Geocaching 101

“The basic idea of Geocaching is to locate hidden containers, called geocaches, outdoors [or indoors] and then share your experiences online.” – Geocaching.com

Caches come in all shapes and sizes, but they all have one thing in common: Someone out there knows exactly where they are—and they are willing to share this information with the online community, so someone else will have a shot at discovering the cache.

So here’s how it all works:

Your job, as a participant, is to get out there and find one of these hidden-cache-treasures.

You should probably get acquainted with GPS basics by searching for one or two geocaches before you go out there and hide any yourself. The trick is, though, when you go to find one, you won’t have a treasure map to tell where to find the cache (no detailed instructions either).

Instead all you will have at your disposal is your GPS unit, and your intellect. It’s the development and widespread use of GPS technology that has made Geocaching possible.

When a Geocacher decides he or she is going to hide a cache, this person must record the exact position of the object—then write down the coordinates of the very spot where they hid the object—in the degrees of latitude and longitude. As a seeker, that’s all you get!

For example, as a seeker, you might get this: N 39° 47.832 W 075° 32.903 (which is where someone has hidden a geocache and taken down its coordinates) You'll have nothing else! You then have to go to this spot and find the cache. Sometimes you are given extra clues, and sometimes the cache itself is a clue in a bigger, more complicated puzzle.

The Geocaching Handbook

Tools of the Trade

There are only 2 things you need to play: A GPS Device which accepts latitude and longitude coordinates and can therefore assist you in finding the cache location; and a computer with internet access—so you can go online and look up active caches and find the coordinates of one you want to go seek. Someone has probably gone out in the woods and already hidden a cache in a spot that’s not too far from your home.

If you have your own GPS unit or know someone you can borrow one from, you can be outside playing in no time. All you need to do is log on to any Geocaching website where they have lists of cache coordinates, pick one out that you believe you can seek and find, enter the coordinates into your GPS, and then let it guide you to the spot where someone has hidden a cache—your ultimate destination is some unknown, hidden treasure box!

In Geocaching, it’s not X marks the spot… but a set of coordinates which will provide you with a digital “treasure map” when entered into your GPS Receiver or Finder.

What is a Cache?

Caches can be all kinds of different things: Many are Tupperware containers filled with the same kind of stuff you’d find in a time-capsule (when hiding a Geocache one must also include a log book, so finders can sign and leave a note saying when and how they found the cache; but this is also supposed to be reported online). Other caches may contain things like stickers, toys, prizes, puzzles, promotional items, even money. But you rarely know what it is you are going to get…

Different Types of Caches:

• Traditional Caches - Any normal container (Tupperware, canister, pencil box, etc.) containing, at minimum, a log book (but which also usually contains some “goodie” objects for trade, such as CD’s, matchbox cars, or others)
• Multi-Caches - Many variations on this, but basically, when you discover one container, in it you will find directions to the next container, and at the end of the sequence of caches you get your final reward
• Mystery or Puzzle Caches - The seeker may first have to solve a puzzle to get the coordinates of the cache; the puzzle may be solvable from the cache page or the coordinates may reveal a clue to the cache’s whereabouts
• Letterbox Hybrid - The cache contains a stamp which the geocacher can use to mark the log book and sign in and date
• Event Caches - caches that are organized for the purpose of bringing together geocachers for some event or challenge
• CITO Caches - a caches which promotes the awareness of Geocaching’s strong environmental commitment; CITO stands for “Carry In, Trash Out”
• Earth Caches - features an educational place at the cache site; people can visit and learn earth science or ‘geoscience’ as some are now calling it

Geocaching is all about mystery, discovery, and following a trail to uncover what lies at the end of the rainbow—in this case, it’s not a pot of gold; but rather—simply “cache.”