What is the best way to find a hidden base in Minecraft survival mode multiplayer?

I'm playing a friendly minecraft game with friends and someone challenged me to find their hidden base any way possible.

I've discovered Xray texture packs but it is still a challenge to find this base. Is there a texture pack that makes craftable items (beds torches etc) stand out better?

Is there something that can tell me the concentration of player crafted items in a given chunk? Anything to help me narrow down the search.

What is the absolutely best and fastest way to find a secret base?

He probably doesn't want you to cheat. But there isn't anything that I know of that does that.

You shouldnt cheat, but here are two things you could do
1. Get an invisibility potion and follow him back to his base
2. Get a map and it will show where players are.
also, it could just be in the end or nether