Average Joe Geocacher

[+sept1c_tank]

With lots of talk about stats, equipment, average age and sex, what do you think the average geocacher is really like?

 

I'm not looking for a thread about what you are like. More like a thread about your impression of other cachers. Not about how many caches they have done. Or if they're old, or sexy.

 

What are your impressions of Joe Geocacher? Cachers you know only through the forums. Cachers you know that maybe never have visited the forums.

 

Is Joe Geocacher like you?

 

 

==============="If it feels good...do it"================

 

**(the other 9 out of 10 voices in my head say: "Don't do it.")**

 

.

[+Kealia]

I'd say that the cachers I 'know' through the forums here seem to be a lot like me. I have to say that the majority of cachers I've 'talked' with one on one (not locally) are from AZ, TX & WA but from what I can tell I think we would be friends if we lived closer.

[+fizzymagic]

Average is maybe not a good way to describe geocachers; I picture a bimodal distribution in age, for example, with a fair number of cachers in their early twenties, not so many in their thirties or forties, and another big group at or above retirement age.

[+Xitron]

Is that n dog years Fizzymagic?

I'm in my thirtys in man years.

 

I see your lips moving but all I hear is blah blah blah

[+pnew]

I'd say the normal geocacher goes caching naked, steals the caches, and tries and fails numerous times to submit virtuals made out of historical markers. He also goes benchmark hunting without a camera ()

 

and in all seriousness, fizzymagic, you'd be surprised at that average age mark. I think its closer to 30 or even higher. "young people" are surprisingly rare to this hobby.

 

[+briansnat]

Its a fact that the average geocacher is a 37 year old, married male, with 1.5 children and works in IT.

 

"You can't make a man by standing a sheep on his hind legs. But by standing a flock of sheep in that position, you can make a crowd of men" - Max Beerbohm

[+opey one]

In relation to the forums, the average geocacher will have more time than me. Also have more money... have more expensive unit(s).....better looking... more items in their "pack", and better, too... are more suited in engaging dilemmas while caching and on the forums... always have a better response...have a nicer ride...weigh 20 to 50 pounds more than I do...5 to 12 inches taller than I am... Should I continue???

 

 

Yup. That's MY goat!

[mckee]

Intelligent, but working in a job lower than his abilities, did some military time with a general or dishonorable discharge. He has problems with authority figures, which can be traced back through school. He dropped out at an early age, relying on a female member of this family, his mother or grandmother, for support. He still wets his bed. He displayed a tendancy towards cruelty to small animals, and set fires....

 

Oops, that's Average Joe Serial Killer. My mistake.

 

--------------------

This space for rent! Ask about our easy layaway plan!

[Swagger]

Hey! I do not wet the bed!

 

Oh, you were talking about serial killers... Well... I've never killed a serial that didn't deserve it.

 

Another 30-something cacher here. I tend to agree with pnew in that there doesn't seem to be a lot of youngins in the sport. They're too busy partying and socializing to go looking for tupperware in the woods...

 

--

Pehmva!

 

Random quote:

[+Breaktrack]

McKee, you slay me man.....

 

Okay, well, it would seem from the interactions I've had with cachers, both in person and on the forums, that is it defintely an interesting group. I feel we range from people who are like Florence Nightingale, to folks who are akin to Ted Kazinski.

 

I've found MOST cachers to be extremely intelligent, many (as evidenced in these forums regularly) are verbose, articulate, and very passionate about this activity. There is about a 50/50 split between those that feel there should be more rules and those that feel rules of any kind are an unneccessary impediment to the game...lol. The other 50% feel things are pretty much just right...LOL.

 

Friendly, with few exceptions. Individualistic, self reliant, most seem willing to cache hunt alone or with others, but alone is pretty cool. Willing to tolerate the knotheads while having a sense of humor when picked on unmercifully about mundane things we type into the forums.

 

All in all, I like Joe Geocacher a lot. Salt of the earth.

 

"Afghanistan was a battle. Iraq was a battle. The war goes on."

[+StormShadow]

quote:

---

I picture a bimodal distribution in age, for example, with a fair number of cachers in their early twenties, not so many in their thirties or forties, and another big group at or above retirement age.

