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

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

Working With Geocaching Camouflage Ideas

While I am waiting to get on the road to start filming Treasure Cache TV (there has been an unexpected delay) I have been passing the time working on different ways to camouflage a geocache.

Sure there are tons of geocaches out there where the geocache is hidden inside an object like a tree stump, pvc pipe or other clever technique. My challenge was to hide a geocache in plain site or at least close to plain site and still hide it enough for muggles to miss it. If I was able to create a hide that was more difficult for a geocacher to find as well then all the better.

One of the techniques I have been working on is the use of camouflage netting for larger geocaches. The issue that comes to mind for a larger geocache is how good can a camouflaged geocache really be to fool the average geocacher? We are giving the coords to where this larger hide is and unless the cover is flawless it will get found. I guess the best we can hope for is that the geocache stays out of site of the muggles and is a bit of a thrill for the geocacher. So how can we hide it good enough to present a challenge?

Above you see a basic example of camouflage netting utilizing pine needles and leaves for cover. Below this mask of brown is a medium bright green ammo box laying on a 4'x8' netting which has been folded over top and covered with the nearby terrain. The nice thing about the netting is that the leaves and needles easily trap in the netting itself and stays there even with heavy wind. From a distance of 10 feet this is almost impossible spot so the geocacher would have to basically kick the geocache to find it.

If you read my blog post: HeadHardHat's Resin Clup O' Dirt Nano Geocache you will see how the use of resin can create creative camouflage covers for small geocaches like nanos. This can no doubt create even more challenging hides to infuriate the masses. To prove it if you look at the first photo of this post and see if you can find the nano geocache hide. Draw a circle around where you think it is and send it in to me via email ( headhardhat@gmail.com). The first five people to correctly do so will win a GeoSnippits path tag... It's right there... Really.

Good Luck!

-HHH

GeoCache: I'm NOT Obsessed... Right?
http://headhardhat-geocache.blogspot.com/
-------------------------------------------------------
Twitter me at
@headhardhat

Please don't forget to visit our GeoSnippits Geocaching Tutorial Videos Website at
http://www.geosnippits.com

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

HeadHardHat's Resin Clump O' Dirt Nano Geocache

I want to thank Seth Jones who sent in a photograph a few weeks ago of a modified version of my bondo Evil Ant Hill geocache. You can see it here: ClickMe where you will note that instead of bondo, a resin was used to create the geocache.

Over the weekend I wanted to see if I could make a geocache that was thinner than my ant hill geocache and use something really small like a nano. Below are the steps I took to make it.

As usual I fully expect my readers to come up with a zillion versions of this and add their own twists. I say go for it but before you do check out my version. FYI - You can get resin at many craft stores near you.

I started out by taking some Styrofoam and scraping out an area that would have a very rocky or dirt clod look to it. About two and a half to three inches in diameter.

When it comes to using resin there are many different ways of making a mold including plastics, Styrofoam and plaster of paris. Try different ways and see what works best for you.

Next, make a small portion of the resin and fill just enough of the very bottom to create a base for the nano to sit upon and yet not fill up the entire mold.

Let the resin harden over night or until it is not tacky to the touch.

Set the nano on the hardened resin base and then fill to just under the lid of the nano with more resin.

Let harden again over night.

Carefully remove the hardened resin from the Styrofoam and pick as much of the mold away from the resin as you would like.

Personally I wasn't sure if I liked how it was looking at this point but the longer I played with it the more it really started looking like a rock, bark, a stone, etc.

Use your favorite combination of base spray paints and stone textured paints to colorize this geocache. I used a green and brown base with grey stone to give it a mold or bark look to it.

Note the bottom of this geocache and the nano cap is sticking out for easy access.

After playing with several different camouflage combinations of paint colors and the nice texture of the Styrofoam for the top section I was amazed how quickly I could closely duplicate a look of tree bark, moss, mold, even old asphalt.

This is a great addition to my Evil Ant Hill collection of geocaches and I hope it inspires you to make all sorts of variations for your geocaching enjoyment.

Have fun!

-HHH

GeoCache: I'm NOT Obsessed... Right?

http://headhardhat-geocache.blogspot.com/
-------------------------------------------------------
Twitter me at
@headhardhat

Please don't forget to visit our GeoSnippits Geocaching Tutorial Videos Website at
http://www.geosnippits.com

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Kebi100's Version of my Main Valve PVC Geocache

Photogropher and fellow geocacher Kebi100 sent in his version of one of my PVC geocaches. Check it out.

