GeoCache: I'm NOT Obsessed... Right? HeadHardHat's Geocaching Insights

HeadHardHat's Award Winning Geocaching Blog is a geocache treasure trove of geocaching information. Years of searchable geocaching insights await you here. HeadHardHat's GeoSnippits Geocaching Videos series can be seen on You Tube. You can also find him on his new GeoSnippits Reboot Podcast series and the Geocaching Podcast. Geocaching the outdoor treasure-hunting game which the participants use a GPS receiver to hide and seek containers called "geocaches" or "caches" anywhere in the world

Sunday, May 31, 2015

GEOWOODSTOCK HEADHARDHAT INTERVIEW! with THE GEOCACHING VLOGGER

GEOWOODSTOCK HEADHARDHAT INTERVIEW! with THE GEOCACHING VLOGGER

It was an extremely nice day for pre-registration of the largest USA geocaching event known as GeoWoodstock XIII. This year being held in Boonsboro, Maryland. Over 4000 people are expected to attend the May 23rd, 2015 extravaganza. Though at this moment it was a time for getting things setup and kicking back. A perfect time for an interview.

When geocaching worlds collide! Joshua the Geocaching Vlogger and The Hardhats get together anything can happen.

Check out this amazing fun interview.

Here is the link to the YouTube Video:
https://youtu.be/4hhW5ZsXM18

You can find all of Joshua the Geocaching Vlogger videos here:
https://www.youtube.com/user/mngeocaching

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Where Technology and Geek Meet
http://www.headhardhat.com

Our award winning, geocaching based blog:
GeoCache: I'm NOT Obsessed... Right?
http://headhardhat-geocache.blogspot.com/

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The GeoSnippits Reboot Podcast
http://www.geosnippits.com

GeoSnippits Geocaching Tutorial Videos Website at
http://www.geosnippits.com

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Friday, May 29, 2015

GeoWoodstock XIII Recap - GeoSnippits Reboot Podcast: Ep. 114

GeoWoodstock XIII Recap - GeoSnippits Reboot Podcast: Ep. 114

Streamed live on May 28, 2015

In this episode of the GeoSnippits Reboot Podcast: Geocaching Insights hosts Andy HeadHardHat Smith and Wife Amy the HeadHardHatress discuss what happened at GeoWoodstock XIII. What did they experience? What worked? What didn't work?

All this and so much more.

The YouTube Video - https://youtu.be/304CtG68IKY

The audio version of this episode and show notes are available here:
http://geosnippitsreboot.com/geowoodstock-xiii-recap-geosnippits-reboot-podcast-ep-114

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Wednesday, May 27, 2015

GeoSnippits Reboot Podcast at GeoWoodstock XIII

Recorded Live on May 23rd, 2015 in Boonsboro, MD.

The GeoSnippits Reboot Podcast recorded LIVE.

Hosts Andy Headhardhat Smith and Wife Amy the Headhardhatress give their account of GeoWoodstock XIII.

This is the largest geocaching event in the United States with many of it's splendor described in word, photo and on video. This will make a wonderful keepsake for those who attended this event and a fine visual for geocachers who couldn't make it.

Enjoy.

Link to the YouTube Version:
https://youtu.be/7bdwIPEEyAk

#geowoodstock #geowoodstock XIII #geowoodstock 2015 #GeoSnippits #HeadHardHat #Podcast #Geocaching
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Tuesday, May 26, 2015

GeoWoodstock XIII - A GeoSnippits Reboot Podcast Post Event Teaser

Well we promised some highlights of just some of the experiences we had with GeoWoodstock XIII. Here is a short teaser showing a small glimpse into this amazing geocaching event. For more information. Check out The Geocaching Podcast and the GeoSnippits Reboot Podcast for more details. Thanks for watching. #GeoSnippits #GeoWoodstock #GeoWoodstock XIII #GWXII #headhardhat

YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/ffsz0c06Irs

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Tuesday, May 19, 2015

What is Red Nose Day - May 21, 2015? HeadHardHat and Wife Amy Chip In - Why Don't You?

On Thursday, May 21st, 2015, Wife Amy and myself will be heading north towards Maryland for this year's largest US geocaching event - GeoWoodstock XIII.

That Thursday is also the first Red Nose Day for the United States. Started in the UK with the Comic Relief UK team. They have strived to help bring awareness for many poverty related issues. The United Stated is now also getting involved. Including a three hour special on NBC.