---

 

I agree with this theory but would skew the ages up a bit...maybe 35-45 year olds and then retirees. When I first heard about geocaching I thought it was mostly twenty-something, Dave Matthews listening, hike the AT, Columbia and Patagonia wearing individuals. Boy was I wrong...Although there are some of the above who are cachers, I think it is far from a majority.

[+makaio]

quote:

---

Its a fact that the average geocacher is a 37 year old, married male, with 1.5 children and works in IT.

---

 

I think that is the average anything, but it does closely fit me. Gotta admit, though, when the whole family goes caching, the wife and I argue over who gets to carry the .5 child

 

-----

Matt

K7MTO

[mckee]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Breaktrack:

McKee, you slay me man.....

---

 

That can't be proved beyond a reasonable doubt!

 

--------------------

This space for rent! Ask about our easy layaway plan!

[+CharlieP]

There does not seem to be a typical geocacher, they are a very diverse group. There seem to be only a few cachers under age 24, and perhaps an unusually large ratio of folks who work with computers or have a technical background. Otherwise, the only common trait I have noticed is that almost all geocachers are nice people ... without a doubt the lowest A.H. Ratio of any group I have known.

 

FWIW,

CharlieP

[+Kite and Hawkeye]

quote:

---

Originally posted by BrianSnat:

Its a fact that the average geocacher is a 37 year old, married male, with 1.5 children and works in IT.

---

 

I think Brian's got it. (No, this doesn't describe me and Hawkeye in the least, but at the most recent picnic there were a lot of people of the above description. Actually, they may have been a handful of years older, but who am I to judge?)

[+Frolickin]

quote:

---

Originally posted by BrianSnat:

Its a fact that the average geocacher is a 37 year old, married male, with 1.5 children and works in IT.

---

Haven't you used that 37 year-old for about a year now? Time for a birthday.

 

From my experience, I think this is accurate, although the 1.5 children scare me. Did someone need to leave .5 child as a trade item?

 

Fro.

[+clearpath]

I cache primarily when I travel on business. It gives me something to do in the afternoon/evenings. When I'm home, the kids and the honey-do list keep me way too busy to Geocache.

[+Markwell]

I'm only 36 Brian.

 

Markwell

Chicago Geocaching

[+Team Og Rof A Klaw]

quote:

---

Originally posted by BrianSnat:

Its a fact that the average geocacher is a 37 year old, married male, with 1.5 children and works in IT.

---

And has six-tenths of a dog and fifty-four percent of a cat.

 

____________________________

- Team Og Rof A Klaw

All who wander are not lost.

[SLCDave]

The reason the average cacher is a married male in his 30's is because a single male in his 20's is more interested in finding women than McToys in the woods.

 

"I'm 35 Years old, I am divorced, and I live in van down by the river!" - Matt Foley

[+Renegade Knight]

On average the average geocacher likes geocaching. Thanks too NudeCacher the average cacher is only 99.9999% dressed.

[2oldfarts (the rockhounders)]

quote:

---

Originally posted by BrianSnat:

Its a fact that the average geocacher is a 37 year old, married male,

---

 

If this is accurate why are Mc Toys so popular? 37 year old men still play with them?

 

I,m so old I can,t even keep the apostrophe up!!

 

*******************************************************

Everybody is entitled to my opinion - the ornery oldfart

[Mr. Big]

Wow, there's a pretty vivid picture emerging ... and it's not pretty. My take:

 

Male

30s-40s (there's a reason for all that weight loss talk)

Higher than average probability that he's armed.

Early adopter (technophile).

Authority "issues" (likes playing a game "no one" knows about)

Employed in technology, and not too busy/motivated

Loves the outdoors, but from the caches I'm seeing so far, isn't interested in sweating much. (Just where DO those people with all the survival gear do their caching, anyway?)

 

Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean someone really isn't out to get you.

[+Team GPSaxophone]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Renegade Knight:

On average the average geocacher likes geocaching. Thanks too NudeCacher the average cacher is only 99.9999% dressed.

---

NudeCacher isn't the only one that caches nude...

 

Took sun from sky, left world in eternal darkness

[2oldfarts (the rockhounders)]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Team GPSaxophone:

NudeCacher isn't the only one that caches nude...

---

 

Inquiring minds......just whom???? & How do you know????

 

Shirley of 2oldfarts.

