A Full Beginners Guide to GeoCaching

Welcome To A New Tuppaware Filled World

Geocaching is a hobby that will turn every average walk you do into a treasure hunt. Aimed at people of all ages this hobby can be enjoyed almost anywhere on the Earth. From your very own street or park to mountain peaks and the depth of the ocean.

The game only requires 3 things

• Mobile Phone or GPS Device

• Pencil

• Sense of adventure and discovery

Dictionary.com lists geocaching as the following

Geocaching Noun an activity or pastime in which an item, or a container holding a number of items, is hidden at a particular location for GPS users to find by means of coordinates posted on the Internet.

It’s a pretty good definition!

In a nutshell Geocaching involves GeoCachers (The Treasure Hunter) searching for hidden containers (GeoCache). Geocaches are hidden by other players, listed online and found and/or maintained by other users. The Caches are logged with their GPS co-ordinates and other players find those Geocaches by using a clue as well as either a mobile or GPS Device.

All the Geocaches are listed online on a www.geocaching.com this where you also sign up and create an account.

What’s Does A GeoCache look like?

The Geocaches can vary in size from Micro to Large and can be completely random objects. They can also be camouflaged and magnetic.

>Source Geocaching.com

> Source My Own Finds

There are non physical caches called EarthCaches which inform you about an interesting fact about the land or area you are in.

Some Caches form a trail you can follow with clues for each one. Or some are more sporadically placed and on their own.

What’s Inside?

Firstly there is a log book where you write down your name once you have found the cache. Sometimes there is a pen or pencil too. But always take one just encase. Random objects called GeoSwag and other items such as Trackables and GeoCoins. Trackables are items that move from Cache To Cage and you log their journey online. Some Trackables may have an agenda and want to see certain things like bridges or waterfalls. Others just want a road trip.

You can take home some of the GeoSwag inside this is where the etiquette of Geocaching comes in.

Ettiqute of GeoCaching

Once you’ve found your Cache it can be tempted to remove all the GeoSwag and run for the hills but that’s not how it works. Whatever you take you have to replace it with the same value or more.

Example

I take 5p, I must put back 5p or more.

Some are toys, bracelets etc so use your best guess and don’t be greedy. After l the Swag is aimed at the children more.

Geocaches often practice Cache In Trash Out which is where litter is collected and disposed off.

You MUST always put a GeoCache back in the way that you found it.

How Do I Start

First you need to set up an account on Geocaching.com.

Search in your area. Caches are Worldwide but as you can see on the UK map below. Every dot is a cache

Pick a cache to find and read the intro plus cues.

Then choose an Mobile app or GPS.

I use c:geo an opensource app for Android phones only though. I find its the easiest to use. This can be found on the Play Store.

I Found One!

Congratulations on your first cache. Once you’ve re hidden the cache you just need to log on and Mark the cache as found.

Now go and find another!

Too Many Acronyms?!?!

TFTC -Thanks For The Cache

DNF- Did Not Find

Muggle- a non geocacher

TFTC – First to find