You can see all the step by step instructions by watching my GeoSnippits Video here:

If the viewer above does not work go directly to You Tube by clicking here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Za2JgZnjI_Q

Enjoy!

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

A Very Nice Modification of My Evil Ant Hill Geocache

I received an email from fellow geocacher Seth Jones who sent me some photos of a modified Evil Ant Hill Geocache. Check out what he wrote:

I got a smallish box, lined it with a plastic bag, and then made a small pile of dirt (you need it to be fairly pure dirt, for easier removal later. No rocks, grass, twigs, etc)

-- Then I made a large batch of plaster of paris, and poured it over the dirt, making a plaster cast of the dirt hill. After it set, I peeled it out of the plastic, and washed the dirt out of the bottom. I then filled the cavity where the dirt was with a 2-part resin from the craft store. Before the resin set, I implanted a small plastic container with a screw-top lid. You've probably seen it: it's a touch bigger than a bottle-cap.

After it set overnight, I cracked it out of the plaster, and chipped out the crevices. (soaking it in water really helped here). I then hit it with some textured brown spray paint. I placed it at the base of a tree just at the edge of some woods. There are some vines climbing the tree that provide a small buffer of deadspace around the trunk. I have the container there, amongst the leaves.

Way to go Seth! A very EVIL geocache to be sure!

You can check out my original version by visiting here:

http://headhardhat-geocache.blogspot.com/2009/10/headhardhats-evil-ant-hill-geocache.html

Saturday, June 19, 2010

HHH's Fire Hydrant Geocache Modified...

A big thanks to Cornellfinch from Portsmouth, England who twittered me this post in the groundspeak forums.

Apparently a geocacher who goes in the forums by kywaterfowler took my fire hydrant geocache up a notch. See Below:

If you are a member of groundspeak you can see the whole entry here:

http://forums.groundspeak.com/GC/index.php?showtopic=252638

Check out my GeoSnippits Video showing how to make this cool geocache by going here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W1YCbcphy7E

I absolutely love it when someone takes a cool idea and makes it their own.. Way to go!

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

GeoSnippits: Different Types of Geocaches

One of our viewers who recently started geocaching sent in a request for us to go over the different types of geocaches available. So we did just that and turned it into an episode for Michigan Magazine TV. Obviously because we only had about five minutes to work with I was only able to discuss a few. We will do more in another episode. Stay tuned.

If you cannot see the viewer above you may see the actual video by clicking the link below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N7_2gD-0mzc

Saturday, June 12, 2010

Bon Voyage HHH: Don't Forget the Little People

I had the absolute pleasure of attending a geocaching event in my honor called "Bon Voyage HHH: Don't Forget the Little People". It was put together by fellow geocacher and good friend NCBiscuit to celebrate Geoness and myself going out on the road to begin filming our television show Treasure Cache TV.

At the event a bunch of us do what we do at any time we get together. We eat food and talk about geocaching. Throw in some fun rounds of pool and watch England and the USA tie it up in the World Cup, fun was had by all.

As a going away present Geoness and I were given one of the largest Lock N Lock boxes filled with goodies from North Carolina and the NCGO. I am going to do my best to add some of these trinkets in the show itself. Let's see if we can do some creative hiding :)

I want to thank NCBiscuit and the rest of the NCGO gang for giving us such a fine send off and for them to know that it would be impossible for me to forget such a fine group of amazing friends.

Monday, June 7, 2010

Setting Up Your Own Geocaching Camping Adventure

(photos by Annie Love)

What a combination. We love geocaching and we love camping. Why not combine the two for an outrageous weekend of outdoor fun?

To me geocaching and camping is like Martin and Lewis, Superman and Clark Ken, Peanut Butter and ... well you know. Needless to say they go together very well. Think about it, not only do you get the opportunity to really explore National and State parks. Many of which do allow geocaching but there are usually a ton of them in the neighboring communities near by. A geocaching smörgåsbord as it were. As you walk the trails and discover the different points of interest within the park system you can get your Indy Jones on and view wonders that only the ones willing to explore will find. Geocaching is made for just that.

So if you love fishing, camping, boating, hiking, nature trails and oh yeah, geocaching you definitely need to pack up the family camper and head out to a National or State part that allows geocaching. You will be so glad you did.

