Neos2

Geocaching HQ has partnered with the Geological Society of America (GSA) to offer some suggestions for EarthCache hiders. The blog has the information, here.

Yes, why not? Why didn't I think of that!

I could clarify. Sometime the CO can use the info on a sign as a starting point for their investigation of the area. If it says "This feature was caused by x happening" for instance (volcanic intrusion, water erosion, uplift, etc). It gives the average person a starting point for what to look for geologically speaking. They can find out about the origin of the feature and use that to create the EarthCache. Something like that isn't going to change no matter what the later signs may say. On the other hand, there is no benefit in quoting back from a sign that says "This park opened in 1836" that isn't something the cache owner would use to create the basis of their EarthCache, either. I remember many early EarthCaches that had you answer two or three questions off signs. They were along the lines of "Who built this park?" and "How many visitors came in the first year it was open" etc. There is nothing to learn about the geology from questions like that and I was personally a little bit insulted that those questions were used as "Proof of visit" because the CO couldn't trust me to observe something more pertinent to the location. Now I look back an realize I was being too harsh. Many COs weren't sure the learning task was "enough" and added those fluff bits to prove you were there. That is why I continue to say the learning task is the most important part of creating the EarthCache, and for some, the most challenging.

I suspect you are correct; I think it likely the wind primarily played its part by carrying away material that had been eroded through other weathering processes. I do like the name you have suggested.

I'm not sure I can offer much help. I found lots of sites that mention the carious layers of rocks in the park and their ages, which I am sure you have already found. But, correct me if I am wrong, you just want to be sure of how the Spion Kop formation was formed? https://hikingtheworld.blog/2022/02/12/spion-kop-brisbane-water/ says the formation was created by wind erosion. Have you asked the park rangers what they know about the formation? I have had very good luck talking with people who work near features. I also try to contact local geology clubs or schools to pick the brains of geology professors.

I hear what you are saying. I think coming up with the learning activity is the most challenging part of creating an EarthCache. As a science teacher, it was always the critical issue with creating a good lesson for my students. Completing the learning activity/logging task IS the proof of visit. You want something to the point but still simple to understand how it relates to the learning activity. I understand why the new guideline was put in place. Just like when I taught my students, a person doesn't really "learn" anything by regurgitating words back to the other person. It is still possible for the creator of an EarthCache to use the information on the sign to develop the EarthCache learning activity. In fact, it is a really great starting place. You ask yourself: "What do I really want them to learn?" and often the answer is "the data on the sign" so then you figure out how to get them to learn that. And as always, I encourage people to come in here are ask us to help them come up with ways to develop their EarthCaches.

https://www.geocaching.com/help/index.php?pg=kb.chapter&id=51&pgid=296 Perhaps about the time of the update dated 10 June, 2019? Hopefully BlueRajah will answer that and other interesting bits of data in another post.

I had that cache on a trip list one time, but we didn't end up going there.

I also recall an Earthcache where I needed to take along a magnet to test the rock.

If you want to try your hand at creating an EarthCache, you'll find the people in here are willing to help. They can offer suggestions for tweaks of your ideas, and help come up with simple, practical, even interesting learning activities. For most of us, the learning activity is the challenging part to create. We don't want it to be so simple it insults the visitor or bores them, but we also don't want something so tedious it puts people off. It's a matter of seriously asking yourself "What specifically do I want them to learn?" and then "How can I most easily get them to see that?" It can be tricky, but when you hit on it, it is instantly clear! I know, I faced that sort of decision multiple times a week with 180 students the same age we aim at for our EarthCache understanding level. It does get easier with practice, and again, chances are someone in here will cheerfully help you smooth out the rough edges.

I recently did an EarthCache that required a simple hardness testing kit for rocks (the CO made low cost household item suggestions). Doing that learning task was much like the lessons I taught my freshmen students in high school science class.

My husband joined me for the Earthcache at McCormick farm and mill in Raphine, VA. We got there too late to view the inside of all the buildings, but we had a great time wandering the grounds and solving the Earthcache learning task. The task was an easy one for me, just using typical household items to determine the hardness of the local rock and then comparing it to the grinding stones at the mill. I taught Earth and Space Science, so I had a hardness test kit on hand to grab to take with us. My students would have enjoyed that task.

