out more.
     

    Meet the Reviewers - Part III


    Pte Curb, Afrika Rocks and ROTSIP, the three South African reviewers

    We wrap up our Meet the Reviewers series this month with ROTSIP (aka Rodney Pistorius).  Rodney finds geocaches as part of rodnjoan together with his wife Joan, and has been doing this since December 2005.  A close family friend of theirs, “greengrass.j”, got a hand held GPS for use when participating in activities of the 4x4 off-road club he belonged to, heard of geocaching and started geocaching with the other club members. He explained geocaching to rodnjoan who decided to purchase a GPS and start geocaching. 10 years later, rodnjoan are one of the few South African teams to have more than 6 000 finds.
     
    Rodney was asked by Groundspeak in March 2010 to become a reviewer, and after agreeing, his profile ROTSIP (part of his surname in reverse) was registered.  Retired from his full time job as an engineering and operations manager since 2009, Rodney participates in various activities (such as University of the 3rd Age and travel club meetings) in addition to the usual routine tasks associated with home, garden and pool maintenance when not reviewing.  Reviewing takes up on average 30-50 hours per week of his time.
     
    We asked Rodney to share some of his experience with our readers:
    GoSA: What do you enjoy about reviewing?
    ROTSIP: All aspects are enjoyable. The checking of listings for compliance with the guidelines, interacting with Cache Owners (CO's), advising CO's on how non-compliant listings can be adjusted to get them compliant, providing links to relevant information on the Internet, explaining how information should be interpreted, asking questions to get a better insight that helps with evaluation, interacting with the other reviewers to establish a consensus of opinion about specific listings that have issues, regarding how they should be handled, asking the Volunteer Support group personnel at Groundspeak for advice and guidance when necessary, etc., etc.  The least enjoyable aspect is the need to deal with friction that sometimes arises.
     
    GoSA: What advice do you have for new geocachers?
    ROTSIP: They should participate in geocaching for long enough to gain an understanding of the activity by finding existing caches, before considering placing new caches. (The guidelines recommend at least 20 caches). They should attend social events so that they can meet other cachers and interact with them and learn from each other by sharing experiences. They should read the rules and guidelines to get an understanding of what geocaching is about and how and why the various activities should be performed. They need to read and understand the rules and guidelines as well as the terms of use, before they 'tick the boxes' that confirm that they understand and agree to what is specified. Feel free to ask any questions that you might have. If I don't have an answer I will make the necessary enquiries to get an answer.
     
    GoSA: What advice do you have for geocachers who have placed a hide and are about to submit their listing?
    ROTSIP: Before submitting a listing, they should read the rules guidelines and terms of agreement, to ensure that the actual placement of the physical elements and the compilation of the listing complies with the requirements. They should provide sufficient information in a Reviewer Note (RN), to enable the reviewer to effectively evaluate all aspects of the cache placement, and the compiled listing. They should also ensure that the RN includes information that is specified as being required, for the specific type of cache that is to be submitted.
     
    GoSA: Why don’t you go for FTF’s?
    ROTSIP: Being First To Find is not that high on our priority list. It cannot be said that I don't go for any FTF's. As a player my wife sometimes asks me to join her seeking a FTF and in terms of our agreed 'Code of Conduct' there are no restrictions on reviewers seeking FTF's on Traditional type caches. There are restrictions on reviewers seeking FTF's on Mystery/Puzzle caches and Multi-caches because it might be perceived that a reviewer could have an advantage over other cachers, to find these, because of possible 'inside information'. On occasions when we are part of a group seeking newly published listings, we do sometimes log FTF's as part of a 'Group FTF'
     
    We checked how many geocaches had been published by Rodney, and more than 7 000 of the South African ones listed since 2010 were published by him, that’s a lot of reviewing!

    We are always on the lookout for photos from events or cool caches, as well as any fun, interesting, unusual or exciting geocaching stories to share with the geocaching community.  If you want to share yours, send it to us by emailing it to our webmasters.

