Little do most hikers know but geocaching has always been right under their noses; It's an international hobby inspired by adventurist spirits that just love the woods.... or wannabe land-pirates that don't mind sharing.
So what is it exactly?
Geocaching is an entertaining adventure game for gps users. The concept is individuals set up 'caches' all over the world and share their coordinates online so others can find the hidden cache. If you do take a reward from the cache you must leave something else within the cache.
So how easy is it?
Each cache has a different difficulty considering the terrain, distance and how well hidden it is. Most caches are family friendly but some will definitely, 'bring out the sweat!'
So what is it exactly?
Geocaching is an entertaining adventure game for gps users. The concept is individuals set up 'caches' all over the world and share their coordinates online so others can find the hidden cache. If you do take a reward from the cache you must leave something else within the cache.
So how easy is it?
Each cache has a different difficulty considering the terrain, distance and how well hidden it is. Most caches are family friendly but some will definitely, 'bring out the sweat!'
Step 1: So how do i start?
Expensive gear is not recommended! More importantly, I suggest cheap, easy to use equipment that does its job and thats it.
I've been using a etrax legend by garmin and highly suggest it, but consider your options and heres a mini guide about gps recomendations taken from http://www.geocaching.com/about/buying.aspx
Feature considerations for good geocaching GPS gear:
Basemap. This is highly recommended. The additional cost is marginal, and the increase in the equipment's usefulness is substantial.
Channels. Use a receiver with 12 parallel channels. This should include most manufactured after 1997. Older, single-channel receivers are much slower and may not be as accurate.
External antenna jack. This allows the equipment to be mounted inside a vehicle. It is not always possible to obtain good satellite coverage through a front windshield. Even backpackers will benefit from the ability to safely store the receiver inside a pack with an antenna attached to backpack shoulder straps.
Interface. If using the receiver with a computer, be sure that it includes both data in/out ports, and make sure it's NMEA compatible.
Memory. This is used to load detailed topographic or street-level digital maps into the receiver. Topo maps use up a great deal of memory. Capacity should be at least 8 megabytes, or the receiver should include the ability to accept a memory card for as much memory as needed.
Power source. Use a cigarette lighter power cable whenever possible. If you're only using batteries, make sure to carry spares and use a solar charger for extended field use.
Rocker keypad. Using a receiver without a rocker keypad is like using a computer without a mouse.
Screen size. For visual ease of operation, use a receiver with the largest screen that can be realistically carried. Screen size is measured diagonally. Color is great and helps define map features, although it does burn battery power.
Waterproof. Sooner or later the gear will get submerged. Get gear that is at least water-resistant. Plastic bags and boxes give electronics a little additional protection.
I've been using a etrax legend by garmin and highly suggest it, but consider your options and heres a mini guide about gps recomendations taken from http://www.geocaching.com/about/buying.aspx
Feature considerations for good geocaching GPS gear:
Basemap. This is highly recommended. The additional cost is marginal, and the increase in the equipment's usefulness is substantial.
Channels. Use a receiver with 12 parallel channels. This should include most manufactured after 1997. Older, single-channel receivers are much slower and may not be as accurate.
External antenna jack. This allows the equipment to be mounted inside a vehicle. It is not always possible to obtain good satellite coverage through a front windshield. Even backpackers will benefit from the ability to safely store the receiver inside a pack with an antenna attached to backpack shoulder straps.
Interface. If using the receiver with a computer, be sure that it includes both data in/out ports, and make sure it's NMEA compatible.
Memory. This is used to load detailed topographic or street-level digital maps into the receiver. Topo maps use up a great deal of memory. Capacity should be at least 8 megabytes, or the receiver should include the ability to accept a memory card for as much memory as needed.
Power source. Use a cigarette lighter power cable whenever possible. If you're only using batteries, make sure to carry spares and use a solar charger for extended field use.
Rocker keypad. Using a receiver without a rocker keypad is like using a computer without a mouse.
Screen size. For visual ease of operation, use a receiver with the largest screen that can be realistically carried. Screen size is measured diagonally. Color is great and helps define map features, although it does burn battery power.
Waterproof. Sooner or later the gear will get submerged. Get gear that is at least water-resistant. Plastic bags and boxes give electronics a little additional protection.
