|
|
||
 |
||
 New Souvenirs, Sad Goodbyes, Caching the 13 Peaks and more…
|
||
From the Desk of the ChairmanIt’s finally heating up out there! Camping, hikes, and all things outdoors are looking as enticing as ever. Especially since we’ve spent the last 18 months cooped up, geocaching sounds like a great excuse to get out and do it safely. If like me, you’re not feeling your fittest after a few too many hours on the couch, you’re also grateful to HQ for accommodating the ability to climb the highest peaks without going too far.
This morning, I woke up to some interesting messages in a geocaching whats app group. It seems some are planning to travel and find some caches in lieu of the now cancelled big event that was due to be held in the Eastern Cape. This is awesome and an indication that the love for our awesome game is alive and well. I may just even perhaps possibly see some of you there. It’s always an encouraging sign when I notice events being created to announce cachers from other parts of the country are visiting and while I would love to see more of that, I also encourage us to keep our health in mind. Looking to our social media, there seems to have been quite a few members taking on the call to use #GeocachingSouthAfrica when posting photos and they are a delight to see. It’s also awesome to read your stories. Keep it up. Over the last couple of months, I’ve noticed a number of caches, my own included, that are in need of maintenance. Seeing as communities are starting to come together again, feel free to host a maintenance event or have a day out maintaining caches. It can be stacks of fun. Hint, hint *winks* Finally, I’m not sure about you but I’ve seen a surge of new names on my caches’ logs and that is incredible! Thank you all for sharing the fun with your friends! Keep it up! |
||
GIFF 2021Just a reminder that the Geocaching International Film Festival is back! Submissions open on 1 June 2021 and close on 5 August 2021. Who is going to take up the challenge and submit a South African entry?
 |
||
Tributes to Mike Condy & Willem JacobsSadly, we lost another two long standing Geocachers this month, both to COVID. Mike Condy, aka Mooiman, and Willem Jacobs, aka Wilduvo, you will both be sorely missed. Our heartfelt condolences go out to the families and friends of both gentlemen!  One of the very first people we met 6 years ago when we started Geocaching, was Mooiman. Somewhere in every conversation his hearty laugh would be followed by a "moooooi mannn"! Mike, we followed your long, brave battle against covid, and we are so very sorry that you lost the fight. The geocaching community has lost a friend. Our sincerest condolences to Dini, kids and grandkids. - AdieA's Mike always brought an incredible warmth and richness to any space he was present in, with his eyes always sparkling with such youthful energy and excitement. He was the epitome of how one can stay youthful, no matter your physical age. We truly have lost such a wonderful and special soul. My condolences to dear Dini, his children, and grandchildren. Wishing you all strength and peace at this especially difficult time. May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. May the sunshine warm upon your face; the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand. Gareth (GForceZA) Mike, you are of the very most incredible humans I have ever been privileged to know. Your genuine earnest care and character is from another planet. That atmosphere you bring into a room but particularly into a life even in a crowded room is life giving. The way you reach straight to the heart. Most importantly for your heart. Thank you for the privilege of walking with you and your wife. Thank you for the phenomenal light you are. The deposits you invested in my life will be with me every wake moment of my life. Thank you for your life and sharing that with me. - Andrew (BoazRuthFields) I was shattered to hear the sad news of Mike Condy’s (Mooiman) passing. Mike with his wife Dini and I met at the first Mega Event in Pretoria (Voortrekker Monument). He soon became a regular at Events. Mike’s exclamation during conversation, “Mooooiman!” and his hearty laugh was legionary. Many will remember fun times while ‘group caching’ with Mike. We have lost a gentleman and a wonderful friend. Condolences to Dini and their family. - Kevin Fraser (MacAddikt) Where do I start? Mike, you were an amazing person. Super tall but humble and honest. You had a passion for sharing the most incredible stories and your enthusiasm certainly ignited excitement inside of me! I remember when we first met, after you placed an order on my geocaching online shop back in August 2012. You told me that you had joined geocaching a few years prior and then stopped caching for a while. I loved