That certainly looks awesome! Thanks so much for sharing.

I am looking at three Earthcaches to potentially pick up for International EarthCache Day 2024. We will be traveling to my daughter's for her baby shower this weekend. There are two EarthCaches near her home and one along out route I am pretty sure I will visit. That's a good thing because I recently had a total knee replacement and I still need caches with a gentle terrain. I've done most of the low terrain caches near my home. Falls Church Trondhjemite by Awesnap GC95N83 Southwest 8 Boundary Stone by The Wanderess GC8WQJZ McCormick's Rocks EarthCache by PathfinderMark GC2GJ2N Then there are 4 others Earthcaches we will pass near. I'll stop for them if time and daylight allows. My husband is looking forward to the one at the McCormick mill and farm site. I may do the two in Falls Church with my son-in-law, a fledgling geocacher.

Slow issues seem to be gone, but I still can't change map views. There is another thread on that matter, but it hasn't had any official response yet. I have only been able to load the default geocaching map view for at least three days now. Logging out and in again made no change.

I feel sure the purpose was to point out the times/dates.

That one does look to be quite a nice adventure. Reasonable learning activity, gorgeous scenery--What more could you ask for?

Oooh, things are changing as I type almost. I just opened my app again and have a Wheel of Challenge page when I go to my profile page. That tells me how many souvenirs I have earned so far, among other things (milestones, stats) In the top right corner of the profile page is a symbol that looks like two peoples heads and shoulders. It's just to the left of the settings button on my unit. That used to show me my friends list and how many points each of us had this month toward the challenge (a half an hour ago). Now that just shows me my friends and lets me short cut to contact them.

About the leaderboard This is a leaderboard that displays the geocaching activity of you and your friends. If you log a cache, attend an event, or perform other geocaching actions, you collect points! https://www.geocaching.com/play/leaderboard

The leaderboard symbol should be on the top right corner of the profile page. The symbol looks like two peoples heads and shoulders. It's just to the left of the settings button on my unit.

International Earth Cache Day Friday, October 6, until 10:00:00 UTC on Monday, October 9. Do you have any plans to post a new EarthCache, invite others to visit one you already own, log one that is new to you, or otherwise mark this day in a special way? From the blog post: EarthCaches are filled with pools of geological knowledge, just like Pamukkale in Turkey. These bright blue, eye-catching terrace pools are created by the carbonate mineral left by the thermal flow of spring water, pictured above. Learn more about Earth and its incredibly unique formations on Saturday, October 7, and Sunday, October 8, in celebration of International EarthCache Day! Earn the official souvenir for visiting the physical location of the EarthCache and completing the logging requirements to receive your smiley. All non-Premium EarthCaches are open to everyone throughout the weekend on the Geocaching® app from 11:00:00 UTC on Friday, October 6, until 10:00:00 UTC on Monday, October 9.

When I look at your profile page, I see the 50+ and the 100+ discovery badges--for mica and quartz in the line just under the EarthCache Master icons. I don't have any 'special powers' when viewing a page. Maybe they would show to you if you log out completely and log back in?

I see that since you wrote, you were able to place the icons on your profile. Good to know.

The various changes to the guidelines happened over time. If I recall correctly, the instructions not to use wording on signs as a proof of visit task came about 2012. The guideline change to allow the cache owner to ask for photos didn't happen until 2019. The reviewers have been very good about adapting to the changes, and in my experience, almost all of the EarthCaches I have visited or read through follow the guidelines in place at the time they were made. I feel many EarthCache owners have a difficult time deciding on a learning activity. I get it. I was a high school science teacher; I had to design learning activities for 14 year old students. Sometimes a learning activity is obvious, other times it takes some thought. I get the impression that those COs that have many logging steps are concerned their learning activity is too simple. That is why I encourage people to come into this forum and brainstorm with others if they get stuck designing that part of the EarthCache.

I split your post off into it's own thread. It was off topic in the thread about which Earthcache you chose to fulfill this months challenge.