Step 2: Using the GPS
Heres the steps and some pictures to mapping a cache's location using Gamin's Etrax legend.
Create an account on http://www.geocaching.com/ to access location waypoints in your zip.
Once you have coordinates to a possible cache, power on your GPS and go to 'main menu'
On the 'main menu', go to 'mark' and that should bring up a new screen
Enter the location coordinates into the 'location' block as they appeared on the internet, (ex. N 42* 12.345, W 072* 12.345)
Some GPS's might have other options such as elevation, distance, or bearing, well don't bother with those, your only going to need to input the location coordinates.
At the bottom of the 'mark' screen should be either 'map', 'goto' or 'ok'.
'Ok' saves the location for later, 'Goto" pulls up a compass with an arrow and distance pointing towards the cache, "Map' (which i use) creates a map of your current location and a path to the cache.
Some other tips,
I suggest reading the entire description of the cache before going out, usually the owner of the cache will have information to help you find it, or warnings such as poison ivy or bee's nests around the area. Also look to see if the owner suggests a parking lot, it helps a lot to know where to park.
Create an account on http://www.geocaching.com/ to access location waypoints in your zip.
Once you have coordinates to a possible cache, power on your GPS and go to 'main menu'
On the 'main menu', go to 'mark' and that should bring up a new screen
Enter the location coordinates into the 'location' block as they appeared on the internet, (ex. N 42* 12.345, W 072* 12.345)
Some GPS's might have other options such as elevation, distance, or bearing, well don't bother with those, your only going to need to input the location coordinates.
At the bottom of the 'mark' screen should be either 'map', 'goto' or 'ok'.
'Ok' saves the location for later, 'Goto" pulls up a compass with an arrow and distance pointing towards the cache, "Map' (which i use) creates a map of your current location and a path to the cache.
Some other tips,
I suggest reading the entire description of the cache before going out, usually the owner of the cache will have information to help you find it, or warnings such as poison ivy or bee's nests around the area. Also look to see if the owner suggests a parking lot, it helps a lot to know where to park.
Step 3: Additional Tips and Hiking Gear
Heres some tips I've found useful....
Always go hiking and caching with a buddy, that way if you fall off a cliff someone can have a good bar story for later.
Many caches are off trail so be aware of your surrounds, Bug-spray rarely stops a bears from clawing your buddy's face.
Bring water bottles and DON'T DRINK FROM STREAMS, animal's poop in those.
Inevitable your GPS will lose signal every now and then from overhead tree's and rock's but eventually it should clear up and most caches are located in clear sky locations.
The Final 30 feet is the hardest, most likely your GPS will bounce, so put the gps down and start circling the area looking for good hiding spots, and WATCH FOR WHAT YOU POKE, don't go sticking your head in a hole if it doesn't look safe.
OK, so you found the cache right now what?
Usually if you have kids they like to exchange Macdonald's toys with the other ones other kids left behind,
For the rest of us that aren't amused with an Indiana Jone's windup, usually adults leave behind geocoins, which can be tracked online and then placed within another cache.
I can't stress this enough though, If you take something PLEASE leave something!
Also, if you'd like to leave comments to the cache owner they usually appreciate that and it's nice to know the condition of a cache and what people have been leaving in it.
Always go hiking and caching with a buddy, that way if you fall off a cliff someone can have a good bar story for later.
Many caches are off trail so be aware of your surrounds, Bug-spray rarely stops a bears from clawing your buddy's face.
Bring water bottles and DON'T DRINK FROM STREAMS, animal's poop in those.
Inevitable your GPS will lose signal every now and then from overhead tree's and rock's but eventually it should clear up and most caches are located in clear sky locations.
The Final 30 feet is the hardest, most likely your GPS will bounce, so put the gps down and start circling the area looking for good hiding spots, and WATCH FOR WHAT YOU POKE, don't go sticking your head in a hole if it doesn't look safe.
OK, so you found the cache right now what?
Usually if you have kids they like to exchange Macdonald's toys with the other ones other kids left behind,
For the rest of us that aren't amused with an Indiana Jone's windup, usually adults leave behind geocoins, which can be tracked online and then placed within another cache.
I can't stress this enough though, If you take something PLEASE leave something!
Also, if you'd like to leave comments to the cache owner they usually appreciate that and it's nice to know the condition of a cache and what people have been leaving in it.
