February President’s Corner

Posted on by Sarah Pace (RSPace)

 

 

By Emily Accipiter Stewart (eaccipi)

 Well, GeocacheAlaska! Members, I think I can say it was a successful winter for finding geocaches that would normally be hidden under 4 feet of snow. I often struggle with caching in the winter because of how hard it is to get to some of the more trail-based ones, but this was a good year for exploring our parks while the snow level wasn’t too high. 
 With the upcoming cuts to the federal budget affecting a lot of our park organizations we need to make sure we are doing our part as geocachers to help preserve our game board (the Earth), and working to make sure that our caches are making our public lands better – not worse. 
For those that are interested in hiding under our Alaska State Park permit, there are rules that need to be followed in order for us to keep our permit. Not following these guidelines, can potentially ruin our chances at renewing the permit, which would mean we would have to have all geocaches in the Alaska State Parks removed. We’ve got a lot of park land here and I love how accessible it is to geocaching while hiking here – I love looking at my map of smiley faces and remembering the fun trails I’ve hiked to get them. To find the qualifications to hide under GeocacheAlaska!’s Alaska State Park Permit, please reach out at contact@GeocacheAlaska.org or visit

https://geocachealaska.proboards.com/thread/2913/alaska-state-parks-permit-2021

.

 As we start to enter the warmer season, start thinking about the maintenance you want to do to your caches and how you can help the geocaches that you come across. 
  •  Make sure that your logbooks are dry and ready for signatures. 
  •  Make sure that the container is fully sealed and it’s not easy for water to get in. 
  •  Make sure that there is no food or other illegal items .
  •  Have some identifiable feature on the geocache or logbook whether it’s the GC code a contact email address for anyone to reach out to for questions or a Geocaching handle that someone can be reached at if a park Ranger finds your geocache they need to be able to get in touch with you about it. 
  •  Be sure to log Needs Maintenance on caches that aren’t in good shape so owners can make repairs.
  •  If it’s too hard for you to maintain your geocache, or you no longer want to, feel free to archive it so that way a new geocache can be hidden in that space, continuing the adventure and fun for years to come!  
Let’s make sure that we have quality geocaches so we can have quality experiences. 
 See you on the trails, 
Emily Accipiter Stewart 
eaccipi

Upcoming Events and Souvenirs

Posted on by Sarah Pace (RSPace)

Upcoming Events

March 14 – GCB2FZB  2025 PI Day Celebration Event Cache  (Anchorage)

March 22 – GCB39FR  A Toast to Davidaknz! Event Cache  (Juneau)

March 23 – GCB2H5W  12TH ANNUAL MARCH BIRTHDAY FLASH MOB Event Cache  (Anchorage)

March 27 – GCB3GG8  Let’s create some events together (Anchorage)

 

Upcoming Souvenirs:

Cache In Trash Out, Season 1: March 1–May 31
       (Log a CITO event to qualify)

Pi-Day: March 14 
       (log a Mystery Cache to qualify)

March Equinox: March 20-23
       (log any three geocaches or events to qualify)

Geocache in your Pajamas Day: April 16
      (log any geocache or event to qualify. Don’t forget to wear your bunny slippers!)

Willow Winter Carnival

Posted on by Sarah Pace (RSPace)

 

Temperatures hovered around zero degrees on a recent Saturday as a group of Geocachers traveled north to the Willow Community Center to help with the annual Willow Winter Carnival, and to be ambassadors for Geocaching in a community that loves their outdoor activities. Dressed to help guide attendees through a course of four ammo cans hidden around the park for the day, we arrived to the discovery that our booth was unexpectedly indoors! After ditching excess layers of outerwear, we spent the day introducing people to Geocaching, as well as how to use a GPS device to navigate. We spoke to families, kids, Scout leaders, teachers, residents, tourists, and even a few former Geocachers who were excited to jump back into the game. Several people borrowed a GPS and braved the cold to complete the day-course, earning a prize then they returned to warm up. We also enjoyed the diverse entertainment that the main multipurpose room offered, from a percussion and mamba ensemble, to a steel drum group, and even a demonstration of various Native Youth Olympic events. As always, it was a great event to be a part of!

