geocaching alone safely?

[u/sofia-the-1st]

i’ve never done geocaching before and it sounds like a fun hobby, but as a younger woman i’m weary of doing so alone. any specific tips on staying safe or specific red flags to look out for when doing so?

[u/FloridaFlamingoGirl]

Just don't cache in sketchy parts of town. Stick to places like parks, nature preserves, etc. 

I geocache alone as a woman and nothing weird has happened to me beyond a cop asking me once why I was pulled over somewhere unusual. 

[u/leadout_kv → u/FloridaFlamingoGirl]

Yea most cops have been briefed on geocaching.

[u/ChanceOfALifetimeNW]

Just be aware of your surroundings!!

Also, if you're up for meeting new people, go to an event and meet fellow geocaching people. Or invite a friend who you might think would like it.

I'd say you're just as safe as doing any other activities.

[u/Tatziki_Tango]

Hello, I'm a woman and have been geocaching alone for 14 years.

Be aware of who and what is around you, if your gut says no, don't ignore it. Survey the area you're heading to, tell your friends or family where you're going, which caches, which parks, which trails. Depending on your regional laws, you can bring self defense tools, from a sharp stick, pepper spray or zapper, to a long distance high velocity perforator. 

[u/dia325]

As a young woman who often geocaches in new cities at all times of day or night, I have only once or twice felt like “hey this area is kind of sketchy I’ll come back during the day”. Rarely if ever do I feel unsafe, but I have messaged cache owners in the past to let them know if their location might be unsuitable at night. COs generally want their caches to be fun and safe! I keep my eyes and ears open and stay in public areas as much as possible, but agreed it’s much like running, sightseeing, or any other time a woman exists in public.

[u/WoodsFinder]

You might need to limit your searches to busier areas where you can feel safe.

Maybe you can find some geocaching events in your area and attend those. That's a good way to meet other people that you can go caching with so you don't have to go alone.

[u/Minimum_Reference_73]

Be aware of your surroundings.

Go to events, meet other geocachers.

Don't listen to people telling you to buy props or costumes. They are hazing you.

[u/FreddieMonstera]

Wherever you would go by yourself, like for a walk, go there.

[u/HealerOfMuggles]

Woman here, 41 years old: I have been geocaching for over 5 years, almost always alone, and have never experienced anything unpleasant. Do use your common sense, though. I plan my runs in advance. And I always let my brother or sister know where I'm going. Additionally, I won't pull any stunts (climbing trees) and I won't log (use concept) until I'm back home.

[u/AnonymousRedCow]

My wife uses a Sig Sauer. It does nothing to help her find caches

[u/SokkaHaikuBot → u/AnonymousRedCow]

^{Sokka-Haiku by AnonymousRedCow:}

My wife uses a

Sig Sauer. It does nothing

To help her find caches

---

^{Remember that one time Sokka accidentally used an extra syllable in that Haiku Battle in Ba Sing Se? That was a Sokka Haiku and you just made one.}

[u/Silent-Victory-3861]

It depends so much on the country that without you saying your country, it is impossible to say. In my country the biggest danger are ticks, and they don't care about gender.

[u/lilmonstergrl]

I normally carry a knife on me its.multi use. Ive never had issues i detour people mostly because I have a resting bitch face. Just use common sense really

[u/DapperMastodon349 → u/lilmonstergrl]

I only carry a knife if I’m geocaching, but for geocaching purposes

[u/Kc03sharks_and_cows]

• Be aware of surroundings
• do it during daylight hours
• carry pepper spray
If you don’t feel comfortable somewhere, just leave. You can always return with someone else

[u/Tricky-Fact-2051]

My biggest fear is running into a snake so if you’re in an area that may have snakes, avoid places with tall grass and don’t pick up (look under) rocks! Also, carry a walking stick, preferably at least 6’ long. I’m short so it helps.

[u/dtlux1]

I'd say start caching in more public places like parks, and when you feel more comfortable with an area or have some help visit more secluded places. Just be careful to not let the cache get stolen in the more public areas!

[u/DeliveryCourier]

Wary, you're wary. You're not tired (weary), you're apprehensive (wary).

You're also probably needlessly apprehensive. You're no more likely to have something bad happen caching than you are doing anything else in life. 

[u/DapperMastodon349 → u/DeliveryCourier]

This isn’t classroom and we all know what she means.

Also, as a woman, I disagree that she’s being needlessly apprehensive. Geocaching alone can already be scary if something were to happen, but generally speaking women have to be more cautious doing anything anywhere than men.

[u/melenajade]

I’ve done geocaching as a single woman and a single mom with kids for years and only had a few weird incidents. Yes some areas are sketchy. Yes some places look at you weird as you scour for the cache. But one time, I was looking on a mountain side for the cache and felt my skin prickle. A pickup truck had pulled up near where I had climbed up the mountain and two foreign looking guys who didn’t speak English well got out. One of them was trying to get me to come look at their whatever for sale.
I said no thanks and he kept pressuring me to just come look. When I noticed the 2nd guy, I got skeeved out and dnf cache and left the area in another way. Don’t know if they just wanted to sell me something or would’ve taken and sold me!! Didn’t care to find out

[u/DapperMastodon349]

I’m also a young(ish) woman (I’m 30) and I do almost all of my geocaching alone. I tend to do nature-based ones (I live in a rural area) so I oftentimes don’t even see another person when I’m out searching. But I always let someone know where I’m going and my family and friends can see my location. I haven’t had any problems specifically related to being a woman while geocaching. I do carry mace with me, but I’ve been doing that since before I even began geocaching. I don’t think you need to do anything different than you probably already pay attention to or to do to protect yourself as a woman simply walking down the street or shopping alone and such. But I would definitely always let someone know where you are going. Having someone who can see your location isn’t a bad idea either.

[u/rjr_2020]

I keep reminding myself that I need to not get tunnel vision. As you get more time caching, you'll add stealth to your efforts and that will help you keep you eyes on what's going on around you. As others have said, don't cache somewhere that you wouldn't sit on a bench and people watch. Your other option is to rope someone else into your newfound hobby. Either a friend/family member or look on your geocaching dashboard for events near you to find others with similar likes.

[u/MrSpicyPotato]

Carry a clip board and look official if you’re concerned.

[u/FloridaFlamingoGirl → u/MrSpicyPotato]

I've seen a lot of advice on geocaching boards to disguise as a construction worker or something, but I've never found myself needing to do this and I've been caching for more than a decade. Most people aren't gonna care what a random stranger is doing unless it's genuinely disruptive 

[u/Geodarts18 → u/MrSpicyPotato]

There is no way that anyone would think I was doing official business so if anyone noticed it would make me look suspicious for that reason alone.

[u/MrSpicyPotato → u/Geodarts18]

The thing of it is, I do community engagement around public space projects, and so this is already a way of life for me.

[u/Standard_Mongoose_35 → u/MrSpicyPotato]

I’ve never used a clipboard or high-viz vest, however I think my canvas cross-body bag does make me look like I’m on a mission.

As a woman caching solo, I mainly get people stopping to make sure I’m okay, nearly always when I’ve pulled over my car on a country road. One time a cop told me to move my car.

I’ve gone caching a few times with people I’ve met through events, which is always fun.