Announcing one (and only one) Locationless Cache for 2020

[+Geocaching HQ]

Find Signal the Frog in 2020 and score a Locationless Cache!

 

In 2020, we will celebrate geocaching’s future, while also commemorating its rich 20-year history. In a nod to the past, we are excited to announce that a single Locationless Cache will be available to find in 2020. The cache will be owned by Geocaching HQ.

 

Locationless Caches were part of geocaching during the very early years. The cache description for a Locationless Cache would give instructions to find something somewhere in the world and post a photo of it, along with the coordinates of where you found it. For example, find a drawbridge and take a photo while it was open. But the cache type didn’t fit well with geocaching. As a result, Locationless Caches were archived on Geocaching.com in 2005, and became Waymarking categories.

 

Though Locationless Caches are no longer active on Geocaching.com, we think it will be a lot of fun to celebrate their place in geocaching history for one year only with just one cache: Find Signal the Frog® - Locationless in 2020 (GC8FR0G). Geocachers can log the cache by finding and taking a photo with either the official full-size Signal the Frog® mascot or the official 2020 Signal the Frog® banner. Both versions of Signal the Frog® will most reliably be found at Mega- and Giga-Events.

 

The cache page is now published. It was originally locked to logging. However, that was keeping the cache from displaying properly in the Geocaching® app. Therefore, we have unlocked the cache page, but any logs posted before the official full-size Signal the Frog® mascot or 2020 Signal the Frog® banner make their first appearances of 2020 will be deleted.

 

Go to the Locationless Cache page:

• Via the direct link
• By searching for GC8FR0G on Geocaching.com or in the‎ Geocaching® app.

 

In order to log a find on the Locationless Cache, you must see Signal the Frog® mascot or official 2020 Signal the Frog® banner in-person and include a photo of you or a personal item with Signal in your online log. (Old photos are not permitted.) Unlike in the past, there will not be a field for adding coordinates to your log. However, you can optionally add the coordinates of where you found Signal to the text of your log. While we hope you see Signal many times in 2020, you can only log one find on the cache. The cache page will be archived and locked on January 1, 2021. So, make sure you find and log Signal in 2020!

 

Listen to a new episode of the Inside Geocaching HQ podcast to hear more about the Locationless Cache, as well as the launch of Community Celebration Events.

[+Max and 99]

I've got a lot to learn about this. I'm clueless!

[+GeoElmo6000]

I'm not even going to ask where Signal keeps his logbook. 

[+cerberus1]

I'll be the wet blanket and ask why if we have "playing"  stats,  is this one to be "re-introduced" ?

There were a few threads started on Locationless (latest in '17), and all were "bring back..." because they were missing from their stats.

The other 2/3rds (the stat person in this team) was happy that she has an icon now-coveted by others.

I'll have to give her the good news...

 

Our "ten year" icon luckily didn't change (the name did...), and more-than-a-few were asking for that again too...

 

[+The A-Team]

35 minutes ago, Max and 99 said:

I've got a lot to learn about this. I'm clueless!

 

It's effectively a Virtual where you don't need to be at a specific spot. As long as you take a picture of yourself or a personal item with the Signal mascot or banner, then you can log it. It doesn't matter where it is, as long as it's the official mascot costume/banner.

[+Isonzo Karst]

I got the notification a few minutes ago.

Yes, the eternal optimist, I've had notifications set for Virts, Locationless and A.P.E caches since forever. Some around my home area, some in Seattle, some elsewhere.

Came in handy during V1 and V2 Virtual Rewards, and just now:

 

Subject: New Locationless (Reverse) Cache: Find Signal the Frog® - Locationless in 2020 (GC8FR0G), 1.53mi NW (2.46km NW)

 

A new geocache was just published:

• Name: Find Signal the Frog® - Locationless in 2020 (GC8FR0G)
• Created by: Geocaching HQ
• Type: Locationless (Reverse) Cache
• Date: 12/17/2019
• Location: Washington, United States
• Distance: 1.53mi NW (2.46km NW)
• Published by: Bryan

[+The A-Team]

1 minute ago, cerberus1 said:

I'll be the wet blanket and ask why if we have "playing"  stats,  is this one to be "re-introduced" ?

There were a few threads started on Locationless (latest in '17), and all were "bring back..." because they were missing from their stats.

The other 2/3rds (the stat person in this team) was happy that she has an icon now-coveted by others.

I'll have to give her the good news...

 

Our "ten year" icon luckily didn't change (the name did...), and more-than-a-few were asking for that again too...