 

Upcoming Events

Posted on by Sarah Pace (RSPace)

Upcoming Event Caches:

2/1/2025  – GCB0KH1 2025 Willow Winter Carnival!! (Willow)

2/2/2025 – GCB2FZV Celebrate Hedgehog Day 2025!  (Anchorage)

2/22/2025 – GCB2H2D  Papa Van’s 60th Birthday Event  (Anchorage)

3/14/2025 – GCB2FZB  2025 PI Day Celebration Event Cache  (Anchorage)

3/23/2025 – GCB2H5W  12TH ANNUAL MARCH BIRTHDAY FLASH MOB Event Cache  (Anchorage)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Find “25” and celebrate the 25th anniversary with a new Locationless Cache!

Posted on by Sarah Pace (RSPace)

 

From Geocaching: Official Blog 

We’re excited to announce another fun way to celebrate 25 years of geocaching in 2025 with the publication of GCA2025 Where’s 25? – Locationless Cache. Show us where you find an already-existing “25” in the real-world and log this HQ-owned cache to earn the rare Locationless Cache icon.

This Locationless Cache is available to log January 25, 2025 through December 31, 2025. Here are the logging requirements:

  • Include one (1) photo of yourself or a personal item next to an already-existing 25. Ideally, the 25 should be something that others may visit if they know the location coordinates.
  • The 25 can stand on its own or not. It can be a numeral or spelled out. It can be in any language or ancient numbering systems. Get creative!
  • In the spirit of the original Locationless Caches, you are encouraged to include the coordinates where you found the 25 in your online log.

Logs that do not include a photo will be deleted. The cache page will be archived and locked on January 1, 2026, so be sure to find your 25 and log this Locationless Cache before the end of 2025.

We look forward to highlighting your creative photos throughout the year!

 

Geocaching: Official Blog 
https://www.geocaching.com/blog/2025/01/find-25-and-celebrate-the-25th-anniversary-with-a-new-locationless-cache/

January President’s Corner: A New Year of Adventure Awaits!

Posted on by Sarah Pace (RSPace)

By Emily Accipiter Stewart (eaccipi)
Dear Geocaching Enthusiasts and beloved members of GeocacheAlaska!,

As we step into a brand new year, I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season! This is a special time for reflection and renewal, and what better way to embrace this fresh start than by setting new goals for our geocaching adventures? Whether it’s aiming to find a specific number of caches, exploring a new area, or even hosting an event, the possibilities are endless.

Here are some fun Alaska cache statistics for you to think about as you’re setting your goals. (All stats are as of 1/5/25)
  • There are 7,498 enabled caches in the state of Alaska. Man, that’s a lot of opportunities for putting smileys on a map!
  • There is a geocache in every borough and designated census area. A good time to make more progress on your borough challenge!

    https://coord.info/GCYPMN

  • Speaking of challenges, Alaska only has 36 Challenge Caches. Maybe some cachers will have a resolution to hide more!

  • Looking to work on a GeoTour? There are TWO caches in our state that are parts of Official GeoTours – GC52J9B and GCB09MA. I’ll let you look them up to see which tours.

  • Looking for an elusive 5/5 cache? Alaska has 17 you can go for!

My goals? Finish my 365 grid, find a cache in at least 1 new state (I’ve got my eyes on Oklahoma!), and to find 300 caches.
This year, let’s look forward to the future with excitement. Geocaching is not just about the thrill of the hunt; it’s about the journey we embark on together. Every cache offers a chance to discover new places, meet fellow adventurers, and create lasting memories. Let’s make it a goal to explore areas we’ve never been and uncover more of the hidden gems that Alaska has to offer.
Here’s to a year filled with exploration, community, and new experiences! Happy caching

Geocaching Incident Near the Anchorage Airport

Posted on by Sarah Pace (RSPace)

 

By Tim O (Dogliest)

 

On December 4, 2024, at 8:15 am, an Alaska Airport Police Officer received notification that mischief had been done within the boundaries of the Anchorage Airport at the Lake Hood Aerodrome (“The World’s Largest Seaplane Base”).

The officer arrived at the reported location in less than an hour, where he spotted a man acting suspiciously while carrying an electronic device. The police officer interrogated the suspicious man and investigated the entire site. Eventually an unusual object was found hidden there.

The police officer took evidentiary photos, filled out the necessary paperwork, and then the two men filed “FTF” reports as “Farmergang” (2,324 finds) and “biggriz” (3,046 finds) at

 

 

Confirmed Souvenirs for 2025

Posted on by Sarah Pace (RSPace)

 

With 2024 quickly coming to an end, it’s time to start making plans for 2025. This means setting geocaching goals, picking out caches for future weekend outings, and, of course, marking dates for geocaching souvenirs in our 2025 calendars!

