The Geocaching Glossary

Geocaching Term

The process of transferring ownership of a geocache or travel bug/trackable item from one geocacher to another.

If both cachers are active and in agreement about the transfer, the process can be performed by visiting the Adopt a listing page. If the current cache owner is no longer an active cacher then you will need to contact a reviewer about adopting the cache.

Geocaching Term/abbreviation

"Added Logging Requirement" or "Additional Logging Requirement." These are extra steps that the owner of the cache might ask of you in order to log their cache. They might include taking a picture or writing a poem.

ALR caches are marked as mystery/puzzles even though they are usually at their posted coordinates.  This is because they require the seeker to look at more than just the posted coordinates.

As of April 4, 2009, ALRs are no longer allowed under the guidelines of Geocaching.com. If a cache owner chooses, they can have an optional task for those who find their cache, but it cannot be manditory. 

Geocaching Term

A metal military issued box often used as a cache container. Ammo cans are known for their durability and watertight rubber seal.  They come in a wide range of sizes from the small 30 caliber ammo can to the larger 25MM ammo can.

Ammo cans make great containers in the proper places. Be careful around heavily trafficked areas as the site of an ammo box can frighten people who don't know about geocaching. Be sure to remove all military markings and mark them with a GEOCACHE sticker.

Geocaching Term

An archived cache is one that has been removed from the listings of Geocaching.com. The cache page is still available for review, but will not show up when searching for caches in an area.

Caches are generally archived when they are missing, destroyed or removed by the owner. Caches that simply need attention or repair are "temporarily disabled" rather than archived.

Forum Term (mostly)

A virtual cache (normally) that can be logged from home using information found on the Internet. Also sometimes known as “couch caches” or “rainy day caches.”

This is generally considered to be poor form by most geocachers.

Geocaching.com Feature

Attributes are a series of icons added to a geocache page that spell out any hazards, conditions, facilities or other concerns about the cache. For example, if there is a chance poison ivy will be found at the cache, the owner can use the "poison plants" attribute. If the owner wants to emphasize that the cache is a good one to bring children along on, he can choose the "recommended for kids" attribute.

Attributes enable geocachers to be better prepared for their hunt. They can also be used to refine pocket query searches to either include or exclude certain attributes. 

Technical Term

A survey marker with a precisely known vertical elevation. The locations for many of these markers are available on the Benchmark Hunting section of Geocaching.com. 

Benchmark hunting is a fun alternative to Geocaching. Hunters us GPS's and data sheets to locate these markers all over the U.S.  

Technical Term

A small, rust-proof cylindrical container with a watertight o-ring. These were designed to store pills and manufactured by Bison Designs (hence the name).

Bison tubes are used for micro cache containers due to their size and durability. 

Geocaching Term

Another term for a nano cache. Blinkies are so called because  they're often made from small magnetic LED blinkers. When the electronics are removed nano logsheets can be inserted.

Geocaching Term/Website Feature

Bookmark lists are a feature for premium account members of Geocaching.com. Bookmark lists allow users to organize a caches based on their own criteria. For example, you might have a bookmark list of caches you want to suggest to visitors in your area. Or you might have a bookmark list of caches you were first to find on or caches you DNF'ed.

Geocaching Slang/Abbreviation

"Bring Your Own Pen" In other words, the cache is too small to hold a writing instrument. 

Geocaching Term

A backpack, fanny pack or other type of pack used for carrying geocaching related items. 

Geocaching Term

A group of cachers who set out to find a large number of caches together. 

Website Feature

Premium members of Geocaching.com have the ability to create routes of caches. These are pocket queries that--rather than center in on one location--follow a traveling route and allow the cacher to seek caches within  a specified distance of each side of the road. 

Routes are normally created using Google Earth to create .kml files which are uploaded to Geocaching.com. 

Geocaching Term/Cache Type

A Challenge Cache is a Mystery/Puzzle cache that can only be logged after certain requirements are fulfilled by the seeker. One of the most popular is the DeLorme Challenge which requires the finder to first find at least one cache in every square on a particular state's DeLorme Gazetteer Map. Other challenges include the All County Challenge (at least one cache in each county of a state) and the Well-Rounded Geocacher Challenge.

