Geocaching in Winter

[+TerryV6]

Well, I looked outside and saw that we got our first blanket of snow. I just started caching in the fall. I am wondering how many people continue into the winter time. I don't see anything on the search page if you want to filter for "winter friendly" sites. Are we down and out until Spring.?

 

TerryV6

[+Team Biker Cache]

We actually cache every chance we get. Of course here in Texas we get lots of very comfortable days all year . I carry the GPS everytime we go out for the day. You never know when the urge might hit.

If you love it like we do the cold won't stop you! Happy "Winter" Caching!

[+jawbreaker1222]

Nice cool 2 degrees out when i left the house this morning. Picked up 3 caches. I plan to cache all through the winter. Im sure the snow is going to hinder alot of the caches but its more about the hunt for me then the find. Strap on them snow shoes and off we go...

[metathought]

Yeah I just started, and have no plans on quitting during the winter, although I do live in Texas as well. If I were in New York or something it might be a little different.

I do in fact think it might change my geocaching hours as it gets colder however.

[+michigansnorkelers]

I don't see anything on the search page if you want to filter for "winter friendly" sites. Are we down and out until Spring.?

 

Not sure what you mean. There IS a winter attribute you can filter your PQ by.

 

Another way to find caches in the winter is to look for ones found recently. You might even be able to follow the footprints directly to the cache! Just make sure you look at your GPSr from time to time. I once followed footprints down a trail ASSUMING they were from a geocacher ... they weren't!

[+TerryV6]

Another thing is the shortness of the days. It gets dark here by 4pm and since work doesn't allow us out until then, that limits us to weekends..

[+TerryV6]

"Not sure what you mean. There IS a winter attribute you can filter your PQ by."

 

My mistake. I am new at PQs and this completely slipped by me. Thanks...

 

TerryV6

Edited December 10, 2010 by TerryV6

[+kwcahart]

Yeah, I geocache all winter. Oh, I'm from South Texas.

[+TerryV6]

Well, our first snowfall resulted in 3 inches. Tomorrow we are supposed to get 7 more. I don't suppose that is as much of a problem in Texas...

[+Brooklyn51]

Winter definitely puts a new spin on geocaching but it's really just a new challenge. Dress warmly and especially keep your feet and hands dry. The lack of leaves on the trees means your GPSr reception will be better and just think.. no mosquitoes!

[+maristua]

I started geocaching this summer. I will contiune during the winter. I look for the attribute for snow when I look for caches to find. It's not many hours of a little light outside now. So I often find myself "nightcaching" in the middle of the day

[+TerryV6]

I am just imagining a "tree cache" with the tree limbs laden with snow....

[+kwcahart]

I think it would be fun to cache in snow, it would add a new dimension to the hunt, and it would thin out the muggles for sure. I would go for it, you will probably like it.

[+kpanko]

I don't see anything on the search page if you want to filter for "winter friendly" sites.

 

Look for this symbol on the cache page and on the pocket query page:

 

It means "available in winter."

[+TerryV6]

It means "available in winter."

 

Thanks...

[+Mongo1965]

Terry come on up here were supposed to be getting 10 to 16. Like you I got a late start. Got my first GPSr when I was thinking about hunting season. I have no plans on stopping now might slow down a bit at least until Santa brings me some snow shoes.

[+briansnat]

Well, I looked outside and saw that we got our first blanket of snow. I just started caching in the fall. I am wondering how many people continue into the winter time. I don't see anything on the search page if you want to filter for "winter friendly" sites. Are we down and out until Spring.?

 

TerryV6

 

Terry,

Winter is my favorite time of the year to geocache and judging from the logs I get on my caches it seems to be popular among many others. If there is snow on the ground it takes some skill and luck, but in general there are few things like braving the winds, snow and sub zero temps to find a geocache. Well there is skiing, but when I can't ski geocaching is certainly a great alternative.

[+Max and 99]

I love caching in the winter, especially with snow on the ground and when a hike near the lake is required. Beautiful. I think winter caching is fun. You just have to be well prepared!

 

Just today I went winter caching: it was a bitter 50 degrees out in Oklahoma, and I had to bundle up in a jacket and buy some hot chocolate!

[+michigansnorkelers]

Without leaves on the trees and shrubs, you can see ten times as far as you could in the summertime. You can take in scenic views that are hidden other times of the year.

 

GPSr accuracy increases with a clearer view of the sky.

 

Oh yes, short days. So get a headlamp and backup flashlight and go for it! Nighttime caching in the snow is really neat. The white snow makes it surprisingly light at night, especially with a full moon.

[+mwellman]

Welcome to Geocaching TerryV6!

 

Winter Geocaching means no bugs, no ticks, easier bushwhacking and less muggles. Carry a stick to poke through the snow. All those "5" terrain island caches are now a easy hike/ski/snowshoe walk. A blizzard and -30 means that you have a better chance for that elusive FTF.