Here are the confirmed souvenir moments for 2025:

  • Discovering 2025: January 1-8
  • Cache In Trash Out, Season 1: March 1–May 31
  • Pi-Day: March 14
  • March Equinox: March 20-23
  • Geocache in your Pajamas Day: April 16
  • Blue Switch Day: May 2-4
  • June Solstice: June 20-22
  • International Geocaching Day: August 16
  • September Equinox: September 19-22
  • Cache In Trash Out, Season 2: September 1-November 30
  • World Postcard Day: October 1
  • International EarthCache Day: October 10-12
  • Adventure Day: October 17-19
  • Geocaching International Film Festival (GIFF): November 6-16
  • December Solstice: December 19-21
  • Farewell 2025: December 24-31

These souvenirs are available year-round:

  • 2025 hider souvenir
  • 2025 Community Celebration Event

Stay tuned for more details on upcoming opportunities to earn new souvenirs!

What souvenirs and geocaching moments are you most excited for in 2025?

 

from Geocaching: Official Blog
https://www.geocaching.com/blog/2024/12/confirmed-souvenir-moments-in-2025/

Cache Odyssey

Posted on by Webmaster

Cache Odyssey Coming Soon!

  • A new series of GeoTours
  • Six regional GeoTours
  • One Cache per State
  • Alaska’s cache is in Kenai

National GeoTour Series coming in 2025!

Alaska will be part of the NorthWest Regional GeoTour

A huge geocaching project spanning the United States from a collaboration of over 50 geocachers who are placing a single Cache Odyssey geocache in each state.  All Cache Odyssey geocaches are of the highest quality at locations of interest in their region.  A unique requirement of all Cache Odyssey caches is that they have to be a true Terrain 1 and wheelchair accessible.  The Difficulty rating may vary greatly, and some caches will have a puzzle or gadget element to access the cache.  

Introduction

Cache Odyssey is a nationwide initiative dedicated to making geocaching accessible to everyone, regardless of physical ability. Spearheaded by geocaching enthusiasts, accessibility advocates, and local organizations, Cache Odyssey aims to revolutionize the geocaching experience by placing handicap-accessible geocaches across the nation. This project is a call to action for inclusivity, exploration, and the joy of discovery.

Mission Statement

To create a geocaching experience that is accessible, inclusive, and enjoyable for people of all abilities. By collaborating with communities, Cache Odyssey seeks to inspire exploration and foster connections through universally designed geocaches.

About the Project

What is Cache Odyssey?

Cache Odyssey is a grassroots initiative to ensure that geocaching—a game of exploration and adventure—is open to everyone. The project focuses on designing, placing, and maintaining geocaches that are:

  • Physically Accessible: Suitable for individuals using wheelchairs, walkers, or other mobility aids.
  • Inclusive: Created with input from diverse geocaching and accessibility communities.
  • Innovative: Featuring creative, high-quality containers in scenic, safe locations.

Key Features:

  • Collaborations with geocaching enthusiasts, local governments, and nonprofits.
  • Emphasis on education about accessibility in geocaching.
  • Advocacy for universal design principles in outdoor recreation.

Why Accessibility Matters in Geocaching

  • Inclusivity: Geocaching should be a hobby for everyone, regardless of physical limitations.
  • Community Building: Accessible caches create opportunities for more people to connect, participate, and contribute to the geocaching community.
  • Awareness: Highlighting the need for accessibility promotes understanding and encourages other geocachers to consider inclusivity in their own hides.

Get Involved

For Geocachers:

  • Volunteer: Assist with creating, placing, or maintaining accessible geocaches.
  • Submit Locations: Recommend sites for potential accessible geocache placement.
  • Spread the Word: Share Cache Odyssey on social media and with fellow geocachers.

For Organizations:

  • Partnership Opportunities: Collaborate with Cache Odyssey to sponsor accessible geocaches or host events.
  • Educational Workshops: Learn about designing accessible outdoor activities and spaces.
  • Community Grants: Support Cache Odyssey’s mission by funding a local project.

For Media:

  • Feature Stories: Share Cache Odyssey’s mission and impact with your audience.
  • Interviews: Speak with the project’s founder and contributors.
  • Content Opportunities: Attend Cache Odyssey events for first-hand coverage.

Success Stories

Cache Odyssey has already launched several pilot caches across the nation, showcasing:

  • Accessible Trails: Geocaches placed along paved trails with parking nearby.
  • Universal Designs: Caches featuring grab-and-go mechanisms suitable for all users.
  • Community Impact: Positive feedback from geocachers who have discovered the joy of accessible geocaching.