Setting a Multi-Cache

"These geocaches involve two or more locations, with the final location being a physical container with a logbook inside. There are many variations, but typically once you’re at the first stage, you will receive a clue to the whereabouts of the second stage. The second stage will have a clue for the third, and so on."

The best thing to do when setting a multi-cache is to work backwards, (or should I say sdrawkcab?!). This means the first thing you need to do is to find where you want the final cache to be located, get the coordinates, and plan the rest of your waypoints from there. Be sure to choose a spot of some significance as the cacher a will want to feel rewarded after their time spent following your trail. For the same reason, it is often preferred when multi caches have larger final hides - it's frustrating to get all the way to the end and be beaten by a sneaky micro.

There are 2 different variants you can follow for a multi cache. You can either have one where the cacher knows all of the waypoints straight away, and has to visit each one to gather information. This will then be used in determining the final location. Alternatively, you can have multis where each waypoint must be visited in a certain order as you only know one set of coordinates. Once you go to that place, you'll find the coordinates for the next location and so on, until you reach the final.

You might want to consider having something that unifies all of the locations you take the cacher too - maybe you'll want to follow a theme, and leave some themed swag at the final location?

Picture Trail

One fun idea for a multi cache, is to provide a series of numbered images on the cache page. Set various lettered way points that lead to different location. At each way point the cacher visits, they will have to look around and find one of the items depicted in the pictures. They will then associate the number of the picture with the waypoint letter. The cacher then replace all the letters in your coords with numbers to get the final coordinate.

Waypoint example:

Look & Count

Some multi caches require you to go to certain waypoints, and count the number of windows, letters,  trees, railings etc...., and then equal that to a letter (A,B,C,D etc....). Then you replace the numbers in the coordinates to give you the final location.

Waypoint example:

Discover the coordinates

The majority of multis, take you to the listed coordinates, from there you can find either a nano container, or a sign with the next coordinates to go to. The trail continues in the same manner, until you've reached the final location.

Creative Multis

All the above ideas are fairly common amongst multi caches, so why not think up a unique idea? This is an example of a very creative cache to inspire you!