Geo Wha ?

OK so I have neglected my blog for a while as I’ve just been so busy catching up with hobbies and work after returning from my honeymoon.  It took me flipping ages to go through the photos and videos to get rid of the not so glamorous ones and I’m still not finished!

Anyhow the purpose of this blog is to let you all know about my new hobby (or should that be fad?), Geocaching!  I’m sure you’ve seen my Twitter posts about it!  So what is this so called Geocaching I hear you cry?  Well the ‘official’ description is thus:

“Geocaching is a worldwide game of hiding and seeking treasure. A geocacher can place a geocache in the world, pinpoint its location using GPS technology and then share the geocache’s existence and location online. Anyone with a GPS unit can then try to locate the geocache.” (http://www.geocaching.com/faq/default.aspx)

“Geocaching is a high-tech treasure hunting game played throughout the world by adventure seekers equipped with GPS devices. The basic idea is to locate hidden containers, called geocaches, outdoors and then share your experiences online. Geocaching is enjoyed by people from all age groups, with a strong sense of community and support for the environment.” (http://www.geocaching.com)

So there you have it, treasure hunting without the map but with a GPS device!

I randomly got into it when I was reading a thread on a message board I regularly post on about good iPhone applications.  Among the usual apps highlighted like WhatsApp Messenger, the Geocaching app was mentioned as being ‘good craic’ so I downloaded the free version which shows you three local caches near to your current location or home co-ordinates.  The paid version £5.99 gives you access to all the caches within an ‘n’ mile radius of your choosing.

What is a (geo)cache you ask?  It is basically the treasure chest you seek which can be of various sizes and shapes, sometimes camouflaged as screws, trees etc., or simply a tupperware container (small-medium), ammo box (large), film canister (small) or merely a lost animal address canister (micro).  There are also numerous cache types which you can go seeking with varying difficulties: Traditional Cache (just one cache with co-ordinates to its location), Multi-Cache (find one cache which contains a clue to the next cache and so on) and Mystery or Puzzle Caches (this type of cache can involve complicated puzzles to solve to determine the coordinates).  There are others for example the Webcam Cache but the three mentioned above are the main ones.

A geocache always contains a logbook or logsheet for finders to sign. Larger geocaches may also contain items for trade. These are generally small trinkets. If someone takes an item, he should leave something of equal or greater value in its place for the next geocacher to find. A geocache may also contain trackable items. Trackables are geocaching “game pieces” bearing a tracking number - a unique series of letters and numbers – that allows geocachers to follow the items’ real-world travels on Geocaching.com. Some of the most popular trackable items are “Geocoins” and “Travel Bugs".

Be warned though!  Caches can be anywhere and can be located in environments surrounded by a large number of people so those who are easily embarrassed need not apply!  There is a Geocaching term for non-geocachers in the vicinity of a cache… Muggles!  Yes Muggles as in Harry Potter… don’t ask my why! :) Muggles will give strange looks when you are searching for your cache but its all part of the excitement!  My most recent find was in the middle of my local Tesco’s carpark!

There is nothing stopping you hiding your own caches for people to find.  I hid one after only finding a few geocaches of my own ( http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?guid=1f07edce-1166-493d-b529-9c47fa681111 ).  I even bought a TravelBug from eBay to place into a cache (http://www.geocaching.com/track/details.aspx?id=2799381 ).  

Diego My TravelBug

The TravelBug has its own unique tracking code which you and anyone else can enter into geocaching.com to track its progress using Google Maps and see photos etc.  In my very first ‘find’ near my house I found a TravelBug and saw that it began in Germany and travelled via Cyprus, Sweden, England, Scotland and Ballymena before I found it!  Anyone that finds a TravelBug and retrieves it from the cache is expected to help it find its ‘goal’ which can be seen on the Bug’s Geocaching page.  That being said if you come across one you don’t have to take it.

Caches if big enough will contain small items to trade, usually small trinkets but again you don’t have to take anything, but if you do you must replace it with something of equal or greater value as stated above.

For those of you with an iPhone, Blackberry or other GPS enabled mobile phone then you can start geocaching straight away just download the appropriate app.  Mobile devices are not as accurate as normal handheld GPS devices but they work well enough to find caches.  Each cache has a clue to help you find it so reading it is useful including any previous logs and photos.

When you find a cache log it on the geocaching.com website or via your geocaching.com application its that simple!  It’s a good way of getting exercise outside and if you have kids they will enjoy the challenge of finding the caches and seeing what's inside!

So I hope I have given you some inspiration to try your hand at geocaching.  It’s worth a try and if it’s not for you then at least you can say that you’ve tried.

Enjoy and if you need any help or advice let me know ! (“,)

Geocaching.com Profile: http://www.geocaching.com/profile/?guid=3da7d61d-7255-49c0-9b7a-c647d1e91a01

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

iPhone Introduction App: http://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/geocaching-intro/id329541503?mt=8

Geocaching Guide: http://www.geocaching.com/articles/Brochures/EN/EN_Geocaching_BROCHURE_online_color.pdf