What is a Muggle? A ‘muggle’, in Geocaching terms, is a non-Geocacher, a person not playing the game, and usually not aware of Geocaching. The term is based on ‘muggle’ from the Harry Potter book series by J. K. Rowling which refers to a non-magical person.
The concern with muggles is that they may discover a Geocache, either accidently or by seeing a Geocacher accessing it, and then possibly destroying it. This is referred to as the Geocache being ‘muggled’.
Often times, especially in urban areas, Geocaches are placed in high-traffic areas where there are a lot of muggles around. While this may add to the thrill in finding a cache it also adds to the risk of it being found. This risk is increased when a Geocacher is accessing and logging the find. Geocachers must take great care to ensure that Geocaches are not muggled.
There are a couple of ways to minimize a Geocache being muggled. The first is by ensuring that the cache is hidden properly. A Geocache that is not properly hidden can be easily found by a muggle simply stumbling upon it. The other way is to be very careful when accessing the cache. Before you make your ‘final approach’ take a look around to make sure that there is no one is nearby. Be discreet!
It’s always a great idea if you are placing a cache to include a sheet of paper enclosed in a waterproof bag in the cache that explains what Geocaching is all about. We have heard of several instances of muggles finding a cache, signing the log and placing it back in its hiding place, all because it was explained to them.
So now you know, what is a muggle.
Have fun Geocaching but ‘mind the muggles’!
Keep on cachin’!
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