So long story short, on 5/21/2015 you will be seeing many photos being sent to our blog and social media pages with us wearing red noses. It is a way for us to also help bring awareness to this amazing opportunity to help others. So keep an eye out, we plan on having a blast with this.

You can get more information about Red Nose Day here:
https://www.rednoseday.com/what-is-red-nose-day

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Geocaching Quick Tips: Prepare For The Summer Sun and Pests

It is that time of year again here in North Carolina. The cool spring time temps have given way to summertime heat. With it comes exposure to the sun and insects, geocachers need to protect themselves and minimize some of this season's hazards.

The Sun and Sunblock:

This weekend Wife Amy and I will be going to GeoWoodstock XIII and even though the temps will be a bit cooler - around 80 during the day. We still will be out in the sun a lot for several days. Having a good sun block is a necessity. From everything that I have read, if you are going to be outside for more than two hours you should have a sunblock with an SPF (Sun Protection Factor) of 30. You can go into all the articles out there in the Interwebs that say higher than 30 doesn't really do anything more but that decision is totally up to you. The idea is you don't want to become a red lobster when at a geocaching event or just being outside. It's better to be protected than not. This goes double if you have kids with you.

Insect Repellant:

All of the events will be outside this year at GeoWoodstock and several are outside and at night. A fantastic time for mosquitos to be out on the hunt. Want to take a guess as to who is going to be their main meal for the day? Well you of course if you don't have some protection applied. Not to mention all the other creepy crawlies as well. Ticks and chiggers are the bane of many a geocacher so if you can do something to prevent those pesky buggers from munching on you I suggest doing it. Having a good bug repellant is best. Keep in mind that for critters like ticks a higher DEET level is necessary. Here's the thing, the higher the DEET level the greater the chance of accidental damage to you or someone who touches you. Especially when it comes to kids. I have read 30% is pretty much the max and that is for a once a day application. Be sure and check the label information before putting DEET products on children. As for the adults, DEET insect repellent can go up to 100%. You are pretty much wearing high concentrate chemicals at that point. Remember not to put anything near your eyes, mouth, etc. Permanent damage can occur.

So remember to find a good balance between safe protection from the elements and not harming yourself in the process.

Hope this helps remind you of getting these items before heading out and that you stay safe using them.

See you out on the trails,

Andy HeadHardHat Smith
www.geosnippits.com

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WWFM XII - The Great Thwacker Attack Flash Mob

An Official WWFM 12 Geocaching Event.

June 13th, 2015

Join Andy HeadHardHat Smith and Wife Amy the HeadHardHatress by meeting up at Lake Benson Park and be part of an epic foam finger spectacle designed for the whole family.

Welcome To The Thwacker Attack:

Thwackers are two foot long 2x4 foam fingers that will be the item of choice for our first time foam finger flash mob.

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Be part of our first foam finger flash mob - The Thwacker Attack

Come Get Thwack-a-fied for fun!

Thwackers Provided FREE from HeadHardHat and Wife Amy

Come dressed as a super hero or fantasy warrior to qualify for a fitting prize (while supplies last)

More Details Here: http://coord.info/GC5VB5W

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Friday, May 15, 2015

Geocaching Quick Tips: The Difference Between Geocaching Travelers, Trackables and Swag

With the ever growing number of items in the geocaching world that can have tracking numbers on them. It would be a good time to go over the differences between Geocaching Travelers, Trackables and Swag. Then let you know as a geocacher what you should do with them if found.

Geocaching Travelers:

These are usually Travel Bugs and Geocoins. Travelers go from geocache to geocache on what ever goal that is specifically given to them. THEY ARE NOT SWAG and are the personal property of their owners.

These toys have a special ID tag and go from geocache to geocache.
They are called Travel Bugs or Travelers

You can tell if they are travelers by the unique id code either stamped on them (geocoins) or a special tag is attached to the item (travel bugs). These id numbers are unique to each traveler and can be tracked on geocaching.com. Many have specific goals and/or destinations they wish to achieve. All of the geocaches they enter or exit from is marked specifically for that traveler and can have the entire history shown on a map of the world. If a traveler is found you may take it from the geocache (or event), log that you have it and then place it in another geocache with the intent of helping it with it's goal. A geocacher should only hold onto a traveller for a couple of weeks before releasing it back into the wild.

Geocaching Trackables:

These items are very similar to Geocaching Travellers as they also have a unique id code associated with them. They are also trackable on geocaching.com. The main difference between a trackable and a traveler is that the items associated to the id code do not go from geocache to geocache.

