warthog

Just for info. I wrote an article for the Gauteng FWDC of SA magazine on geocaching some two years ago.

If you intend doing sight seeing around Johannesburg and Pretoria, maybe a few other recommendations are: Smutshouse, Irene near Pretoria Money Train at the Goldreef City Themepark and casino. This is only a micro cache, but can be visited, if you are visiting the theme park. Cullinan's big hole at the small own of Cullinan north of Pretoria. North West's Best View near Hartebeespoort Dam is also worth a visit, if you are visiting the "Dam" area.

I agree that locationless caches have been seen as "not the real thing", but after looking at a few of them, I nowadays look at all the places I am driving past a bit differently. I have noticed old stone bridges, not so square buildings, mural art on buildings, etc. Not that I always have a camera and gps with me to log these caches. OK, I know a real cacher should never travel without these items, but sometimes we just forget. From my own opinion, I would like to think that I would like to visit those locationless caches that really attract my interest (waterfalls, and a few in and around my own "dorp". How about a few South Africa specific locationless caches? One that comes to mind are for Blockhouses, where two current caches are located in any case, Randvaal and Stilfontein (actual Springfontein). It would be nice to know where all these blockhouses are. Maybe own of those cache owners can start such a locationless cache. I intend creating a locationless cache for South Africa (the first one???), but is awaiting the collection of travel bug "Castle Draft". I will then visit the SAB museum in downtown Johannesburg and use this as the start of the locationless cache " Beers from around the world", allowing only one log per different type of beer. So start thinking of your porpular brand so long.

I would be insterested to be counted in as an exchange student, I mean exchange cacher. I will set up some items that are South African and then forward to such geocacher. Note: I am in the Gauteng, Johannesburg area for those interested in having their cache around this area. So where to from here?

I am more than willing to field questions or to take any newbies on their first hunt. Also, if any shops or interested parties need information, maybe we can put together an A5 pamphlet that we can start distributing. I know, long time back Peter Scholtz and others had such a pamphlet that was available for printing and distribution. Maybe this is still available and just needs revisiting to ensure that information is still correct and up to date.

On a sad Note, it has come to light that the JHB Travel Bug Hotel was "mugged" and my travel bug "Take Note", did not even Take Off, maybe a suggestion is to do the same as for KZN Travel Bug Hotel. Is there any of the GP cachers that has a contact or can suggest a contact that can accomodate a travel bug hotel in a secure area/shop nearby or inside the JHB International Airport? If we are going to keep on having our caches being vandilised or stolen, I don't think we are going to see many Travel Bugs from other countries coming to South Africa and with the Sweden-South Africa-Sweden travel bug race on the go, it may be a concern for other cachers. I think this is the only way we are going to be able to manage travel bugs that needs a quick pick up/drop off for travel bugs coming into SA or intend leaving SA. Any comments or suggestions?

In the dieing moments of January, up pops another one for Gauteng. Klipriviersberg Nature Reserve

I would think that different places attracks different types of caches. I will for instance work from the larger to the smaller, i.e. is a "normal" or "large" cache possible in the selected place? If not, would a micro be accpetable, if not, would it be a good place for a "virtual" cache? The first one to get a yes, must be the acceptable type of cache. Parks, hiking trails, nature areas would most probably be favourable towards normal caches, but where "cover" is a limitation, micro caches should be acceptable. Micro caches should also not be used as the norm to flood the area. Micro caches should also be acceptable in areas where wild animals are around, such as our Game Parks, due to the fact that they WILL smell the cache and try to eat it, doesn't matter what is inside. Howver here one must be VERY carefull when placing caches and only do so in areas marked as allowed to disembark from motor vehicles and that the cache is not dangerous to the animals or environment. Lastly, if we intend "advertising" some of our historic and other tourist attrcations where caches are a no-no, we can then surely do virtual caches in such areas.

Om dan polities korrek te wees, moet ons miskien 'n Travel Bug, 'n Reistor noem, en 'n Travel Bug Hotel, 'n Reistorant

In Afrikaans there is a word "skattejag"which means "treasure hunting". However, I don't think there is a term that fully encompasses the term geocache/geocaching/geocacher. Afrikaans people are very innovative in coming up with new words, and I don't think it will take long before someone come up with a very innovative/fun Afrikaans word for these words, even if it is just for the sake of taking up the challenge of creating a fun word for geocache, etc.

Let me be one of the first, and I am sure not the last, to congratulate GlobalRat on a great website. I am sure, just as we intend growing the sport of Geocaching in South Africa, so this website will also grow. You GO boy!!!

