What are Challenge Caches?
Challenge caches require you to complete specific geocaching achievements before you can log a find. Unlike puzzle caches where you solve a puzzle to get coordinates, challenge caches have published coordinates but require proof of meeting certain criteria.
Using Challenge Checkers
Most challenge caches have a "checker" - an online tool that verifies if you meet the requirements. Here's how to use them:
- 1.Look for the checker link on the cache page (usually Project-GC or GeoCheck)
- 2.Click the checker and log in with your geocaching.com credentials
- 3.The checker analyzes your profile and shows if you qualify
- 4.If you don't qualify, most checkers show what you still need
- 5.Take a screenshot or note the "qualified" status as proof
Common Challenge Types
Find Count Challenges
Requires a certain number of cache finds to qualify.
Examples:
- • 1000 finds milestone
- • 500 traditional caches
- • 100 caches in a specific county
Tips:
- • Check your statistics on geocaching.com or Project-GC
- • Some count specific cache types only
- • Date restrictions may apply
Calendar/Date Challenges
Based on finding caches on specific dates or completing date-based patterns.
Examples:
- • Find a cache on every day of the year (366 challenge)
- • Find a cache every day for 30 consecutive days
- • Find caches in every month of a year
- • Leap day finds (February 29th)
Tips:
- • Project-GC has excellent calendar visualization
- • Start tracking early - some dates are harder
- • February 29th is the hardest day to fill
- • Look for 24/7 accessible caches
D/T Grid Challenges
Complete portions of or the entire Difficulty/Terrain grid.
Examples:
- • Full 81-square D/T grid completion
- • Complete a row or column
- • Find all terrain 5 or difficulty 5 caches
- • D/T combinations with specific cache types
Tips:
- • T5 caches require climbing or special equipment
- • D5 caches are usually the most challenging puzzles
- • Some combinations (like D1/T5) are rare
- • Plan T5 caches carefully - may need training
Cache Type Challenges
Find specific types of caches or combinations of types.
Examples:
- • Find every cache type
- • 50 multi-cache finds
- • 25 Wherigo finds
- • 100 puzzle cache finds
Tips:
- • Some cache types (APE, GPS Maze) are extremely rare
- • HQ caches only at Geocaching HQ
- • Event caches count when you attend
- • Lab caches may or may not count
Fizzy/Jasmer Challenges
Find caches placed in specific months/years or with specific ages.
Examples:
- • Jasmer: Find a cache placed in every month since May 2000
- • Find caches from every year since geocaching began
- • Find a cache placed in your birth month/year
Tips:
- • Early months (2000-2001) have few surviving caches
- • May 2000 is the hardest Jasmer month
- • Travel may be required for early months
- • Check Project-GC for Jasmer opportunities
Geographic Challenges
Find caches in specific locations, regions, or countries.
Examples:
- • Cache in every US state
- • Cache in X number of countries
- • Find caches in every county of a region
- • Caches in every state/national park
Tips:
- • Plan road trips for multiple regions
- • Border areas great for multi-state challenges
- • Some require physical caches only
- • Check for county line caches
Streak Challenges
Find caches on consecutive days or maintain specific patterns.
Examples:
- • 100 consecutive days with a find
- • Cache every day for a year
- • No gaps in calendar for X months
Tips:
- • Plan ahead for travel days and holidays
- • Have backup caches identified near home
- • Power trails useful for maintaining streaks
- • Lab caches can save a streak in emergencies
General Challenge Cache Tips
- • Run the checker first
- • Read all requirements carefully
- • Check for date restrictions
- • Note any cache type exclusions
- • Lab caches may not count
- • Events vs. finds distinction
- • Archived caches may not qualify
- • Time zones can affect dates