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.
You pronounce it
Geo-cashing, like cashing a check.
The word Geocaching
refers to GEO for geography, and to CACHING, the process of hiding a cache. A
cache in computer terms is information usually stored in memory to make it
faster to retrieve, but the term is also used in hiking/camping as a hiding
place for concealing and preserving provisions.
Yes, we do have a Glossary
of Terms. You can review the list of vocabulary words and acronyms often seen
in the world of geocaching. It will help you
understand what you read in cache logs ands in the forums.
A GPS unit is an electronic
device that can determine your approximate location (within around 6 - 20 feet)
on the planet. Coordinates are normally given in Latitude and Longitude. You
can use the device to navigate from your current location to another location.
Some devices have their own maps, built-in electronic compasses, and voice
navigation, depending on the complexity of the device.
Each GPS receiver is a
computer that receives signals broadcast from GPS satellites. A receiver needs
to read signals from at least three satellites at a time to calculate its
general location by a process called trilateration.
With signals from four
satellites, a GPS receiver can get a more accurate fix that includes altitude
and the exact time, as well as latitude and longitude. The more satellite
signals the receiver reads, the more accurate the position it reports to you.
No! GPS devices do not
actually broadcast your location. The satellites using radio frequencies
actually broadcast their own position. Your GPS unit takes that information to
figure out where you are (trilateration).
Unless you have a tracking
system implanted by aliens, you should be safe from the satellites above. As an
extra precaution, however, you can put aluminum foil on your head to deflect
the "gamma" beams.
1. If you take something
from the cache, leave something of equal or greater value.
2. Write about your find in
the cache logbook.
3. Log your experience at
www.geocaching.com.
In its simplest form, a
cache always contains a logbook. The logbook contains information from the
owner of the cache, notes from visitors and can contain much valuable,
rewarding, and entertaining information. In smaller caches, a logsheet may be used.
Larger caches may contain a
logbook and any number of more or less valuable items. These items turn the
cache into a true treasure hunt. You never know what the owner or other
visitors of the cache may have left there for you to enjoy. Remember, if you
take something, it is only fair for you to leave something in return. It is recommended
that items in a cache be individually packaged in a clear, zipped plastic bag
to protect them from the elements.
Quite often you may also
find a trackable item. Groundspeak
Trackables come in two types: Groundspeak
Travel Bugs®, and official Geocoins.
A Groundspeak
Travel Bug is a trackable tag that you attach to an
item, and which travels from cache to cache with the help of people like you.
Each tag is etched with a unique code which the finder can use to log its
travels on this website. Every Travel Bug has a goal given by its owner, so if
you think you can help it along on its journey feel free to take it with you.
Geocoins are special trackable
coins created by other Geocachers to commemorate
special events or as a signature item to leave in caches. They function exactly
like Travel Bugs and should be moved to another cache unless otherwise
specified by their owners. The variety of different geocoins
is staggering! More information about Travel Bugs and Geocoins
can be found on the Groundspeak Trackables
page.
People of all ages hide and
seek caches, so think carefully before placing an item into a cache.
Explosives, ammunition, knives, drugs and alcohol should not be placed in a
cache. Respect the local laws.
Food items are always a bad
idea. Animals have better noses than humans, and in some cases caches have been
chewed through and destroyed because of food items in a cache. Please do not
put food in a cache.
It is common for geocachers to hide caches in locations that are important
to them, reflecting a special interest or skill of the cache owner. These
unique locations on the planet can be quite diverse. Make sure to read the
cache descriptions carefully, especially the difficulty and terrain ratings as
some cache finds can be technical and physically challenging.
For instance, a cache
located on the side of a rocky cliff accessible only by rock climbing equipment
may be hard to find. An underwater cache may only be accessed by SCUBA. Other
caches may require long difficult hiking, orienteering and special equipment.
Caches may be located in cities both above and below ground, and outside of
buildings. Even the skillful placement of a small logbook in an urban
environment may be quite challenging to find even with the accuracy of a GPS.
Have fun and remember to share your geocaching
experiences online.
Do not move a cache from its
original location. If you feel that the cache may not be located in the correct
location, please email the cache owner directly or post a log on the cache
detail page, notifying the owner of your concern. It is an owner's
responsibility to maintain cache placement.
Yes! Geocaching
is an activity that continues to evolve and mature with community commitment
and participation. If you have a new idea that incorporates the use of GPS, we
would love to hear about it. View the list of Geocache Types to see how the
activity has evolved from the original, traditional geocache.
Before considering your
first geocache hide, find a variety of caches in your area to familiarize
yourself with the activity. Then, review our Guide to Hiding a Cache and the
Geocache Listing Guidelines before submitting a cache for review.
When I submit a new cache
for publication, how long will it take to be listed?
Each cache that is submitted
to Geocaching.com is reviewed by a volunteer, to ensure that the cache meets
the Geocaching Listing Guidelines. This process may
take up to 72 hours to have your cache posted to the web site. We kindly ask
for your patience during this review, especially on weekends when site traffic
can be high.
We rely on the geocaching community to abide by the geocaching
guidelines, to ensure that permission for cache placement has been sought, to
provide accurate coordinates, and to keep the contents appropriate for a
family-friendly audience. If you find a problematic cache, please contact the
owner directly or geocaching.com.
If you visit a cache
location and the cache is missing, make sure to log the cache as one that you
"Did Not Find" so the cache owner is notified. Cache owners who
repeatedly receive "Did Not Find" logs should check to see that their
cache has not been removed. As a geocacher, if you
notice that a cache detail page has an unusual number of "Did Not
Find" logs, please let the local reviewer know or contact us. We rely on
the geocaching community to let us know the status of
caches in their area.
Yes. The community has
decided on channel 2 as the primary for both FRS and PMR, and 12 as the
alternate FRS (Family Radio Service) channel and 8 for the alternate PMR (
Copyright © 2000-2010 Groundspeak, Inc. All
Rights Reserved.