how you used to say your handle "Mooiman!". You decided to get into it again and you were surprised at how things had changed. I was delighted to meet Dini especially when I saw her beautiful artwork - wow! Such amazing talent. Your stories often made me laugh or gasp in awe - either way, I could sit and listen to them for hours. And this is often what would happen, and a "quick" visit would land up taking two hours! But those hours were well worth the time spent. Mike, I will miss everything about you - your happy smile (even when times were tough), your height, your interesting stories, and your willingness to help and listen to others. I still remember when you were finishing up your work to go into retirement, you came to collect some geocaching goodies from me. When I asked you how things were going, you bravely remarked "getting old is not for sissies". You were spot on! And even though it was not easy, you took on a new business venture and made a big success of it. You were booked out often and I got to see you less, but I enjoyed keeping up with your adventures via Facebook. From the first time I met you and on numerous occasions beyond that, you told me about Rupert, the orphaned rhino you grew up with. It was a special story, and that little rhino took up a large space in your heart. I was so glad to have been able to watch the documentary about your family's journey with him and as sad as it was, your Dad made incredible breakthroughs that would help researchers and conservationists in years to come. One thing that I missed when you were alive, was that you, yourself were involved in Scouts! Oh, my Mike, I honestly don't remember you telling me that, but I definitely remember how proud you were when Joshua, your Grandson, joined Bushhill Cubs. I guessed I missed the part about your involvement but now I understand better why you were so proud of Josh. You certainly were a perfect role model of the values and ethos of the Scouting Movement. I am going to miss your jolly smile at our Events and visits. I hope you are having the adventure of a lifetime in heaven. Rest in peace dear Friend! Until we meet again. My heartfelt love and condolences to Dini, Lara, Faye, and Craig and all your extended family. Lots of Love Silvia (Panthera03)  Dis met groot hartseer dat ons totsiens sê aan Willem Jacobs, in geocaching-kringe bekend as "Wilduvo". 'n Groot boom het geval en sy plekkie staan leeg. Willem het op Woensdag, 28 Julie 2021, die stryd teen Covid verloor en rus nou by ons Hemelse Vader. Ons gaan sy spitsvondigheid en unieke karakter vreeslik mis. Hy het deel geword van ons Vaalgeocacher-familie en was onmisbaar tydens ons Vaalgeocacher-affêres (events). Hy en Erlank het tydens ons Affêres (events) altyd die laaang pad deur die Worsgordyn al die pad van Pretoria af aangedurf om te kom saam kuier. En die staaltjies wat dan sou volg! As Willem eers so teruggesit het in sy stoel, het jy geweet: HIER KOM 'N DING....dan was dit ingekleurde stories van hierdie of daardie cache en hoe hoog of laag hulle moes soek! Kuier tot lank na die event was altyd aan die orde van die dag! Ons gaan jou mis, Willem. Vir oulaas lees ons.... "Groete vanaf die Vuurherd" – Hildie (Bothalawaai)  Oom Willem - Ek gaan oom mis vir baie dinge, daar is so baie om te noem: Oom se nederigheid, vriendelikheid, oom se omgee vir almal, die grappies, baie daarvan! Die geocaching dae saam oom oppad na events toe na Vaaldriehoek, die laat kuiers by die Quick Cuppa' (QC) events en dae wat ons 'n Saterdag afgeknyp het en gaan cache het van die oggend tot die son onder gegaan het. Ek wens ek het al oom se kostelike sê-goed neergeskryf of opgeneem! Die kuiers by die Mega-events was netso kosbaar; die Voortrekkermonument, Durban by Giba Gorge en daardie Kaapstad-Mega (heerlik gesmul aan Charly's Bakery se kolwyntjies)! Ons het so lekker gelag oor die ketel wat ek vergeet het met die Barberton caching-kamp trip! Dit was 'n week wat ek nooit sal vergeet nie, saam Aäron wat ons gehelp het om die moeilike geocaches by te kom... dit was 'n warm week daai en het elke middag laat daardie "koue enetjie" geniet. Na daai week het oom Willem my voor elke dag van geocaching gevra "het jy darem die ketel onthou hierdiekeer? Laastens, ek is jammer ek kon toe nooit oom se pin nommer vir oom by die hospitaal uitkry nie, oom is toe Hemel toe.... maar dis waar oom die mooiste en interessantste caches denkbaar sal vind! Ek mag dalk die keteltjie vergeet, maar vir oom Willem en sy "Groete vanaf die Vuurherd" sal ek nooit ooit vergeet nie!! Ek gaan oom verskriklik baie mis!! – Erlaank (_Link_) Willem Jacobs "Wilduvo" I was shocked to hear the news of Willem's passing - it was completely unexpected. I did not know he was sick and to hear that I would not get to speak to him ever