GoSA Logo

Menu
  • Home
    • Old Archived Articles
  • About
  • Events
    • Upcoming Events
    • Special Events
    • Mega 2018
    • Mega 2016
    • Mega 2014
    • Mega 2012
  • GeoStuff
    • Geocaching FAQ
    • Geocaching Glossary
    • SA Geocaching Info
      • SA Geocaching Info Article Index
      • Geocaching Experiences
    • SA Geocaching Community
    • Useful Links
    • SA Geocaching Shops
  • Newsletter
    • Recent Newsletters
    • Newsletter Archive
    • Subscribe
  • Cache Of The Month
  • Store
  • Contact
    • Contact Details
    • GoSA on Facebook
    • GoSA on Twitter
    • GoSA on YouTube
    • GoSA on Instagram

GoSA Logo


  • Home
    • Old Archived Articles
  • About
  • Events
    • Upcoming Events
    • Special Events
    • Mega 2018
    • Mega 2016
    • Mega 2014
    • Mega 2012
  • GeoStuff
    • Geocaching FAQ
    • Geocaching Glossary
    • SA Geocaching Info
      • SA Geocaching Info Article Index
      • Geocaching Experiences
    • SA Geocaching Community
    • Useful Links
    • SA Geocaching Shops
  • Newsletter
    • Recent Newsletters
    • Newsletter Archive
    • Subscribe
  • Cache Of The Month
  • Store
  • Contact
    • Contact Details
    • GoSA on Facebook
    • GoSA on Twitter
    • GoSA on YouTube
    • GoSA on Instagram
  • You are here:  
  • Home >
  • Newsletter >
  • Recent Newsletters >
  • GoSA Grapevine September 2022

GoSA Grapevine September 2022

GoSA NewLogo Grapevine
 
This month in the Grapevine – CITO time, Safety Tips & AGM Dates…...

From the Desk of the Chairman

As Signal moves through the labyrinth, we learned that we didn’t break a geocaching world record as we attempted to do. Personally, I’m delighted that South Africa contributed to the attempt in such an astonishing way. I had a great time with the Gauteng cachers and loved seeing the photos from the events across the country. Breaking a record is all good and well, sure. Many of us may be sad that we didn’t get there. What excites me is that we actually all got together and some found caches for the first time in years.
 
Breaking a record is just a number. The real value in getting people involved again and it appears we’ve done that…tremendously well. Thank you to all of you who took the time to create events, caches, attend events and go on a finding spree. As cachers, getting a find is the satisfying element of the hobby and the record will be there to break for another time.
 
As we get more comfortable with travelling…as petrol continues to drop from its highs and as newer caches get placed, there is only one result! More geocaching!
 
You would have seen that we’ve started talking about a 2024 mega and will be discussing it in the upcoming AGM. That’s the kind of focus we’re taking forward; doing what’s possible to make geocaching more enjoyable for the community here in South Africa. What’s incredibly exciting is seeing the growth and new blood coming into this community.
 
#GeocachingSouthAfrica I encourage you to keep using it whenever you post your photos and have a look at all the caching happening around our country!

AGM 2022
 
Save the date – it’s time for the 2022 AGM
 
Date: Saturday 15 October
Time: 16h00
Venue: TBC
We will also have the option of attending online, please email  if you would like to be sent the link.
 
One of the points on the Agenda will be Mega 2024 so please have a think about this so we can have a great discussion about a way forward. Please also email any Agenda points you would like to raise to 
 
The AGM is open to all geocachers in the community, new and old, from anywhere in the country 😊
SA Geocaching Stats
By Adventure_T and Danie Viljoen
 
Because sometimes, for some people, it is about the numbers… Here is a summary of the South African Geocaching activity for July:
 
1,226 Cachers found a total of 6,697caches during July.
36 Cachers placed 86 new caches during July.
The number of Cachers who found at least 1 SA cache in the previous 12 months is 7,720.
The number of Cachers who placed at least 1 SA cache in the previous 12 months is 192.
The total number of active South African caches at the end of July is 16,361.        
 
