GeoCaching the Basics
Before I go off on all of the different levels of geocaching and tools that are used I’ll start with the basics.
So, what is it?
It’s a game that involves the use of a Global Positioning System receiver (GPSr). Some one hides a container and records the latitude and longitude coordinates for the container. They then post that location on a web site. You see that posting and pull out a GPSr and go looking for the hidden object or cache.
Where is this web site?
What’s the point of this activity?
For me, the point is to get out of the shop or office and back in the great outdoors to get some exercise. Others do it for the competition of finding more caches than the next person.
What is in the containers?
That depends on the size of each container. The largest ones may be five gallon buckets and the smallest ones could be little nitro pill containers. For the most part, they each have a log book or paper for you to sign to prove you were there. In the larger ones there are trade items like toys, coins, tools and personal signature items.
What kinds of things to you trade?
I always leave a leather key ring with my geocaching information on it and maybe a small toy or two. There are a lot of children that love to do this with their parents and finding a hidden box with a few toys to trade for can be exciting for them.
How hard is it to find a container?
The smaller the container, the harder. The best containers I have found so far are military surplus ammunition boxes. They may be pretty large, but hiding them is half of the fun. Some of them are hidden in hollow logs or under piles of rocks and others are camouflaged so well you can look right at them and not see them. The hunt is one of the best parts for me.