 

I'm sort of torn on this. I was able to attend a 10 Year event back in 2010, and like your other 2/3 it felt neat to be in the minority in that respect. On the other hand, I started caching long after the Locationless were killed off, so I was sort of hoping that they would be brought back in some way. Now, tons of cachers will have a chance to get each of these icons. They're still time-limited, so cachers starting after 2020 won't have a chance for them (until 2030?), at which point there will be an element of exclusivity again.

 

Heck, I'll take it. There are only two types that I haven't found: Giga Events and Locationless. I'm hoping GeoWoodstock goes Giga next year, and it's pretty much guaranteed that I'll be able to do the Locationless at one of the PNW 2020 celebration events. My list will then be complete.

[+The A-Team]

51 minutes ago, Geocaching HQ said:

In order to log a find on the Locationless Cache, you must see Signal the Frog® mascot or official 2020 Signal the Frog® banner in-person and include a photo of you or a personal item with Signal in your online log. (Old photos are not permitted.)

 

So, does the newest Lackey get assigned the task of policing the logs on this?

[+cerberus1]

2 minutes ago, The A-Team said:

It's effectively a Virtual where you don't need to be at a specific spot.

As long as you take a picture of yourself or a personal item with the Signal mascot or banner, then you can log it.

It doesn't matter where it is, as long as it's the official mascot costume/banner.

 

For this one, yeah.  

 

For example, our last Locationless was "Home Sweet Earth Home" by Ambrosia.  

You needed to find a "berm"-type home that no one else found, take a pic of your GPSr in front of the home, and post the coordinates.

We were responsible for making sure our entry wasn't "found" before.

[+Harry Dolphin]

21 minutes ago, cerberus1 said:

 

For this one, yeah.  

 

For example, our last Locationless was "Home Sweet Earth Home" by Ambrosia.  

You needed to find a "berm"-type home that no one else found, take a pic of your GPSr in front of the home, and post the coordinates.

We were responsible for making sure our entry wasn't "found" before.

 

And that's what Locationless caches were:  Find one of (these) that no one else has found.  We went a fair distance to find two Visquesny Doughboys.  The one in my town had already been found.

Let everyone find and log the same Signal is NOT a Locationless cache.

[+SwineFlew]

Oh here we go again.  Sigh!

[+SwineFlew]

7 minutes ago, Harry Dolphin said:

 

And that's what Locationless caches were:  Find one of (these) that no one else has found.  We went a fair distance to find two Visquesny Doughboys.  The one in my town had already been found.

Let everyone find and log the same Signal is NOT a Locationless cache.

Let's not get PC about it.  It's just a game. Roll with it. 

[+SwineFlew]

44 minutes ago, The A-Team said:

 

So, does the newest Lackey get assigned the task of policing the logs on this?

I was wondering that too. They haven't police any of their caches in the past.  

[+SwineFlew]

55 minutes ago, The A-Team said:

 

It's effectively a Virtual where you don't need to be at a specific spot. As long as you take a picture of yourself or a personal item with the Signal mascot or banner, then you can log it. It doesn't matter where it is, as long as it's the official mascot costume/banner.

Can we buy the official mascot banner?

[+Tungstène]

@Geocaching HQ The GC8FR0G listing contains an image which won't display at the very beginning of the user supplied description.

 

Here is the relevant HTML code:

<img alt="" src="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1sRhgee2FURb0Jt8JmNPzCEl1l0WqGa-m/view" />

It doesn't work for a lot of us (but maybe not for you) because this file is preventing public access.

 

Apart from that, I noticed that GC8FR0G and GC8FROG are linking to the same geocache. Is this a "world premiere" or are there other geocaches in this case (multiple identifier for a unique geocache)?

[+lee737]

I'll just add - 'cool!'.... now, is there a way to find out where he might be? 

[+Bl4ckH4wkGER]

@Tungstène 

Thank you. I fixed the image URL  

[+HHL]

9 minutes ago, Tungstène said:

Is this a "world premiere" or are there other geocaches in this case (multiple identifier for a unique geocache

It seems to be unique because the 'O' shouldn't work at all in GCcodes. (the letters isoul are not used in GCcode).

 

Hans

Edited December 17, 2019 by HHL

[+Tungstène]

5 minutes ago, Bl4ckH4wkGER said:

I fixed the image URL  

 

Thank you. Your update doesn't seem to have reached this side of the planet for now but it probably will.

[+HHL]

Slightly OT: GC8D00R or GC8DooR do work as well. Weired.