 

*******************************************************

Everybody is entitled to my opinion - the ornery oldfart

[+Team GPSaxophone]

See my log on this cache. Caching nude is a lot of fun!

 

Took sun from sky, left world in eternal darkness

[2oldfarts (the rockhounders)]

WOW! Thanks SAX. Nice looking hot springs...we just might have to go check it out when we get a chance.

 

Shirley

 

*******************************************************

Everybody is entitled to my opinion - the ornery oldfart

[+cmpalmer]

quote:

---

Originally posted by BrianSnat:

Its a fact that the average geocacher is a 37 year old, married male, with 1.5 children and works in IT.

---

 

Wow, that's scary! You got me (once you round up the fractional kid part).

 

--

stream of did I lock the front door? consciousness

[+Team GPSaxophone]

Actually, the hot springs near one of my other caches are better.

 

Took sun from sky, left world in eternal darkness

[+Team GPSaxophone]

...I would have posted a picture, but this is a family site

 

Took sun from sky, left world in eternal darkness

[2oldfarts (the rockhounders)]

 

*******************************************************

Everybody is entitled to my opinion - the ornery oldfart

[+hmarq]

I think it's fluid ... Brian I believe is quoting an actual survey, however, new participants are coming in in droves so anything earlier than this morning is probably dated. Nonetheless, I think a thirtysomething male geek with a couple kids is still fairly representative. Certainly fits me, though I'll leave the age demo next year ...

 

What I find interesting is the lack of younger participants (our kids excluded) ... I'm in an IT department with many younger folks and they all think the few of us that do this are a little odd for doing it and have no interest in it whatsoever ... a couple even have gps units for other things ...

[+Woodbutcher68]

I'm almost 50, seperated, male, 1 daughter, and plant manager in a building material company. What does that make me? Above or below average?

 

Maps?!? I don't need no stinking maps! I got coordinates!

 

There's a fine line between Geocaching and mental illness, Im just not sure which side of the line I'm on!

[+Snoogans]

I'm that weird, 36 year old, single guy, with high standards, a decent, yet atypical job, a house, 2 cars, a motorcycle(V-MAX), sworn off pets, (but loves dogs) that is still looking for a rich (preferrably smart)woman who is too proud to have her husband work and wants to finance the first run of my sci-fi novel. She also doesn't want kids (but doesn't hate kids) and is interested in trying out every page of the Kama Sutra at least once. Unwillingness to try Soapy Boy/Rinsy Boy would be a deal breaker here. I would settle for a concubine maid.

 

MY MANTRA: Some day my Ferrari will come. (Please god let me have all of my teeth when it does.)

 

I think anything more would be entering the realm of too much info. Ya think?

 

Ohhhhh, what I think of the average, not ME. Let's call that a baseline for my opinion. The Average Joe Geocacher is NOT me. Howz that?

 

Sngans

Sacred cows make the best hamburger....Mark Twain.

 

[This message was edited by Snoogans on September 12, 2003 at 06:32 PM.]

[+sept1c_tank]

quote:

---

Originally posted by hmarq:

 

"...What I find interesting is the lack of younger participants (our kids excluded) ... I'm in an IT department with many younger folks and they all think the few of us that do this are a little odd for doing it and have no interest in it whatsoever ... a couple even have gps units for other things ..."

---

 

I find that curious as well. And, as someone else mentioned, I haven't seen many mentions of sweat. It seems to me that the word "outdoors" is conspicuously absent.

 

It seems to me (or at least as I remember it), young people and the outdoors are an item.

 

I know only a handful of cachers personally. From the forums, I feel I know maybe a dozen.

 

From my perspective, I see geocachers as interesting and friendly people who are adventurous, with a sense of competition, and a keen interest in the outdoors.

 

 

==============="If it feels good...do it"================

 

**(the other 9 out of 10 voices in my head say: "Don't do it.")**

 

.

[+El Diablo]

The people I've met at different meets seem to be a wide varity of people from house moms to company executives. Their business trades seem to be well diversed. I don't believe you can sterotype them.

 

The one thing they all seem to have in common...is that they are the nicest people I've ever met. So maybe that's it. The average Geocaching Joe is just a very nice person from all walks in life.

