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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Where Technology and Geek Meet
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Our award winning, geocaching based blog:
GeoCache: I'm NOT Obsessed... Right?
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GeoSnippits Reboot Podcast: Episode 013 - Geocache Maintenance and Swag Now Available - See Here!

Our latest episode of the GeoSnippits Reboot Podcast: Episode 013 - Geocache Maintenance and Swag in now available for all your video or audio podcasting needs.

Enjoy!

-HHH



If the viewer is not available above use this link here to see the entire video:
http://youtu.be/OyzyfWaAgs0

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Our award winning, geocaching based blog:
GeoCache: I'm NOT Obsessed... Right?
http://headhardhat-geocache.blogspot.com/
Get our RSS feed for this blog here:
http://feeds.feedblitz.com/geocacheimnotobsessedright/

Watch our NEW videocast and podcast The GeoSnippits Reboot Podcast
http://www.geosnippits.com

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Everything You Wanted Know About Geocaching Swag

Random geocaching tidbit for the day: Everything You Wanted Know About Geocaching Swag

Ahh Swag, the "treasure" in geocaching treasure hunting. Sometimes you can find some really cool stuff in a geocache. Sometimes not so much. Just remember that value is in the eye of the beholder. Also in the beholder that knows what they are looking at. There are plenty of examples of real treasures being found. Just to remember to trade for equal or better value to keep the tradition of swag going. If you want to find out what all the attraction to swag is then please read on.

Below is a link to the complete post I did recently on the subject. Enjoy.

Check out the post in it's entirety here -> http://headhardhat-geocache.blogspot.com/2009/09/everything-you-want-to-know-about.html

Each day we will pull an interesting geocaching tidbit from HeadHardHat's Blog - Geocache: I'm NOT Obsessed... Right? With over five years of information you can search your geocaching questions as well.

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GeoCache: I'm NOT Obsessed... Right?
http://headhardhat-geocache.blogspot.com/
and watch me on Geocaching World (RVNN.tv)
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Behind The Scenes: Geocaching World (RVNN.tv) - Geocaching Swag and Night Caching

Yeah I know, this is a late edition for my behind the scenes observations of this weeks Geocaching World (RVNN.tv). I do have to apologize for being a day late but lets face it. It's a short work week with the holiday, we moved the recording this week to Wednesday and I have been running around like a geocacher with a bad satellite signal. It's been crazy.

Not that I am complaining but here is what Wednesday was like for me.

• Completed a standard work day. I am a Sr. Software QA Engineer.
• Rushed home to film a one minute commercial for our newest sponsor ADT.  It had to be done TODAY!
• Setup lights, sound and computer for Geocaching World recordings. We tape two shows a week.
• Was asked to come on early and be a guest on RVNN LIVE. Had a lot of fun as usual talking with the gang and discussing geocaching in general.
• Filmed two Geocaching World TV shows. 
• With three minutes to spare tear down Geocaching World setup and prepare for Geocaching Podcast recording.
• Do the Geocaching Podcast show.

Around 10:30 pm EST I was finally able to eat some lite dinner, answer emails and then go to bed to get up for the next day. Phew.

All part of the fun and to be honest I wouldn't have it any other way. So now that you know how hectic things can be lets break down this weeks Geocaching World show.

As stated above I came on early and was a guest on RVNN LIVE. There Dave Dufour and I talked about some of the subjects we would be discussing. When that was finished it was time for pre-show prepping which meant after my equipment was in order I was busy Tweeting everybody and letting them know that we were about to start recording, did they register for Geek of the Week, meet up in the chat room in XXX number of minutes. That kind of stuff.

That night we talked about two different things. First was Night Time geocaching which was a lot of fun. The chat room was really hopping with the introduction of Geek of the Week, where we have a contest that you can win prizes for bringing people to come see us record live (more information on our website - http://geocaching-world.blogspot.com/ ). So basically Courtney our Producer had a lot of fun trying to keep up with the chat room AND produce the show.

Each show consists of three segments. In between is all the commercials and interest points RVNN wants you to know about. As always we get into discussions with the people in the chat room and I really believe we talk more about geocaching in between sets than in the actual show. We really do love talking so the more the merrier. It also shows why it is so very important to see the live recordings. You get that much more information.

Anyhow the first show was a breeze and the second dealt with the subject of geocaching swag. Very good show except we ran out of disk space half way through segment three and had to redo that one from scratch. Eh, it happens. You grin and bare it. Part of show biz.

We had our first Geek of the Week winner that night who was 'NYC Geocaching'. He came up with a rather unique way of getting the most number of people to come and watch the show. We will have to tell how in a future posting. Very creative is all I can say. Stay tuned for more details on that too.

