Intro to Geocaching

Sponsored by R.E.I. And

The Maryland Geocaching

Society

www.rei.com

www.mdgps.org

What is Geocaching?

• A way to see the great outdoors

• A mix of technology, exercise, problem solving, and fun!

• A highly addictive hobby

History of Geocaching• May 1st, 2000 - Clinton Administration turns off Selective

Availability (With SA activated, you really only know if you are on the field or in the stands at that football stadium; with SA switched off, you know which yard marker you are standing on.)

• May 3rd, 2000 - 5-gallon bucket was placed in Portland, Oregon by Dave Ulmer, containing Delorme Topo USA software, videos, books, food, money, slingshot, and a logbook. He then posted the coordinates on the sci.geo.satellite-nav newsgroup

• May 6th, 2000 - Cache had been visited twice

The rest is history!

As of today, there are 98,497 active caches in 202 countries. In the last 7 days, there have been 56,067 new logs written by

12,414 account holders.

So what's the big deal?

“You gave me the coordinates so I know where it is. Seems pretty easy.”

It is deceptively easy. It's one thing to see where an item is--it's a totally different story to actually get there and find it!

How is a GPS used in geocaching?

1. Get the cache coordinates from the website

2. Manually enter or download them to your GPS

3. Use the GPS to find the cache!

What you’ll need

• Good walking shoes

• Plenty of water to drink

• Snacks

• Cell phone and/or FRS radio

• Trade items

• Bug spray

• GPS, of course!

What are the rules in geocaching?

1. Take something from the cache2. Leave something in the cache3. Write about it in the logbook4. Be sure to leave no trace!

Where are caches found?1. This is part of the fun! Location, location, location!2. The location of a cache demonstrates the hider's skill

and possibly even daring.3. Rocky cliff accessible only by rock climbing equipment4. Underwater cache may only be accessed by scuba. 5. Other caches may require long, difficult hiking,

orienteering, and special equipment to get to.6. Caches may be located in cities both above and below

ground, inside and outside buildings. The skillful placement of a small logbook in an urban environment may be quite challenging to find even with the accuracy of a GPS.

What is in a cache?1. Log book2. Trade items – (Maps, books, software,

hardware, CD's, videos, pictures, money, jewelry, tickets, antiques, tools, games, etc.)

3. Travel bugs

“Cincy Duck”Sept. 29, 2001

23,242.05 miles

What shouldn't be in a cache?

1. Use your common sense2. Food – animals chew through caches3. Explosives, ammo, knives, drugs, and

alcohol shouldn't be placed in a cache.4. Respect the local laws.5. All ages of people hide and seek

caches, so use some thought before placing an item into a cache.

Types of caches

• Traditional cache

• Multi-cache

• Offset cache

• Webcam cache

• Virtual cache