Hi, I'm hydnsek ("hide and seek"), the current WSGA President. I started caching in January 2003, just before moving to Seattle from the California Bay Area. (What a great way to explore my new home!) As of December 2012, I've found 8,800 caches and hidden 117. I've also completed several challenges, including FTFs on the WA History Challenge, Well-Rounded WA Cacher (Fizzy) Challenge, and WA Earthcache Challenge. The WA Fire Lookouts Challenge was one of my favorites!

I came to geocaching from hiking and orienteering, and prefer caches that send me into the woods or up a mountain. I enjoy organizing hikes and other outings, and support CITO, Leave No Trace, and working with land managers. I created WSGA's Park Liaison Program and have built relationships with several park systems, including King County Parks and North Cascades NPSC. Groundspeak featured my work with the national parks in a Latitude 47 blog, and I also appeared in a PBS documentary on geocaching called "Treasure Trackers."

I've been a WSGA member since 2003. In 2009 I joined the Board of Directors as the Puget Sound Chapter Representative, and also chaired the Parks Advocacy and GeoWoodstock committees. As the President during 2010-13, I'm enjoying our busiest and most exciting years yet, including our annual Campout and Going APE events.

I often combine geocaching with other outdoor pursuits, including hiking, orienteering, snowshoeing, XC skiing, kayaking, and traveling. I volunteer with King County Parks, Washington Trails Association, Washington State Parks, and Seattle Humane Society. When I'm indoors, I spoil my cats and work in marketing communications (websites, publications) and journalism. I'm currently self-employed, but past bosses include Microsoft, Adobe, and MacUser magazine.

While I've lived in Washington for 10 years and California for 15 years, I'm really a Southern belle from Tennessee. So far, I've lived in seven states and visited 15 countries.

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