A couple of weeks ago my family attended a geocache event where I met up with a few fabulous people. One person has nearly legendary status as he’s the 3rd ranking geocacher in the world. This event marked his 30,000th cache.
When he first started, back in 2001, there were only 2500 caches across 42 countries. Project A.P.E. had just recently been announced to promote the “Planet of the Apes” film remake.
It’s been nearly 10 years since then and we now have nearly 1.3 million caches across over 100 countries. If someone asked me to point out a Yoda of geocaching, I’d direct him straight to Mondo. Not that he would, but if Mondo was trying to hide his wisdom in the sport, his wide-brim bush hat, slightly stubbled chin or clay-soiled shoes would betray him… but that’s alright. He’s got an outgoing personality, a friendly smile and a great temperament to go with his adventuresome spirit.
Paurian: How do caches and their contents differ between countries?
Mondo: I have noticed two things: First, in Hungary they wrap all containers in plastic bags. Second, I rarely find ammo cans or other used military gear overseas.
Paurian: What has been your favorite cache to find?
Mondo: The Spa at Cardo in Spain is my all time sentimental favorite. My brother took me on a caching trip there for my 50th birthday and it was quite a journey and a personal accomplishment to get to the top.
Paurian: What has been your favorite place to go geocaching?
Mondo: I do not have one favorite place…
Paurian: For you, what makes one geocache more enjoyable than another?
Mondo: I enjoy caches that are accessible by 4 wheeling, hiking, biking, on power trails and in urban areas, in that order. Caching in new areas and countries is incredibly fun. I am partial to the desert too. Heck, after 30,000 finds I think you can safely say I like them all.
Paurian: What are the most challenging caches?
Mondo: The ones that are right in front of your face and dare you to find them – these creative ones are the most enjoyable to find. Some other caches have also challenged my self-imposed/perceived limitations – e.g., fear of heights.
Paurian: What is the most helpful non GPSr geocaching tool that you take into the field?
Mondo: GSAK (Geocaching Swiss Army Knife), my personal stamper and tweezers are used the most.
Paurian: So much has changed since you started back in 2001. What do you feel has been the most significant change to geocaching?
Mondo: The explosion in the number of caches being hidden and the concomitant numbers of cachers participating have been the biggest change.
The fundamentals are the same – you hide, I seek and I hide you seek. We all walk in circles and do other dumb things to get a smiley.
Paurian: How would you describe the geocaching experience without reverting to the common “treasure hunt” terminology?
Mondo: A silly world wide game of hide and seek using global positioning receivers is what I usually tell muggles.
Paurian: Are there any particularly special experiences in your life that wouldn’t have happened if you had not discovered geocaching?
Mondo: I think the most special one was my decision to ask my then wife to be Diana out on a 4 wheeling cache/date.
Paurian: [Word to the ladies!]