The Geocaching Glossary

Geocaching Term

Caches that are in need of attention or repair may be temporarily disabled by either the owner or a local cache reviewer. They are identified in a cache list by having their titles striked out and a note at the top of the cache page in red indicating the cache is temporarily unavailable.

Caches that are temporarily disabled should be replaced within a matter of a few weeks. Caches that are disabled for too long may be archived by Geocaching.com.

Geocaching Term

A five-star rating system (in half-star increments) for the terrain that will be traveled to get to a cache. A one-star terrain cache should be handicapped accessible, on a paved trail and a very short distance. A five-star terrain cache is one that will require specialized equipment to reach (4x4 vehicle, rappelling gear, SCUBA gear, a boat, etc).

As with many rating systems, the terrain rating can be very arbitrary and can change from season to season. Still, it's a good way to warn cachers of what they might expect when attempting a cache.

ClayJar has provided a great rating system available at www.clayjar.com/gcrs

Geocaching/Logging Term

Shorthand for, “Thanks For The Cache.”

Geocaching/Logging Term

Shorthand for, “Thanks For The Hide” or "Thanks For The Hunt."

Geocaching/Logging Term

Shorthand for "Took Nothing Left Nothing." 

Geocaching/Logging Term

Shorthand for, "Took Nothing Left Nothing Signed Log." 

Geocaching/Logging Term

Shorthand for, “Took Nothing Left Nothing Thanks For The Cache.”

Abbreviation/Logging Term

"Tool Of The Trade."  Often used in logs for caches where extra equipment is needed but not specified. It's a nice way to tease other cachers that you had the right tool to retrieve the cache but you're not going to share what the tool was.

Isn't that kind of sneaky?

Forum Term/Abbreviation

"The Powers That Be." Meaning the owners and administrators of the website. 

Geocaching Term

Also called “swag.”

Any item placed in a cache with the intent of being swapped out for another item.

Geocaching/Logging Term

The practice of leaving a cache in better condition than when you found it. By trading up you enrich the cache with more or better “swag” than the cache contained when you found it.

Geocaching Term/Geocache Type

The most basic form of geocache: a box hidden at a set of given coordinates. Sizes range from nano – micro – small – regular – large.

Geocaching Term

Also called “Travelbug,” “TB” or “hitchhiker.” A travel bug is an item placed in a cache with the goal of moving from cache to cache to rack up miles. Travel bugs are distinguished with a “travel bug tag” or “dog tag” that contains a tracking number for that particular item.

Travel bugs are not generally considered “trade items” or “swag,” meaning you do not have to leave a travel bug (or anything else) to take one.

Geocaching Term

A geocache created with the express purpose of trading travel bugs. These caches are usually large and often hidden near common travel destinations (ie: Interstate off ramps near airports). 

There is no designation on Geocaching.com for a travel bug hotel.  Officially the concept is frowned upon due to the possibility of losing a large number of travel bugs if the cache is stolen or lost.

Geocaching Term

Also called a Moving Cache. A cache that--once found--would be re-hidden by the finder in another location. Moving caches are no longer allowed on Geocaching.com, though some old grandfathered ones still exist.