How to Start Geocaching

Geocaching is a sport, a hobby, an obsession, and a great outdoor activity for all ages. Geocaching involves players around the world placing hidden containers (caches) in interesting places for other players to find. The hider then submits the GPS coordinates and a description of the cache to a central website so that other players can access them. www.geocaching.com is by far the largest of these sites with the most players and active caches.

There are two sides to the game, and most players eventually try both. You can seek caches and you can hide caches.

The responsible way to start is to focus on the seeking side first. You will get a feel for the game and see if you really like it and intend to stick with it. This approach prevents orphaned caches, leads to better quality caches when you start placing, and is generally more fun for the beginner.

Getting Started

Equipment: Most important you need a GPS receiver or "GPSr". There are a number of manufacturers including the two largest ones Garman and Magellan. There are also various price points and features. Check outdoors stores, Wal-mart, electronics stores, or search online for GPS units. GPSr's are useful for driving, hiking, and keeping track of your hotel location in strange cities, so once you own a GPSr you can find lots of uses for it.

Other equipment can be gathered up at home. Pen, notebook, and if you plan on hiking, appropriate gear. Most cachers carry a small bag along for trade items, trackable items, and some water.

Geocaching.com Account: These are free, or you can pay $30 a year for a premium membership. Every player chooses a unique handle or trail name both on the website and to sign the logbooks. You will also need a password.

Log on to your Geocaching account and input you location via GPS coordinates or address and zip code. Then you can search for nearby caches. If you live in the US, Canada, or other areas where Geocaching is highly developed you will likely find that there is a cache in a nearby park. If you live in China or other areas without many caches, you may need to travel further to find a cache.

Pick a cache or two to seek. Start with a Traditional Cache represented by a little green box. Print off the cache page for reference. In addition to the coordinates of the cache, the cache page will generally give you some information about the cache site, box size, difficulty, terrain rating, any special equipment needed and sometimes an encrypted hint. There are linked maps that can help you plan your route to the cache.

Look at the recent logs at the bottom of the page. They will indicate if other teams have found the cache recently, and sometimes give useful information. If you see the last three logs show that they didn't find the cache, pick another cache because that one may be missing or really hard. Careful reading the logs too much though because sometimes the logs will make the hunt too easy!

Punch the coordinates into your GPSr and you are ready to go looking. Just follow the arrow on the GPSr until you get close, then start looking for the hidden cache. This sounds deceptively simple, but it is not always so easy. The world is not flat. The world has barriers (roads, highways, rivers, fences and so on). You can't always take the most direct route, and sometimes gaining legal access is the problem.

When you find the cache, sign the log with your handle or trail name. Many cachers take something and leave something of equal or greater value.

Words of Caution and Advice

Geocachers never damage anything - natural or man made.

Geocachers always try to leave the cache area and the trail better then they found it. CITO or Cache in

If you take a geocoin or travel bug remember that these items belong to another player. Log them promptly and accurately, and get them back into another cache.

#1 Have Fun. This game will get you out into nature, show you interesting areas, provide an outlet for your creativity, and can be used as a great family activity.