The final coordinates for a challenge cache are normally emailed out by the cache owner once the requirements are fulfilled. Often the requirements are checked through a shared bookmark list created by the seeker. 

Geocaching.com Term

These are Premium Members who signed up during the first year that paid membership was available with Geocaching.com. As long as their membership doesn't lapse they will always be recognized as Charter Members. 

Geocaching Term/Abbreviation

“Cache In Trash Out.” The practice of picking up trash and generally cleaning up an area while geocaching. Also used in “International CITO Day,” a yearly concerted effort by geocachers everywhere to clean up their environments.

It’s one of the ways we give back to the areas we get to play in.

Geocaching Term/Geocache Type

An event for the specific purpose of cleaning up a location. CITO (Cache In Trash Out) Events are often organized with the help of local land managers and park departments.

CITO Events are a great way to give back to the communities where we play our game.

Logging Term/Slang/Abbreviation

"Could Not Get To." You often see this in logs when the cache was found but could not be retrieved and the log couldn't be signed. There may have been muggles around or there might have been hazards or conditions that kept the cache from being retreived (ie. ice or water).  

Slang

Short for "coordinates." 

Abbreviation/Slang Term

"Crow miles." It's the point-to-point distance that doesn't take into account the actual route that has to be traveled. Therefore it is "as the crow flies."

Technical Term

 A Datum is a reference from which measurements are made. You'll find a notation at the bottom of each cache page, "Coordinates are in the WGS84 Datum." This tells you that the coordinates are based on the World Geodetic System's reference frame for the earth, the 1984 revision. The references are due to be revised again in 2010.

By the way, Datum's plural form is "Data." Did you know that? 

Technical Term/Abbreviation

A plastic 4.25” x 3.25” U.S. Army surplus box made for a decontamination (decon) kit. These boxes are watertight and the lid is connected by a nylon loop. A metal hook attached to the nylon loop allows the box to be attached or hung in various ways. Decons caches are considered to be small-sized caches.

Decons come in two types. Their U.S. Army designations are “M258A1” (green) and “M291” (black). The green decons have some embossed words of caution on the lids and a sticker on the side with several warnings that went along with their original use. To insure that anyone who accidentally finds a decon isn't too alarmed you should remove the sticker and sand the embossing off.

Geocaching Term

A five-star rating system (in half-star increments) for the amount of difficulty that will be encountered while searching for a cache. A one-star difficulty rating means the cache is in plain sight and will likely be found in just a few minutes. The rating increases depending on camouflage and other factors in the hide. A five-star difficulty rating is a serious mental or physical challenge and will require specialized knowledge or equipment not available to everyone. This might include the ability and equipment to decrypt certain codes.

As with many rating systems, the difficulty rating can be very arbitrary and can vary from cacher to cacher. 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

Trackable Logging Term

Posting a "Discovered It" log on a travel bug or geocoin page means that you saw the item but did not move it. This enables the logger to receive the icon for the trackable item.

Geocaching/Logging Term

Abbreviation for, “Did Not Find.” On Geocaching.com this is done by choosing the “Didn’t Find it” log type.

Logging a DNF will result in a blue "frowny face" being seen on the cache page

DNF’s are normally logged when a search has been made but the cache could not be located. Far from being a "black mark" on your geocaching record, DNF's are valuable sources of information for both cachers and cache owners.

Quotes to remember:

• There’s no shame in a DNF.
• Every time you log a DNF an angel gets its wings.

Slang Term

Term describing the movement of a geocacher while trying to find ground zero using the arrow on a GPS. Since the arrow often changes direction the movement becomes erratic, kind of like the pattern of a bee moving back and forth and around in circles.

Geocaching Term/Geocache Type

A virtual cache with a built in geography lesson. Earthcaches take to a set of coordinates where you learn about the unique geography of that location. Often times a task has to be preformed (questions answered/pictures taken) in order to log an earthcache.

Earthcaches are listed in conjunction with Geographic Societies and are managed through the Earthcache website.

