So, you’ve been geocaching for a while and you’ve decided it’s time to contribute back into the community. That’s awesome! However, before you jump right in, you need to know how to hide a geocache.

Firstly, make sure you’re ready to. Geocaching HQ recommends finding at least 20 before you commit to hiding one. However, there are some in the community who think you should aim for closer to 100. The more you find, the better sense you’ll have for where makes a good hiding spot. You’ll also get exposed to different kinds of containers, and can get an idea for what kind of cache would be fun for you to hide.

If you think you’re ready and you’d like some pointers, then here are some great tips for your to hide your first geocache.

Have a Good Reason

It’s great that you want to hide one, but you should never put a geocache out just because. You should be hiding it with some kind of idea in mind. Either a theme behind the cache, or something interesting about the location. It doesn’t need to be anything overly special, but nobody is going to be particularly interested in finding a generic cache hidden behind a dustbin, for example.

That doesn’t necessarily mean that interesting caches can’t be hidden in more mundane places. There’s a beauty to appreciating your surroundings, even in urban areas. If you can justify why you’ve chosen to put it there, then there’s no reason you can’t hide an otherwise generic cache. I’ve found micro caches on street signs, but I’ve enjoyed them because of the personal relevance to the hider. I’m one of those people who always reads the description of a cache.

Don’t Overdo It

For your first geocache, less is more. Hiding geocaches is harder than you may think, so you don’t want to go all out on your very first one. Once you’re used to the basics, you can create more elaborate geocaches. You’re likely to make a couple of mistakes with your first one, and that will hit harder if you’ve put in extra effort to create a fancy container or a really intricate theme. Save your grand ideas for future caches and keep the first one simple and sweet.

Also, make sure that it is just one. Don’t have your very first geocache be a series. You’ll learn a lot from the comments on your first cache. Once you’ve got more experience, you’ll be able to create an even better series.

What Type of Geocache Should you Hide?

There are multiple types of geocaches but I would say there’s only really two that you should be considering for your very first one.

The first type, and the one I’d strongly recommend, is a traditional cache. These are ones where the cache is at the posted coordinates. No frills. Players can go on the app/ website, click on your cache on the map, and go to the exact location it tells them to. This is nice and easy for you to plan, and you can just put out a container with a logbook in it, nothing else to worry about.

However, if you want to be a bit fancier, you can try a mystery/ puzzle cache. These ones have a location specified on the map, however that is not where the cache will actually be. Instead, players will have to solve a puzzle that will grant them the correct coordinates. If you do decide to go this route, make sure that your puzzle is solvable, and I’d recommend providing a checksum so that players don’t accidentally go to the wrong location. A checksum is basically the sum of all the hidden digits, and you provide the total number on the cache description page.

Decide on a Location for Your Geocache

Once you know what type of cache you’re going to be hiding, you need to decide where to put it. There’s no one size fits all for places that make a good location, as it’ll depend on where you live, but there are several things to consider. Here are some factors to think about when choosing a location to hide your geocache:

• Foot traffic – Be conscious of how many people are walking around in that area. You don’t want finders to be spotted by muggles (non-geocachers), as it may end up with your cache getting stolen.
• Proximity – You should choose a location that’s convenient for you to get to if you ever need to make any checks on the cache.
• Pleasantness – Ideally, you want the finder to have a positive experience. Think about the area you’ll be sending them into. Try and pick somewhere that’s enjoyable to visit, or at the very least doesn’t have a negative vibe.
• Viable hiding spots – Depending on your chosen difficulty level, you should consider how many other likely hides there’ll be in your location. You don’t want it to be too obvious, but you also may not want there to be so many sneaky spots that players will get overwhelmed.

Choose a Geocache Container

Once you know where you’re going to be hiding it, you’ll have a better idea of what kind of container will be best. You want to choose something practical that will be fun for someone to find. It’s up to you whether you use something custom or generic, but since it’s your first one, there’s no need to go for anything too complex. Size is an important consideration, so try to pick something that’s unlikely to be spotted by anyone not playing the game. The more hidden your chosen location, the larger you’ll be able to go.

With containers you can either buy something or DIY it. One of my caches is a magnetic box that I bought online, and I stuck to the back of a street fixture. Another is an empty vitamin pot that I covered in black duct tape and attached a string to, to loop it over a tree branch. As long as your container isn’t literally junk (you can’t just use an unaltered old water bottle for example), so that it can’t be considered littering, then you’re good to go. Choose a container that works for you and your budget.

Conclusion

Hopefully these tips have helped you feel ready to hide a geocache. It’s great being able to contribute your own hides to the geocaching community, and the important thing is to have fun. It’s okay to not be perfect, but by following this advice, you’ll be in a much better position. The more you engage with the hobby, the more you’ll learn. Always strive to improve with future hides!

If you want to keep up to date with my content, you can also follow the Wanna Try It Instagram, where I’ll be posting all kinds of content including geocaching adventures.