 

Hans

[+barefootjeff]

25 minutes ago, lee737 said:

I'll just add - 'cool!'.... now, is there a way to find out where he might be? 

 

I was thinking the same thing and wondering if there might be a list of venues published at some point. It'd be nice to know if this is going to be just a North America and Europe thing or if the rest of the world is included.

[+hzoi]

9 minutes ago, barefootjeff said:

36 minutes ago, lee737 said:

I'll just add - 'cool!'.... now, is there a way to find out where he might be? 

 

I was thinking the same thing and wondering if there might be a list of venues published at some point. It'd be nice to know if this is going to be just a North America and Europe thing or if the rest of the world is included.

 

There is a bookmark list of upcoming mega events.  Those where Signal is anticipated to attend are noted with a frog emoji.

 

For other mega events that are not graced with Signal's presence, the banner should take care of business.

[+lee737]

8 minutes ago, hzoi said:

 

 

For other mega events that are not graced with Signal's presence, the banner should take care of business.

 

Thanks, I should have read that more carefully....

[+BethDaddyKaty]

A frog as a mascot.

 

Rubbish. But there you are.

[+Lynx Humble]

1 hour ago, Tungstène said:

 

Apart from that, I noticed that GC8FR0G and GC8FROG are linking to the same geocache. Is this a "world premiere" or are there other geocaches in this case (multiple identifier for a unique geocache)?

Nope not a world premiere GC41/GCBBA is the same cache.

 

Hum I don't know if I will be able to get it the closest Mega is over 1000 km from where I live.... I will need to get my vacation on the right week. The original locationless were more locationless than that.

[+baer2006]

1 hour ago, Tungstène said:

Apart from that, I noticed that GC8FR0G and GC8FROG are linking to the same geocache. Is this a "world premiere" or are there other geocaches in this case (multiple identifier for a unique geocache)?

OT: In links which include the GC code (e.g. coord.info/GCxxxxx) an "O" is always translated into a "0". This is not new. Also, an "S" is translated into a "5".

[+hzoi]

8 hours ago, daddybeth said:

A frog as a mascot.

 

Rubbish. But there you are.

 

Ouch.  Where's this coming from?

[+hzoi]

8 hours ago, Lynx Humble said:

10 hours ago, Tungstène said:

Apart from that, I noticed that GC8FR0G and GC8FROG are linking to the same geocache. Is this a "world premiere" or are there other geocaches in this case (multiple identifier for a unique geocache)?

Nope not a world premiere GC41/GCBBA is the same cache.

 

Apples and oranges.  The history behind GC41/GCBBA has nothing to do with the fact that GC8FROG redirects to GC8FR0G.  Searching for GC1O441 also redirects to GC10441, a nice cache once I swam the Rhein to find.

[+lee737]

The listing is now unlocked, already several logs have been deleted, including an 'FTF'..... 

 

[+Twinklekitkat]

Just now, lee737 said:

The listing is now unlocked, already several logs have been deleted, including an 'FTF'..... 

 

Yeah, I'm sorry I put it on my watch list if this is going to continue.

[+lee737]

1 minute ago, Twinklekitkat said:

 

Yeah, I'm sorry I put it on my watch list if this is going to continue.

Yep, I knew I'd need a specific filter to deal with them at some time....

[+lee737]

I just refreshed the page, and the 'watched' no decreased by 200!

 

[+SwineFlew]

Dear GS, you are wasting very valuable time and money to delete all those logs.  Just lock it up,  thousands of us are pissed at you for spamming our email box! I put that cache on my watchlist because it was locked! 

[+lee737]

It even has a NA log now! 

[+bruzie]

As it's a one-off - maybe GS can add the "Announcement" log type so it's easier to filter those messages. I'm only watching to see where Signal goes (presume an HQ announcement at each event)

[+Max and 99]

17 minutes ago, SwineFlew said:

Dear GS, you are wasting very valuable time and money to delete all those logs.  Just lock it up,  thousands of us are pissed at you for spamming our email box! I put that cache on my watchlist because it was locked! 

You, me, and many others. 

[+fraggle_[DE]]

22 hours ago, Bl4ckH4wkGER said:

Thank you. I fixed the image URL  

 

hm, I still see a missing image directing to drive.google.com with this URL:

 

https://accounts.google.com/ServiceLogin?service=wise&passive=1209600&continue=https://drive.google.com/file/d/1sRhgee2FURb0Jt8JmNPzCEl1l0WqGa-m/view&followup=https://drive.google.com/file/d/1sRhgee2FURb0Jt8JmNPzCEl1l0WqGa-m/view

 

Why don't you just upload this image to geocaching.com?