again made me very upset. Willem was larger than life in build, but he had an even bigger heart. He was quiet but loved the company of his geocaching friends and enjoyed observing the antics and chitter chatter from the "head" of the table. In a way, he was the man in charge, but you didn't know about it. I enjoyed many of the Pretoria Events, which Willem attended religiously and when I would arrive, Willem's face would light up. I would say "hello" to him first and give him a hug. He would wrap his arm around me and give me a solid squeeze. Willem always spoke in English to me, even though he knew I could understand Afrikaans well. He had a distinctive voice, and I just loved his glittering blue eyes. Willem was also involved with the Voortrekkers, so he understood my passion for Scouting. We used to discuss venues and Voortrekker campsites and he advised me on many matters, and we would share ideas. Willem enjoyed geocoins and a few other trinkets from my geocaching stop. He planned well in advance and would order geocoins in a way that ensured he would have the coin at the time of achieving the milestone. Willem had a wicked sense of humour and he often caught me out and had such a good laugh about it. He was kind and honest and just like a big teddy bear. I'm going to miss you so much Willem, I'm going to miss your "Groete vanaf die Vuurherd" when you signed off your logs. I still remember asking you what it meant exactly, and you struggled to explain it to me, and I was still as confused as before. But you were always smiling - I think I made you laugh too! I'm going to miss your logs - when I used to read them on my caches, I could hear how you were speaking. You had a distinctive way, which was just "Willem". You were always there, in the thick of things, even if it meant that you drove there instead of walking. I remember the chats and laughs we had at the Queensburgh campsite in KZN for the Mega 2014. I remember the fun times at Tswaing Crater, when we had way too much to drink, and your cheeks glowed a super shiny red. If you had a white beard, you would fit the perfect requirements for Father Christmas! Ai Willem, you have gone too soon my friend - ek gaan jou baie verlang ou vriend. I hope you enjoy finding those beautiful caches in Heaven! Until we meet again. RIP - With much love - Silvia (Panthera03) A giant in the Pretoria geocaching community is no longer searching for treasures and his place at the end of the table at events will be empty from now on. Willem Jacobs – to many affectionately known as Willempie, Oom Willem, Ou Grote and Wilduvo - succumbed to COVID last week. For a lot of us this was another shocking and painful death of a friend, and particularly a geocaching friend. Sadly, the lovely words at the end of his logs “Groete vanaf die Vuurherd” will no longer be added to our geocaching listings and his fireplace will be cold. However, his place in our hearts will never be empty or cold. Willem was always a quiet presence at the end of the table at so many events. He and his trusted bakkies travelled far and wide as part of our beautiful game and he always had a beautiful story to share. He contributed considerably to the good relationship between the geocaching community and the Tshwane municipality, and he was a key team member and stalwart in the arranging of a number CITO events in the city. His mischievous sense of humour brought us lots of laughter and many a beautiful memory. The time when his cover story bombed out because, unbeknownst to him, the farm owner on whose farm the treasure was hidden had the same name as the cache owner, will always bring a smile to my face. I will also always fondly remember the cold nights around the campfire and the early morning coffees that we shared at the Tswaing crater events where Willem was an institution. Dear Willem had an enormous heart, and he was always willing to help and was always ready with a smile and a soft supportive word. He may not add to his 4340 finds here on earth, but to me, Willem, with his soft twinkling eyes and his warm friendship is one of the special smileys that I count in this game. Rest in peace old friend, you went way to soon. - JPMZA |
||
Community ContributionKZN Database and Newbies FeedbackBy M²C²DIn KZN we have a database of as many of the current cachers and cache owners with active caches as possible. This database was started by TechnoNut and I (Ceinwen) took over the admin from him at his request some time before he passed away. Our database takes the form of an excel spreadsheet which contains contact info for each of the cachers on it. This gets updated as and when needed and then gets sent out on our what’s app groups so that we are all able to give the CO a ring – or make that dread PAF call if need be!