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  • EarthCaches

    EarthCaches started rather slowly in South Africa, with the first (GCPX24) being placed at the Vredefort dome in July 2005 by Team Bjbez. After approaching the geological society of South Africa and using the Johannesburg centenary geological trail as a starting point, Carbon Hunter managed to increase the numbers dramatically, mainly in Gauteng, and soon others were popping up all over the place as more geocachers started placing EarthCaches around the country.

    By late 2009 there were 100 in South Africa – and now they are reasonably common across all southern Africa countries. The appeal of placing an EarthCache is that once placed and approved there is very little, to almost no maintenance, required.

    The EarthCache Masters awards program is also very popular – with many local geocachers qualifying for the top Platinum status. However, with the distinct lack of large numbers compared to Europe and the US in particular – there have been only a handful of local geocachers who have reached the “Mica” Discovery level of 100 EarthCache finds – and the “Garnet” level (250+ EarthCache finds) remains likely to only a small handful of local geocachers – lead by the inimitable team iPajero.

    Country 2002  2004  2006  2008  2010  2012  2014 2016
    Angola 0 0 0 0 3 5 8 12
    Botswana 0 0 0 0 1 2 6 9
    Lesotho 0 0 0 0 0 2 4 4
    Malawi 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 2
    Mozambique 0 0 0 0 0 1 2  2
    Namibia 0 0 0 8 12 19 22 25
    South Africa 0 0 3 41 141 171 257  361
    Swaziland 0 0 0 0 0 3 3 3
    Zimbabwe 0 0 0 0 1 3 6  14

     

    As at August 2017 there are about 27 000 EarthCaches worldwide. There are approximately 380 EarthCaches in South Africa, and this gives local geocachers access to a little under 1½ % of the world's EarthCaches.

    More info here about the EarthCache Masters program.

    More info here about the EarthCache Discovery Awards (EDA)

    Read More

  • GoSA Grapevine October 2019 - Governance and Geology

    GoSA AGM
    International EarthCache Day
    Geocaching International Film Festival
    Adventure Lab Caches

    GoSA NewLogo Grapevine

    GoSA AGM 2019

    As a formally created Association, GoSA has a responsibility to ensure that it complies with the governance requirements of its constitution.  As such, this is a reminder that the Geocachers of South Africa Annual General Meeting will take place at 13 Norfolk Avenue, Craighall Park, Johannesburg on the 12th October 2019 at 3:30pm. The committee thanks BruceTP in advance for hosting the AGM this year. If you want to Skype into the meeting, please email us on to organise the details.
     
    At the AGM, we will discuss what activities took place during the past year, and it is a formal opportunity for the members to contribute to the direction setting of GoSA for the next year.
     
    We will also spend a little time electing members onto the coordinating committee to manage the running of GoSA for the period 2019-2020.
     
    After the AGM, we will also host a social event, GC8E3YZ - GoSA Social, and more details are available in the listing.

    International EarthCache Day

     
     
    An EarthCache site is a specific geological location that people can visit to learn about a unique geoscience feature or aspect of Earth. Visitors to EarthCache sites can see how our planet has been shaped by geological processes, how we manage resources, and how scientists gather evidence.
     
    Get ready to rock over the entire weekend of Saturday 12 October and Sunday 13 October 2019. Find and log any EarthCache to earn the International EarthCache Day souvenir.

    Geocaching International Film Festival 2019

    This year, the GIFF 2019 souvenir weekend will be from November 7 to November 17. That's right, GIFF 2019 will extend over two full weekends!  We are already seeing some events published, as local geocaching communities start planning the popcorn for movie night to watch the best geocaching short films of 2019.

    Find out how to host your own local event here.

     

    Adventure Lab Caches

    After all the recent activity with new Virtual Caches, we decided this month to highlight another "newish" aspect to Geocaching, Lab Caches.  Although initially allowed only at Mega Events, recently Groundspeak has allowed for some lucky geocachers to also publish their own series of Lab Caches. 
     
