Geocachers largest gathering in the world!

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In approximately 1 month, geocachers from far and yon will begin to converge on a little town called Wheatland in Northern California. They will be there to take part in the largest annual gathering of geocachers in the world!

GEOWOODSTOCK IV

Saturday, May 24, 2008 in Wheatland, CA (just north of Sacramento)

Just what is the this big hoop-tee-doo about?

First a little history…

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Geocaching in Armstrong Redwoods SNR

As promised, we continue our weekend excursion with a trip to Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve just outside Guerneyville, CA.

The best way to get to ARSNR is to take the Russian River Rd from US 101, then wind your way through some rolling winery country until you get to Guerneyville. Then take a right at the sign that points to ARSNR.

We had researched the caches inside the Reserve before we left Santa Rosa. None seemed terribly difficult and we thought we would be able to get to all of them by the end of the day.

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What we did last weekend…

As some of you may already know, we are currently workamping in Northern California. Santa Rosa to be exact. We are about 50 miles from San Francisco to the south and about 70 miles from Sacramento to the north east.

Northern CA offers many interesting places to visit. We have been able to visit several while we have been here. Of course we always try to incorporate Geocaching into any trip we take, whether it be down to the corner store or half way around the world (or in this case, all the way across the US)

This last weekend, we decided to visit Point Reyes National Seashore on Saturday (about 40 miles to the southwest along the Pacific coast) and Armstrong Redwoods State Park (about 30 miles to the north)

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Now Let’s Really Go Geocaching!

As promised, in this blog post we’re going on a cache hunt!

The following is a excerpt from one of our more memorable cache finds. There are many more than just this one for sure. In later blogs we’ll include a few more, but this one is special because of the physicality of getting to the location where the cache container is hidden.

As an introduction, here is the cache owner’s description of the location, as listed on the cache page:

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Navigating the Geocaching.com website

In this Blog, we will discuss how to navigate around the Geocaching.com website.

For any of you who have gone to the Geocaching website and surfed around some, you may have found it a little intimidating. However, after you get used to navigating the pages, it will become very easy to find all kinds of interesting things available for you try.

Let’s start on the Home Page

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Geocaching terminology

In this post, we will discuss the meaning of all that garbledy gook you see other cachers write in their online logs, lingo used on Geocaching.com, and other definitions specific to the game.

Archive

This is usually seen when you own a cache. Archiving is basically deleting your cache from the listings on the web site. This usually occurs when you are not going to replace a cache after it has been removed. You can temporarily disable it as the cache owner if you plan to activate it again within a month.

Benchmark

Some people like to hunt USGS Benchmarks. Geocaching.com generally listed benchmarks that are closest to the caches that are hidden.

See benchmark hunting for more details.

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Scouting out a great cache location

To read this entire post, click on the title above, and you will be taken to the body of this article.

In this blog, we will discuss specifics on the subject of hiding a geocache.

Most of the following comes directly from the Geocaching.com website. Their explanation of how to place a cache is the best so here it is:

Step 1 - Research a cache location

Geocaching is just like real estate - location, location, location! When thinking about where to place a cache, keep these things in mind:

• Will it be easy to get to? - If it is only a couple hundred feet from the highway, there’s a strong chance someone may plunder it. Try to find a place that will take a bit of time to get to, preferably on foot.
• Will it be easy to find? - If it is too visible, or too close to busy roads, trails, etc. there’s a good chance someone may stumble upon it. Several of the original caches were discovered this way, but the people who found it were nice enough to leave them there (or participate). But don’t make it too difficult! If you hide it well, give hints on geocaching.com as to the location.
• Will it be on private or public land? - If you place it on private land, please ask permission before putting it there! If you place the cache on public lands you need to contact the managing agency to find out about their rules. You will be in violation of federal regulation by placing a cache in any area administered by the National Park Service (US). The National Park regulations are intended to protect the fragile environment, and historical and cultural areas found in the parks. The exception to this is Earthcaches. Earthcaches are allowed on land administered by the National Park Service, HOWEVER, you MUST get written permission from the Park Superintendent (or designated representative) BEFORE the cache will be allowed to be published.

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Hiding your first cache

Before we can hide our first cache, we must learn just what types of caches there are to be hidden. The following is a bit long but it lists all cache categories available to be hidden.

