What is Geocaching?

The name GeoCaching is a combination of "Geo" from geography and "Caching" from the action of hiding the cache (or treasure).

We found some very nice descriptions on different web sites.

Geocaching.com explains it as "an entertaining adventure game for GPS users."

According to GeoCoins it is "a rapidly growing global sport where outdoor enthusiasts seek out treasures planted all over the world, using only a GPS receiver and a keen sense of adventure."

Utah Geological Survey sees it as "a fun way to get out while learning and using navigation skills."

For Garmin it is "a high-tech version of hide-and-seek."

Finally Buxley�s Geocaching Waypoint calls it "treasure hunting for the 21st century."

So it is an adventure game, a global sport, about learning navigation skills and treasure hunting.

How does it work?

Individuals or organisations set up caches all over the world and share the locations of these caches on the Internet. GPS users can then use the location coordinates to find the caches. Two marvelous technologies are involved here: the Global Positioning System (GPS), which allows some-one with a GPS receiver to find a given set of coordinates anywhere on Earth with a sufficient degree of accuracy, in order to be able to actually find the cache and the Internet to communicate the coordinates of the cache to a global public.

What does a typical cache look like?

First of all a cache must be able to contain a series of articles for an extended period of time (several seasons), so it should be water-resistant, snow-resistant, etc. Geocachers have had good success with plastic buckets, tupperware (or rubbermaid) containers, ammo boxes or large diameter plastic pipes with covers on each end. The cache should be marked with weather-resistant ink, so that someone who accidentally finds the cache and does not play the game of geocaching can figure out what it is and hopefully will respect the content. Most caches are marked with the word "GeoCaching", the name of the cache and any contact information, that the owner of the cache feels is necessary.

What can be found inside a cache?

Every cache should at least contain a logbook, with a note of the cache-owner to his guests, and a pen or better yet a soft lead pencil, as pens can leak in hot weather and will not write in cold weather. As paper is extremely sensitive for moisture, the logbook should be individually packed in a plastic zip-loc bag. As should any other sensitive article. For someone who does not know the game of geocaching and who accidentally finds the cache, it should be nice if there was a letter inside the cache, explaining what this is all about. For the rest a cache can contain all sorts and any number of more or less valuable articles. Some examples, but the list can be endless: toys, CDs, pens, maps, coins, small books, tools, trinkets, key rings, miniature lamps, calling cards, etc, etc.

Two special articles that can be found in a cache

A disposable camera. This is not an article to take away. You should take a picture with it from yourself or your group and note the frame number in the logbook. If you took the last shot, please email the owner of the cache, that he should take the film for development.

A hitchhiker. Basically this is an item that is carried from cache to cache and you can follow its progress online. It should have instructions from the owner on what it�s goals might be.

What should not be found in a cache?

Food, explosives, ammunition, drugs, alcohol, pornography or anything that would violate a local or federal law should NEVER be left in a cache. If you find a cache with one of those articles inside, please take the article away.

How do you start geocaching?

The very first thing to do is visiting the websites of Geocaching.com, Navicache.com and Buxley�s GeoCaching Waypoint and read their FAQ pages. Before hiding your own cache, it will be better to go finding several caches in order to get the feeling what the game really is about and how other caches look like and what their content is.

Preparation

Preparation is key in any kind of outdoor activity. Geocaching requires careful map reading skills in order to find the best approach. Crossing private property without the owner�s permission is a big no-no. Coordinates are always expressed as Deg/Min.mmm (degrees and decimal minutes) and the datum is WGS84. So be sure to set your GPS datum to WGS84 BEFORE you enter the cache coordinates. If the cache�s page suggests a parking location and/or trailhead, enter those points as additional waypoints. If you use a map, based on another datum than WGS84, it is time to change your GPS datum BEFORE entering waypoints, found on your map. Let someone know where you are going and when you should be back.

On the way to your first cache

When you leave your car, mark its location as a waypoint. Do the same thing when you decide to leave a trail, so you can always go back to where you came from. Always respect the natural environment and please don�t trash, while you geocache!!

And if you find the cache?

The basic rules are :

1. Take something from the cache

2. Leave something in the cache

3. Write about it in the logbook

If you take something from the cache, it is only fair to leave something for the cache. If you don�t have anything to put in, you simply write in the logbook. You could write "TNLN", which is geocaching speak for "Took nothing, left nothing".

Are you ready to hide your first cache?

You are ultimately responsible for the cache, so make sure you know the rules for the area where your cache will be placed. Do not place caches on archeological or historical sites. Please do not bury the container unless you have express permission of the landowner or manager. Caches are not allowed in the following areas: National Parks, National Forests, National Monuments, within 150 feet of railroad tracks, near or in military installations, under public structures deemed targets for terrorist attacks.

Once you placed the cache, it is your responsibility to maintain the cache and the area around it. You will need to return as often as you can to ensure that your cache is not impacting the area, and ensure that the cache is in good repair. For this reason you should not place caches on vacation.

Request and Warning

The last couple of months we have read more stories in the newspapers about Geocachers who are interrogated by police, because they behaved suspect with their GPS receiver in the vicinity of sensitive buildings, constructions or terrains. In order to avoid problems for yourself and your fellow Geocachers, we would ask NOT to put a cache under bridges, near police stations, military objects, airports or public buildings that might be terrorist targets. And when your preparation for going after a certain cache shows you that it might be too close to one of such strategic objects, forget about that cache and go searching for another one.

Cache In Trash Out

Oops, we almost forgot this. It's simple! When out geocaching make sure to take a trash bag with you and pick up whatever trash you find along the way.

A thriller about GeoCaching

See this article for more info about GPS The Movie

GeoCaching Software

Don't miss the section about GeoCaching Software at the GPS-Software page

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