Being “First To Find” is many geocaches aspire to achieve, some obsessively! I am currently trying to maintain a streak of being the first to find at least one new geocache every month (20 months and counting).

How to get a First to Find(FTF)?

First To Find

Getting a First to Find means that you are the very first geocacher to find a geocache.  In order to get to it first, you have to be aware that a new cache has been listed, unless you happen to be lucky enough to just stumble across one. (If you are that lucky, I need you to pick the next winning lottery numbers for me.) The best way to find out about new caches being published is by signing up for notifications and configuring what types of caches you would like to receive notifications for.  You do have to sign up to be a premium member to get the notifications, but it is definitely worth it.

So great you get notifications of new caches as soon as they are published!  Now what?  Well, if you are just a little crazy, like me (it’s in the name), you are prepared to drop everything and head out to get there first.  Most of the First to Finds that I have gotten have been during the day in decent weather, but not all of them.

One of the craziest that we have gotten, the notification for GC55D27 Troop 82 Home Cache came at around midnight.  Laura and I got out of bed and head out the door.  We managed to find it under a walking bridge that was partially build in the dark with some Dollar Tree flashlights. (I have invested more money in a great flashlight since then). That was our first experience of finding one in the dark and was a ton of fun.

Just a couple of weeks ago, I went after a new one, Vintage Television “Lassie” and had no luck.  It was close to the end of the month so I decided to wait until the first and try again if it still hadn’t been found. The first of the month was a day filled with torrential rainfall.  I decided to go for it anyway.(remember the crazy in the name)  I drove up Signal Mountain in the dark with water coming down so fast it looked like water falls hitting the road.  Have you ever driven through a water fall? I have!!  I was out in the pouring rain for over an hour, but it was worth it because I finally got the first to find with the help of the cache owner.

A First to find could be anywhere

What to do if you are first to find:

If you are crazy enough and lucky enough to be the first to find a cache, there are a few things you should do to stay in the good graces of the other crazy cachers.

• Before you find it, don’t expect any hints, clues or help!  If the owner wants to help, they will, but don’t expect it.  Bring FTF is an honor and a challenge.  If you can’t do it on your own, it has less value.
• After you find it feel free to take pictures for your own personal record, but please DO NOT post pictures in the online log that give away the cache location or anything special about the cache that could ruin the fun for other cachers.(this should be followed on all finds, not just FTF)
• Log your find online immediately. If you don’t have an app on your cell phone to do this, at least, log it as soon as you get to a computer. This will let other cachers know that they can go back to bed and stay out of the rain.  It’s just cacher courtesy!
• Finally, BRAG, BRAG, BRAG!!  Being first to find gives you bragging rights and you should exercise those rights.

I have been asked many times what I get out of geocaching by muggles(people who don’t geocache).  The answer is simply “satisfaction!”  Being the first to find a cache brings me a great deal of satisfaction.  I like the challenge and often meeting up with friends wondering the woods in the dark trying to be first to find, as well.

You don’t have to be as crazy as me be the first to find a cache but it does help.  Just remember to get out there and have some fun!

Happy Caching!