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GoSA Grapevine January 2021

GoSA NewLogo Grapevine
Recapping on Souvenirs, Earth Caching on Mars plus the next update of what to expect in PE in September.

From the Desk of the Chairman

And so, begins a new year! December is always a wonderful time for caching as it generally involves travel, family and perhaps converting the odd muggle here and there. Before I do some foreshadowing of the new year, I’d like to thank those who took up the offer to indicate what they believe the role of GoSA to be. Incidentally, the feedback resonated quite closely with what the collective outcome of the exec members was when asked the same questions, so it bodes for a good outlook. Please feel free to continue messaging us regarding geocaching matters in South Africa.
 
2021 promises to be pretty awesome with the HQ celebrations that I’ve been told some of our members would like to go and attend in Seattle and the Mega happening in PE already gaining 123 will attends (at the time I’m writing this but hopefully many more have since checked out GC91CJE to log their will attend). Beyond that, it just seems like as we hopefully have less lockdown than 2020, there will just be more caching.
 
I was fortunate last year to claim my first Antron Puzzle Box and was so appreciative of the effort that went into the production of the cache as, I am sure, are many others. I’m actually hopeful for more caches being placed this year and given the quality of nominations for Cache of the Month, I’m excited to see what creativity the caching community can come up with next. HQ’s new hiders page on the website will surely aid in cache development I suspect.
 
It would also be incredible to get more people involved in our small but growing community, so we’ve had a small push towards marketing our hobby. Below, in this newsletter, you’ll find a great interview our very own FireflyAfrica (Jonker Fourie) did on Radio Islam. Earlier in the month, I spoke about Geocaching on Koepel Stereo. We’re always keen to be in media so if you’re aware of anybody who would like to produce some geocaching related content, do get in touch.

As for 2021, from all of us on the GoSA exec team, we wish you and your families a fantastic 2021 full of many yellow smiley faces.
 

2020 Souvenirs – a Quick Recap


What a year it was! Certainly, nothing like any of us planned or could have imagined on 1 January 2020. Many of our geocaching goals and dreams for last year had to be put on hold but thanks to some extensions granted by GCHQ we were still able to earn many of the souvenirs that were created for this year. Let’s take a look back at what they were, click on the links to read more info about each one.
  • Hello 2020: 1 January 2020 – Earned by finding a geocache or attending a Geocaching Event on January 1, 2020.
  • Fun in All Directions: 2 February 2020 – Earned by finding a geocache, Adventure Lab, or attending an event on February 2, 2020.
  • Leap Day 2020: 29 February 2020 – Earned by taking advantage of this special extra day and finding a cache.
  • CITO 2020 Season 1: 1 March 2020 – 31 August 2020 - Earned by attending or hosting a CITO
  • 2020 Community Celebration Event: 2 May 2020 – 31 December 2021 – Earned by attending a Community Celebration Event. You still have to opportunity to earn this souvenir as the extension is until December 2021
  • Big Blue Switch Day 2020: 2 May 2020 – 31 December 2020 – Earned by finding a cache or attending an event.
  • Memory Lane: First Geocache Hidden: 1 June 2020 – 3 January 2021 – Earned by collecting 10 points for finding caches. Different cache types were allocated different points
  • Memory Lane: First Geocoin: 1 June 2020 – 3 January 2021 – Earned by collecting 50 points for finding caches. Different cache types were allocated different points
  • Memory Lane: First Mega Event: 1 June 2020 – 3 January 2021 – Earned by collecting 100 points for finding caches. Different cache types were allocated different points
  • Memory Lane: One Million Geocaches Hidden: 1 June 2020 – 3 January 2021 – Earned by collecting 150 points for finding caches. Different cache types were allocated different points
  • Memory Lane: 20 Years of Geocaching: 1 June 2020 – 3 January 2021 – Earned by collecting 200 points for finding caches. Different cache types were allocated different points
  • Ancient Wonders of the World: 12 August – 31 December 2020 – earned by finding caches with the one of the Seven Ancient Wonders of the World hidden in them. All 7 needed to be found.
  • Modern Wonders of the World: 12 August – 31 December 2020 - earned by finding caches with the one of the Seven Modern Wonders of the World hidden in them. All the Ancient Wonders plus all 7 Modern Wonders needed to be found.
  • World Explorer: 12 August – 31 December 2020 - earned by collecting all the Modern and Ancient Wonders of the World.
  • International Geocaching Day 2020: 15 & 16 August 2020 – earned by logging any cache type on these dates
  • International EarthCache Day 2020: 10 & 11 October 2020 – earned by finding an EarthCache on these dates
  • CITO 2020 Season 2: 1 September 2020 – 31 December 2020 - Earned by attending or hosting a CITO
  • Last Souvenir 2020: 24 – 31 December 2020 – Earned by finding any cache during these dates.

How many did you manage to achieve?

