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We're not sure if we call this a sport or an activity but one thing we are sure of what ever you call it - it's the most fun you can get with a GPS. Its an activity you can do as a group, as a family or just individually; kids love it and we guarantee it will grow on you!

What is Geocaching? Its described as; "A high-tech treasure hunting game played throughout the world by adventure seekers equipped with GPS devices. The basic idea is to locate hidden containers, called geocaches, outdoors and then share your experiences online. Geocaching is enjoyed by people from all age groups, with a strong sense of community and support for the environment".

Getting Involved

The two leading Geocaching website are Geocaching.com & Opencaching.com both websites (once you have registed) will allow to download cache details direct to your GPS. Downloaded caches will be found in the GPS Geocaching manager ; you will then be able to navigate to the cache using the GoTo feature in the GPS. You can upload, download & log any cache finds to the website. This is know as Paperless Geocaching

Geocaching.com has been about for about ten years now and is probably the most widely used geocaching website. Once registered for standard membership you can download caches singly; however if you want to download multiple cahes you will need premium membership which costs 30USD per year.

Garmin has recently launched a dedicated website at Opencaching.com which is free and easy to use. It tells you all you need to know to get started in geocaching and shows you where you can take part in these exciting GPS treasure hunts. As this is a new site, they would welcome your help in developing it: you can contribute your own caches so there continue to be new treasure trails for others to follow; you can also use it to report on your finds and leave feedback for other hiders and seekers.

Geocaches can take many forms; the main one being the Traditional Cache the original cache type which at a bare minimum is a container containing 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 are the exact location for the cache. The rule of thumb is, "If you take an item, leave an item, and write in the logbook." To get the full lowdown on all the different cache types visit this webpage

There are two players in the game the person who places the cache and the person who is seeking the cache. As a geocacher you can place a geocache in the world, pinpoint its location using GPS technology and then share the geocache's existence and location online. Anyone with a GPS device can then try to locate the geocache.

You can also seek out caches and Log Your Experience. Once you have found a geocache the rule is: sign the logbook and return the geocache to its original location. Afterward, share your geocaching stories and photos online!

As well as caches there are trackable items like Geocoins, Travel Bugs and Promotionals they are items that move place to place, picking up stories along the way. You can track and search for items on this webpage then add your own story - visit UK Geocachers for official groundspeak merchadise ect.

Download PDF - Advanced Geocache logging with Opencaching.com

Once logged into Geocaching.com you can search for caches by location (geocachers mainly use Lat/Long) or by entering the code of a specific geocache. Each Cache is given an official number/reference, the cache page lists the cache description, difficulty, terrain difficulty, cache note, cache hints and cache inventory (are there any travel bugs ect)

Standard membership restricts download to PC or GPS – full details of each cache are found in LOC Waypoint files and GPX exchange Files – Garmin owners can use the Send to GPS tab using Garmin’s Communicator plugin (found on Garmin.com/support). The main benifit of premium mebership is access to multiple cache downloads and access to .gpx.files.

Paperless Geocaching

The latest trend is to move towards paperless goecaching; all this means that you move your caches directly from Geocaching.com to the Goecaching manager in your GPS and then log a cache find on the move and confirm your log visit back to geocaching.com – your visit then gets added to cache logs for the cache in question. 

Many GPS & Mapping companies are working to make their products Geocaching friendly - most of the Garmin range of GPS units provide paperless geocaching with the latest unit the Oregon 550 & 550t including a camera for geotagging (link location & image) allowing you to share your geocaching stories and photos online!

If you are using one either a Dakota, Colorado or Oregon GPS you can combine this with Garmin's OS Discoverer mapping allowing you to navigate to a cache both on and off road – on road will give you turn by turn routing – off road gives direct routing.

New Geocaching feature from Garmin Designed to make use of the wireless transfer feature offered in all the new generation of Garmin devices; Chirp is a waterproof wireless beacon that stores hints, multi-cache coordinates, counts visitors and confirms the cache is nearby. Chirp is password protected has a range of 10m and a battery life of up to one year. Costing £19.99 this innovative little device will bring a new dimension to Geocaching – for more info read this blog

Need a Geocaching deal on any of the current ranges of GPS then call Peter on 01768 885855 today!!