 

El Diablo

 

Everything you do in life...will impact someone,for better or for worse.

http://www.geo-hikingstick.com

[+Snoogans]

quote:

---

Originally posted by El Diablo:

The one thing they all seem to have in common...is that they are the nicest people I've ever met. So maybe that's it. The average Geocaching Joe is just a very nice person from all walks in life.

---

 

My sentiments exactly. I bet most of the people who sometimes act like doot heads here, would be quite nice if met socially. I try to keep that in mind.

 

The true antisocial doot heads would never even consider going to an event cache and would avoid you at all costs near a regular cache.

 

Sngans

Sacred cows make the best hamburger....Mark Twain.

[Mystery Woman]

The average geocacher? Well, I've noticed a few things about some of the ones I've been lucky enough to meet/get to know:

 

- there seem to be more males than females, and most of the females who are involved in geocaching have a spouse or significant other who caches

- many have above average intelligence

- most have good enough jobs to be financially stable

- they are generally good-natured, friendly, socially well-adjusted people who are a lot of fun to hang out with!

- they send, ummmm, provocative e-mail to women they meet in these forums (okay, so that's not the average geocacher, but some do - you know who you are!)

- and maybe I'm the only one who has noticed this, but several of the male geocachers are pretty hot!

 

============================================

You can't be "FTF", but you could be next...

[Mystery Woman]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Snoogans:

... that is still looking for a rich (preferrably smart)woman who is too proud to have her husband work and wants to finance the first run of my sci-fi novel. She also doesn't want kids (but doesn't hate kids) and is interested in trying out every page of the Kama Sutra at least once. Unwillingness to try Soapy Boy/Rinsy Boy would be a deal breaker here. I would settle for a concubine maid.

 

MY MANTRA: Some day my Ferrari will come. (Please god let me have all of my teeth when it does.)

 

I think anything more would be entering the realm of too much info. Ya think? ...

---

 

Yes, you definitely don't want to share TMI here. Feel free to e-mail the rest!

 

It's nice to meet a guy who knows exactly what he wants.

 

If I may comment, though, I think the woman should be willing to try out every page of the Kama Sutra at least twice. First impressions can be deceiving, you know...

 

============================================

You can't be "FTF", but you could be next...

[+Team GPSaxophone]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Mystery Woman:

- and maybe I'm the only one who has noticed this, but several of the male geocachers are pretty hot!

---

I wasn't sure if you were digging the whole blue thing I've got going, but thanks for the compliment!

 

Took sun from sky, left world in eternal darkness

[+sept1c_tank]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Mystery Woman:<BR>- and maybe I'm the only one who has noticed this, but several of the male geocachers are pretty hot!  <!--graemlin::eek:--><HR></BLOCKQUOTE><BR>I wasn't sure if you were digging the whole blue thing I've got going, but thanks for the compliment!<BR><BR><A HREF="http://www.texasgeocaching.com" TARGET=_blank><IMG SRC="http://www.texasgeocaching.com/images/texasgeocaching_sm.gif"> </A> Took sun from sky, left world in eternal darkness <IMG SRC="http://mywebpages.comcast.net/ihazeltine/bandbass.gif">

Given this scenario, Joe Ceocacher is like me! (It's been pretty hot this summer.)

 

Edit: (I have no idea what all that "BLOCKQUOTE class" stuff is, I just quoted the post above.)

Edited July 3, 2005 by sept1c_tank

[+robert]

sept1c tank:

that's the old style quoting from the old forum software. wonder how long it's going to take for someone to chastise you for digging up an old thread?

[+sept1c_tank]

Given what I now know about the average geocacher (forum participants), not very long. But I think it is an interesting discussion, and at least I have the control to close it if it gets out of hand.

[+robert]

Given what I now know about the average geocacher (forum participants), not very long. But I think it is an interesting discussion, and at least I have the control to close it if it gets out of hand.

you mean the "average joe geocacher"?

 

[+reveritt]

Its a fact that the average geocacher is a 37 year old, married male, with 1.5 children and works in IT.<BR>...

A fact? Has there been some survey done?

 

The person you describe is certainly a typical geocacher, but I'm not sure he can be called "average." From my experience meeting and corresponding with other cachers, I find that there are plenty of females, grandfathers (like me), retired couples, young mothers, and children (who may not have their own caching ID, but are geocachers nonetheless).

 

I don't think its 37-year-old IT workers putting all those McToys in caches.