 

Up here in the Great White North, in Edmonton, Alberta, we have our Cache and Release event in our wintery March. Look up CARW2009 and CARW2010 for some of the stories and pictures.

 

Just make sure to dress for the weather and carry a backpack with winter safety supplies.

 

Enjoy your winter geocaching adventures.

[+TerryV6]

Well today at least, it will not be spent geocaching.. I will be outside shortly to move the wonderful white stuff off the drive and sidewalks...

 

TerryV6

[+tom4props]

Winter caching... everything looks fine reburied under a layer of snow but come Springtime... are the caches still hidden back where they were before the snow fell?

[+Douce Us 5]

I cache all winter long.....pull a query that is for winter friendly caches, put my snowshoes in the care and head out. I't my favorite time of year to cache. There's no bugs, no poisonous plants, and the parks are pretty empty.

[+cajun&southern belle]

Wecome to the world of geocaching. We're in Minnesota & got 15 to 20" of snow today 12-11-10 and it's coming your way. Have fun

[+hawkeyetob]

Our family just started in July.

We live in Iowa.

Friday night, with snow on the ground, fog in the air with found our first winter, night cache.

 

We made the mistake of following someone else's footprints in the snow and went the "hard" way.

 

We eventually found it and it was lots of fun!

 

Another cache was rated a 1.5/1.5.

We found the location but the snow was too deep for anything like a serious search.

Regardless, we had lots of fun!

 

Happy Geocaching! - hawkeyetob

[sabrefan7]

Yeah, I geocache all winter. Oh, I'm from South Texas.

The only DNF on one of my caches was someone from Texas. They wanted to try it in the snow.Whats wrong with a 3.5 mile hike in knee deep snow?? I give them credit for trying!

[+Azisbest]

For ya'alls edification, 80 degrees here today. I'm tired of the brutal winter.

[+TerryV6]

80 degrees.... that winter sounds brutal...

[+isjustus4]

Hey Terry, I'm from Appleton also. I find that as of lately, I have been caching less, more so because of it getting dark before I'm out of work. Snow won't stop me though, matter of fact, I just invested in new winter gear to keep me warmer while I'm out and about. I was out caching with my daughters in the snow last year, and will this year.

 

Funny, I see we were at the same event last night. By your profile pic, I may have seen you there. I didn't get to talk to as many people as I would have liked, but my daughters being tired, were requiring more of my attention than expected.

 

Edited December 13, 2010 by isjustus4

[+entogeek]

One nice thing about winter caching is that many of the rivers up here will be frozen solid making it easier to snowshoe to some of those canoe caches!

[+Ladybug Kids]

Another thing is the shortness of the days. It gets dark here by 4pm and since work doesn't allow us out until then, that limits us to weekends..

Nah...just need a good headlamp or flashlight.

 

The days are even shorter in Alaska and while it's true cache placing and hiding slow down in winter, they are alive and well. Just yesterday there was an outdoor event that included finding a newly published night cache.

 

See Little Su Winter Blast Bash and Houston Lil Su Night Cache.

 

[+TerryV6]

Hey Terry, I'm from Appleton also. I find that as of lately, I have been caching less, more so because of it getting dark before I'm out of work. Snow won't stop me though, matter of fact, I just invested in new winter gear to keep me warmer while I'm out and about. I was out caching with my daughters in the snow last year, and will this year.

 

Funny, I see we were at the same event last night. By your profile pic, I may have seen you there. I didn't get to talk to as many people as I would have liked, but my daughters being tired, were requiring more of my attention than expected.

 

I probably saw you there but for me, everyone was a new face. It was interesting to put faces to the names...

 

TerryV6

[hoosier guy]

I love caching in winter myself. But it is important to remember that winter has its own set of hazards and you need to be prepared

>Even more important to let someone know where you are going/when you'll be back.

>Check the weather forcast before heading out

>Make sure you car is up to the task (Tires, battery)

>Take some supplies (extra clothes, food, sleeping bag, water) if you are traveling any distance.

>Be able to communicate (cell phone, radio)

>Dress properly and in layers. don't forget mittens and a hat

>Remember to stay dry. Being wet robs you of heat.

>Winter air is drier and the cold will wear you out quicker, know your limitations.

 

Check the FEMA.GOV site for more info. Click on A-Z Index and scroll down to Winter hazards

[wulfgar]

Winter is probably the best time to find the BrinkerLake cache in Waterloo, Iowa. It's on an island, and you can walk across the frozen lake as long as the ice is thick enough (local ice fisherman are a good gauge of safety). During warmer times, you need a boat.

 

 

Wulfgar

 

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[+Borbus]

I have been caching in the winter. The snow does make it a bit harder sometimes and this has resulted in some DNFs. I have noticed quite a bit less activity overall, though. I think it's probably more to do with the shorter days than the weather, though.

[+sslane]

My two friends and I were caching today,started about 9:30am the temp was a warm 18 degrees, at the peak of the day it was perhaps 32 and we had a great time. Dressed in layers with long underwear, good boots and good desire! Not to be missed.