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On a side note, if you run out of water you can drink from a stream but boil, filter and/or treat the water first. Iodine tablets are cheap, easy to use and weight very little. (Just don't use them if you have thyroid issues. There are water bottles designed to filter water for sale at most places with an outdoor section.
Have fun and happy trails!
thanks for the info, i'll try to apply it in my next hike
Chill dudes!
The point is to have a good time! Have you ever been hiking before? Surely you drove somewhere thats challenging. Let's say I was planning one, I would look up if there are any caches around that location I'm hiking, because I'm going anyway.
I agree though, gas is expensive these days.
As far as value, it's not about that. You're supposed to leave something of equal or more value to what you take. It's about the hunt, finding the treasure, solving puzzles. If you don't like any of those things, or the outdoors, it's probably not for you.
Do you watch movies? Pay for cable or sat? Listen to music?
EXACTLY
so shut up - I’m so tired of people harping on 'entertainment' when they use it EVERY day. People need these things - if you don't want to do it then why bother talking about it so much????
I can only conclude that you are either jealous (can’t imagine why), or just looking for an argument - neither of which is particularly commendable.
That said, I understand what you are saying, but it is the manner in which you chose to say it and the way in which you continued to talk about it that bothers me. If you are not open to other people's hobbies and pastimes then why would we care about yours?
Also rolling on laughing f@&king a$$ off makes no sense
"Also rolling on laughing f@&king a$$ off makes no sense" tells that you do not have nothing to imagine with
"I can only conclude that you are either jealous (can’t imagine why), or just looking for an argument - neither of which is particularly commendable." You think you know me . You do not know me so do not act like your someone that dose. That shows your fake nor am I looking for Commendably. I pointed out one down side and it seem that every one has an affiances over it. If what ever I or any one else says bothers you. That is on you I thank you for the free rent I have in your head. My thank you is more then you will get from any one else that eats at you! oh and by the way I am vary open to other peoples hobbies and personally I care less if any one is in to my hobbies or not. I do for my self every one else is little to nothing to my likes
Personal attacks and assumptions about my character do little more than to assert my initial remark and open yourself up for contradiction. Your comment 'you think you know me,' is particularly interesting as it could easily be turned upon itself. Implying that I think I know you means that you think you know me, and so on. Interesting as this paradox may be, it is also the contradiction that exposes my next point - your continuation of this debate. The tender meat of my statement was not that you are jealous (you are obviously not), but that you are perpetuating argument. I have no qualms about your OPINION, it is yours after all. However, you have also failed to acknowledge the section of my previous comment in which I agree with you.
Not because we share the same opinion, that much is obvious at least - but the part in which I admit that although my opinion (stated above) is a constant source of aggravation for me, I UNDERSTAND YOUR SIDE OF THE ARGUMENT AS WELL. And I think you will find that if you skim the previous replies to your comments, you will notice that I am the only one who does. Thus far you are the only person I have encountered with a valid argument on this particular topic. The issue of what we invest vs. what we take away from something (in this case entertainment) is especially relevant today. I was merely stating that it was the way in which you presented your argument that bothered me.
In retrospect, I think I should actually apologise for the rude way in which I expressed my frustration as it said just as much about me as I have interpreted it to say about you. these assumptions however have no place on this site - and I do not wish to further blemish the page of this informative and well put together instructable.
Therefore:
I am sorry for my frustration and the way in which I expressed it - it was of poor taste on my part. I also want to assure you that I make no assumptions about your character: your dedication and affirmation in your beliefs and values is actually quite admirable.
We all have bad days, I should not have taken mine out on you - however, I think we should all be a little more careful to avoid argumentation on forums.
Also, and somewhat unrelated - I actually enjoyed reading your last post. Your argument was very well styled and organized, it was zippy and to the point. I always appreciate good writing, even if it used against me :P
all the best
lol = Laughing Out Loud
ROLFAO = Roiling On Laughing F@&King A$$ Off
BTW, I found my first 3 caches yesterday. Cost me about $2.50 in gas. Enjoyed an hour and a half outside, in the park and the woods, and at a veterans memorial. About the same as renting a movie.
We use a hidden low power transmitter hidden by 1 person and found by teams of amateurs radio operators with special antennas and receivers.
WH7WP
73's
Dinokabino
W8DHP