Geocaching 101

Wikipedia defines Geocaching as, "An outdoor treasure-hunting game in which the participants use a Global Positioning System receiver (GPS) 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."

Geocaching is a fun and exciting adventure for GPS owners. The basic idea of geocaching is to find a cache. A cache is a hidden container that includes a log book and sometimes trinkets, geocoins, or travel bugs to track or trade. There are thousands of caches hidden around the world.

How do I find a caches coordinates?
The largest database of caches is online at http://www.geocaching.com/about/default.aspx. You can sign up for a free account and access a huge database of caches. You can search by zip code, state, country, or coordinates.

Why do I need a user name?
When you sign up for a free account at Geocaching.com you will be asked for a username. This username will also be your geocache team name or personal name. For instance since my husband and I cache together and both our initials our CLS our team name is CLSx2. Your team name can be anything you want, you will also use this name to sign the logbook of the caches you find.

What are the rules of geocaching?
The only rules that geocaching.com lists are:
1. Take something from the cache
2. Leave something in the cache
3. Write about it in the logbook

Geocaching is a fairly new sport, as it develops new rules may evolve.

Are there different types of caches?
There are three main types of caches. The most widely popular caches are called traditional caches. A traditional cache is usually a water-proof, camouflaged container, that is the size of a lunch box or bigger. Another popular cache size is the mini cache. Just like it sounds, a mini cache is a small cache, also water proof and camouflaged. Due to its size a mini cache does not usually have items to trade. The third most popular size is the micro cache. A micro cache can be as small as the size of a pill, most often micro caches are a film container. Micros are popular in heavily populated areas where a large container would be to easy to spot and to difficult to hide.

What is in a cache?
Every cache will vary in its contents, but each cache should have a logbook. The trinkets that are traded within caches are usually small toys, keychains, and other non-monetary items. There is a popular saying amoung cachers, "Trade equal or trade up, or don't trade at all." Many cachers also have geocoins and travel bugs that they leave in caches. Both geocoins and travel bugs remain the property of the person who purchased the coin or bug. As a cacher you can pick up a bug or coin, log in your find on the geocaching web site, and then drop it into the next cache you visit.

What supplies do I need to begin?
The main tool that you will need for geocaching is your GPS. You will also need access to a computer and printer. Since you will be choosing the caches you want to find online and printing the cache page to take with you. I also recommend bringing a pen or pencil to sign the logbook in case the cache does not have a pen or pencil in it. If you chose there are many additional gizmos and gadgets you can get to enhance your caching adventures. When we cache we always carry a digital camera, our stamp with our team name, handmade keychains to trade, a pen, a flashlight or headlamp, a wrist pda (downlaod the coordinates instead of carrying paper), a cell phone, and of course our GPS.