Geocaching Term/Geocache Type

These are meetings posted on Geocaching.com where geocachers come together to socialize. They range from simple meet and greet (and eat) meetings to huge Mega Events.

Geocaching Term

A Flash Mob Event is an Event Cache that only last for a very few minutes. It's an offshoot of the more common (though still very UNcommon) Flash Mob.

Geocaching.com Feature

It's a list of other cachers whom you have "friended" and who have in turn friended you. Their current stats along with other data is displayed on the "My Friends" tab on your profile page.

We're told that in the future there will be more features involved with the Friends List. 

Geocaching Term/Slang

The "Frowny-face" icon you receive when you log a DNF on Geocaching.com.

Technical Term 

“Family Radio Service.” A short-range two-way radio system that does not require an FCC license.

Geocaching/Logging Term

Abbreviation for “First To Find.” The first person to log a particular geocache as found is the “FTF”. Sometime there are “FTF prizes” left in the cache by the owner for this person. These are special items and do not require equal trade.

Geocaching/Logging Term

Shorthand for "First To Log." It means that while you weren't the first person to find the cache, you were the first person to get back home, turn on your computer and log your find.

I suppose having a shorter trip home or less things to do with your time is worth bragging about.

Technical Term

Also called GCID# or GCXXXX. The GCID is the unique alphanumeric code that represents each geocache. It always begins with the letters "GC" (to designate "GeoCache" and ends with a sequentially generated series of numbers and letters.

Geocaching/Forum Term

When a frustrated cacher quits the game with a loud, tantrum-filled departure. This will usually consist of a long forum post rant and the archival of all their hides. Sometimes the geocidal cacher will even delete all of his or her finds.

More often than not geocides are temporary. 

Geocaching Term

Coins or other minted items that are usually produced by individual cachers or groups of cachers. These items are often trackable like travel bugs and have their own identifying number and icon available on Geocaching.com.

Many GeoCoins are highly collectable.  

Geocaching Term/Slang

Also, "Muggle."

Derived from “non-magic folk” in the Harry Potter series, a muggle is a non-cacher.

See also, “muggled.”

Geocaching Term

That trusted combination of instinct and experience that tells you exactly where to look for the cache.

It's also sometimes called, "The Force." 

Geocaching/Hiking Term

Another term for a "Social Trail." An unofficial trail that diverges from an existing trail, as a shortcut to the destination. A social trail usually cuts through a vegetative barrier, such as woods, scrubs, and grass fields (from Wikipedia).

They tend to spring up quickly in areas where there is a lot of vegetation and the caches are hidden far off the main trail. For better or for worse, social trails will often lead you directly to the cache. 

Geocaching/Slang Term

A cache that has fallen into horrible disrepair. Also used for junk items found inside a geocache.

Geocaching Term/Abbreviation

"Green Jeep Travel Bug." These are small die cast yellow jeeps that were released as part of a Jeep promotion in 2006.

See also "Travel Bug," "YJTB," "WJTB," and "RJTB."

Technical Term

“General Mobile Radio Service.” A short-range two-way radio system that requires a valid FCC license.

Technical Term/Abbreviation

 "Global Positioning System." The generic term for the system itself and a common term for a handheld (or any) GPS device. Some people distinguish the system from the device with the abbreviation GPSr (with the "r" standing for "receiver").

Exhibit/Geocache Type

The GPS Adventure Maze is a traveling educational exhibit that teaches people about the inner workings of the GPS system and its uses. The exhibit can be logged as a type of event cache on Geocaching.com.

Check out www.gpsmaze.com to learn more and to see if the maze will be appearing near you! 

Technical Term/Abbreviation

 "Global Positioning System receiver." This term specifically designates a handheld (or any) GPS receiver from the other components in the Global Positioning System.

While the distinction is important it’s not normally necessary. GPS is by far the more common term for the device.

Geocaching Term

GPX files are geocaching databases available to premium members of Geocaching.com in the form of Pocket Queries. GPX files contain all the data an actual cache page would contain including the previous five logs.

Geocaching Term

Also called "GZ." It is the point when your GPS says you have arrived at the cache.

Of course, that doesn't necessarily mean the cache hider's GPS said that was Ground Zero.

