Caching Name: Joshinchains
Real Name: Josh Brown
1. How did you become involved in geocaching? My friend Jimmy (SimmyJellers) had mentioned it to me a couple times, but I really knew nothing about it. One morning we met up to go hiking at a park and ride where there was a cache he had previously found. He asked if I’d like to find my first cache, I did, and we proceeded to find several more that day while hiking and I haven’t stopped.
2. How did you choose your caching name? It is a name I’ve used online and for gaming since I was a teenager. It just combines my favorite band growing up (Alice in Chains) with my first name.
3. What type of cache do you prefer seeking – traditional, multi, and puzzle, virtual? I don’t necessarily have a preference of type. I really like a cache that takes me on a cool hike, or to a historical spot. I guess if I had to pick, it would be virtual because they tend to take you to some of the coolest spots.
4. Which caches were the most challenging, either physically/mentally? As far as physically challenging, I would have to say some of the caches I did while in Yosemite such as Climbing Giant’s Staircase (GC2M27Q). I found this earthcache while hiking the panoramic trail, an all day, very tough hike. Mentally, I’d go with some of the WVTim gadget caches.
5. What are your current geocaching goals? I don’t really have a lot right now, other than trying to keep my Terrain and Difficulty stats each above 2 and finding all the year 2000 caches I come across.
6. Where have you always wanted to go caching but haven’t? I don’t really have any particular place, but I want to travel and hike everywhere, and I always try to grab at least one cache when I’m in a new location.
7. What is your most memorable caching experience? Most of my memorable caching experiences come from my friends and I making fun of each other while out on the trail. One time in particular SimmyJellers, C1nn4m0n and I headed to NJ to tackle the Manunka Chunk Tunnels (GC82B5 – now archived, unfortunately) – Cinn had sent us an email telling us to come prepared to get very dirty. We ignored her and each wore brand new hiking boots. Cinn came in rain boots and we teased her mercilessly…until we ended up knee deep in mud in the tunnels, ruining our brand new boots, and she got to turn the tables and make fun of us for the rest of the day for not listening. All in all it made for a really fun day and was one of my favorite caches.
8. What do you like about geocaching? It has given me a new way to explore when I go to a new place. Many times you get to find local treasures that aren’t the normal tourist spots through geocaching. I’ve always loved to hike and caching had added something extra to that for me.
9. Do you have some favorite caches in the area? My version of “in the area” is probably a little more far reaching than others as I don’t do a ton of caching near my home in Delaware. My favorite cache is actually a three part cache located just south of Lancaster in Pennsylvania – Black Beast of Aaaaarrrrrrggghhh (GC470MW), Rabbit of Caerbannog (GC470Q8), and What is Your Quest? (GC4737P). It’s a series loosely based on Monty Python. It’s a lot of fun, puts you in some physically challenging places, and brings you to a cool area in the woods. I also really enjoyed the earthcache at Ringing Rocks (GCPRGX) in Bucks County, PA. My girls had a blast doing that one with me. Finally, I would say The Bloodiest Day (GC1PWNV) the wherigo at Antietam. This takes you on a really cool walk around the battlefield to many historical spots.
10. Do you have any other hobbies or interests? I enjoy backpacking, hiking, kayaking – mostly things that I’ve really been able to tie in witch caching! I also really enjoy going to see live music (if that’s a hobby).