Thursday, June 3, 2010

Cachers of the Round Table the StickPic and Me

One of the many cool things doing a video series like GeoSnippits and now a television show like Treasure Cache TV is it allows me to mingle with so many other geocachers who also happen to do interaction with the media. In this case podcasts. A podcast is sort of like a taped radio show that is placed on the Internet and can be listened to at any time. Darrylw4 of Cache-a-maniacs fame also heads up a podcast known as the Cachers of the Round Table. Here hosts of podcasts and in my case videos and TV get together to discuss different interesting topics that are related to geocaching in some way.

In this month's episode (June 2010)

http://www.cachersroundtable.com/index.php?post_id=620364 we discussed Caching Connections which touched everything from social networks like Twitter and Facebook to photograph based websites such as Flickr. A really good show if I must say. Actually I do, it's a really good show.

One of the other features on CRT is each of the guest panel describes their favorite gadget, gizmo or application for the month. Mine was an rather cool product known as the StickPic which can be attached to your personal camera and placed on a hiking pole to provide more background to your photos when you are by your self in the woods somewhere. Check it out.

That and more on this month's edition of the Cachers of the Round Table Podcast.

Saturday, May 29, 2010

Geocaching: Check Out Rock City (Virtual Geocache)

Out geocaching with NCBiscuit, Carolina Trombone and Mclem829 and came across this virtual geocache known as Rock City. It is on Highway 86 about midway between Hillsborough, NC and Dansville, VA.

Someone made this amazing village out of stones and believe me when I say the pictures do not give it justice. Not only is there a very cool village but all the fencing around the owners house is made of the same materials. It is one of those sites you just have to see to believe.

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Wednesday, May 26, 2010

HHH's Lunchtime GotD - It Will Be Sad To Leave The RTP

I only have a few more weeks in the Research Triangle Park near Durham, NC. I was very thankful for having my job here and with Geomagic. The geocaching has been a ton of fun and even though I took a chunk out of my area I still had quite a few left to find. Ahhh well. Now I get to look forward to our GotD finds to expand to the open road of the USofA and beyond. With the filming of Treasure Cache TV coming. You ain't seen nothing yet!
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Monday, May 24, 2010

Treasure Cache TV Mini Pilot Released

Here we go! The wait is over and the Treasure Cache TV Mini Pilot has been released on our TCTV website. I know you have heard it before but it is true. I am so geeked about this and things are starting to really come together.

Be sure to stop by and take a look. It is a little over six minutes long and will give you just a taste of all the things that we will be having on the show itself. A teaser as it were.

So head on over to our website and by all means let me know what you think about it.

Treasure Cache TV

http://www.treasurecachetv.com

-Enjoy

Saturday, May 22, 2010

Sweet Day For Geocaching

Attended three geocaching events and a day full of finds. Its time for the BBQ and a big bonfire.
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Friday, May 21, 2010

HHH's Lunchtime GotD - Get Out And Geocache

I have been so busy lately that I sort of fell out of my lunchtime geocaching groove. Today the sun was shining and it was a sweet 85 degrees out. I had to get a find or go into withdrawals. This nicely done geocache was near an athletic field and about 50 feet in a nearby woods. A great walk in a very scenic setting. Good times.
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Thursday, May 20, 2010

Treasure Cache Mini Pilot Almost Ready For Release

Well folks I am so sorry for not getting nearly enough posts out this week. I have been concentrating on only the Treasure Cache TV show and that's about it. The mini pilot which we will be showing from our website http://www.treasurecachetv.com is pretty much done and I am waiting for final approval before letting it go live. The reason why I call it a mini pilot is because it will be about 6 1/2 minutes long. Just enough to give you a taste of what is going to be on the show. The actual pilot will be the full 30 minutes.

To help curb your waiting for a few more hours here is the finished title sequence which leads into the show itself. I hope you enjoy it.

So much more to come so keep checking the sites frequently for the latest information.

Friday, May 14, 2010

HHH's Lunchtime GotD - Taking The Long Road

The Great American Tobacco Trail is 22 miles long and is a part of a much larger trail known as the East Coast Greenway which is 2600 miles long. The ECG connects Key West, Florida with the Canadian border. Needless to say there is a bevy of geocachers along the way. Found today's geocache while on a lunchtime walk.

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Wednesday, May 12, 2010

HHH's Lunchtime GotD - Sweet Little Bison Tube

There is just so much going on. I left for my normal geocaching stomping grounds and then realized I missed the exit two times over - doh.