Corporate Name

The parent company of Geocaching.com, Waymarking.com and Wherigo.com.  

Groundspeak is a privately-owned corporation headquartered in Seattle, Washington.

Geocaching Application

Abbreviation for Geocaching Swiss Army Knife. A very powerful and useful application that allows you to edit and combine GPX files and load them to your GPS and PDA.

GSAK can be found at www.gsak.net . 

Geocaching Term

The Geocache Listing Requirements found at www.geocaching.com/about/guidelines.aspx. It's often pointed out that these are guidelines rather than hard and fast rules that most be followed to the letter. The reviewers use the guidelines along with their own experience and common sense to determine whether or not a geocache is publishable on the website.

There is a check box at the bottom of every cache submission page that says, "Yes. I have read and understand the guidelines for listing a cache." Hopefully people actually do read them. 

Geocaching Term

The "Gx Logo" is a public domain geocaching logo designed to represent the game. Since the more familiar "4 Square" Geocaching.com logo is a copyrighted image, it was determined that a generic, royalty-free logo should be developed for use by anyone.

Several cachers worked through several designs in the Geocaching.com forums before the Gx logo was adopted. It's instantly recognizable and easily reproduced.

You can find several variations of it (including a TrueType Font and several animated gifs) at http://bytethebullet.com/geologo/leatherman_variants.htm

Abbreviation/Geocaching Term

Abbreviation for "Ground Zero" It is the point when your GPS says you have arrived at the cache.

Of course, that doesn't necessarily mean the cache hider's GPS said that was Ground Zero.

Elite Geocaching Practice

When caching in a group it's quite common for one cacher to find the geocache first and--not wanting to spoil the hunt for the rest of the cachers--simply move off and allow the rest to continue their search. When enough time has elapsed, the finder may indicate his or her success by performing The Happy Bunny Dance.

Both hands are placed behind the head with the forefinger and middle finger extended together above the head to simulate rabbit ears. The finder then beings hopping from foot to foot accompanied by supple pelvic gyrations and occasional leaps of ecstasy. Eventually the other cachers will notice this.

Note: The Happy Bunny Dance is performed by only the most physically fit geocachers. Novices should avoid The Happy Bunny Dance at all costs. Ignoring such warning can lead to cracked vertebrae, broken pelvises or even spontanious human combustion.

Technical Term/Abbreviation

Also sometimes written as "HDD MM.MMM" and several other variations.

It is the coordinate system that Geocaching.com adheres to. It stands for, "Hemisphere, Degrees, Minutes.Decimal Minutes." Coordinates written out in this system will look like: N 39° 52.158 W087° 42.453

Geocaching Term

An item placed in a cache with the intention of being moved from cache to cache.  Travel bugs and GeoCoins are types of hitchhikers.

Logging/Internet/Forum Term

"In My Humble Opinion." Also sometimes IMO or even IMNSHO (In my not so humble opinion). You'll see it in forum posts and even occasionally in geocache logs. 

Geocaching.com Term

Lackeys are actual employees (and owners) of Groundspeak, the company that owns Geocaching.com.

It's a term of affection, of course.

Technical Term

Latitude is the angular distance, in degrees, minutes, and seconds of a point north or south of the Equator. Lines of latitude are often referred to as parallels.

Personally I remember the different between latitude and longitude by remember that "lat" sounds like "flat." Works for me anyway. 

Geocaching Slang/Abbreviation

"Law Enforcement Officer."

Geocaching Term/Geocache Type

A geocache that combines elements of Letterboxing (another treasure hunting game). These caches are often near the listed coordinates but require the cacher to follow a set of clues to the exact location.

For more information on Letterboxing, visit the Letterboxing North America website.

Game

A game similar to geocaching but much older. Letterboxes are found through a series of clues rather than GPS coordinates. The boxes contain a logbook and a stamp (sometimes hand carved) which is used to mark the letterboxer's own logbook. The letterboxer in turn marks the logbook inside the letterbox with his or her own stamp. 

Letterbox Hybrids are geocaches that incorporate elements of letterboxing.