Well this has become a very long posting but we had a lot to talk about. See you on Monday 6/6/2011 at 6:30 PM EST for the next tapings. Be sure to check out our Geek of the Week postings so you can get in on the prizes.

Until next week!

-HHH

GeoCache: I'm NOT Obsessed... Right?
http://headhardhat-geocache.blogspot.com/
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Everything You Want To Know About Geocaching Swag

Ahh Swag, in the geocaching world it is the "treasure" in treasure hunting but what is it really?

When a geocache gets initially "hidden" many times the owner places trinkets, knick-knacks and treasures inside for other geocachers to find and trade from. The idea is that the "finder" opens up the geocache, signs the log book and trades items they are carrying for the swag found in the geocache. The rule of geocaching states that if you trade an item from the geocache you should replace it with something of equal or better value. The idea is to keep geocaches stocked with rotating supplies of swag-like goodness. Does that always happen, no. Many times some geocachers just take for the sake of the moment but it is still best to replace with equal or better stuff. Keep in mind that the majority of the swag found in a typical geocache usually ranges from $1.00US to $5.00US in value.

What are some examples of swag?

Basically anything that will fit in a particular geocache that fits your budget.

Like:

Store bought items as: Toys, Tools, Jewlery, Electronics, CDs, DVDs, etc.

Handmade items

Coins

Bags of Polished Stones

Books

Where is some of the best places to get swag for geocaching?

Listed below are some suggestions from actual geocachers. It is not the end all beat all but it sure will give some things to think about when looking for swag. The list is not in any particular order.

The Dollar Store - Can get oodles of swag for a buck. Sort of the common man's swag store.

Garage Sales - You never know what kind of stuff you can find for trade.

Target: Dollar Wall - all sorts of bargain items.

Ebay: Wholesale lots - you never know what is out there for a great deal to trade.

Ebay - Vintage coins and arrow heads

www.orientaltrading.com - Multitudes of swag items for a small amount of $$$.

Claire's bargain area - kids love jewelry, purses and other dressup stuff.

Joanne's - tons of craft stuff for making swag items or to trade.

Craft stores - see Joanne's

Fast Food Chains - Kids love wrapped or new happy meal toys

Some final things to keep in mind about swag and geocaching. The big thing is you do not HAVE to trade. If you do not have something to swap then don't. Sign the log book and earn your smiley.

Also Travel Bugs and Geocoins are NOT swag. They are personal items owned by someone else. These specially ID'd travelers are handled differently than swag and move from one geocache to the next. They are not swag and not trade items.

Is there REAL treasure in Geocaches?

The answer I will give in my humble opinion is YES. Sure there is a ton of playing cards, happy meal toys and chip clips waiting for you when geocaching. I asked a bunch of geocachers what the most expensive items they found and here were a couple of answers.

One geocacher heard of someone finding car keys but only felt that was 10% true

Two separate geocachers have found real 1oz gold kruggerands.

A harmony ball. The geocacher didn't know what it was at the time but they value around $40.00.

A brand new Gameboy Micro with game included.

A $35.00 chunk of Citrine

A bolo tie placed in honor of another geocacher. It had a rare jasper stone worth over $300.00.

Of course there are the stories of championship game or box seat tickets, new Rolex watches and other gold, diamond and other treasures. Whether true or not you never know what you are going to find until you open the geocache up and look for yourself. There are currently 901,962 geocaches around the world waiting to be found. What treasures do you seek???

GeoCache: I'm NOT Obsessed... Right?
http://headhardhat-geocache.blogspot.com/
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Please don't forget to visit our GeoSnippits Geocaching Tutorial Videos Website at http://www.geosnippits.com

That Time of Year To Cleanup Your Geocaches

Yeah the new year has come and I am noticing that several of my caches have shown to be needing repair. Either the log books have been wet due to the snow or rain, several have just plain come up missing or they just need a boost of new swag to fill them back up. Either way I feel it is just good policy to make sure your caches are in fine working order and worthy of a find to others.

Today I was at the outer ridge of my territory and had noticed a couple of caches that I was either told the velcro was worn or the host was recently hit by a car and I should check them out, that sort of stuff. So on my lunch hour I validated that two of them were indeed in place and people are just not finding them, one was several yards from where it should be and put back in place and one was just gone. Not sure if it was moved or taken, though it was in a very non-muggle area.

I replaced the missing cache and then topped it all off by stopping by my geocache hotel and filled what I could back up with swag. Love that dollar store. I guess I am going to have to go through my other 94 caches to see who needs what. It might take a while but if I can provide quality geocaches to the finders. I did my job right.

How is your caches?