    Lab Caches are an experimental geocache type that count towards your geocaching statistics and total finds. In contrast to other cache types, Lab Caches are not required to have a container and can also be located indoors. This allows Lab Cache owners to innovate and test new ideas to make geocaching even more fun.
     
    Currently there are 3 Adventure Lab Cache series in South Africa:
    • Greensleeves, with 8 locations in Johannesburg
    • Exploring the Cape Town Waterfront, with 9 locations in Cape Town
    • The Company's Garden, with 5 locations in Cape Town

    To get the Adventure Lab app for your iOS or Android device, and find these Adventure Lab Caches, visit the Adventure Lab site.
     

    Cache of the Month

    October's Cache of the Month was for the best Earthcache. With 428 Earthcaches in the country (and counting), there's plenty of opportunity to learn about our local geology. We are proud to announce Bokkeveld Fossils, GC336KY as the COTM this month. A unique lesson with fossil hunting involved!
     
    Don't forget that 12 and 13 October is International Earthcache weekend.
    Next month we will be back to general nominations so please send your nominations for any cache that you believe deserves the title of Cache of the Month. Please send your nominations to .
     

    Mega Merchandise

    The GoSA Store still has some Jozi Jol Mega 2018 Silver Geocoins for sale, you can place your order online.  We also have some stock of geocoins from the previous Mega events available. There is also very limited Jozi Jol Mega 2018 stock left, check the GoSA Store for details of what is left in stock.
     

    We are always on the lookout for photos from events or cool caches, as well as any fun, interesting, unusual or exciting geocaching stories to share with the geocaching community.  If you want to share yours, send it to us by emailing it to our webmasters.

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  • GoSA Grapevine October 2020

    GoSA NewLogo Grapevine

    Lots happening again this month: another new souvenir up for grabs, a geocoin competition & the AGM, read on for more info.

    International EarthCache Day

    EarthCaches can be a scary cache type for some, especially if you are a new cacher. A lot of cachers tend to avoid them as some feel that they do not know enough about geoscience to attempt them. Most EarthCaches will contain all the info you need in the listing, you just need to apply it to what you see at the GZ, then, when you submit your answers to the CO you will find that most cache owners will provide you with some friendly guidance to any question you may have answered incorrectly.

    EarthCaches must provide an earth science lesson; must be educational and must highlight a unique earth feature.

    International EarthCache day celebrates the earth caching experience so get ready to rock the entire weekend of 10 & 11 October 2020! Find and log any EarthCache to earn the International EarthCache Day souvenir.

    We challenge all of you to go out and give this cache type a try!

    GoSA AGM

    As a formally created association, GoSA has a responsibility to ensure that it complies with the governance requirements of its constitution. As such, this is a reminder that the Geocachers of South Africa Annual General Meeting will take place at 13 Norfolk Avenue, Craighall Park, Johannesburg on Saturday 24th October 2020 at 15h00. All lockdown level 1 protocols will be followed.  The committee thanks BruceTP in advance for hosting the AGM again this year.
     
    We invite & encourage cachers from all around South Africa to join the AGM via Skype. Please email us on  to organise the details.
     
    At the AGM, we will discuss what activities took place during the past year, and it is a formal opportunity for the members to contribute to the direction setting of GoSA for the next year.
     
    We will also spend some time electing members onto the coordinating committee to manage the running of GoSA for the period 2020-2021.
     
    After the AGM, we will also host a social event -  GoSA Social (GC90T1A), more details are available in the listing.
     

