Geocaching is a really fun and relaxing hobby and it’s accessible to almost anyone. However, even though new players are always welcome, it’s important to preserve the quality of the experience. It’s crucial for beginners to learn geocaching etiquette to make sure that they’re playing the game considerately.
A lot of the etiquette roles are very intuitive, and so even though you might not know what they are, they won’t be hard to remember. This article covers some of the most important ones. However, there may be well be some that I’ve missed, so if another player advises you on something, it’s probably worth listening to them.
Take Care of the Environment
Geocaching is not supposed to be a disruptive hobby. We should leave things as we found them, especially if searching in nature. We don’t want the hobby to get a bad reputation for being inconsiderate of the environment.
Some of these things are encased in rules. For example, there’s a rule that a cache can’t be buried underground. But other things rely on players being conscious about their actions.
If you’re searching in a rural area, try not to step on plants. You also don’t want to disturb natural growths such as moss or lichen. Try not to break branches or twigs if you’re reaching into a bush. Essentially just leave the environment around you as you found it… With one exception.
If you find trash while caching, it’s seen as good manners to take it with you. It’s good to leave things as you found them, but it’s great to leave them in an even better state. Geocaching has a strong focus on the environment. Not only does the whole hobby encourage you to get out in nature, but there are even events called CITO where players go and do a trash clean-up in exchange for getting a find on their profile.
Replace the Cache as You Found It
Cache owners put in a great deal of effort finding the perfect spot for their geocache. They need to find an area that’s interesting for people to go to. Then they need to make sure that it’s not too close to other geocaches. Then they need to take a look at all the available hosts (places in the vicinity that you could put a geocache) and choose one that perfectly fits their planned difficulty level.
This takes time and energy, and the last thing they want is for that effort to go to waste. It’s our job as finders to make sure that we’re not disrupting their cache.
When you find a geocache, pay really close attention to exactly where you picked it up. You also want to pay attention to how it was hidden. For example, if it had leaves and branches over it (known as stickouflage), make sure to cover it back up when you replace it. There shouldn’t be any difference between how you leave it and how you found it. The only difference should be that your name is now on the log.
Be Careful Not to Be Seen By Muggles
‘Muggles’ is a geocaching term that refers to non-geocachers. It’s basically anyone that isn’t part of the hobby. Whilst geocachers don’t believe in gatekeeping, and we’re happy to talk about our hobby, we also enjoy the sense of mystery. Part of the thrill of the game is in finding hidden caches that most people would just walk past. And to preserve this aspect of geocaching, we need to make sure that we’re stealthy.
When searching for and retrieving the geocache, try not to be obvious about it. If you’re looking suspicious, it’ll draw attention. Then if a muggle decided to look as well, they might find the cache, but not know what to do with it. That then risks them moving it, taking it, destroying it, etc. People who don’t play the game can’t be trusted to follow the rules.
To make sure that doesn’t happen, just be stealthy about how you search. Try to go caching either at a time where the location will have less footfall, or to search for caches in more secluded locations. And when you’re searching, keep a regular eye out for other people and stop when needed.
Don’t Take More Than You Give
Whilst not applicable to all caches, many of them, especially the larger ones, will contain swag. Swag is a catch-all term for the various goodies that you can find inside a cache. It can include things like little toys, or geocoins, or pen badges, or indeed pretty much anything.
If you’re planning on grabbing some swag while you’re caching, make sure to bring some of your own to replace what you take. It wouldn’t be much fun for every anyone if everyone took without replacing. In no time at all, there’d be nothing left. So don’t be that person.
Also try to replace with an item of a similar value. Don’t take something really cool and replace it with junk. Carrying a range of swag of varying quality can help to make sure that you’ve always got something on hand to swap out.
Leave a Good Log
This is one that is unfortunately overlooked quite a bit. Technically the only rule is geocaching is to leave your mark on the physical log. However, you should also leave a note on the online log for the cache. This adds the find to your profile and helps you keep track of your discoveries.
When you add a log, technically all you need to do is add it as a find. However, it’s customary to write a little note for other cachers to see. Most importantly, it lets the cache owner see what you’ve written.
Cache owners put in a lot of effort to hide their caches and they do this for free. As a finder, the least you can do is reward them for their time by leaving a good note. Just writing TFTC (Thanks for the cache) really doesn’t give them much. A small little comment about what you enjoyed about the cache can really go a long way. Even better if you explain a bit more about your adventures in finding it. As a cache owner myself, I love reading people’s logs on my caches. It makes it all feel worthwhile.
Conclusion
I hope this article on geocaching etiquette has helped you figure out how you can engage in the hobby more considerately. We’re all here to have fun and so we’d want to make sure that we’re playing in a way that is kind to others and the environment around us. And whilst some things may be common sense, others are hard to know if you’re just starting out.
Do you have any personal etiquette rules you follow when geocaching? Let me know down in the comments! And check out our Instagram for cool posts about my hobby adventures… including geocaching!
