Geocaching
In May of 2007 my Geocaching (pronounced geo-cashing) adventures began when Rose accidentally discovered a copy of “Geocaching for Dummies”, while perusing the shelves at the Barns & Noble bookstore. She had heard about geocaching while living in Washington but hadn’t learned much about it. She bought the book and by the end of the evening had us both hooked. We checked out geocaching.com and found a slew of caches in our immediate area in Long Beach, California. That was all the additional incentive we needed to purchase a handheld GPS unit from REI and when they arrived, the adventures began!
It is rare in life to find an endeavor that fundamentally changes the way you look at the world and how you live your life. Geocaching changed everything for me. Suddenly, I was out of the house, exploring areas in cities I had been in my entire life, and just driven through, and began really “seeing” things for the first time. Many caches commemorate historical events or monuments and some are like a locals guide to the best of the area restaurants and shops, or out of the way getaway spots. Seeing where you live through someone else’s perspective or learning the history of this or that odd thing makes it much easier to really appreciate their significance. Here is a prime example. I have passed this flag pole probably hundreds of times since I was a child. The first time I remember seeing it, was from the backseat of my Dad’s ‘64 chevy Impala, on the way to my favorite art store, Lyon’s Art Supply, in Long Beach, California. I was probably about nine of ten and it was the biggest, absolutely biggest, flag I had ever seen!! Now at 43 I finally know all about it and Lyon’s is still where I buy most of my art supplies! View Polish Pole Cache!
The sport/hobby of geocaching has expanded to offer three different flavors to satisfy any preference and a variety of mental stimulation or physical preferences.
Geocaching.com is the main place for geocaching. Almost all of the caches listed there end in a physical container with a logbook being found. The different types of caches and descriptions of the offshoot types called Waymarking and Whereigo are explained below. All of this information is available here on the geocaching.com website in a much easier to read format. An account on geocaching.com is free to setup and the best GPS units I have used are Garmins mapping handhelds. There are many models to choose from, but make sure you purchase on that is “geocaching-friendly” to make the most out of your geocaching.com experience. If you are interested in the emerging Whereigo caching experience check out the Colorado or the Oregon line of units. Happy Caching!!
Geocache Types
Traditional Cache
This is the original cache type consisting, at a bare minimum, a container and a log book. Normally you’ll find a tupperware container, ammo box, or bucket filled with goodies, or smaller container (“micro cache”) too small to contain items except for a log book. The coordinates listed on the traditional cache page are the exact location for the cache.
The general rule of thumb is, “If you take an item, leave an item, and write in the logbook.” Some caches are themed, so make sure to read the description before going on a hunt.
Multi-Cache (Offset Cache)
A multi-cache (“multiple”) involves two or more locations, the final location being a physical container. There are many variations, but most multi-caches have a hint to find the second cache, and the second cache has hints to the third, and so on. An offset cache (where you go to a location and get hints to the actual cache) is considered a multi-cache.
Project A.P.E. Cache
In 2001, twelve geocaches were placed in conjunction with 20th Century Fox to support the movie Planet of the Apes. Each cache represented a fictional story in which scientists revealed an Alternative Primate Evolution. These caches were made using specially marked ammo containers. Each cache had an original prop from the movie. Only a few Project A.P.E. caches exist today.
Mystery or Puzzle Caches
(my favorite kind)
The “catch-all” of cache types, this form of cache can involve complicated puzzles you will first need to solve to determine the coordinates. Examples include sending the cache owner a verification codeword found inside the logbook, performing some task at the cache location and taking a photograph, or writing the online log in a format or with content that satisfies the cache requirements. Due to the increasing creativity of geocaching this becomes the staging ground for new and unique challenges.
Letterbox Hybrid
A letterbox is another form of treasure hunting using clues instead of coordinates. In some cases, however, a letterbox has coordinates, and the owner has made it a letterbox and a geocache. To read more about letterboxing, visit the Letterboxing North America web site.
Wherigo™ Cache
Wherigo is a toolset for creating and playing GPS-enabled adventures in the real world. By integrating a Wherigo experience, called a cartridge, with finding a cache, the geocaching hunt can be an even richer experience. Among other uses, Wherigo allows geocachers to interact with physical and virtual elements such as objects or characters while still finding a physical geocache container. A Wherigo-enabled GPS device is required to play a cartridge. Learn more at Wherigo.com.
Event Cache
Occasionally, local geocachers and geocaching organizations designate a time and location to meet and discuss geocaching. After the event the caches are archived.
Mega-Event Cache
A Mega-Event cache is similar to an Event Cache but it is much larger. In order to qualify as a Mega Event, the event cache must be attended by 500+ people. Typically, Mega Events are annual events and attract geocachers from all over the world.
Cache In Trash Out Event
Cache In Trash Out is an activity intimately tied to geocaching. While out there on a cache hunt, we collect litter along the trails and properly dispose of it. Cache In Trash Out Events are much larger clean-up events that involve and benefit the larger community.
EarthCache
An EarthCache is a special place that people can visit to learn about a unique geoscience feature or aspect of our Earth. EarthCaches include a set of educational notes and the details about where to find the location (latitude and longitude). Visitors to EarthCaches can see how our planet has been shaped by geological processes, how we manage the resources and how scientists gather evidence to learn about the Earth. For more information about EarthCaches, visit www.earthcache.org.
GPS Adventures Maze Exhibit
An event exhibit cache represents geocaching participation at the GPS Adventures Maze Exhibit. The GPS Adventures Maze is a traveling educational exhibit designed to teach people of all ages about navigation, GPS technology and geocaching.
Grandfathered Cache Types
These are cache types that are no longer available for creation on geocaching.com. Visit the Waymarking web site for other GPS hunting activities.
Virtual Cache
A virtual cache is a cache that exists in a form of a location. Depending on the cache “hider,” a virtual cache could be to answer a question about a location, an interesting spot, a task, etc. The reward for these caches is the location itself and sharing information about your visit.
Because of the nature of these geocaches, you must actually visit the location and acquire the coordinates there before you can post. In addition, although many locations are interesting, a virtual cache should be out of the ordinary enough to warrant logging a visit.
Virtuals are now considered waymarks on Waymarking.com.
Webcam Cache
These are caches that use existing web cameras placed by individuals or agencies that monitor various areas like parks or road conditions. The idea is to get yourself in front of the camera to log your visit. The challenging part, however, it that you need to call a friend to look up the web site that displays the camera shot. You will need to have them to save the picture to log the cache. If you’re a tech-head you could use your wireless modem and save the image yourself on your laptop.
Webcam caches are now in the Web Camera category on Waymarking.com.
Locationless (Reverse) Cache
Locationless caches could be considered the opposite of a traditional cache. Instead of finding a hidden container, you are given a task to locate a specific object and log its coordinates. A scavenger hunt of sorts, it involves collecting waypoints of various objects around the world.
Locationless caches have evolved into Waymarking. Waymark categories are similar to how locationless caches were listed on geocaching.com, but you can now search for the locations in each category.