The License Plate on our wall is a Trackable Item

The aforementioned trackable items can be just about anything but usually do include t-shirts, automobile stick on's, license plates, geocaching memorabilia, etc. Basically anything you can put a trackable id number on can become a trackable. Trackable items are property of their owners and should only be "Discovered" when logged at geocaching.com.

Geocaching Swag:
Tradable swag are items placed in geocaches by other geocachers. Most range from kids toys, trinkets, dollar items, etc. There is one exception that has an id code and is still considered tradable swag, those are known as Path Tags. These quarter sized items have a small hole in them and on the back a unique id code. These are tracked at www.pathtags.com. Even though they sort of look like mini geocoins they are not and if you find one, you can keep it. Trade for equal or better like any other swag but they are collectable.

These are Path Tags and even though they have an ID number they are considered SWAG

So there you have it.

Travelers "travel" from one geocache to the next and are personal property of their owners. They have a unique id code attached.
Trackables are items that have a unique id code and do not travel from one geocache to the next.
Swag usually does not have unique id codes except for path tags and are swappable items you can trade when found in a geocache for equal or better value.

Please respect the items you find in geocaches and ensure that they safely go from geocache to the next if they are travelers. Trade swag for equal or better value with what you find. Enjoy all these geocaching game pieces and the adventures they take.

For more geocaching information please check out our Podcasts shown down below or explore our websites and blog.

-Headhardhat

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May 2015 Mish Mash Episode - GeoSnippits Reboot Podcast: Ep. 113

Streamed live on May 14, 2015

In tonight's episode of the GeoSnippits Reboot Podcast: Geocaching Insights hosts Andy HeadHardHat Smith and Wife Amy the HeadHardHatress discuss a smorgasbord of geocaching topics, go over our Geocaching Poll of the Week and last minute information for GeoWoodStock XIII.

If the video window is not available please use this YouTube Link:
https://youtu.be/H4jAiuh0klM

For the Audio Version of this episode and the Show Notes information please go here:
http://geosnippitsreboot.com/may-2015-mish-mash-episode-geosnippits-reboot-podcast-ep-113

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Thursday, May 14, 2015

GCPC EPISODE 402 - May Cacher Coffee

Streamed live on May 13, 2015

In this week's episode of the Geocaching Podcast:

Dave Self aka DudleyGrunt

Guest Host : Dave Self aka DudleyGrunt stops on by for this month's Cacher Coffee. Checkout the interesting subjects we have for you tonight.

Be sure to check it out!

If the video is not available here, please use this YouTube Link:
https://youtu.be/ewGMcjDH5l8

The Audio, Video and Show Notes for this episode can be found here:
http://geocachingpodcast.com/gcpc-episode-402-may-2015-cacher-coffee/

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Wednesday, May 13, 2015

Geocaching Quick Tips: Placing A Geocache BEFORE it is Published

I have found this to be a truly newbie geocache issue.

Filling out and submitting a new geocache hide and not actually place the geocache BEFORE it is actually Published.

I have found the reason it tends to be a newbie issue is if you are the hider and actually have this happen you will get some unkind logs. If you are the possible finder you most likely will be placing a non favorable note to the hider stating your displeasure. For the hider you most likely do this only once.

So what happens:
An FTF Hound or geocacher receives a notification stating a new geocache was just published.
The race is on! How far away are you from the new geocache? How quickly can you get to ground zero and how many other geocachers could get there before you? Tally Ho.

First To Find hounds all want to be signer number one and enjoy the bragging rights of "Clean Sheets".
Except for one problem. The geocache was not put in it's hiding spot by the hider.

Absolutely maddening to geocachers. Nobody wants to go for a fresh find and have to mark a Did Not Find. Especially if it hasn't been actually placed yet.

So a very good Geocaching Quick Tip is to actually place the geocache in it's hidey whole BEFORE you actually publish the cache page. A very common response from new geocacher is, "I didn't realize it would be published so quickly".

Don't take the chance and hide your geocache first! We would be very appreciative.

HHH

#geocache, #geocacher, #geocaching, #first to find, #did not find, #published geocache, #geocaching quick tips, #quick tips

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Friday, May 8, 2015

Geocaching Quick Tips: Multi-Tools

If you are new to geocaching, one of the first items I would suggest to you to add to your "Must Have" list is a good multi-tool.

Why you may ask?

The answer is basic, you are going to need one at some point or another when geocaching. There are way too many examples to mention so I will bring up just a few.

Pliers - for getting logs out of micro geocaches, opening stubborn bison tubes, grabbing geocaches you can't reach with your fingers, etc..

