Newbies’ Guide To Geo-Caching

Caz MockettBarCampSheffield2

November 2008

What is Geo-Caching?

• Geocaching is a sport which started in 2000• It’s basically high-tech treasure hunting• Users log in to www.geocaching.com to find the

location of hidden caches around the world• Once they know the co-ordinates, they must go

out and find the box• Once found, you sign the logbook in the box• And log your find on geocaching.com

Geocaching.com• You must have an account on geocaching.com

in order to find out information about the caches

• It’s free for basic membership• Premium membership costs $30/year which

gives you extra features• Each cache has a reference Waypoint such as

GC1H6HY

Seek A Cache• To find a cache, enter your location/post

code:

Seek A Cache• Search Results come up as a list:

Seek A Cache• Or you can view them on a map:

Click on the Cache Name for more details

Seek A Cache• If you aren’t logged in, you get:

Seek A Cache• If you are logged in, you get:

Types of Cache• There are quite a few different cache types:

Common Types of Cache• The most common is a Traditional Cache • Full co-ordinates are supplied• It’s one box to find and log

• Multi-caches• These specify the co-ordinates for the first cache• Find the first, and co-ordinates for the next cache can be

found in the box, and so on

• Mystery Caches• Solve a riddle or look for specific clues• These give you the cache co-ordinates

Common Types of Cache• Event Cache

Cache Sizes• There are five sizes of cache. The most

common is Regular (eg Ammo can):

Cache Sizes• Good sized sandwich/lock & lock boxes are

also classed as Regular:

Cache Sizes• Smaller sized sandwich/lock & lock boxes are

classed as Small:

Cache Sizes• There are also a lot of Micros about (eg 35mm

film pot):

Cache Sizes• And then there’s the evil little Nano – usually

magnetic – and very well hidden:

Cache Sizes• Here’s a Nano from the wild, showing its log

book wound in the lid:

Hiding Places• Caches can be hidden in

many places, but some of the most common are:

• In bushes

Hiding Places• In trees – can you spot this one?:

Hiding PlacesUnder bridges – watch out for Trolls:

Cache Location HintsYou often get an extra clue to helpCould this be the crock of gold at the rainbows

end?

Cache Location HintsDave may be down the drain, but the cache

isn't!

Logging Your FindSo you’ve found a cache – what next?Sign the logbook you find inside the cacheMake a note of

the cache Waypoint

Log your visit online at geocaching.com

Understanding The Logs• Each log entry has a little icon next to it• Found The Cache• Did Not Find (DNF)• Note – eg dropping off a Geocoin• Needs maintenance – if the log is full, etc• There are other acronyms which you will see:• TNLN = Took Nothing, Left Nothing• SL = Signed Log• TFTC = Thanks For The Cache• FTF = First To Find

Trackable Items• As well as regular swap items, you may also

find special trackable items in a cache• If you find one, you can remove it – but they

are not for keeps – you must put it in another cache as soon as you can

• There are several types of trackable items that you can log on geocaching.com• Geocoins (GCs)• Travel Bugs (TBs)• Trackabulldog – a kind of hybrid between the two

Trackables - Geocoins• Geocoins (GCs) each have their own unique

tracking number engraved on one side• They are often

issued tocommemorate anevent

• The owner can give the coin a specific“mission” – ie visitcaches near rivers

Trackables – Travel Bugs• Travel Bugs (TBs) are tags

which can be attached to another item

• They still have a uniquetracking number

• The owner can give the TB a “mission” too

Trackables – Trackabulldog• Trackabulldogs are geocoins which think they

are Travel Bugs!• It’s still the same principle

with them having a uniquenumber on the back

• It’s just a different name – just to add to theconfusion!

Trackables – Logging• Just like logging your visit to a cache, it’s

important to record when you move a coin from one cache to another

• Geocaching.com lets you remove, place or discover a geocoin• Log a Remove when you take a coin out of a cache• It will then appear in your inventory• Log a Place when you put the coin in a new cache• If you don’t take a coin, you can log it as

Discovered if you record the tracking number

Trackables – Logging• Your Trackables page will look like this:

Equipment - iPhone• You can get started with geocaching if you

have an iPhone or otherGPS-enabled mobile

• Groundspeak have made aGeocaching App for the iPhone. It costs £5.99 from the App Store

• You can just use the Mapsapplication, but its muchmore long-winded

Equipment - iPhone• The latest version of the App lets you log in to

Geocaching.com so you canfind extra caches if you area Premium Member

• Future versions will let youlog your finds directly fromyour phone

• For the moment, it’s just aneasy way for you to findcaches close to your location

Equipment - iPhone• If you have switched on Location Services in

settings, you will get a list of caches close by [not indoors!]

• Selecting the cache name will display more info aboutthe cache

• You get the location, hint &description, plus a button show you a rudimentarycompass

Equipment - iPhone• You can also use the Trackables tab to look for

a specific Geocoin or TravelBug

Equipment - iPhone• Once you have selected a cache to find from

the list, pressing the Mapbutton will place a red mappin where the box is located

• Your job is to get your blue“I am here” blob to coincideand then you are at the cache location

• Now all you have to do is rummage about and find it!

Equipment - iPhone• If you don’t have the Geocaching App, you can

still find a cache by manually inputting its co-ordinates into the Mapping application

• Geocaching.com providesthem in a different formatto decimal, which is the easiest to type in

• You may find the Waypoint Conversion page helpful

Equipment - GPSr• If you have £150+ to spend, you might

consider getting a handeld GPSr such as thisGarmineTrexVistaHCx

Equipment – eTrex Vista HCx• Once your GPSr is warmed up, it will indicate

how many satellites it has afix from, and show you yourcurrent co-ordinates

• You can walk about until theco-ordinates shown matchthe published of the cache

• Or you can use some of thebuilt-in caching features tohelp you out

Equipment – eTrex Vista HCx• Select the Find > Geocache menu• It then displays a list of the

nearest geocaches whichyou have previously savedto the unit

• Selecting the Waypoint number provides more details:

Equipment – eTrex Vista HCx• Pressing the Go To button will display a

Compass for you to follow• Or if you select the Map

option instead, you are given an arrow and path tothe current cache

• By default, the eTrex only ships with very basic maps

• More detailed topgraphy canbe bought on MicroSD

So Why Bother Geocaching?It gets you out and about – often visiting really

interesting places you might not otherwisego to

So Why Bother Geocaching?It’s a lot of fun to do with friends, family etc –

and can be combined with the daily dog walk too!

But Be PreparedFor mud, nettles, brambles and creepy-crawlies!

But Be PreparedTo get lost, frustrated and confused! Take a

map!

But Most of All• Have fun• Enjoy the outdoors, but respect the

countryside code• Caches are usually placed on public land, but

occasionally you may find one on private land (placed with the owner’s permission) – so respect their property too

• Get the bug – it’s addictive

So What’s Hidden Locally?There are one or two hidden in the city centreWhy not join us for a cache hunt later?