There are two caches near this point, both in the well known Tswaing Crter area; GCGMAC - Place of Salt at S 25 24.639 E 28.05.234 and GCJ9NX - Tswaing2 at S 25 24.585 E 28.04.887. If no one accept to assist in the next few days, we intend doing these caches over the weekend of 29 / 30 January and would then attempt to get photographs of this point. Will check posting regularly for updates

For a latest update on this topic, please refer to copy of email below. I will keep all up to date on this and inform all as soon as I receive notice that it has been done. Hello Petrus Sorry for the delay. I've sent this list to our site developer but there are many issues which need resolving before we can add these provinces. I'm sure it won't be much longer but please be patient. Thanks! Kind regards, Nate Groundspeak - The Language of Location Original Message Follows: ------------------------ From: Petrus.Keyter@fnbib.co.za Subject: Re: [#161766] Adding States for another Country Date: Wed, 12 Jan 2005 06:52:00 +0200 Hi there, I sent this email (or the copy below) to you on 6 Jan 2005, regarding the adding of South African provinces to your state/province selection list. Can you please update me on the status of this and by when we may be able to start using this functionality for South Africa. Regards Petrus (Team Warthog)

Hi all, I have had a look at the Australian Geocache Site and they have some awesome stats, including the way it is presented on the site. Maybe our wishlist must be to end 2005 with something similar. Anyone out there that knows how we can "primitively" obtain stats on the number of visits to a cache?

Seems as if my previous comment on the above went missing (like a lot of our caches) However, my feeling is that one can only log a FTF once the cache has been approved by Geocaching.com and not at the time of placement, as the cache was not available to all cachers at the point of placing it. This only makes it fair to everyone.

I have now also received feedback from Clyde, the developer of GSAK. See below: Hi Petrus, There is no need to change GSAK for this. GSAK already allows for a state column and you can search and sort on this column At the moment this columun is probably blank for SA caches, but when it becomes populated you can then search and sort just as you would it the cache was in the US or Australia. Regards Clyde

Hi there, GSAK or "Geocaching Swiss Army Knife", is really an off-line application (with url links when you are online) of having lists and information about your caches. Visit www.gsak.net for full details

Hi all, I received feedback from Geocaching.com on this subject and will now forward them the list of the nine provinces. For those making use of GSAK, I will now contact them to enquire on same. See Geocaching.com email below: Hello If you can provide a list of the provinces for South Africa we'll be happy to add them to the site. Thanks! Please let me know if you have any further questions or concerns. Nate Groundspeak - The Language of Location Original Message Follows: ------------------------ From: Petrus.Keyter@fnbib.co.za Subject: Adding States for another Country Date: Tue, 4 Jan 2005 14:54:18 +0200 Hi there, I have had a few discussions with other Geocachers here in South Africa and is wondering if it would be possible to add South African provinces to the "state/Province" column when adding, search for caches? If possible, how do we go about getting this done? Regards Team Warthog - Petrus Keyter :

Thanks, I now received assistance from "MasterChacher" from the Great Plains region that will be assisting me. Thus I will now close this log.

Replied to email and thanks your help will be highly appreciated!!!

Reporters Riddle is DEFINATELY my cache for 2005!

What is the view of the cachers on placing caches like micro caches, virtual caches, puzzle caches, etc.? I know that certain areas and places will only lend itself towards placing a micro cache, i.e. the Kruger Nat Park where the problem of animals smelling the contents of a cache may destory it, if it smells like food or anything similar and there, the bigger the cache, the bigger the problem of it being destroyed. Also, is the sport of caching only in getting something for something or is it not more of a pleasure in finding the actual cache? This year I will also investigate more into the placement of puzzle caches, as it looks like a greater challenge (and the obvious pleasure that goes with it) in deciphering the extra clues / puzzles even before getting to the actual cache.

From my side, I am in to ensure Gauteng comes out on top. Have already identified a few places to place caches, now to only find the time. This coming weekend I will be in Kruger Nat Park and try to visit a few caches in Mpumalanga, maybe I will up the number of caches there by one or two.

Hi there, I am from South Africa, in a town called Alberton, approx 20 kms south of Johannesburg. I need help logging a locationless cache GC3153 Where's In A Name?. I could use assistance from anyone that will be near West 93°18.464. I would need a picture of your GPS showing the coordinates and the surrounding area. (atleast one picture) And some information about where it is. This can be logged as a find for both parties involved. And if you need help in South Africa let me know as I might be able to help you find your name here. Please email me if you can help me out! Thanks! Petrus (Team Warthog)

Thank you for the feedback, I will post a request in the Great Planes then.