Introduction to Geocaching

Sam Drake, Park Liason, Geocachers of the Bay Area

(aka "sammydee")sjsamdrake@gmail.com

Geocaching

• Geocaching is...o "The game where YOU are the search engine"o A way to turn hiking into a gameo A way to get your kids away from the computero A way to meet lots of interesting people!o "A hobby using billions of dollars of military

hardware to find tupperware hidden in the woods"

History of Geocaching

• GPS was developed and is run by the US Military• Initially consumer GPS receivers weren't very

accurate (200 feet)• On May 2 2000 this was changed, so consumer

GPSes were as accurate as military ones (20 feet)• On May 3 2000 someone hid a bucket of stuff in the

woods and posted the coordinates on the Internet• Today there are 578,177 active caches worldwide. • In the last 7 days, there have been 450,702 "finds"

by 61,434 geocachers!

How do I play?

• Go to www.geocaching.com and register• Get information about caches in your area• Enter cache coordinates into your GPS• Find the cache• Sign the log• Trade items from the cache• Rehide the cache as you found it• Go find more!• When you get home, log your finds at

www.geocaching.com

What sort of GPS do I need?

• Almost any hiking-oriented GPS will work for Geocaching

• Desirable (NOT required) features:o Ability to connect to a PC or Maco Color displayo GPSes made in last 18 months have MUCH better

reception than older models

Some representative prices (as of 6/2008):    Etrex Legend "Blue"             under $100 at Amazon    Etrex Legend Cx                  $149 at Amazon    60CSx                                 $309 at Amazon

www.geocaching.com

List of geocaches in 95119

A Cache Listing

Cache Logs

Geocachers of the Bay Area ... thegba.net

Geocaching and Safety

• Natural hazardso Poison Oako Tickso Rattlesnakeso Dehydration

• Let someone know where you're going• Carry plenty of water• Don't reach where you can't see• Use a hiking pole, not your hand, to reach for things• Consider wearing long pants, sleeves

Geocaching and our Parks

• Geocaching is allowed in most parks and open spaces

• Rules vary by park district• Santa Clara County Parks:  Caches allowed with a

few restrictionso Must be within 20 feet of trailo Must be labelled

• Please respect the park, don't do any damage, stay on trail as much as practical

• "Cache In, Trash Out"...please pick up any trash you find!

Types of Geocaches

• Traditional.  A container hidden in the woods.• Multi-cache.  One cache leads to another [to

another...]• Puzzle.  You have to solve a puzzle or riddle to get

the coordinates.• Event.  A party or clean-up event organized for

geocachers.• Virtual.  There's no container, just something special

to see.  (Grandfathered.)• Webcam.  Go to the coordinates and get your picture

taken! (Grandfathered.)

Games within the Game

• Different people play the game with different goalso Trade itemso Geocoinso First To Findo Numberso Challenges and Statistics

Where do caches come from?

• Anyone can place a cache!• Must meet a set of guidelines set by geocaching.com

o Not on private property (without permission)o Safeo Not commercialo Not scary.  No visits from the bomb squad!o No digging!o Must be 0.1 miles from any other cache

• Must meet any rules set by land ownero Santa Clara County Parks rules: 20 feet from trail

• Reviewed by a volunteer at geocaching.com, then listed

GPS Display and Controls

Finding a Geocache• Enter coordinates, OR

select pre-entered waypoint

• Follow the GPS arrowo The arrow is only

accurate when you're moving!

• When you get close (10-20 feet), put away the GPS. 

• Think like a spy!  Where would you hide something?

• Check the cache page for info (cache size, etc.)

• Stumped?  Decode the hint

• Success!• Sign the log, make a

trade, replace the cache• Don't let muggles see the

cache location!

Go Outside

And Play!