For more information visit Letterboxing.org. 

Geocaching Term

Similar to a GPX data file but provides less information (GCID, cache name and coordinates). LOC files are free from Geocaching.com as opposed to GPX files which require paid premium membership. 

Geocaching Term/Geocache Type

Locationless (or “Reverse Caches”) were a type of geocache where the job of the cacher was to find a location that matched the category set up by the owner. For example: if the cache owner’s category was “Natural Land Bridges,” the cacher would have to find a place on the earth that matched that category and record the coordinates for that location (often accompanying it with a photograph).

Locationless caches are no longer published on Geocaching.com. Instead, these have been worked into the concept of the game Waymarking.

Technical Term

Longitude is the angular distance, in degrees, minutes, and seconds, of a point east or west of the Prime (Greenwich) Meridian. Lines of longitude are often referred to as meridians.

Personally I remember the difference between longitude and latitude by remembering that longitude starts with "long" and these lines run longways around the earth. 

Slang/Abbreviation

Shorthand for "Lamp Post Cache." It refers to caches hidden at the base of lamp posts (often under the skirting).

Forum term

(märk’-wehl), verb. To cite a thread (or threads) where a topic was already discussed thus putting an end to the need to discuss it again.
Also: Markwelled, Markwelling, Markweller
Example: “I started a thread about Geocaching nude but it got Markwelled!”

A term coined by a well-meaning geocacher.

Technical Term

A small waterproof container designed to hold matches. They also make great micro-cache containers. 

Slang Term

A cheap toy left in a geocache. Usually it's a toy that came from a fastfood children's meal (hence the name).  The worst ones are usually used and broken.

Geocaching Term/Geocache Type

A geocaching event numbering 500 or more participants. The most well-known annual mega-events are GeoWoodstock and the Midwest GeoBash.

Geocaching Term/Abbreviation

Also called "MOC." This is a feature available to Premium Members of Geocaching.com. Only other Premium Members can see MOC cache pages. They are identified with this icon:

The purpose of MOC was to prevent cache piracy. Owners of MOC caches have the ability to view an "audit page" which shows the names of all the users who have viewed the cache page, how many times they have viewed it and the last time they viewed it.

Geocache Size Designation

A micro cache is generally any cache that's too small for anything but a logbook (though some very small trade items might fit in them). The standard micro cache is usually a 35mm film canister, match safe or something smaller.

See also "nano cache." 

Geocaching Term/Abbreviation

"Members Only Cache." This is a feature available to Premium Members of Geocaching.com. Only other Premium Members can see MOC cache pages. They are identified with this icon:

The purpose of MOC was to prevent cache piracy. Owners of MOC caches have the ability to view an "audit page" which shows the names of all the users who have viewed the cache page, how many times they have viewed it and the last time they viewed it.

Forum Term

A Groundspeak volunteer or employee who has the enviable* job of guiding the forums and maintaining the peace. Moderators can move threads to different forums, edit postings, suspend posting priviledges and perform a variety of other tasks using their "mod superpowers."

Moderators are guided by the Forum Guidelines which are linked at the top of every forum page.

Moderators are sometimes also Reviewers, but not always.

*I was being sarcastic about that "enviable" part.

Geocaching Term

Also called a Traveling 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.

Geocaching Term/Slang

Also, "GeoMuggle."

Derived from “non-magic folk” in the Harry Potter series, a muggle is a non-cacher.

See also, “muggled.”

Geocaching Term/Slang

Derived from GeoMuggle (or simply Muggle), it's slang for a cache that has been stolen/removed by a non-cacher. 

i.e. " I searched for this cache but couldn't find it. I'm afraid it's been muggled." 

Geocaching Term/Geocache Type

A geocache that requires visits to two or more sets of coordinates. Beginning and intermediate coordinates might be either physical caches or simply points where information is gathered (i.e. Count the number of bricks on the side of a wall, use these for the value of x). The final is always a physical cache with a logbook/logsheet.

Geocaching Term/Geocache Type

Called “Mystery,” “Puzzle” or simply “Unknown.” This is a catch-all cache category that normally requires a puzzle to be solved in order to find the final coordinates. The cache is usually NOT at the posted coordinates unless it is an ALR (Additional Logging Requirement) cache or unless getting into the cache is in itself the puzzle.