Cache Types with the icons that are associated with them:

		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 is 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.
		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 www.letterboxing.org web site.
		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.
		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.
		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.
		Mystery or puzzle caches 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.
		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.NOTE: Earthcaches are approved via a very stringent process with VERY specific rules as to what will and will not pass for an Earthcache location. You really need to do your homework before submitting an Earthcache for approval.
		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.NOTE: A Maze Exhibit is not something that there is a lot of. To date, there has only been one exhibit location to visit. It was in Muncie, Indiana over the summer of 2007.There are supposed to be more in the future, at various locations, but don’t look for there to be many of this kind of cache to find.
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.Some Virtual caches have moved to www.waymarking.com.
		Webcam CacheThese 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.Some Webcam caches have moved to www.waymarking.com. NOTE; While new Virtual and Webcam caches are no longer available to be posted, they are still available to be found. Many owners of exsisting virtuals and webcams did move their listings to the Waymarking site, but most chose (thankfully) to leave their listings on the main Geocaching site, as is. I say “thankfully” because sometimes Virtual and Webcam caches can be some of the most interesting cache locations you will ever visit.
		Locationless (Reverse) CacheLocationless 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 www.waymarking.com. Waymark categories are similar to how locationless caches were listed on geocaching.com, but you can now search for the locations in each category.NOTE: All Locationless caches have been archived or moved to the Waymarking site. None are still active on the main Geocaching site.

In a future blog, we will touch on what Waymarking.com is, as it relates to the Geocaching site. But for now, we will skip talking more about it.

For your first cache hide, I would suggest you do something basic. A classic ammo can or decent size Tupperware box for your first container will do. A powdered drink container or something similar would be OK too. The biggest thing to try to make sure of is that whatever container you use, it needs to be as water proof as possible. remember, your container will be exposed to all sorts of weather conditions. You don’t want all your goodies and logbook getting soggy wet as soon as the first rain hits it.

Next, fill your container with family friendly toys, trinkets, and the like. Some people put in really nice prizes for the finders, but it is up to you what you want to put in. Just be sure not to put anything in the box that you wouldn’t want a small child to get hold of. (no knives, matches, food, gum, fireworks, etc.)

Print you off a sheet that explains that the game of Geocaching is, so that if someone who is not a geocacher finds the box, they will hopefully leave it alone and not take it. These info sheets can be downloaded from Geocacher U

Place the info sheet in a ziplock bag with a log book of some kind. A small spiral notebook will do. It is best to write the name of the cache and the waypoint code (all start with GC) in the front of the logbook.

Now, go find a place to hide the cache.

Since this post is getting a bit long, we will discuss what to look for when you are scouting out a place to hide the cache, in our next blog.

In the meantime, here is a link to a part of the Geocaching.com website that has a wealth of information, especially for new cachers:

Getting Started

Happy caching…

Finding a Geocache

To read this entire post, click on the title above, and you will be taken to the body of this article.

So, how do we go about finding our first Geocache?

First let’s gather all the “things” that will help make our first journey a success.

We will need:

• GPS reciever of your choosing
• Cache page description/instructions, which will include any hints you need should you get stumped and need a little nudge to make the find

Things that are nice to have along that might make things easier, but are not required:

• PDA with cache pages loaded so you don’t have to carry a ream of paper with the cache info printed out
• FRS radios (if you are caching with a partner)
• Flashlight (for night caching)
• Geocaching cards or brochures explaining what Geocaching is in case you come upon someone you need to educate about what you are doing
• Small first aid kit

As a side note, I do know cachers who have found thousands of caches without any of the above, Yes, there are people who Geocache without even a GPS receiver! How they do that, I haven’t a clue, but it is done.

One of the top cachers in the world (over 20,000 finds so far) still uses paper printouts of Mapquest routes to get herself to the cache locations. She never routes herself to a cache with her GPSr.

The first thing we need to do is go to the Geocaching.com website, put in our zip code, and bring up the caches that are closest to us. If you know the latitude and longitude of your house (or wherever you are currently parked), you can enter that and the website will show the caches closest to you.

Look on the upper left side of the homepage and click on “hide and seek a cache” to get to the area where you can input the above information.

The first time you do this, you will be amazed how many caches are “right under your nose”.

For your first cache, it is best to pick a “regular” cache. Those are the ones that have the single little ammo can icon.Once the closest caches are pulled up, click on one to get the information you need.

All caches have difficulty and terrain ratings. It is best for beginners to choose lower rated caches while they are learning. The rating systems range from 1 (least difficult/terrain) to 5 (most difficult/terrain). As an example, a cache with a difficulty of 1 and a terrain rating of 1 means the cache should be very easy to find, probably in plain site (difficulty) and the cache container itself is wheelchair accessible (terrain). Any terrain rating over 1 is not supposed to be wheelchair accessible. Yes, there are many “mobility challenged” people who Geocache. There’s even a website dedicated to what is called “Handicaching”. We will discuss Handicaching in a future blog.

