Geocaching WV
by Knightmare Duck
Geocaching
Geocaching is "an outdoor treasure-hunting game in which the participants use a Global Positioning System (GPS)
receiver or other navigational techniques to hide and seek containers (called "geocaches" or "caches") anywhere in the world.
A typical cache is a small waterproof container containing a logbook and "treasure," usually toys or trinkets of little value."
My favorite Geocaching definition from other Geocachers - "We use a multi-million dollar space based satellite system to hunt down
tupperware hidden in the woods"
Definition from an Article at Wikipedia.org
Tools of the Trade
One of the first things you'll need is an account at Geocaching.com.
Sign up is easy and free. You should start with a free account to see if you like it and later upgrade to a Premium account. A Premium account
is not required, many people never get the Premium account and they do just fine. The Premium account gives you access to Pocket Querries
and other premium tools that make life easier. One note on your account; Take care in choosing a name. You will be writting it every
time you find a Cache. You should also consider wether or not you will be caching alone, as a team or as a family. Your name should
reflect these choices.
The next big choice (and most expensive) is what GPSr to buy. There are many choices on the market and their prices range from $80 to $500 plus!
You should buy a protable handheld GPSr. Although you can use them, the GPSrs that are made for use in vehicles for travel direction aren't really
made for Geocaching (TomTom, MIO, etc). When you spend more than $175 for a GPSr you are buying features. Like my GPSr, a Garmin Rhino 520.
It has a color screen, expanded memory, and a Built-in Two Way Radio. A good starting point is the
Garmin eTrex or one of
Magellan's handhelds
That's it. Get an account and a GPSr and your ready to go. However there are several other things you may want to take with you.
Here's my list: A Flashlight
(small/windup no batteries), Multitool,
digital camera, family/hunting two way radio,
some small items for trade and a bag/backpack
to carry it all in. This is a short list, check out my Blog on this site to get ideas for other equipment you might want.
About Me
We started Geocaching in June 2007.
Thanks to PBump introducing us to this sport. It is completely addicting.
What a perfect past time for Tech Geeks. We get to use computers, satellites, and GPS's.
We normally took day trips on the weekends. With geocaching, we get to do something once we get there.
Did I say it was addicting? How could finding Tupperware or ammo cans in the woods bring so much
pleasure? We never knew what excitement it could bring opening it up to see what dollar store trinkets
that are in there. Not to mention the sheer pleasure in being the First To Find (FTF). That blank log sheet must
release endorphins.
Our signature item we like to leave is a rubber duck.
What New
Sunday, March 23, 2008, was a 'clean up' day for us. We went out Friday and did pretty good, we got 13, but had four misses too. So today we went out with the intent to get the ones we missed Friday. We got two of them, A Walk to Remember and Off Your Rocker. Both were easy caches but were surrounded by muggles Friday. After two good tries, we logged Sister Multi as a Did Not Find (DNF). The 4th was in the owner's yard. I'm not a big fan of yard hides.
Friends
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