Mystery cache coordinates are normally 2 miles or less away from the posted coordinates.

Slang/Technical Term

A nano cache is an extremely small micro cache. They're usually either small metal containers (like bison tubes) or small magnetic containers (also sometimes called "blinkies"). 

Nano cache is not recognized as a size designation by Geocaching.com. They are simply considered micro caches.  

Geocaching Log Type

One of the log types available on Geocaching.com. Also called "SBA" for "Should Be Archived."

Use this log if the cache cannot or should not be replaced due to outside forces (new construction, land management, or dangers). When a SBA log is posted the local cache reviewer receives notification of it and may take action to archive the cache. Use this log type sparingly and only in situations where you are certain of the problem at the cache site.

Geocaching Log Type

Sometimes abbreviated as "NM." Use this log type if the cache is in need of attention from the owner (ie. It has become damaged, wet, or in need of a new logbook). Use of this log type places a "Needs Maintenance" attribute on the cache page which remains until the owner posts an "Owner Maintenance" log.

Geocaching Term

A new geocacher. Also called a "Newbie." 

Internet Slang

Also "noob" or "n00b." A Newbie is someone who is "new" to a particular activity, even geocaching.

How long before you're no longer considered a newbie? No one really knows, but visiting this site has been known to cut down on the time considerably!

Forum Term

Abbreviation for “Original Poster.” The OP is the person who started the particular thread discussion.

Forum Term

Abbreviation for “Off Topic.” It’s a note that the topic being posted does not conform to the stated topic of the forum or forum thread.

“Off Topic” is also the name of a forum available to Premium Members of Geocaching.com.

The well-hidden but often-referenced off topic forum. By popular demand, this is a place for you to talk about everything under the sun that isn't geocaching (within reason). Obey the posting guidelines and no one will get hurt.

Slang/Abbreviation

"Phone A Friend." The practice of calling previous finders for either a hint or confirmation of the existance of a geocache. 

Technical Term/Abbreviation

"Personal Digital Assistant." Any small handheld computer (ie. Palm, Pocket PC, Blackberry, etc).  Many of these devices can be used to store geocache pages and information.

Slang/Abbreviation

"Poison Ivy." 

Geocaching Term

Also "Cache Pirate." A pirate is a person who plunders caches--removing either the whole cache or just the contents and then re-hides them in another spot or holds them for ransom. Often times a note is left behind by the pirate to claim responsibility. 

"Pirate" is a far too romantic title for this act. The term "Cache Maggot" is much preferred. 

Geocaching Term/Abbreviation

"Park n' Grab." Also, "P & G" or "P and G." A quick cache found near the side of the road. No hiking involved. 

Geocaching Term

A geocache carried on your person that others are allowed to log.

Pocket caches were popular early on at events as a way of getting people to mingle. However, the practice is widely frowned upon now and known pocket caches are archived and locked by Geocaching.com now. Since caches must be found at their posted coordinates pocket caches just didn't fit into the game. 

Geocaching/Technical Term

A customized listing of geocaches created by premium members of the Geocaching.com website. Pocket Queries (PQ’s) contain the information found on geocache pages including the coordinates and the last five logs. These listings can be received by email on a daily or weekly basis and loaded into a GPS or PDA to be accessed while on a cache hunt.

Geocaching Term

A mystery/puzzle cache that incorporates the use of an .mp3 player and a downloadable audio file. Normally geocachers start at a given set of coordinates and are led to the cache through a series of audio clues.  

Technical Term/Abbreviation

"Point of Interest."  In GPS terms it is any location marked on a GPS, though geocaches are usually listed separately from POI's.

See also "Waypoint." 

Geocaching Term

A series of caches placed in close proximity to each other--usually just over .1 mile apart. The caches are normally quick finds a quick way to rack up some numbers.

Power trails are looked down upon by some and frowned upon in the Geocaching.com guidelines.