    Meet roadrunred (Ed Shuttleworth) - South African Coin Designer


    GoSA: Please tell us a little more about yourself/yourselves, who you are, where you are from and what you do when you are not caching?
    roadrunred: We have lived in Knysna since 2004 when we moved here from the UK. I (roadrunred) used to take groups of motorcyclists riding around the Himalayas and South East Asia but I have now hung up my boots though I still ride a bike in SA (a Triumph of course). My daughter (Annabel / no caching name) finished her Matric exams last year and was on her way to becoming a dive instructor before the pandemic struck in March. Next year she will be studying design in Stellenbosch. I hike a lot with the Mountain Club of South Africa, and I combine my hiking activities as much as I possibly can with geocaching - most of my hides are on the tops of distant mountains. My daughter likes surfing, spear fishing, snorkelling, scuba diving so pretty much anything to do with the ocean.
     
    GoSA: When and how did you get involved in Geocaching?
    roadrunred: My first geocaching experience wasn’t quite how most people get introduced to the pastime. I decided to hike up Peak Formosa and was aware that there was a geocache (GC4TMME) at the top. However, I didn’t in those days have a GPS or a decent cell phone with satellite location capabilities. I didn’t even have the cache description so on getting to the top (completely exhausted of course) I had no idea where to start looking. I found the summit book and signed that half knowing that it wasn’t the cache. Only when I got back home could I check on the internet whether I had found the cache or not and of course my first log had to be logged as a DNF. After that I secured a GPS and started to take things a little more seriously! That first caching experience was back in April 2016 and it took 2 and a half years before I was back up Peak Formosa and was able to claim it as a smiley 
     
    GoSA: Please tell us about Ashas Creation…
    roadrunred: Ashas Creation is a collaboration with my daughter so on the one hand we have the Designer and on the other hand we have the Geocoin collector ( I think I qualify as an addict as far as geocoins go ). It started in earnest during lockdown when we were sitting at home with lots of time on our hands. This is our first geocoin but depending on how well it is received by the public we hope there will be many more. Asha is a Swahili word meaning "life" and we thought it appropriate to reflect an African element in our name.
     
    GoSA: Please tell us about the Geocoin that you have designed. Any specific reason for JoJo the Magician?
    roadrunred: JoJo is a magician because he can turn up in a number of different guises. On the back of our first JoJo the Magician geocoin is the inscription - If you don’t believe in magic you will never find it - this in a way sums up the geocaching experience for me as when I am out geocaching I often feel as if I'm on a different level from the normal people around me going about their normal lives. It makes you look at things from a completely different perspective and I often feel as if I am in a different dimension. So, for this reason geocaching is a bit like magic and you’ve got to be part (the believing) of the geocaching community to really get an understanding of what it’s all about (the finding). 
     
    GoSA: Where can the coin be purchased? Will it be available through any of the local Geocaching coin suppliers?
    roadrunred: The coin will be available only on our website ( http://www.ashascreation.com ) - it’s being produced by Craftgenix in Scotland and all shipments will be made from the UK. It just simply isn’t practical to get it mailed to or from South Africa with the state of the postal services here and couriering would just make it uneconomical. However, I will of course access to these coins and if people in South Africa want them, I’m sure we can make a plan. 
     
    GoSA: Are there plans for other coins to be designed?
    roadrunred: We are working on our second design now and I am pleased to say it will have an African theme. I can’t give too much away at the moment as I think part of the fun of designing is the secrecy that comes with the production and eventual reveal.
     
    GoSA: Are you an avid geocoin collector? Is this what sparked the idea to design your own coin?
    roadrunred: Yes, I think I can safely say I'm an addict - there are so many different aspects to geocaching which is what I like about it. There are those who are mad about stats, others whose first priority is FTF's, some who like Earthcaches, some who like designing containers for hiding and so on and so forth. I suppose I fall into the category that likes an excuse to hike up a large mountain in the middle of nowhere and I also fall firmly into the coin collecting element.
    There are certain types of coin that I prefer over others and I suppose it was the challenge to join these designers and pit our ideas and skills into the arena with them.
     
    GoSA: In your opinion, why do you think so many geocachers have such a love for geocoins?
    roadrunred: I think there’s always been something nice about holding a coin in your hand whether it is of monetary value or not. Add to this the element of hiding and finding them and the fact that most coins are trackable and thus create their own history which can easily be looked up and followed. 
     