I try and reach out to new cachers who log caches we own, log any caches we have on our watchlist or publish new caches in KZN to welcome them to the game, get them added to our what’s app group, Facebook group and to the database. Sometimes the newbie chooses not to reply but most times I get an email back with the basic info I’ve asked for. Recently, while reaching out to some new cachers I got such positive feedback from them both that I asked them if I could include it in the newsletter – it is always good to get community feedback but it’s great to get such positive replies from cachers who have only just joined the game we all love! Thanks for your email, yes, we have recently joined in the geocaching fun! We have two young boys, and they are having almost as much fun as the adults! 😉😉 It is a great way to get our boys aged 8 and 4 away from the screens! And what boy doesn't love a treasure hunt! Looking forward to many more years of Geocaching! – brettgray19 Yes, we discovered geocaching at the start of the mid-year holidays, and it was just amazing. I've been amazed at the local cache community and some of the COs who have responded to my DNFs to offer assistance, etc. What an amazing community!!!! Thank you so much for reaching out to me. We are only a month into geocaching, but it's been such an eye-opening experience. It's genuinely been such an amazing bonding experience for us and has helped us really view the world through such a different lens. And I noticed a bunch of acquaintances have also started geocaching recently since we became vocal about it. We do get some odd looks walking in more public places though where we are so focused on the app on our phones to get the navigation! Our best experience was finding a R50 note in one of the caches on Hutchinson Park in Toti on my daughter's birthday weekend! That was our first cache experience outside the midlands. She climbed up the tree to find the cache and looked like she hit the jackpot when she opened it!!!!We have collected some little goodies we now put to leave our mark in the (not tiny) caches. – GinettePotgeiter If you are a newbie cacher in KZN and I’ve missed making contact with you, I do apologise please pop me a message through the app or email me on - I’d love to get you onto our database. For our existing cachers, if you see a newbie’s log come through on a cache you own, please send me a message with their caching handle or even better send them a messaging welcoming them to the game and ask them to send you/me their details so we can and get them on our groups and database and encourage them to keep caching. Caching the 13 PeaksBy CommailleThe 13 Peaks Challenge is a very popular informal challenge enjoyed by trail runners in Cape Town. The challenge is simple: the 13 major peaks in the Table Mountain National Park have been selected. Your task is to climb all of them. There is no time limit, although the most famous way is to try and get it done within 24 hours! The record is 13 hours and 41 minutes, set in August 2020 (Obviously needed to be home for curfew!). The slowest time submitted is 100 hours.
You may not drive between points, so if you climb to the top of Lion’s Head and decide you’re done for the day, you need to return to where you called it quits and resume from that point towards the next peak. Much like Geocaching, the game / challenge relies a lot on the honesty of those playing the game. You submit your log / time, and there is no certification process. But suppose you aren’t a trail runner? Suppose you are unlikely to ever be a trail runner? Suppose you’re a Geocacher. How would the same route look without the pressure of a stopwatch, but with the anxiety of turning colourful dots on a map into bright yellow smilies? Luckily, you have been more than catered for!  The 13 Peaks Map The challenge usually begins at Signal Hill, the (comparatively) little rump of the lion (whose head we’ll visit next). The hill frames the western side of the city bowl and is so called because it seems to have always been useful for signalling: whether for flag signals to passing ships, or the famous noon gun, shaking windows since 1806. If I were to really take up the challenge, I think I should probably have a stopwatch, and probably also intend to knock these off quickly. But no.