Scissors - for trimming new replacement logs.

Toothpic - log removal.

Tweezers - log removal, ticks, splinters.

Assorted tools - when needed

and it even has a knife or two.

If you are out and away from your geo-mobile and have a situation that requires just that certain something to fix or find a geocache. A well built multi-tool in your pocket or pack will save you a lot of unnecessary grief.

Oh and for the Swiss Army Knife people out there a Quick Tips is coming soon.

See you out on the trails.

Andy HHH Smith

#geosnippits #geocaching #geocache #geocacher #quick tips #multi-tool

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Talking Geocaching with the GCDoc - GeoSnippits Reboot Podcast: Ep. 112

In this weeks episode of the GeoSnippits Reboot Podcast: Geocaching Insights hosts Andy HeadHardHat Smith and Wife Amy the HeadHardHatress discuss making videos with the world renown GCDoc. This will be an episode you will not want to miss.

Meet up at http://geosnippits.com/gsreboot-podcast/ or go to geosnippits.com and click the GSREBOOT PODCAST option in the menu to see the LIVE viewing area to watch as we record the show and also join in our world wide chat room with geocachers from around the planet.

Pre-Show starts about 8:00PM ET with the actual podcast starting at 8:30PM ET. Come join in the fun!

Video YouTube Link:
https://youtu.be/3YgFHrEgpEA

The Audio version of the show and show notes can be found here:
http://geosnippitsreboot.com/talking-geocaching-with-the-gcdoc-geosnippits-reboot-podcast-ep-112

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Thursday, May 7, 2015

Geocaching Quick Tips: Lanyards

Today's geocaching quick tip deals with an item that once used, you'll never want to go geocaching without one again. I am speaking in this case about the humble lanyard.

geoknots.com

Now normally a lanyard is used when you go to say a geocaching event. It is usually a cord of some type with a small closable hook and some plastic with a hole to hold your name tag. Simple and effective for holding an item that you do not want to carry around all day.

For geocaching you want something more heavy duty and I have found over time that this unique wearable is very effective holding items that you use each and every time you go out geocaching. It is a great alternative to pulling out your small geocaching pack every time you want to do a park and grab.

Think about it, depending on what you want to attach to your lanyard you will always have a pen with you plus have easy access to your most trusted tools of the trade. Best of all, you can even have a place to hang your GPS unit. No pack needed.

Lanyards can come with all sorts of custom attachments. Multiple clips means multiple items you can hook on and will be at your fingertips.

Sound interested? Simply shop around for the one that fits your needs. There are tons of choices on the internet. Again, once you do start using a lanyard that works and feels best to you personally. You will wonder how you geocached without one.

See you out on the trails,

Andy HHH Smith

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GCPC EPISODE 401 - Updates On OpenCaching NA with DudleyGrunt

Streamed live on May 6, 2015

In tonight's episode of the Geocaching Podcast:

Special Guest Host Dave Self aka DudleyGrunt tells us what is going on with OpenCaching North America and other geocaching endevours.

Be sure to check it out!

We meet on Wednesday nights at 9:30PM ET at http://www.geocachingpodcast.com/live so you can see us record the show live and join in the chat room. See you there!

YouTube Link If You Cannot See The Video Above:
https://youtu.be/EvBn2kXES_c

The audio version of this episode and show notes can be seen here:
http://geocachingpodcast.com/gcpc-episode-401-updates-on-opencaching-na-with-dudleygrunt/

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Monday, May 4, 2015

Lunchtime Geocache: Left Some Swag

Had a fun, yet longer than expected lunchtime search for todays geocache find. It was supposed to be a regular size so I thought it would be a quick smiley. Unfortunately it was very well hidden within a bunch of young pine trees and shrub. Ground Zero was about 50 feet off so some serious looking around was necessary. Needless to say with a bunch of pine needles down the back of my shirt, which is why I usually wear a hat, I found it.

Since it was a fairly good sized geocache I placed one of my signature first aid kits within. I love the first aid kits because they are a buck a piece and very handy when needed.

I also was pleased to see a CITO 35MM container. These were popular a while back but have petered out as of late. The idea is you take the plastic bag inside the 35mm container. Fill it with trash on the way back to your car and then refill a new bag into the 35mm and place it in your next geocache. They worked great. Hope they catch back on.

Well it's time to hit the drive thru and back to work. A great bit of nice weather and geocaching hunting always makes me smile.

See you out on the trails,

HHH