    GoSA: Are there any hints and tips that you would like to share with the rest of the caching community?
    roadrunred: Having been involved with producing a coin it really opens your eyes as to what can be and what has been achieved in some coin designs. Suffice to say that there is quite a lot more to it than a pretty design so perhaps next time you hold a nice coin just consider how the particular effects have been achieved. You might not know all the answers but at least it should make you ask a few questions from those who do have some experience.

    Geocoin Competition

    Readers are invited to guess what sort of creature JoJo is by sending an email with the word "Magic" in the title to . You will stand a chance to receive a free Artists Edition coin in the post (one of only 10 that will be produced).
     

    Cache of the Month Winner: September

    In September we shined the light on those delightful extra-large geocaches, which are brim full of goodies, or even better; those that are so large that you and your geocaching team actually have to walk into the geocache to sign the log sheet. 

    The COTM for September 2020 is awarded to Giant Cabin (Biggest African Cache) GC7TDYF. This cache was built during 2018 by HeinG and BoazRuthFields and is a must visit if you are ever in the vicinity of the Hobby Park in the Noordheuwel area outside of Krugersdorp.  The cache is well worth a visit by geocachers as well as TBs and Geocoins.
     
    Thank you to UncleChem (Richard Chemaly) for giving our COTM design a facelift!
     

    Cache of the Month: October


    October marks the reopening of the borders of South Africa for international travel. Yes, it is limited to countries that are not on the high-risk list, but nevertheless it marks a big step for the tourism industry.  The first flight to Johannesburg arrived from Germany and the first flight to Cape Town arrived from Dubai. 

    Please spare a thought for all those TBs and geocoins that were stuck during lock down and who had their geocaching adventures so rudely interrupted by COVID19.  If it was not for the safe and comfortable lodging offered by all those wonderful TB Hotels around the country, they would have been left out in the cold and at the mercy of the harsh elements of the South African winter.

    This month we call on you to nominate your favourite TB Hotel for the honour of the Cache of the Month. Send your warm, friendly, cosy and hospitable nominations to to reach us by 24 October 2020.

    Current Souvenirs

    We are always on the lookout for photos from events or cool caches, as well as any fun, interesting, unusual or exciting geocaching stories to share with the geocaching community.  If you want to share yours, send it to us by emailing it to our webmasters.

    {itpshare}

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  • GOSA Newsletter October 2015 - International EarthCache Day

    International EarthCache Day
    Cape Town 2016 event published
    Geocaching International Film Festival

    International EarthCache Day

    On October 11, you can earn a new souvenir for celebrating the geocaching game board. What’s that, you ask? The whole entire Earth! (and one lonely space station). All you have to do is go out and find an EarthCache on International EarthCache Day.

    EarthCaches don’t have physical containers, but instead bring you to a unique location and teach you an earth science lesson. To make the find, you’ll have to check the EarthCache’s description and answer questions based on where you are. You can send your answers to the cache owner via Email or the geocaching.com Message Center.

    Visit the search page to find an EarthCache near you, just set the filter to EarthCache and there you have them all.

    Mega 2016

    The Mega 2016 organisers have just published their event, GC5YRDE Cape Town 2016.  Help them achieve Mega status by logging your "Will Attend" so that they can get to the 500 required.

    Follow the Mega Event Facebook group, SA Geocaching Mega Events for the latest news and updates.

    GIFF 2015

    Watch out for the Geocaching International Film Festival events from 5-8 November. There are already a few events organised around the country to watch the finalists. 

    Find out more...

    The West Coast Geocachers shared their International Geocaching Day experience with us, read about it here.

    Share your geocaching stories

    We are looking for your fun, interesting, unusual or exciting geocaching stories to share with the geocaching community.  If you want to share yours, then send it to us by emailing it to our webmasters.

    {itpshare}

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