Thinking way to much about Treasure Cache TV. It is very possible that I will be on the road full time in just a few weeks. That means my Lunchtime GotD is going to be spread over a rather vast area, like the whole US of A.

Stay tuned and be sure to check out the website and sign up to our Twitter and Facebook pages.

Now for a chicken wrap.

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Where in the World is Pete the Parrot? The Black Forest

Oh this is so awesome.

My buddy Pete the Parrot who is THE true party animal has been hanging around Europe for quite some time. Well now he is partying in The Black Forest of Unterbraend.

A geocacher, EinHaufchenSand, took these photos when he visited the geocache that Pete is currently residing in.

I don't know about you but I want to go geocaching in the Black Forest.

Monday, May 10, 2010

HHH's Lunchtime GotD - Logbook Has Seen Better Days

This geocache logbook has been around for a while and needs to be replaced. Unfortunately I used my last logbook on another geocache so I was out.

Will leave a note to the owner.

Treasure Cache Filming in Wilmington, NC Yesterday.

Had a fabulous time yesterday filming geocaching team Fraygirls in Wilmington, NC. We had a great time walking around Fort Fisher Recreational Area. More details on the Treasure Cache website.
http://www.treasurecachetv.com
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Friday, May 7, 2010

HHH's Lunchtime GotD - Sweet Little Cache

Yeah it really felt good finding geocaches again. Work has been just crazy and most of the time I didn't have time for lunch. So getting out on such a pretty day made just that sweeter.

Found this one quickly and off now for a sub for lunch.
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Lotsa Treasure Cache TV Stuff Being Set Up - Useful Information

Hoo-boy are we starting to get the Treasure Cache TV show in gear.

Here are some highlights... The pilot is currently being shot over the next week or two and I will be busy editing in between. I filmed Maingray's family at Eno River State Park earlier in the week and they did a really great job.

I will be filming the Fraygirls family this week in Wilmington, NC by the ocean so if you can pry me away from there long enough to do some editing will be a good thing. Just look for the big guy in the Hawaiian shirt ;)

The new website for Treasure Cache should be up tomorrow (Saturday). It won't be the final but at least it will be a functioning site. That's more I get to add to my list of things to do. The new URL will be http://www.treasurecachetv.com

We now have a working Facebook page up for the show. Please be sure to make your self a fan by clicking the "Like" button. You can go there here:

http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Treasure-Cache-TV/125473324132994?ref=sgm

We have a new Treasure Cache twitter account @treasurecachetv be sure to get yourself signed up there too because all the contest information, inside information and you will be able to follow us as we travel around the country via those areas. Make sure you sign yourselves up or you will be missing out on all the background goodness.

That's about it for now. I hope to fill you in on all the stuff you have been waiting for about the show soon. Believe me the second I have it you will know :)

BTW - If you know of National Parks and State Parks in your area that either have geocaches or have geocaches near them and want to be on Treasure Cache TV, please email me the following:

Who you are - Real Name and Geocaching alias
The location and information about the Park we would be exploring
How many people in your group, family, etc.
Contact information - phone, email, etc.
Why that area would be a great place to geocache.

Email it to treasurecachetv@gmail.com

We are looking for local geocachers and places all across the US for starters and you folks know best! We will be on the road soon so please get your ideas in as soon as possible.

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

HHH's Lunchtime GotD - Second To Find Ain't Shabby

Ahh, there is nothing like the thrill of a geocaching FTF hunt.

The adrenaline gets a pump'in and you do everything that you can from driving recklessly on the road as you move toward those clean sheetz. Which is exactly what happened today as I left my office for today's Lunchtime Geocache of the Day. My email sounded and I noticed a new published find only 3.4 miles from where I was. Tally Ho!

Off I drove, my palms sweaty on the wheel and as I drove up to ground zero I knew I missed it by a few seconds because there was Moncure Bee Dude signing the log on the hood of his truck.

So I drive up and yelled, "Missed it by that much".

He looked up and smiled.

After a brief conversation I asked if he wouldn't mind standing in for a photo which you can see he did quite nicely. It was great to see him again. Which is why the geocaching community is so very special. You never know who you are going to bump into or when but whoever it is there is always a smile and a handshake waiting.

Now for a hot ham and cheese sandwich. Num.

GeoCache: I'm NOT Obsessed... Right?