Urban Micros: Geocacher's Guide to Finding Mini Caches

Just the mention of urban micros brings a scowl to many a geocacher's face. However, other geocachers find them to be exciting challenges. These urban micro geocaches are exactly what they sound like: in the city or town, and tiny. If you want to search for an urban micro geocache, there are several specific things you should consider.

Urban Micro Geocache - What are They?

Urban micro geocaches take on many different forms. Some micros are actually rather large: candy and mint tins are usually considered micro sized geocaches. Other types are made from film canisters, buffalo tubes, key containers, waterproof match containers, and pill bottles.

Of course, some urban micro geocaches reflect the owner's extreme creativity. Hollowed out bolts, fake dog poop, and bits of garbage have all been turned into tricky urban micros. Some geocache hiders seem to live by the maxim that smaller is better. Think of the smallest object you have ever seen: a marble, a pencil eraser, one single lego brick. Chances are, a geocacher has made an urban micro cache out of it.

Urban Micro Geocache - Where are They?

Hiding places for urban micro geocaches are many. After all, it is easy to hide something so tiny well out of site. Of course, they still must follow the rules of geocaching: you cannot dig to hide them, they cannot be on private property, and they cannot deface anything.

Many urban micros are magnetized. This is easy with magnetic strips that can be glued onto small containers. Craft stores sell these types of magnetic ribbons in large rolls like tape. Search for these types of urban micro geocaches on street signs, under park benches, or on light or utility poles. Some have been hidden near historical sites, statues or monuments, and in public garden patches.

Urban Micro Geocache - The Debate

Many geocachers seem to hate urban micro caches because they can be nearly impossible to find. Others hate them because some cache hiders put little thought into where they go. It is recommended to place a geocache in a spot you would like people to visit. Perhaps it has historical significance or is especially scenic. A magnetized mint tin stuck to a light post in a parking lot is neither of those things. It is, however, a viable, and popular spot for urban micro geocaches.

Hunting urban micro geocaches can be tricky and frustrating. Avoiding non-geocachers is necessary to keep the location of the cache a secret. This adds a stealth component to the hunt. While urban micros have their opponents, many geocachers still enjoy searching for, and finding, these tiny caches.