A cache that is rated a 5/5 would mean, in order to get to the cache, (terrain) you would need a special tool, apparatus, or transportation to get to the cache. An example would be a cache that is only accessible by boat, repelling down a cliff, scuba diving, etc.

A difficulty 5 would mean the cache should be very hard to find once you get to the location or you need to do a lot of research in order to even get the correct coordinates to start your quest. An example of this might be a puzzle cache that you would need to work out the answer to clues given on the cache page or a cache container so well camouflaged, that it will be near impossible to find without much pondering.

Once you get into caching you will see that there are many very talented “hiders”. Some really pride themselves on their difficult puzzles and devious containers.

On the cache page you have picked for your first cache, you will need to input the coordinates into your GPSr. There is a button you can click that is right under the numbered coordinates that says “Download to GPS) This is a great shortcut to down loading, especially if you only want to download a few caches to your GPSr.

If you want to input the coordinates (hereafter referred to as coords) by hand, you will need to manually punch in the coords listed on the page into your GPSr. If you do not have a PDA, you can print off “printer friendly” cache pages to take with you on you hunt. There is a button for the “printer friendly” version right under where the coords are.

It is VERY important to THOROUGHLY read all the information on the cache page BEFORE hunting the cache. The information/description is there for a reason. It will generally warn you for things to watch out for, give an interesting history of the cache location, tell you what to stay away from, what size the cache container is, etc. Do not skip reading the cache page. It may come back to bite you. (speaking from experience here, trust me)

Hopefully you have picked a cache that is a Tupperware or ammo can sized box. Caches come in all sizes but this size is the best for starting out. To find out the size of the container before going to find it, look under the cache title on the cache page. There is a line there that says “Size:” with 5 little gray boxes beside it. One of the boxes will be colored in. The bigger the box colored, the bigger the cache container. Also, beside the last box will be the word “micro”, “small”, “regular”, “large”, or “unspecified”.

“Regular” containers are ammo cans and Tupperware sized caches. We will get into the other sizes in future blogs.

Now all you have to do is go out and find it!

With the coords input into your GPSr and your print out or PDA download of the description of the cache in hand, you will need to get yourself to the general location where the cache is hidden. This skill you will have to learn on your own. Just read and study your GPSr instructions to familiarize yourself on how to operate your unit.

Once you are as close as you can get to ground zero, based on the accuracy displayed on your GPSr, just start looking at/in places you think you might (safely) hide a container. If you have looked for a while and can’t find it, read the hint on the cache page (if one has been provided) to give you a nudge in the right direction. Sometimes there is not hint and you just have to use your “mojo” to find it.

Caches do get “muggled” (taken or go missing) from time to time. So, it will be very rare for you to find all the caches that you go after. Then sometimes your “mojo” just ain’t working for you that day.

But on our first hunt, we are going to assume you are successful. You find the cache, now what?

Open the container and you will generally find what cachers call “McToys” and other trinkets.Sometimes there are things in the box that can be of great use, like insect wipes, small first aid kits, and such, but most of the time there are just toys and things. Great if you have kids along.

Also, and this is VERY important, there will be a logbook or logsheet of some sort.

All geocaches, no matter what size MUST have something for you to sign your geo-nickname on.

Proper protocol is to trade up or trade even. You do not have to trade anything. You can just sign your Geocaching nickname into the logbook and that be it. But most peoplemake a trade.

There are things that you DO NOT leave in caches.

• food of any kind (spoils and may draw animals)
• chewing gum (for the dame reason as above)
• knives
• matches
• fireworks
• anything that is not “kid friendly”

This is something to be very conscientious of. Geocaching is a very family friendly activity. Many children cache with their parents. You do not want to put anything in a cache container that a child could get their hands on and hurt themselves with.

After make your trade, signing the logbook, and closing the container back, it is very important to replace the container back EXACTLY where you found it. You would be amazed at how much a container can “migrate”. The cache owner put it in the place they wanted it to be. Try to make sure it is back in that place when you leave.

Congratulations! You’ve just earned your first “smiley”!!!

The above picture is of Itchy finding our first cache “Saving Private Gatormeister” located in Jupiter, FL. You have to climb up into a Banyon tree to retrieve the container from its hidy hole.

In our next blog we will discuss hiding your first cache.

Happy caching!

Geocaching History and how to choose a GPS…

To read this entire post, click on the title above, and you will be taken to the body of this article.

So, just how do we go about getting addicted to this “high tech scavenger hunt?”

First we will need to find a GPS unit that not only fits our level of “techy” expertise, but also fits our budget, while still allowing us to, hopefully, at least get us close to where we need to be in relation to where the “goodies” are hidden.

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