Geocaching in its most basic form is a high tech form of a treasure hunt. You input coordinates into your GPSr unit, and using them locate a cache. To get started I recommend creating an account here: geocaching.com.
What is a cache?
A cache is some sort of container that can withstand the elements thrown at it. Inside a cache you will find a log in which you must sign with your username you created from geocaching.com. Depending on the size of the cache, little goodies otherwise known as swag can be present. If you take a piece of swag from a cache, it is proper etiquette to replace it with something of equal or greater value. Caches can be micro, the size of your pinky, to large, the size of a shoe box. Most caches are commonly bison-tubes, or ammunition containers. Both are resistant to the elements and can survive for years. The main rule about a caches location is it cannot be buried, but it can be hidden, even if it means being in a fence post! Caches are hidden all over the world, over 1.1 million caches and counting! There are probably some just down the street from you!
Are there types of caches?
Besides traditional caches, there are a variety of types including earthcaches, virtual caches, and multi-caches. Each cache is different and will offer something new. Earthcaches offer information about the area you are in and are mainly to showcase the view from your location. Multi-caches will give you a step that is vital to finding the last cache in that group. For example there may be a multi-cache that consists of 3 caches, each giving only one coordinate, so you must locate all 3 first, before finding the final cache. There are many types of caches, so check out “Getting Started” on geocaching.com for any I didn’t cover here.
How do I get coordinates for a cache?
If you have a GPSr unit that you can connect to your computer you can download the coordinates directly to your GPSr from your computer, which is very handy! Once you have the coordinates in your GPSr, you click “Go to” depending on your GPSr and follow the arrow and degrees and they will lead you to the relative location of the cache. Once you are on the GZ (ground zero- location at which the coordinates on your GPSr and the location of the cache are exact) begin looking around! If you are unable to download the coordinates, which is known as paperless caching, you can just as easily print the page with the coordinates and description of the cache and take that along with you for a reference.
What is so fun about geocaching?
Geocaching will take you to many places you would have never found without geocaching. It also becomes an addiction, that is a healthy addiction. Once you find your first cache, you’ll be hooked and surprised at the amount of caches you have walked by without ever knowing it was there! Geocaching is easily a family hobby, allowing a family to get out, be active, and healthy as a family! A good book, my brother Josh picked up for me, Geocaching for Dummies is great for beginners! If you are going to get involved with this addiction I advise you pick this book up as soon as possible!
At a quick glance goecaching is:
-High tech treasure hunt.
-An addiction.
What gear should I have to begin Geocaching?
For geocaching you can choose to use either high-end products, or very basic products, either work as long as you have fun and stay safe! For a backpack I use a Camelbak that has a 100oz bladder built in, so you never need to carry extra water. Backpacks with bladders are extremely useful and I advise you pick one up if you’re going to get serious about being outdoors and geocaching! These types of backpacks vary in price and size, as well as companies. Along as you find one in your price range and size you desire, that’s all that matters! Depending on the environment and weather of the area you plan on caching, clothing varies. The main thing is you should be protected from the sun and either buy clothes with built in UPF or wear sun screen so all open areas of skin are protected from the sun. Besides clothing and a durable backpack, boots are very important. This also depends on your situation, but if you plan on hiking for long periods of time in mountainous or wooded areas, a good reliable pair of hiking boots is a must. Not only do proper boots give you the support you need for your ankles, they protect you from burs and other annoying sharp thorns that you may otherwise feel if you didn’t have a sturdy pair of boots on. Along with durable boots, a pair of socks designated for backpacking is essential, so you can hike for longer distances and you will not have any blisters or any other annoyance that you may feel with plain everyday socks.
What is essential?
Enough with clothing, this is geocaching, not a fashion show! Of course, to participate in geocaching, it is essential to have a GPSr. A GPSr is the MOST important aspect to be a successful geocacher! They are used to locate the caches easily and keep you on track. Like clothing, GPSr units range extremely, from the most high-end units with a bunch of features which honestly you won’t need if all you plan on do is caching, to the low-end products that are perfect for caching! All you need is a GPSr that can have coordinates inputted in to and will lead you to them! Although a GPSr unit is nice and handy, some true cachers are able to locate caches with a map, coordinates, and a compass. In my pack I also have a compass, because most times a GPSr will lose service when under coverage such as trees, so it is handy having a compass that can be used anytime! I’m not that legit, so I just use a GPSr but have a compass as a backup plane just in case.
Safety First!
The next piece of equipment you should add to your geocaching backpack is a safety kit. You can pick one up that is full of little safety goodies for less than $15! It is better to be safe than not prepared, you never know what could happen! Also in my geocaching pack is a fire starter, which could be factor between life and death if you are ever in a situation where you need fire but don’t have the proper tool to create fire or you don’t know how to make one. Pick up a handy fire starter and you will always be ready if the time calls. Along with the other safety equipment that is vital, an emergency blanket or bivvy could be a life safer and should be in your caching backpack! Seeing as how I’m on the topic of safety, it is nice to have a “rescue whistle” in your pack. There are special whistles designed to be heard from long distances, which may come in handy someday. Another piece of gear in my pack I have a good portion of the time is a light source, as you can see in my picture I have a headlamp and a larger handheld light. Both come in handy at night and allow you to continue your hike when the sun goes down! Knives are also useful to carry because they have many uses including protection. If you are of legal age, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to carry a handgun if you are registered because you never know who or what you’ll encounter! If you’re going to cache in a group which is recommended (never go out alone!) you and the other members of your group should all have walkie-talkies, so you can easily talk to one another over a long distance if you get separated. Lastly, I have my swag (items to trade) at all times in my pack, along with EXTRA BATTERIES AND PENS! Always, always, always have a pen on you at all times! Along with extra batteries in case your GPSr unit or walkie-talkies loses power
*Here is a list of the most basic gear that is ESSENTIAL and may have not been listed above:
-EXTRA Batteries! Can’t stress this enough! You never know when your GPSr unit dies when you’re in the middle of nowhere and have no way of telling where to go and get back to civilization!
-GPSr Unit.
-Water/Food with protein and vitamins.
-Pens! Pens! Pens! The more the better, you never know!
-Safety kit
-Light Source
-Reason to get active!
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