Geocaching/Technical Term/Abbreviation

"Pocket Query." A customized listing of geocaches created by premium members of the Geocaching.com website. Pocket Queries (PQ’s) contain the information found on geocache pages including the coordinates and the last five logs. These listings can be received by email on a daily or weekly basis and loaded into a GPS or PDA to be accessed while on a cache hunt.

Geocaching.com Term

A paying member of the Geocaching.com website. Premium members receive benefits such as pocket queries, bookmark lists and the ability to hide Members Only Caches (MOC's). 

Geocache Type 

Also "APE Cache"

A.P.E. Caches were a marketing stunt by 20th Century Fox to promote the 2001 remake of Planet of the Apes. The caches originally contained props from the movie as FTF prizes.

At one time there were 12 A.P.E. Caches, as of this writing only 2 are still in existence. For more information visit Markwell's Project A.P.E. site . 

Geocaching Term

A reviewer is a volunteer who works for Groundspeak by reviewing caches for publication on Geocaching.com. The reviewer works with a set of tools (maps, etc.), the Groundspeak Geocaching Placement Guidelines and his or her own knowledge of the game to determine whether or not a geocache is able to be published on the website.

Reviewers are also sometimes called "Approvers," but this title doesn't adequetly describe the service they provide.

Geocaching Term/Abbreviation

"Red Jeep Travel Bug." These are small die cast yellow jeeps that were released as part of a Jeep promotion in 2007.

See also "Travel Bug," "YJTB," "WJTB," and "GJTB." 

Technical/Logging Term

Abbreviation for "Rotate by 13 Places." Also sometimes written as "ROT-13." It is the cypher code which hints on cache pages are encrypted with. In ROT13 the alphabet is rotated by 13 letters so A=N, B=O, C=P, and vise versa.

When hiding a cache, the hint is automatically encrypted for you. You do not need to write it out in ROT13. When logging a cache the option to encrypt your log entry is available. However, any information placed in brackets [like this] will be left unencrypted.  

Geocaching Log Type

"Should Be Archived." It's one of the log types available on Geocaching.com. The actual log type is "Needs Archived," but SBA has become a common abbreviation.

Use this log if the cache cannot or should not be replaced due to outside forces (new construction, land management, or dangers). When a SBA log is posted the local cache reviewer receives notification of it and may take action to archive the cache. Use this log type sparingly and only in situations where you are certain of the problem at the cache site.

Geocaching Term/Abbreviation

“Signature Item.”

A trade item left in a cache by a specific geocacher as a means of identifying him/herself. Signature items range from being handcrafted collectables to simple business cards.

Some signature items are highly collectable.

Geocaching Term

Also called “Sig Item.”

A trade item left in a cache by a specific geocacher as a means of identifying him/herself. Signature items range from being handcrafted collectables to simple business cards.

Some signature items are highly collectable.

Geocaching/Logging Term

Shorthand for, “Signed Log.”

Geocaching Term/Slang

The “Smileyface” icon one receives when a logging a geocache. “It’s all about the smilies.”

Geocaching/Hiking Term

An unofficial trail that diverges from an existing trail, as a shortcut to the destination. A social trail usually cuts through a vegetative barrier, such as woods, scrubs, and grass fields (from Wikipedia).

In geocaching these are often called "Geotrails."  They tend to spring up quickly in areas where there is a lot of vegetation and the caches are hidden far off the main trail. For better or for worse, social trails will often lead you directly to the cache. 

Internet/Forum Term

An anonymous account created to hide the users true identity.  This is actually a widely used term in Internet forums and not a geocaching-specific term.

Logging Term

Information or photographs in logs that provide hints that might spoil the caching experience for others. There is a warning just above the logs on every cache page that says, "Warning. Spoilers may be included in the descriptions or links."

It is normally considered good etiquette to preface spoiler material with a warning like, "SPOILER ALERT!!" or "SPOILERS AHEAD!!" Often a cacher will encrypt any information in their logs that might be considered spoilers. 

The cache owner is also free to delete or encrypt any logs that might contain spoilers.

Geocaching/Logging Term

"Second To Find." Like FTF it's a matter of bragging rights...just not as many. 

