[EMT160090]

I am glad to be a part of this community. I have been caching since 2007 when a friend of mine invited me to go caching with him.

He wanted to go look for a few caches around Centralia, PA. This area is known for the fire burning in the abandoned coal mines under the town. It is also known for being the inspiration for Silent Hill.

Due to the ongoing mine fire under the town, the ground has become unstable in some areas. Because of this, my friend really didn’t want to go and explore the area alone. We set out early in the day to have enough time to search the area and find several caches throughout the day.

After a short walk into the woods, we were able to claim the smiley for my first cache "Smoke On The Horizon". To properly sign, I needed a proper Geocaching name. I decided that using my EMT license number was unique enough that no one would already have it… so that is who I became. EMT160090 officially became a geocacher and just like that, I got the cache bug.

Although I may not be the most active cacher, I do still like to look for them anytime I visit a new area. I have only 800 finds at the moment, but many are 3* or higher in terrain or difficulty. I even have a handful of 5/5 caches under my belt.

I moved from the US to Estonia in 2012 and this has slowed my progress significantly as there are far fewer caches here in comparison to the US. Although I do not go hunting caches, I still remain active in the caching community and now spend a lot of time helping new cachers become familiar with the sport. I have been active in several facebook groups and regularly offer answers and suggestions to new cachers that ask in the groups.

Dan - EMT160090

 

[Superburban]

Hey Dan

Looks like we are the first to this party. I did caching a lot before I left Pa Back in 2009. We have discussed it a lot since we moved here to Colorado, but too many other things in life keep getting in the way. Hope to do more now that we found this site.

George

 

[EMT160090]

Hey Dan

Looks like we are the first to this party. I did caching a lot before I left Pa Back in 2009. We have discussed it a lot since we moved here to Colorado, but too many other things in life keep getting in the way. Hope to do more now that we found this site.

George

Welcome in George!

I have always used it as something to do when traveling. Whenever I visit a new state or city I try to find at least one cache. Even if I don't have a lot of time, I try to get one to put it on my map.

In the first few years I quickly got to 700 finds, but it has taken almost 10 years to get the next 100.

I have been wanting to get active again and increase my numbers. This will probably motivate me too.

Any particular favorite caches or memorable trips?

 

[Superburban]

Last time I was in Centralia (1983 ish) There was still some residents that refused to move. There is some towns similar out here where the residents got moved out because they were old uranium mine towns.

The only Cach I really recall was one that was supposed to be at a mall where my Wife worked. I think the final clue was like 3 light. My Son and I would look every time we Picked up the wife. Others kept reporting that they found it, but we did not. Finally one day we saw on the 3rd light from the end, the electrical cover only had one bolt holding it. You slide it to the side, and there was the plastic box.

So how in the heck did you end up in Estonia?

 

[EMT160090]

My better half was from here so when we got married she convinced me to move here. Seems to be a common trend in foreigners that end up here.

To be fair, I had been visiting Estonia since 2003, so I had already grown quite fond of the place. It has a very similar feel to Central, PA so I adapted pretty well. The only thing I struggle with is the language... which also makes it hard to go after the puzzle caches here.

 

[Shadowdragn1]

I started geocaching in 2019. I don't get to go often but I love the game. There are so many different aspects to the game and games within the game. I find it all fascinating. So much so I started a podcast that I use as an outlet to explore all the different aspects of the game. It's called Geocache Adventures.

Geocacheadventures.org

 

[EMT160090]

I started geocaching in 2019. I don't get to go often but I love the game. There are so many different aspects to the game and games within the game. I find it all fascinating. So much so I started a podcast that I use as an outlet to explore all the different aspects of the game. It's called Geocache Adventures.

Geocacheadventures.org

Welcome in @Shadowdragn1, I am sure you have some very fascinating stories to share if you are a podcaster. What other aspects have you tried beyond the main geocaching game? Back when I started I was also doing a little letterboxing and benchmarking, but that isn't as common over here in Europe it seems. I also know a few people that got into Munzee. That is another game very similar to geocaching, but required scanning QR codes. I think I only found one or two that were near cache locations.

 

[Shadowdragn1]

I've tried Munzee but never really got into it. I actually discovered Munzee while geocaching when i found a QR code at a cache location. I've done a couple of benchmarks as I've come across them. I have not yet tried letter boxing outside the letter box cache hybrids but have been reading more about them. I'm actually hope to do a podcast episode on the letterbox cache in the next couple of months. I really like how there are so many different things internally to geocaching even beyond the different cache types. Geo arts are amazing and so creative, I haven't done too much with challenge caches or county counties personally but I know people who love them. I'm a big fan of travel bugs and love watching them move. It's just incredible how many different avenues there are to geocaching and every geocacher can shape the game in ways to fit their preferences whether it's going deep into the woods, doing challenge caches, or just staying urban and getting guard rail caches. You can tailor geocaching to you and your abilities and talents. I love that about it.