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Geocaching....
Ok, what the heck is it?
It is an outdoor treasure-hunting game.
You use a Global Positioning System
receiver or other navigational techniques
to hide and seek containers (called
"geocaches" or "caches") anywhere in the
world. A typical cache is a small
waterproof container containing a logbook
and "treasure", usually toys or trinkets of
little monetary value.
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For the traditional geocache, a geocacher
will hide the cache, then note the cache's
coordinates. These coordinates, along with
other details of the location, are posted on
a website . Other geocachers obtain the
coordinates from the Internet and seek out
the cache using their GPS hand held
receivers. The finding geocachers record
their exploits in the logbook and online.
Geocachers are free to take objects from
the cache in exchange for leaving
something of similar or higher value, so
there is treasure for the next person to find.
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Typical cache treasures aren't high in
monetary value but may hold intrinsic
value to the finder. Aside from the
logbook, common cache contents are
unusual coins or currency, small toys,
ornamental buttons, CDs, or books. Also
common are objects that are moved from
cache to cache, such as Travel Bugs or
Geocoins, whose travels may be logged
and followed online. Occasionally, higher
value items are included in geocaches,
normally reserved for the "first finder",
or in locations which are harder to reach.
Sounds like it may be too difficult....
There are many types of caches. There
are caches suitable for any age group or
skill level. Some are easy enough to be
called "drive-bys", "park 'n' grabs"
("PNGs"), or "cache and dash". Others
are very difficult, including staged
multi-caches; there are even examples of
caches under water, 50 feet up a tree,
after long off-road drives, on high
mountain peaks, on the Antarctic
continent, and above the Arctic Circle.
Different geocaching websites choose to
list different variations as per their own
policies (e.g., Geocaching.com does not
list new Webcam, Virtual, Locationless, or
moving geocaches).
Variations of geocaches include:
Traditional:
This is the basic cache type. It is a
container with a log book (at minimum)
found at its listed set of coordinates and
usually trade items.
Multi-cache:
This cache consists of multiple caches.
These caches are one or more
intermediate points containing the
coordinates for the next or final cache,
that contains the log book and trade
items.
Offset:
This cache is similar to the multi-cache
except that the initial coordinates are for
a location containing information that
encodes the final cache coordinates. An
example would be to direct the finder to
a plaque where the digits of a date on
the plaque correspond to coordinates of
the final cache.
Mystery/puzzle-based:
This cache does not include a listed set of
coordinates for the cache. Instead, it is
located after solving a puzzle in order to
determine the final cache coordinates.
Letterbox Hybrid:
A letterbox hybrid cache is a combination
of a geocache and a letterbox in the
same container. A letterbox has a rubber
stamp and a logbook instead of tradable
items. Letterboxers carry their own
stamp with them, to stamp the
letterbox's log book and inversely stamp
their personal log book with the letterbox
stamp. The hybrid cache contains the
important materials for this as well as
trade items.
Virtual:
Caches of this nature are coordinates for
a location that does not contain the
traditional box, log book, or trade items.
Instead, the location contains some other
described object. Validation for finding a
virtual cache generally requires you to
email the cache hider with information
such as a date or a name on a plaque, or
to post a picture of yourself at the site
with GPS receiver in hand.
Earthcache:
This is a type of virtual cache organized
by the Geological Society of America. The
locations do not have traditional
geocaches, but contain information about
the geology, fossils, and local environment.
Webcam:
Similar to a virtual cache, there is no
container, log book, or trade items for
this cache type. Instead, the coordinates
are for a location with a public webcam.
Instead of signing a log book, the finder
is often required to capture their image
from the webcam for verification of the
find.
Locationless/Reverse:
This variation is similar to a scavenger
hunt. A description is given for something
to find, such as a one-room schoolhouse,
and the finder locates an example of this
object. The finder records the location
using their GPS handheld receiver and
often taking a picture at the location with
their GPS receiver. Typically others are
not allowed to log that same location as a
find.
Moving/Traveling:
Similar to a traditional geocache, this
variation is found at a listed set of
coordinates. The finder uses the log book,
trades trinkets, and then hides the cache
in a different location. By updating this
new location on the listing, the finder
essentially becomes the hider and the
next finder continues the cycle.
Event Cache:
This is a cache located at a gathering
attended by geocachers. Caches placed at
events are often temporarily placed for
the event date only. This term is also
used to describe the gathering itself.
Cache-In Trash-Out (CITO) Events: This
is a variation on event caching.
Geocachers gather to clean up the trash
in the area to improve the environment as
a coordinated activity.
Ok, how do I get started?
Stop in at Ragged Mountain Wireless and
we'll help you get set up. There is a
great beginner cache just a short walk
from our store at 321 Commercial St. in
Rockport!
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