Geocaching/Slang Term

Also called the UPS or "Unnatural Pile of Sticks," "Barkouflage" and other variations. It's the pile of sticks found concealing a geocache.

After you've played the game for a while you start to notice them a lot more.

Slang

Also called "Trade items" or "geo-treasure" or simply "treasure." These are items placed in a geocache for trading. 

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.

Technical Term

“Universal Transverse Mercator” coordinate system. An alternative to the standard Longitude/Latitude system that uses grids overlaying specific areas of the earth’s surface. UTM divides the earth up into sixty zones.

For more information see Wikipedia Link. 

Geocaching Term/Geocache Type

A “containerless cache” where the location is in itself the prize. Virtual caches take you to location that the cache owner wants to share with you. These are often interesting spots (with an “Aaah factor”) where an actual physical cache would be inappropriate or easily removed.

Often times a photo or an email to the owner is necessary to log a virtual cache.

Virtual caches are no longer published on Geocaching.com. Instead, these have been worked into the concept of the game Waymarking.

Abbreviation

"Vest Of Many Pockets." It's also known as a photographer's vest. VOMP's are a great way to carry a lot of spare items without having to carry a backpack or other bulky gear. 

Technical Term/Abbreviation

"Wide Area Augmentation System." WAAS is a feature of the GPS system available in North America that improves GPS accuracy.

Some cachers feel that enabling WAAS on their GPS's tends to drain the batteries quicker.

Geocaching Term/Website Feature

A user-created list of geocaches and/or travelbugs. When a cache or travel bug is on your watchlist you will received email notifications when any logs are placed on its page.

Watchlists are included with all Geocaching.com accounts, but premium members have the ability to have larger watchlists.

Game

Waymarking is a GPS game from Groundspeak that combines elements of virtual and locationless geocaches (both of which are now grandfathered on Geocaching.com).

The goal of Waymarking is to find locations that match the criteria of a waymarking category and add them to that category. It is--as the tagline puts it--a scavenger hunt for unique and interesting locations in the world.

For more information, be sure to visit Waymarking.com.

Technical Term

Any location marked with a GPS. The waypoint might be a geocache or it could be parking coordinates or some other point of interest. 

Geocaching Term/Geocache Type

A virtual cache that takes the cacher to a location that is covered by a webcam. Often times a second person is necessary to log on to the webcam’s site and take the cacher’s picture.

Webcam caches are no longer published on Geocaching.com but are available through a category on Waymarking.com.

Game

Also sometimes referred to as "WG" or "WG$."  

Where's George? is a website that tracks the movement and mileage of money based on their serial numbers. You'll occasionally find a Where's George? bill in a cache, but this isn't really encouraged by the Where's George? Website. The idea of the site is to track the natural movement of money through the buying and selling of items. However, due to their similarity to travel bugs, many geocachers also enjoy leaving these bills.

For more information be sure to check out www.wheresgeorge.com.  

Game

Wherigo is another GPS-based game from Groundspeak. Wherigo expands the searching adventure through the use of GPS-enabled handheld computers. The game is played like a real world first person video game or a "Choose Your Own Adventure" book.

For more information visit Wherigo.com 

Geocache Type

Wherigo Caches incorporate elements of the Wherigo game into the search for a geocache. It's a mystery/puzzle cache on steriods. Geocachers are able to interact with virtual objects and characters on their way to an actual physical cache.

Geocaching Term/Abbreviation

"White Jeep Travel Bug." These are small die cast yellow jeeps that were released as part of a Jeep promotion in 2005.

See also "Travel Bug," "YJTB," "GJTB," and "RJTB." 

Geocaching Log Type

This note type is often used on return visits to the cache, perhaps to pick up a travel bug or simply check on it. At times this note is used instead of a DNF if the cache hunt is interrupted and you don't want to give others the impression that the cache is missing.

Slang Term/Abbreviation

"Yet Another Park I Didn't Know About." 

Geocaching Term/Abbreviation

"Yellow Jeep Travel Bug." These are small die cast yellow jeeps that were released as part of a Jeep promotion in 2004.

See also "Travel Bug," "WJTB," "GJTB," and "RJTB."