Tales of Geocaching Trivia Quiz

Answer: Pencil

Of course, this acronym can also mean Bring Your Own Pen. I prefer to use a pencil because it has an eraser! Geocachers often communicate with each other by signing the log book that is at the geocaching site, and it would be especially disappointing to not be able to log in.

While there are geocaches that may include a pen or pencil for use, some of the smaller caches, such as micros or nanos, are in containers that are too small to hold another item.

Answer: Find

It is exciting to be the first geocacher to find a geocache after it has been published, so pay attention to those notifications! Along with the pride of being the first to find a geocache, there may be a special reward found at the site. You might find a special FTF pin, or maybe even a cash prize! In addition, being the FTF gives a person bragging rights! What geocacher worth her salt doesn't love to tell stories about where she has been?

Answer: Trade

What kind of tools might be useful when pursuing the geocaching hobby? I would highly suggest making sure that you have a working flashlight, and bringing a couple of new batteries along as well! If you have a nice mobile phone, it may have a geocaching app with GPS, as well as a camera, which is a must because it is so much fun to post photos! A small mirror makes it easier to look under structures such as benches, and a nice pair of gloves will protect your hands when you are digging around.

It may also be a good idea to bring along an extra pen or pencil, and don't forget to bring a notepad - in a waterproof pouch. And - if you are like me - you want to bring a small first aid kit - just in case! Honestly, the more you participate in the hobby, and depending on where you are willing to go to look for the geocache, the more tools you will want to add to your kit.

Answer: Get

While a geocache would typically contain a log sheet, many times other items are found there too. These items may or may not be valuable; sometimes they are just inexpensive trinkets, however, beauty is in the eye of the beholder! An important rule to follow is that if you take an item from the geocache, you must leave one of equal value. Did you know that there is good swag and bad swag? Examples of good swag would be items such as new batteries, unexpired coupons, or foreign coins. Lighters, weapons, and anything illegal is considered to be bad swag.

Answer: Out

Geocachers are expected to show respect for the environment. In fact, cleaning up trash around geocaching sites is an important part of the hobby. Sometimes there are special events, called C.I.T.O. Events, that are planned as a group activity, however, it is important for each geocacher to always pick up litter.

In fact, special trash bags, called C.I.T.O. bags can even be purchased from geocaching vendors for the purpose of keeping the site clean.

Answer: Find

This message on a log is very important as it might notify the cache owner that there are issues with finding the geocache, or alert them to the fact that their cache has been removed without their knowledge. It may also warn other geocachers that the geocache is particularly tricky to find.

Answer: Ivy

I am extremely allergic to poison ivy, so it is important for me to look for the plant before I dive into a geocaching site. In case you don't know about this plant, it causes itching, irritation, and a very painful rash. Although an over-the-counter drug can be purchased for the treatment of the rash, some people are so allergic that it takes prescription medication from a doctor to clear up the blistering.

While geocaches can be found in some very unusual locations, most cache owners are very careful to avoid dangers such as poison ivy.

There are times, however, when the site may have changed after its construction. Just be aware of your surroundings! Poison ivy likes to grow up trees and other plants.

Answer: Terrain

A person who submits a geocache for publication must also give a rating for the difficulty and terrain using a 5-star scale, with one being the easiest and five the hardest. The difficulty rating suggests how long it might take to find the geocache and how much work it may take to find it. Of course, the terrain rating suggests how much physical labor is needed to reach the geocache, so a 1/1 rating would mean that the geocache is relatively easy to find! The ratings vary quite a bit, as what is difficult for one geocacher may not be for another.

In addition, the ratings forms vary from one community of geocachers to another.

Answer: Hide

There is a debate among geocachers regarding the etiquette of just leaving behind a TFTH note on the log sheet. Some believe that because a geocache site takes time to create, the finder should leave a more thorough note behind. Others point out that many times geocachers are logging a find from their phone where it might be easier to just leave an acronym, intending to update the note later when they are home.

While they may have good intentions, sometimes they forget to embellish the original note. Also, if geocachers are not especially excited by a particular geocache, they might leave TFTH on the log because that is a way they can avoid saying anything negative.

Answer: Nothing

Usually TN, LN, SL are combined together to mean Took Nothing, Left Nothing, Signed Log. This means that a geocacher did not leave anything at the geocache or take anything from the site. For me, finding the geocache is a treasure hunt in itself, so I feel it is important to change the site as little as possible.

It is customary to leave the geocache the way it was found, although I do enjoy leaving SWAG from time to time!