New EarthCache Twist:
Planetary Geology on Earth

Did you know that GCHQ has introduced a new series of EarthCaches? The series is called Planetary Geology on Earth and is based on the geological features found on Mars like volcanoes, flowing water, avalanches, glaciers, and sediments - features that are found both on Earth and Mars.
 
The trigger for this series was NASA Mars Exploration Project. NASA launched the Perseverance Rover on 30 July 2020, it is already more than halfway to Mars, and is scheduled to land on 18 February 2021. Onboard the Perseverance Rover is a tracking code which and be discovered and is trackable on Geocaching.com.
 
We are grateful to GCHQ and the Geological Society of America, for giving us the opportunity to learn more about both our Earth and the planets that surround us. We look forward to seeing some of these EC being published in SA. To find out more about the requirements for this series please click on this link as well as this link

Radio Interview with FireflyAfrica

We are always looking for ways for Geocaching to get more positive exposure - this leads to more players joining the game and placing more caches which is more for the rest of us to go and find. When Jonker Fourie, aka FireflyAfrica was invited to speak about Geocaching on Radio Islam International, he jumped at the chance. Sit back, relax and listen to the interview by clicking on this link, scroll down to the picture of Jonker and click play.
 
Thank you Jonker for an excellent interview!
 
 
The Bay Cache Bash is on the horizon!
 
A big thank you to everybody who has logged their "Will Attends" for The Bay Cache Bash so far. At this stage we are at 123 and I'm hoping that the numbers will start to climb steadily as soon as everybody has had their December holidays and start to plan 2021.  The main reason we are anxious to get to our first target of 300 Will Attends is because that is the requirement for us to apply for "Mega" status.  Before that we aren't allowed to call the event a "Mega" nor can we use the term "Mega" to promote the event.  Once we receive "Mega" status we will also be able to put a couple of extras in place linked directly to the type of event as well as hopefully be able to make an announcement of a first for South Africa.  Once you have logged your Will Attend you will also get special announcements straight to your mailbox. 
 
If you have never been caching in Port Elizabeth, you are really in for a treat. We have some exceptional caches around the Nelson Mandela Bay metro and surrounding areas and the current PEG 2020 game organised by plainoldgraham has added 63 new caches since 6 December. Some of these are also racking up the FPs showing that it's really worth getting you caching on in the Bay.
 
As soon as 2021 comes around things will start to happen a lot quicker so keep an eye on the website and social media for more information and announcements.
 
The Geocaching Eastern Cape website will contain all the relevant and necessary information including the program, sponsors, special deals, competitions, information on the best geotravel routes to the Bay, accommodation options and recommended caches in the area. All this can be found at - http://easterncapegeocaching.co.za/
 
Information will also be fed through on Facebook and monthly in the GoSA Newsletter.
 
Please log your Will Attend today at – The Bay Cache Bash 2021
 
If you have any enquiries you can send an email to

Cache of the Month Winner: December

For the second month in a row, it was a close race for the Cache of the Month with the result hanging in the balance right down to the last vote.  This month it was all about Adventure Lab Caches, something that has boomed since HQ has decided to allocate these previously very rare cache type to qualifying cachers.

The COTM for December goes to Orosman's Johannesburg Golden Mile that just got its nose in front of an ALC from Pretoria and one each from PE and East London.  The adventure runs along the heart of Johannesburg's corporate mining district through an open-air museum and gives you the opportunity to learn a bit more of the area's gold history.
 

Cache of the Month: January 2021

One of the things that are essential for all active caches is a logbook!
 
It's probably one of the things most often mentioned in logs. Logbook full and needs replacing, logbook wet, logbook missing, logbook wet and we dried it in the wind /sun, logbook signed and replaced, and more.
 
Logbooks normally consist of an actual book, a notebook, a rolled-up paper strip, a folded piece of paper, or even a replacement log made up of an old till slip. But every so often one comes across a really creative logbook and those are what we want to celebrate this month in Cache of the Month. Get your nomination in for Most Creative Logbook to  by 24 January 2021.

WorldWide CacheCon

 
Mark your calendars - on January 30th 2021, the Geocaching Talk Network will be hosting the Worldide CachecCon from 10am – 7pm CST (6pm – 3am in South Africa). It is an online geocaching convention and is open to all cachers worldwide.
 
Click on the link for more info https://geocachetalk.com/wwcc21/
 
Schedule of Events:
  • 10am CST Opening Ceremony/Keynote/Bryan
  • 11am CST Lackey/Reviewer Panel
  • 12pm CST Virtual Tour of HQ and Signal Cafe
  • 1pm CST Caching during a pandemic - Adventure Labs, Virtuals, Earthcaches
  • 2pm CST Geocaching is for everyone (family, kids, disabilities)
  • 3pm CS3 Gadget Panel/Showcase
  • 4pm CST Caching around the world (pictures/videos)
  • 5pm CST Trackables
  • 6pm CST Closing Ceremony and Travel Bugs Concert

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 newsletter writers.