[+HHL]

23 hours ago, Bl4ckH4wkGER said:

Thank you. I fixed the image URL  

No, you don't. Please try again.

[+The A-Team]

6 minutes ago, fraggle_[DE] said:

Why don't you just upload this image to geocaching.com?

 

^This

 

It's odd that the other images have been uploaded to the site (well, AWS S3, but you know what I mean), whereas this image is being hosted from a Google Drive.

[+Bl4ckH4wkGER]

Attached is a screenshot of the cache description as it shows for us across different machines and browsers:

 

The URL you are referencing is no longer part of the cache description or its source code. The image is now uploaded to our site directly, just like the two images of Bryan demonstrating the logging requirements.

 

Unfortunately, I have no control over any cached data on your machines. Can you please hard refresh the page (Ctrl + F5) and let me know whether the issue persist. Thank you.

[+HHL]

2 minutes ago, Bl4ckH4wkGER said:

and let me know whether the issue persist.

Issue solved - even without a hard refresh.  Thanks

 

Hans

Edited December 18, 2019 by HHL

[+fraggle_[DE]]

20 minutes ago, Bl4ckH4wkGER said:

whether the issue persist.

Everything is ok now. Thank you.

[+bruzie]

As this is a cache with published coordinates, does that mean if you log it, it will affect your cache-to-cache distance, depending on where you logged the previous and subsequent finds? It appears my oppportunity will have me travel from Auckland to Seattle and back again in the one day.

 

A meaningless number, I know, but there are challenge caches that depend on that statistic.

[+The A-Team]

4 minutes ago, bruzie said:

As this is a cache with published coordinates, does that mean if you log it, it will affect your cache-to-cache distance, depending on where you logged the previous and subsequent finds? It appears my oppportunity will have me travel from Auckland to Seattle and back again in the one day.

 

A meaningless number, I know, but there are challenge caches that depend on that statistic.

 

Cache-to-cache distance isn't a stat on this site, so it will depend on your source for stats.

 

That being said, I think most stat generators will ignore Locationless caches for this type of calculation.

[+colleda]

"This cache page was originally locked to logging. However, that was keeping the cache from displaying properly in the Geocaching® app. Therefore, we have unlocked the cache page, but any logs posted before the official full-size Signal the Frog® mascot or 2020 Signal the Frog® banner make their first appearances of 2020 will be deleted."

 

So long as the App works on D-day what's the problem?

[+Lynx Humble]

Wow people are in hurry to cheat they could have waited in 2020. Where this game is heading...

[+The A-Team]

12 minutes ago, colleda said:

"This cache page was originally locked to logging. However, that was keeping the cache from displaying properly in the Geocaching® app. Therefore, we have unlocked the cache page, but any logs posted before the official full-size Signal the Frog® mascot or 2020 Signal the Frog® banner make their first appearances of 2020 will be deleted."

 

So long as the App works on D-day what's the problem?

 

I assume they want users to be able to view the listing and learn what they need to do in order to find it.

 

I just did a test, and the problem appears to be that the official app won't show a cache that's locked. I tried searching for a cache whose listing is locked and it doesn't get returned. Fixing the app would be the correct way to resolve this problem, but I guess that takes longer than just unlocking the listing. You end up having to deal with the jokers and chronic bogus-loggers, though.

[+colleda]

1 minute ago, The A-Team said:

 

I assume they want users to be able to view the listing and learn what they need to do in order to find it.

 

I just did a test, and the problem appears to be that the official app won't show a cache that's locked. I tried searching for a cache whose listing is locked and it doesn't get returned. Fixing the app would be the correct way to resolve this problem, but I guess that takes longer than just unlocking the listing. You end up having to deal with the jokers and chronic bogus-loggers, though.

Thanks for explaining that.

I've deleted my watch on this one. The idiots can't help themselves, posting meaningless logs and filling up my Inbox.

[+JL_HSTRE]

Over two dozen logs (mostly Notes) on the cache page in three hours. This cache page needs to be configured to only allow Finds. Unwatching.

[+The A-Team]

13 minutes ago, colleda said:

I've deleted my watch on this one. The idiots can't help themselves, posting meaningless logs and filling up my Inbox.

 

Watching a cache like this is just punishing yourself. You won't see anything interesting or useful. Even once legitimate opportunities to log it become available, you'll just get a massive number of logs every time there's a Mega event, with those logs slowly trailing off until the next Mega event, with a smattering of bogus logs hidden in between.