We were excited to announce three new Geocaching Victoria committee members earlier this month. As a way for us all to get to know them better, I asked each of them some questions to see what makes them tick as well as delving into their geocaching adventures a little more. Leah was the first to join me for a fireside chat, as we dive in to find out the who, what and why below.

Starting at the beginning, what is your geocaching name and how did you decide on it?

Our geocaching name is Crack’n’LeeLee, which is our nicknames, Craig (aka Crackers) and Leah (aka LeeLee). When deciding, we looked at a few other names and saw the name chooknchunk so just went with something similar. If we knew how many logs we would end up writing we may have decided on something different, however we abbreviate to CNLL when needed.

A short caching name is sage advice for new players. So how did you find out about geocaching and when did you start your adventure?

We started this wonderful, addictive world of geocaching in June 2015. Crackers was out for a drive in the Blackwood area and came across a place called Balt Camp. When he got home, he googled it, and it came up with an old archived cache page. He investigated further and realised we had some in an area close to us and a spot we had never visited (Long Forest), so we went for a look. Our first find was placed by Riddell. We were wowed by the fact that we have driven past this amazing spot so many times but never stopped until the treasure hunt. We now have our own caches in the area for that very reason.

Long Forest is certainly home to some amazing caches these days. Can you tell us about your geocaching style – how do you like to cache?

I like adventures. The bush, country roads, a kayak, bike ride or a decent hike. I’m not a city cacher unless it’s an EC, virtual or really quiet. I plan to visit busy places on quiet public holidays for this reason. So that I look less weird, is that even possible? I like to set goals. I have recently been working on achieving different stats and milestones which are good for targeting finds that I may have otherwise ignored. Overall, I much prefer a 10km hike/kayak with 10 caches than a 10km drive with 100.

So with your hiking shoes on, what do you love most about geocaching?

I love that geocaching can take me to places I may never have visited if it wasn’t for a cache. I also like getting involved in activities or community events and CITOs, and have found them to be a great way to connect with local groups and make a difference. Additionally, I value the people, friendships and experiences I’ve had along the way.

What is currently on your geocaching bucket list?

Having ticked off a visit to the Purnululu – Bungle Bungles a couple of years ago, I have reset, and have a few things I’m looking forward to. Just a tad closer to home, I really want to visit “The Dish” at Parkes, which we are planning after the Canberra Mega. No doubt there will be a few lines from the movie during our visit. We haven’t cached in Tasmania, so that is high on the to do list and a great excuse to go back.

Wow the Bungle Bungles look impressive, what an experience. In your adventures to date, what is the craziest thing you have done in the name of caching?

In February 2020 we set out for another great day on the Barwon River paddling with friends 2beez, Kay and Ed. It started with me dry reaching and vomiting from the smell of rotting rabbit carcasses next to where we parked one of the cars. We made it into the water, and halfway through our paddle we found a poor sheep standing in the river against the high cliff bank with nowhere to go. It had fallen down the bank and looked like it had been there at least overnight.

We wanted to help but it was also a challenge as the bank was too high. Craig hopped in the water and we got it onto my kayak to try and help it up. The poor thing was so tired we decided just to paddle it back upstream to a landing we could see. With the help of Kay & Ed we had success!!!! I paddled so quick to the bank and Craig popped back in the water and lifted the sheep back up the bank and it ran off to safety. All worked out well in the end. I stayed dry, and of course managed a few photos. LeeLee is always taking photos. The rest of the paddle went well and we celebrated achieving our #367 streak day over a late lunch.

Rescuing a sheep on a kayak while caching – I can’t say I’ve heard that one before. Where else have you been and what was the most remote or unusual place you have found a geocache?

In 2019 we did a 10,000kms trip with our friends 2beez through outback NSW, QLD and down through Central Australia. We came back across the Nullarbor with the goal of completing the Longest Geocaching Trail which runs from Winton, QLD to Laverton in WA, along the Outback Way. There are 35 caches along the 2,700km Outback Way and it is a mixture of sealed and unsealed roads. We really loved it. The change in scenery, visiting working stations and the unique spots that the caches took us to were so worth it. We are glad we did it before it is fully sealed, however would love to go back when it is and probably do it in reverse. P.S. Tjukayirla Roadhouse (300kms from Laverton) has the BEST burgers!

So the burgers are better at Tjukayirla? We might have to take your word for it for now. We are however, really glad to have you on board, and would love to know what made you join Geocaching Victoria and what are you most looking forward to?

Over the years I have enjoyed attending events along with hosting them too. From meeting new people, through to the feeling of accomplishment at the end of a CITO. Also seeing fellow cachers join in an event/cache trip, when they may not have been otherwise able to go, or have been comfortable enough to go by themselves, really connects with me. COs put a lot of time and effort into creating new and exciting ways of caching. Now that I have experienced a variety of caching, and volunteered across different events, I look forward to bringing my experiences, passion and enthusiasm to Geocaching Victoria, and continue to look at ways to work collectively to support communities and encourage fellow cachers to adventure near and far.

Thank you Leah for your time and for joining the Geocaching Victoria committee. We are very much looking forward to the passion and enthusiasm you bring to the team and can’t wait for the next adventure. Please join me in welcoming Leah on board!