It's hard to believe that the world's largest cache event started with a promotional key chain found in a cache container. Robertlipe found the item, which had been left by CCCooperAgency, but it was JoGPS who made the call.
"You would think that all of us wouldn't want to talk [to each other] with people being so competitive," JoGPS said. "But that wasn't the case." After multiple phone calls, JoGPS and CCCooperAgency agreed to get together somewhere and meet.
JoGPS decided to see what other high number people he could get together for the event. Before long, he had eight of the top ten cachers in the world all set for a get-together.
The Lil Otter said she could make it to Louisville, KY, so the city was decided. They chose a date and picked a campground. JoGPS decided it should be an event cache, so he made an event page asking everyone to "stop and get a Happy Meal" on the way and named it Woodstock.
The name was fitting. JoGPS's plan was to have a laid-back meet and greet event...despite how many big number people attended.
Of course, once you have a get-together like that, the die has been cast for the next one, so once again, JoGPS stepped up to the plate to host the biggest event there was. And, of course, he made it bigger. Fourth of July weekend in Cacheville (or Nashville, TN, for those of you not familiar with the cache density in Music City), was all about numbers and new records.
Not only was it the largest attended cache gathering with 236 people, but both Garmin and Magellan sponsored the event, as did the Groundspeak store, donating prizes galore for the occasion, including the GPSr won by wimseyguy.
Of course, attendance records weren't just set by people. GeoWoodstock II also boasted 465 travel bugs logged into the event.
Then there were the numbers. Let's face it, anyone out on a cache run was there for the numbers. Fifty-three cachers set out on one of six wagon train cache runs, each guaranteed at 100 finds or more, and all lasting longer than the scheduled twelve hours.
As of August 11, there were 9,756 caches logged in Nashville, and caches found during GeoWoodstock were still being logged at that time.
The world record for most caches in a 24-hour period was also set during the weekend. Scout the Frog served as navigator, JoGPS served as wheelman, and carleenp and The Leprechauns joined them for the most plentiful cache experience to date: 240 finds in one caching session. Farthest traveling for the event were geoPirat and Huskie who managed the trip in from Germany. They made the trip worth their while by finding 744 caches while they were here.
The 2004 GeoWoodstock had much better food, too. Enough catfish for everyone was donated for the event, and r0b volunteered himself as the day's cook. There was also more dessert than anyone could eat. By the time everyone had returned home after the event, their stomachs were as padded as their cache counts.
And Now What's Next?
If the first two events are any indication what's going to happen at GeoWoodstock 3, the 2005 event will promise to be bigger and better than anything that's ever happened before.
There's already a list of anyone who wants to go out and set the next world record. Campgrounds and hotels are already being chosen. Travel bugs are already made.
Of course, no matter how big it ever gets, remember, it all started with a key chain.
Editor's Note:Find out how GeoWoodstock III (2005) is shaping up in next month's issue.