Top Dogs
SA Stats - IGD Record Breaking Attempt
By Adventure_T and Danie Viljoen
 

On 20 August 2022 an attempt was made to break the world record of most geocachers who found a cache in one day. The current record of 126,833 was set all the way back on 11 August 2013.
After a concerted effort, the target was narrowly missed by 13%, but 112,477 geocachers still came together around the world to work towards the record. Everyone who contributed was rewarded with a new geocaching souvenir.
 
The question that naturally followed was “What was the record for South Africa?” and “How did we fare against it?”
 
In South Africa on 11 August 2013, 378 geocachers found a cache. The day on which the most South African geocachers found a cache was in fact on 1 January 2016, when 418 geocachers found a cache. On the day of the record attempt (20 August 2022), a total of 271 geocachers found a cache.
 
Another related interesting statistic is “What is the most number of caches logged in 1 day in South Africa?”
 
On 20 August 2022, we collectively logged a total of 736 caches. The South African record for the most number of caches logged in a single day was 6,762 finds on 23 July 2011.
It’s QUIZ TIME!
By Panthera03
 
Congratulations to the winners for the August 2022 Quiz from Capri Cache Store!  If you don't enter, you don't have a chance.  If you have entered and have not been lucky as yet, keep trying!  You can enter every month, as long as you only submit one entry for the month AND you are subscribed to the GoSA monthly Newsletter.
Each month, 3 lucky winners will be drawn from the hat. Hint: Read the questions carefully ;-).
 
9 entries were entered into the August Quiz, with 0 new quizzers.  Please chat to your geo friends and encourage them to enter this Quiz. It costs nothing to enter and it is fun too! The winners for August, are as follows:
 
First Draw:         Ninja Nano – Cayden Oosthuizen
Second Draw:    M²C²D – Ceinwen & Mark Oosthuizen
Third Draw:        Desertal – Al Weir
 
Capri Cache Store will be in touch with each of you to get your prize delivered. Look out for next month's Quiz and try your luck!
 
The correct answers for the August Quiz were:
1. In which year did International Geocaching Day start? 2011
2. True or False – There has been a souvenir up for grabs every year, since the first International Geocaching Day. True
3. What is the current maximum number of characters for an online log? 4000
4. Who is the current Chairperson for GoSA? Richard Chemaly
5. Which event, hosted by Groundspeak, marked the first International Geocaching Day? The 2011 Geocaching Block Party
QUIZ TIME – SEPTEMBER 2022
1.How many people are required to have attended an event to give it GIGA status?
2.When (DD Month YYYY) was the Mega Event ICON released?
3.Where did the first Mega Event (outside of the USA) take place?
4.What is the name of the team, that has found the most geocaches in the world to date?
5.What is a Geocaching HQ Lackey?
 
We look forward to receiving your entries for the September Quiz! Please follow all the steps below to participate and please encourage any of your geocaching friends who are not on the GoSA Grapevine mailing list to sign up so that they too can enter the competition.
 
Please use the following link to subscribe: https://www.geocachingsa.com/index.php/newsletter/subscribe You will need to leave both boxes (General Geocachers of SA and Mega Event News) ticked, in order for the subscription to be valid. Please also check your spam folder for the verification email. Good Luck! 
Safety while Geocaching

With the unfortunate incident of a Geocacher being mugged and injured while caching in Bloemfontein recently we thought it would be a good idea to re-share some safety tips from our website. Please also have a read through this extensive Safety Guide that was put together for the KZN Mega some years back – thank you to Carbon Hunter for sharing this.

Like most outdoor activities, Geocaching carries an amount of risk. You will often see on cache pages that there may be some risk involved in doing this cache and that you do so at your own risk etc. There are numerous aspects which come in to play such as activity levels, your own health status and especially where you will be caching. It is this last aspect in South Africa that is especially important as we have certain challenges that other countries do not have, they have their own again such as snow storms etc. Our challenges in South Africa include our lovely but sometimes dangerous African sun, dangerous animals, dangerous unmarked areas and lastly but not least our crime rate.
 
