Night Caching

Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2012 7:18 am

We have been geocaching for about three years now and have never night cached. We are wondering if there are tips or recommendation of how to go about doing night caching. We are thinking about starting this new adventure.

Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2012 8:23 am

Tip #1 Stay our of Cemeteries
Tip # 2 Keep your eyes open
Tip #3 Watch your step

All kidding aside, (except Tip #1) just have fun

Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2012 9:20 am

Start with urban caches. I have cached at night after doing my 4th of July show for the past couple years. It is in Milwaukee and I hunt until sunrise. The urban caches will get you used to hunting at night. Get a good compact led light so that you can see well and it is not cumbersome.

Joined: 2009-06-05 Posts: 2119 Location: Menominee, MI

Another tip - hold the flashlight at eye level as the reflectors will reflect directly back to your eyes, making it easier to see them. I have a long powerful flashlight capable of projecting an intense beam for over 200 yards and even though it is heavy, I hold it up with my shoulder to support it. I paid over $30 for it, but it is well worth the money for night caching. Those $3 flash lights just won't do the job.

Also, carry spare batteries with you when night caching. If the flashlight runs low on power and starts to get faint, time to change the batteries. Much easier to change it on the spot rather than walk back to the car to do it.

Finally, wear some sort of a head lamp. I have a clip light that I clip to my cap visor. It is great for finding the actual cache at ground zero then signing the log with both hands free.

Happy caching.

Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2012 10:20 am

I have a nice small Rayovac light that I bought at Menards for about $25. Nice and bright for 2 AA batteries. Has a wrist strap and a button on the back for momentary lighting.

When I night cache, they are ones that can be found during the day. Those can be tough also. The ones made for nighttime are very cool also.

Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2012 11:12 am

Are there specific caches that are for night caching? If so, how do you tell if they are or not?

Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2012 11:48 am

Rothshcild, WI (Wausau area) has 4 night caches in a very small area.

Joined: 2009-06-05 Posts: 2119 Location: Menominee, MI

MooseGoober wrote:

Are there specific caches that are for night caching? If so, how do you tell if they are or not?

You can filter them by searching for caches with the night caching attributes as well as the flashlight attribute.

Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2012 1:14 pm

I have not done any yet but most of the night time caches near Waukesha are in parks which close at 10pm. I have been given the advice of more experienced cachers is to do them anytime then the summer so you are not pushed for time. Summer sunset is usually around 8:30pm. I plan to do some night caching in September or October.

WGA Member Joined: 2008-03-13 Posts: 76

When you leave the car make sure you mark your location on your gps. So you will not get lost after you make the find. Make you have a gps that can be scene in the dark . Also I would carry a good old fashion compass. I would also suggest that you let some one know where you be. In case something happens when you are out on the trail trying to find that prefect cache. This helps when someone starts to look for you gives them a starting location.

Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2012 5:58 pm

And don't go night caching alone.

Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2012 10:00 pm

I enjoy night caches, but also just caching late at night. I'd recommend keeping the D/T low for your nighttime adventures, even a 1/1 becomes a beast when you can't see anything.

Posted: Tue Aug 21, 2012 7:07 am

Summer can be difficult for night caching because you're tripping over brush. Fall is probably best. But it's fun!