Using Your Mobile GPS to go Geocaching!

You can use your mobile GPS (a handheld one) to go geocaching, and have a lot of fun. “Geo-what,” you say? Geocaching, pronounced geo-cashing, is a great outdoor activity for both individuals and families. So grab your pocket GPS, go to your nearest computer, and see which caches are closest to you.

Geocaching – What is it All About?

Geocaching is like grown-up treasure hunting, or treasure hunting in real life. Basically, it is using the coordinates of longitude and latitude to pinpoint a certain area, usually within about 17 feet. When you get to the spot using your mobile GPS, there should be a “cache,” or container that was put there by someone for others to find. It can be a micro – which is as small as a film canister or smaller or any size up to a jumbo – which can be as large as a 5 gallon bucket.

How do I Know Where to Look?

Coordinates can be found on several computer sites. Since it is done all over the world, many countries have sites that are country specific. The largest site of all, though, is geocaching.com, which has caches listed for all over the world. Antarctica even has 25 caches hidden on it! Mobile GPSs can show the coordinates you are at all the time, so if you get in the general vicinity, follow your mobile GPS to the exact spot.

What’s in the Cache?

If the cache is a micro, often the only thing it will hold the requisite log for finders to sign. Larger caches have room for larger trinkets, but beware – the items won’t usually be of great value, though some hiders put in a greater value item for the first to find the cache.

Is That What All Caches Are, a Container With Trinkets?

There are several types of geocaches. Traditional Caches are containers with a log inside, with maybe some stuff inside. Virtual Caches are different: for them you need to view something, then report back to the hider with the required info so you can count the find. With Web Caches, the goal is to be captured on a web cam (have a friend help at home) and submitted to the hider to consider it a “find”.

There are also Earthcaches – which are to introduce you to some geoscience treasure that the “hider” would like you to see. Not to be forgotten are the Puzzle Caches – where you must solve some puzzle to get the coordinates of where to look for the cache. There are other types; these are the most common.

Anything Else I Should Know?

When you find a cache using your mobile GPS, you are expected to only take something from it if you leave something else behind. Most cachers bring some “swag” in case they want to trade. Put it back carefully, where you found it. Beware of “muggles” (like the muggles from the Harry Potter series) as they are unaware of the game and could damage the cache. We welcome others to join the game, but only if they will respect the rules of the game and play fair!

One last thing: You may find a trackable item in a cache. There are two types: travelbugs (which are object with dog tags that have a trackable code on them) that have a goal that you should help it achieve if you take it, and geocoins (that have a code embedded on them but have no particular goal. Use your mobile GPS for the fun of geocaching!