  1. Make sure someone knows where you are going and when you should be back, especially if caching alone. If caching in group, make sure the group knows how and where to get to your emergency information. This is often saved as an ICE contact on your phone which can also be accessed if your phone is locked. See this write-up in PCMagazine on how this is possible. Another option is an app such as “medical ID” which is also available if your phone is locked carrying important information about you. 
  1. Be aware of where you are going to regarding any risks in that area. Read the previous logs! Google about what to expect there. There is lots of information on the Internet. Make use of it. Ask your friends that may have been there. 
  1. Check your equipment and have backup if necessary. There is nothing like stopping at a great night-cache and your batteries for your torch are dead! 
  1. Always have a backup plan and that includes how to get back to your car and under what circumstances. If you lose your geo-partner for example, what is the plan? 
  1. Take lots of water and sun cream! You should also take whatever meds you may be dependent on; for example bees are a reality, if you are allergic, take your allergy medication with. You may think Faerie Glen Nature reserve is just an hour’s walk but if you are setting off at 11 am that hour becomes a very long hot walk! 
  1. Know your limits! Even if you are within metres of that smiley but unsure whether you can make it, rather withdraw and re-plan. 
  1. Be aware of ticks! These blighters are all over so have someone check you out for ticks when you are back at home. 
  1. Have a daypack in which you carry your most important goodies such as a pen-knife, basic first-aid kit, gloves, something warm etc. Our summers are warm but nights can be cool, and if you are lost or stuck somewhere, you may need something warm. Also carry a sturdy walking stick. Unlike in New Zealand where most of the forest walks are smooth going, in South Africa they are not, and a twisted ankle is no fun! 
  1. Be aware of the local inhabitants and possible no-gooders! Some people sleep in the strangest of places. See the cut-out below and keep that handy if you run into any trouble. Respect the law and if any law-enforcer warns you against entering an area, heed to it. That smiley is just not worth it!                                                                 
  2. Lastly but not least ensure you have a decent communication plan, yes, take those walkie talkies, you’ve been itching to play with them, now’s your chance!
New Souvenir: CITO Season 2


Yes, it's that time again! Let your actions speak louder than your words and host or attend a CITO event between 1 September and 30 November to earn this souvenir. Remember a CITO doesn’t have to be collecting trash – it could be planting a tree or greening a community area too.
 
We look forward to seeing some pictures of our SA Geocachers doing their bit for the environment over the next three months.
New Souvenir: Signals Labyrinth #3 Troll's Cave


A quick summary of how this souvenir series works:
  • A total of twelve souvenirs over 6 labyrinths are up for grabs from 4 April 2022 – 3 April 2023.
  • Earn leader board points over a two-month period to qualify for two new souvenirs per two-month period.
  • Escape all 6 labyrinths, earn all twelve souvenirs and you will also earn a meta souvenir.
  • Earn 50 points for the first souvenir and 500 points for the second souvenir in each labyrinth.
  • There will be a mystery item in each labyrinth that if found will earn you bonus points.
 
Labyrinth 3 takes us to the Troll’s cave where we need to help Signal get past the troll to continue on his quest. The trolls cave needs to be escaped between 1 August and 2 October. The mystery item for the Troll’s Cave is gemstones. Remember these are awarded randomly so if two cachers find the same cache one may find the mystery item and the other may not.
Current Souvenirs
 
Souvenirs 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:
  • Community Celebration – 2 May 2020 to 21 December 2022
  • GC8NEAT, Locationless Cache – 6 February to 31 December 2022
  • Perserverance Rover on Mars TB – no end date announced
  • The Hider – 1 March 2022 to 31 December 2022
  • Signals Labyrinth #3: Troll Cave – 1 August to 2 October 2022
  • CITO Season 2 – 1 September to 30 November 2022

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)

Mark: (083) 324 6176
Ceinwen: (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)
 Hansie: (082) 753 8082
Zaneta: (083) 258 5926
Western Cape and Northern Cape SKATTIE@1<br< a=""> />(Elize Louw)</br<>
(074) 138 6360
Found an awesome cache? Have some tips to share? Been on a cool geocaching adventure lately? Exciting events happening in your geocaching community? Taken a great photo? We would love to hear all about it! 

Please email our newsletter editor at  

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.

Tweet
Email

Details
Last Updated: 13 February 2023
  • Prev
  • Next

Subscribe to newsletter

View newsletter archive

  • Site Map
  • Search
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

© 2023 Geocachers of South Africa