What is Geocaching & How to Get Started?

First thing I should mention this is just a helpful tutorial on helping you with basic information & things you should know to get started with the sport of Geocaching. I highly recommend you visit the main Geocaching website at www.GeoCaching.com for complete information on the sport.

1. What is GeoCaching,

Geocaching was founded around 2000 or so by some friends who decided to hide 'Cache's 'pronounced like the word CASH's. Basically they are containers with different things inside including a log book, pencil or pen, and random toys or GeoTags & GeoCoins & other tractable items. More information on GeoTags & Geocoins or trackables can be found on their website.

All Geocaches will be hidden in remote random areas & would be noted by the exact location with a GPS Device. I know its sounding way to high tech for you isn't it? Well don't let it fool you its basic & simple. So the Cache is hidden & the treasure hunt begins. The location of the cache is listed on the official website & people who are nearby can type in their zip code & set out on the hunt.

So that's the basic, a hidden container marked with a GPS which its coordinates are posted via internet for us to find. Why the little toys & goodies? Will once the Geocache is located you will want to log your visit by signing the Logbook & also online via their website. Then you can remove a few goodies & replace the goodies with equal value of the goodies you took. You never do know what one Geocacher might leave behind from Toys, Gadgets, & possibly even money or coins.

2. Who made Geocaching?

This information is a great story & I couldn't of said it better than this website here.

http://geocaching.gpsgames.org/history/ Please visit them for the full story on Who made Geocaching.

3. Where are places I can GeoCache

Believe it or not your own city or town! That's right they are literally everywhere! GeoCaching.com list over One Million Caches! Most places are located at family friendly spots such as your local Park, Lake or family trail. I have seen them even at rest stops & museums. Geocaching truly gives you a way to find unique places you would have missed if you didn't pay attention.

4. When Can I GeoCache

When you can Geocache is usually determined by where you live. Due to weather related issues such as Rain, Snow, Heat & so on. The best times to actual Geocache is usually when you have nice weather out such as the summer months. You will most definitely want to Geocache during the day light hours.

5. Why should I GeoCache?

If I was to ask ten Geocachers the question why do you Geocache? I am sure almost all of them would say its fun! This is a great chance to get to spend time with family & friends & what better way to get off the computer & to go outside then geocaching. I have found personally this is the best solution for trying to lose weight you find yourself captured in the moment of trying to find the cache & forget about everything else. There are countless reasons of why you should go GeoCaching, but when it comes down to it the sport of Geocaching is just fun of the adventure & finding something lost or hidden! Imagine finding something that not many people know about & you are using your skills to find it without them knowing..

6. Geocaching Expenses & Tips

A. Computer W/ Internet
This will be used to search for new Geocache's in your area. You could always go to your local library & print out a sheet that has new Cache's & then enter them into your GPS device.

B. GPS Equipment

Many Geocachers have found out the hard way this can be the expensive part of Geocaching! What you want to do is shop around & see what kinds of deals you can find at local pawn shops or even www.eBay.com has been a great way to find the correct handheld GPS device. www.GeoCaching.com has also some great devices for sale at a reasonable price to get started GeoCaching. GPS devices can range anywhere from $40.00 - $500+ dollars.

C. Vehicle w/ Gas

Depending on your location of where you live in some areas you will do a lot of driving to find certain GeoCaches but in larger cities there is literally 1,000's of Caches that are within walking distance. But then again if you live in rural areas of the United States & in certain states you might have to drive to a larger town or city to find Caches.

D. Safety Equipment

I highly recommend you always keep some sort of first aid kit in your vehicle. There is a lot of Caches that can take you off the road & into the woods & you never know what might happen. You could easily fall & hurt yourself you always want to be prepared. Also you will always want to keep a cell phone on you so that you can call for help if needed & always make sure it is fully charged before you leave your vehicle or home.

E. Time

Always make sure you have plenty of time when you decide to go GeoCaching. Please do not just run off with a deadline of 30 minutes & think you are going to have fun. Doing that kinda thing will make your GeoCaching trip dangerous & most likely un-fun. Besides that use this time to get away from everything & just relax. So please take your time!

7. Safety Concerns

GeoCaching like anything you do in life can have its safety concerns. Try not to travel to un-known areas that you are not familiar with especially just starting out as a new GeoCacher, Never go on Private Property & never put yourself in harm's way! If you think something is to dangerous then it probably is find a different Cache! If things don't seem right then they probably aren't leave! If you have health problems address the sport of GeoCaching with your doctor before ever attempting to GeoCache! Know your limits. Stay away from School's & rail road tracks & such areas. GeoCache's are not supposed to be placed in dangerous or awkward places such as those.

8. Geocaching Terms

A huge list of terms can be found at www.GeoCaching.com, but I have decided to list a few basic ones & examples of what they are.

Muggle or Muggler also known as GeoMuggle or GeoMuggler

Basically it's a person who is not aware of what GeoCaching is & has no clue what you are doing looking under tables or in the woods walking around looking under tree stumps. I think the term was coined from Harry Potter movies. Which a person who is non magical & does not know about magic.

FTF
Most times you will find this in a log books under the 'First to find 'who is the person that located the GeoCache first.

SWAG
A term that stands for ' Stuff We All Get ' It's a word that describes the items you have collected from GeoCaches that you have found & traded with.

BYOP
A acronym that means ' Bring Your Own Pen ' You will need one if you plan on signing the log book at this cache.

CITO

Stands for 'Cache in Trash Out 'Basically you search for the cache once found you will find a small container inside with a trash bag located in it. You will then carry the trash bag with you and collect trash on your way out of the location you are at. This is highly supported by many GeoCachers & a great way to help the environment & also gives us a clean city or parks.

TFTH
Stands for ' Thanks for The Hide ' This can usually be found signed in a log book next to some one's name or message.

TNLN / TNLNSL / TNSL

TNLN = Took Nothing Left Nothing
TNLNSL = Took Nothing Left Nothing Signed Logbook
TNSL = Took Nothing Signed Logbook

A basic day of GeoCaching explained just in case all this information has not helped.

You log on to GeoCaching.com & enter your area code you find a huge list of caches in your local area. You grab your GPS device & enter the cache locations into it so that you can go out & find them. Or you print them off & enter them manually when you want to go find them. Once a location is entered in your GPS device you head out looking for it. Once your GPS device has brought you in the general area of where the cache should be you begin the hunt! You search under bushes, trees; tables just about anywhere a container may be hidden. Once the cache is located you can now swap items of equal or greater value & sign the logbook! Yep it's that simple & it is way more fun than I could ever describe give it a go! Go Geocaching.

I appreciate you taking time to read my article I tried to give you as much information as I have gathered from the past year of learning how to geocache myself. I might have missed some key points & hope you take time to explore the great world of GeoCaching!

Official Website:
http://www.Geocaching.com