Q. Once I have
bought my GPS receiver, can I go straight out to find a cache?
A. While
you may be eager to go out and hunt for a cache right away, it’s best to
learn about your equipment. Get to know your GPS receiver. Also, the receiver
only tells you the right direction of the cache and about how far away it is AS
THE CROW FLIES. This means that you don’t know what kind of terrain might
be between you and the cache. It’s important to learn how to use topographical
maps that tell you what the ground looks like in a certain area. Knowing how to
use your equipment and topographical maps will save you lots of time and walking.
Q. What else do I need to know about caching before
I go out on a hunt?
A. There are safety matters to consider when geocaching.
Geocaching is great for the whole family, but some caches might be hard to get
to, so pay attention to the difficulty rating on the website. Be sure to dress
for the hunt like you were going on a hike. If you are going to be in the woods,
remember to wear long sleeves and pants and use bug repellant. Always bring lots
of water. And look out for poison ivy and other dangerous plants. Bring along
some emergency equipment like a compass, extra batteries for your GPS, lots of
water and first aid kit. And just like when you go hiking, be sure to tell someone
where you’re going and when you think you’ll be back. If you get lost,
then someone will know where to look for you.
GPS/GIS
We’ve seen how global positioning systems (GPS) and geographic information
systems (GIS) can be used for important jobs like mapping out trails and roads,
now here’s a fun sport that you can do with the help of satellites!
Geocaching (it’s pronounced geo-cashing, just like cashing a check) just
started in the United States in May 2000 and the object of the game is quite simple.
It involves hiding a “treasure chest” called a cache that is filled
with small prizes and then locating them by entering geographical coordinates
into a handheld GPS receiver. Cachers (as the people who play the game are called)
log onto Internet sites that give coordinates in latitude and longitude and then
try to find their way using only a topographical map and their GPS receiver. Although
this is a lot of fun, you need to be responsible while taking part in geocaching.
Make sure you’re not trespassing, damaging the land or hiking through unsafe
areas. Being a responsible is the most important part of having a good time. As
we always suggest, having an adult present, is a good rule of thumb.
Here are some FAQ about geocaching.
Q. How
much does geocaching cost?
A. Nothing, except for the initial cost
of the GPS receiver and the cost of travel to some of the sites. Cachers can look
at most geocaching websites, find their way to the cache, and claim their prize
for nothing. GPS receivers can cost anywhere between $100 and $1000, depending
on how sophisticated it is. You just need to find the one that fits your needs.
And the signal is free too; the Global Positioning System was originally made
for military use and is paid for by the United States government (so anytime you
pay taxes, you’re paying for a part of the satellite system.)
Q. What kind of things do I find in a cache?
A. A cache is often a
waterproof container that holds at the very least a logbook, and usually has some
sort of inexpensive item. The truth is, you never know what you may find. There
have probably been as many kinds of prizes as there are caches themselves. Anyone
who builds a cache can leave whatever he or she wants in it. One thing that is
really popular to leave is a disposable camera. This isn’t to take with you,
but to take your picture with. When you write in the logbook that you found the
cache, you take your picture to show the hider who has found it. You don’t
get to keep the whole cache, and the rule among cachers is “take a prize,
leave a prize.” So every time you take something from a cache, you leave
something for the next cacher to find.
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