What is Geocaching?

Geocaching has become one of my favorite past times and I will be talking about it on this blog quite a bit so I thought it might be good to introduce the concept to you, the blog readers. You’re out there, aren’t you? :)

• “Geocaching is an outdoor treasure-hunting game in which the participants use a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver or other navigational techniques to hide and seek containers (called "geocaches" or "caches") anywhere in the world.”

Hmmm – that sounds pretty technical. I like this definition a little better:

• “Geocaching is a game that uses a multi-billion dollar Department of Defense satellite system to find Tupperware^®1 hidden in the woods.”

Mother Hen said it well, as quoted by the Cape May County Herald:

• “Geocaching is hiking with a purpose.”

Simply put, geocaching is a high tech treasure hunt. Someone finds an interesting place to go, sometimes in a park, sometimes in a state forest and sometimes in an urban area. They² will then hide a cache in the location and determine its position with a GPS. The position is posted on one of the listing web sites, generally geocaching.com, (other sites just have not caught on). Another cacher will then try to find the cache using the GPS coordinates and any other information the first cacher may have provided on the web page.

In its basic form, a geocache is a small water proof container with enough room to contain a pen and a log book and some trinkets of nominal value for trade. Though as you get into the sport you will find there are many twists and variations on the theme.

Thoughtfully placed geocaches will take you to someplace interesting. There are over 200 geocaches hidden in the Wharton State Forest. Some are in memorable areas that you might not otherwise go do.

• Carranza Memorial
• Alloway’s Rock
• Quaker Bridge
• Deep Run – Long Hike
• The Swamp Monster

You can certainly cache alone but I have found that caching with companions can be more fun. I find small groups of two or three cachers work best as it is easier to communicate the “ground rules” for the group to prevent confusion. Larger groups tend to wander and get out of control as everyone has a slightly different view of how to cache. For instance when someone in the group finds the cache what should they do next? Should they grab the cache, proclaim their find and do a little “happy dance” or should they quietly step back until everyone in the group has a chance to find it. Tougher to get everyone on the same wavelength the larger the group becomes.

So that is a really quick introduction to geocaching. In future blog entries I hope to share some of my adventures and discuss some of the hot button topics. You would think with something with the very simple rules of “find the cache, make a trade, write about it in the log” would not have much room for argument but you would be surprised. For now just remember it is a game and remember this quote, “See the sights, Find some caches, Have fun!”

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Notes:

1. Tupperware^® has been used since the inception of the game in 2000 due to its widespread availability. Lately Lock&Lock^® containers have come into widespread use and are proving their worth as waterproof containers. And then there are always the classic military surplus ammo cans which are the ultimate water proof containers.

2. So bring me up on charges of using improper grammar. In our politically correct era, the correct pronoun should have been “He/she” or better yet “She/he”. I find it difficult to write out he/she or she/he as just it looks clumsy and its to obviously politically correct. This is one of those cases when English begs for a singular, third person, gender neutral pronoun. There probably was one long ago but alas, no more. Lately the use of “they” as a singular pronoun has become more accepted. That will be my convention for this blog. For further information, check out this article from wiki. Don't feel compelled to use "singular they" in your postings. Its just my preference. You have your preferences as well and I hope that we can all peacefully coexist on this blog.