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Last Updated: 12 January 2021
  1. GoSA Grapevine December 2020
  2. GoSA Grapevine November 2020
  3. GoSA Grapevine October 2020
  4. GoSA Grapevine September 2020
  5. GoSA Grapevine August 2020
  6. GoSA Grapevine May 2020 - Corona Caching
  7. GoSA Grapevine February 2020 - Unique Souvenirs
  8. GoSA Grapevine January 2020 - Welcome Back
  9. GoSA Grapevine December 2019 - Feasts and Festivities
  10. GoSA Grapevine November 2019 - Breaking News
  11. GoSA Grapevine October 2019 - Governance and Geology
  12. GoSA Grapevine September 2019 - The need to escape
  13. GoSA Grapevine August 2019 - International Geocaching Day
  14. GoSA Grapevine July 2019 - Mystery at the Museum
  15. GoSA Grapevine June 2019 - Virtual Festival
  16. GoSA Grapevine May 2019 - 19 Years of Geocaching
  17. GoSA Grapevine April 2019 - Cache Carnival
  18. GoSA Grapevine March 2019 - Scores of Souvenirs
  19. GoSA Grapevine February 2019 - Have Your Say
  20. GoSA Grapevine January 2019 - Happy New Year
  21. GoSA Grapevine December 2018 - Souvenir Time
  22. GoSA Grapevine November 2018 - Social Time
  23. GoSA Grapevine October 2018 - Mega Feedback
  24. GoSA Grapevine September 2018 - MEGA countdown
  25. GoSA Grapevine August 2018 - MEGA MEGA MEGA
  26. GoSA Grapevine July 2018 - MEGA time!
  27. GoSA Grapevine June 2018 - Hidden Creature Souvenirs
  28. GoSA Grapevine May 2018 - GoSA In The Media
  29. GoSA Grapevine April 2018 - Planetary Pursuit
  30. GoSA Grapevine March 2018 - Planetary Pursuit Preview
  31. GoSA Grapevine February 2018 - What's that number?
  32. GoSA Grapevine January 2018 - Happy New Year
  33. GoSA Grapevine December 2017 - Introducing Cache of the Month
  34. GoSA Grapevine November 2017 - Big Event 2018 Updated
  35. GoSA Grapevine October 2017 - Big Event 2018 Announced
  36. GoSA Grapevine September 2017 - New Beginnings
  37. GoSA Grapevine August 2017 - International Geocaching Day
  38. GoSA Grapevine July 2017 - Lost Treasure of Mary Hyde
  39. GoSA Grapevine June 2017 - Canada Day Souvenir
  40. GoSA Grapevine May 2017 - Big Blue Switch Souvenir
  41. GoSA Grapevine April 2017 - All About The Numbers
  42. GoSA Grapevine March 2017 - Geocaching Apps
  43. GoSA Grapevine February 2017 - Geocaching Safety
  44. GoSA Grapevine January 2017 - Happy New Year
  45. GoSA Grapevine December 2016 - Down Time & Service Time
  46. GoSA Grapevine November 2016 - Movie Time
  47. GoSA Grapevine October 2016 - MEGA & EarthCache Day
  48. GoSA Grapevine September 2016 - CITO 2016 & MEGA 2016
  49. GoSA Grapevine August 2016 - International Geocaching Day
  50. GoSA Grapevine July 2016 - Mega Mania
  51. GoSA Grapevine June 2016 - Get Outdoors & FlashMobs
  52. GoSA Grapevine May 2016 - iPajero's trip across America
  53. GoSA Grapevine April 2016 - CITO 2016 & Film Festival 2016
  54. GoSA Grapevine March 2016 - CITO Weeks 2016
  55. GoSA Grapevine February 2016 - Leap Day
  56. GoSA Grapevine January 2016 - Happy New Year
  57. GoSA Newsletter December 2015 - Looking Back & Looking Forward
  58. GoSA Newsletter November 2015 - Geocaching International Film Festival
  59. GoSA Newsletter October 2015 - International EarthCache Day
  60. GoSA Newsletter September 2015 - Mega 2016 Update
  61. GoSA Newsletter August 2015 - International Geocaching Day
  62. GoSA Newsletter July 2015 - Road Trip '15 Continues
  63. GoSA Newsletter June 2015 - Geocaching Road Trip ’15
  64. GoSA Newsletter May 2015 - Happy 15th Birthday Geocaching
  65. GoSA Newsletter April 2015 - CITO Weekend
  66. GoSA Newsletter March 2015 - Fancy Some Pi?
  67. GoSA Newsletter - September 2014
  68. Newsflash - August 2014
  69. Newsflash - January 2014
  70. Newsflash - August 2013

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