The first time I parked in the Signal Hill parking was in June 2016, a day or two after having moved to Cape Town. The area was nearly deserted, aside from a few paragliders setting their equipment up nearby. The oldest cache up here, and one of the oldest in Cape Town, is GCWK3K, TF16 180° Sea, originally placed in June 2006 and adopted by Andredj in 2016. This is an absolutely stunning location, and one of a few that will offer you the opportunity to use the panorama setting on your smartphone’s camera to capture greater Sea Point area. The cache itself is a nice easy find (look at the clue!) and helps qualify for a City Bowl Peaks challenge cache on top of Table Mountain.
The area was – and still is - a bit notorious for concealing a criminal element, and just two months before my visit a seasoned caching team was mugged at knife point at GZ. Even today one reads almost weekly reports of mugging on the paths around the main tracks between Signal Hill and Lions Head. Be careful!
 Signal Hill in Bloom! The caching map is very different to when this was placed in 2006, with four caches surrounding the parking lot you’re standing in. My only FTF – shared – occurred here in January 2019, as several teams combined efforts to try and locate a sneaky hide in a very exposed space. As some of us crawled beneath the heavily populated boardwalk we heard a bystander say, “I don’t know what they’re up to. They’re looking for a thing called a geocache, whatever that is!” Peak one: Tick! Just a little down the road and we are standing at a Vida Café truck and facing the start of the most popular route up the Lion’s Head. This peak has had a life – very briefly – as a goldmine but is unquestionably THE tourist hike in Cape Town: sunrise, sunset, every day. Pre-COVID this was almost a weekend no-go zone due to traffic on the pathways, and when we finally emerged from level 5 lockdown and social distancing was the order of the day, this route remained closed for fears that keeping your distance would be impossible. There are in fact several paths up, but some of those closed for rehabilitation, and seem to be remaining so permanently. The mountain is still a goldmine for geocachers, with two EarthCaches, and four traditionals, and perhaps a mystery or two, and the obvious one to go for is GC339ZH, On Top, placed in 2011. The cache itself might not be the most challenging, but the craft here is definitely avoiding muggle eyes as you pop down off the conventional paths. Caching on Lion’s Head predates this cache though, and for the oldest cache up here you need to take a break about halfway up. As you take in your first view of the chains and ladders on the path to your left, you want to turn right and follow a ledge to a location that has been GZ since 2002 – almost 20 years! With GZ being off the usual route, this is a great spot to take in the city lights (if that’s when you’re here) in peace and quiet and enjoy some coffee! Peak two: Done!  On top of Lion's Head Both of these peaks continue to provide new opportunities for cachers greedy for more smilies, and new caches continue to be created. Look for Terunkie’s virtual reward placement at the Signal Hill frame, and Ephyfer testing your fear of heights on Lion’s Head.  A window with a view on Lion's Head Next time we’ll be heading up on to the main table! I better get my hiking boots dusted off! |
||
|
||
New Souvenir: IGD 2021Each year we celebrate International Geocaching Day on the third Saturday in August. This year it falls on Saturday 21st. Geocaching Headquarters usually help us celebrate by rewarding us with a souvenir for finding a cache or attending an event on this day. It was on the list of souvenir moments published in January. As soon as we have more information, we will share it with the community via our social media pages and what’s app groups.
Current SouvenirsSouvenirs are virtual pieces of art that you can earn, discover, and display on your profile page. They are associated with a particular location, task, find or event and may also be bound by time.
The souvenirs that are currently up for grabs are listed and pictured below:
 |
||
|
||
