Geocaching

The game where you are the search engine.

I first heard about geocaching when an editor assigned me an article about geocaching on horseback. I had no idea what it was but I accepted the assignment anyway. Contrary to popular advice, most writers don't "write what they know". There's more opportunities to "write what you don't know".

The first thing I did was find the online community www.geocaching.com and learn more about it. To put it simply, geocaching is a treasure hunt using a GPS (global positioning system) to find the hidden treasure. The hidden treasure are usually dollar store type trinkets that people trade and they are usually contained within watertight containers, such as tupperpare or similar plastic containers. Some caches are micros, meaning there is usually no room for tradeables, only a log book to log your find. After you come home, sign back onto the geocaching website and log your find there too.

This is a game that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. It is relatively inexpensive once the initial purchase of a handhelf GPS is made. A decent GPS costs around $200, and they go up in price from there. A basic GPS costs $100, and of course used units can be found for all prices. In fact the geocaching website's forums have a garage sale topic where cachers can sell their old units. And then of course, there's gas for your car to drive you to the different locations. Oh and of course a computer and Internet service to access the geocaching website. As for tradeables, that's up to the cacher. Some people leave nothing and take nothing. They're only there for te thrill of the search and to log their finds. Some caches have a theme and request tradeables to stick with the theme, such as toy cars, key chains, or dog toys.

So where are the caches hidden? Usually in parks. Its better to hide caches in areas where you can search and record your finds and be relatively hidden from prying eyes. Stealth is required so "muggles" people who are not involved in geocaching don't see you and give them the opportunity to swoop in and steal the cache. Yes, sometimes caches do go missing. Other caches are hidden in wide open spaces, such as parking lots. Look around the next parking lot you drive to. Possibilities are endless: under bushes, beneath rocks, a magnetic key holder can be attached to the bottom of a bench.....

Who hides the caches? Other geocachers. Its part of giving back to the game. Creating new caches for fellow geocachers to search. There are rules of course. There are places due to safety that caches can't be hidden. They also can't be hidden within 600 feet of another cache.

There are dozens of caches hidden around Surrey, including a couple of dozen in and around Cloverdale. They all have varying degrees of difficulty based on the terrain and how well hidden the cache is.

Geocaching brings people out to areas they might not otherwise go to. I've discovered all kinds of pretty parks and unique neighborhoods.

But the real thrill is the find. GPS units bring you to the general area, but based on satellite alignment of the GPS you're using and the GPS the person who hid the cache, you can arrive anywhere from 4 feet to 20 feet from where the cache is hidden. Some people don't use GPS units. Based on satellite imaging and map directions, some geocachers can get to the location and start their search. This usually works best on easy caches! With new technology some cell phones have a built in GPS.

Then there's the keeners. These are geocachers who have premium memberships and are emailed immediately when the website reviewer has approved and pupblished a new cache. These people want the glory of being the "first to find". I'm talking the early morning hours when most people are sleeping. Some of these people dash out within minutes of the new cache being published and log their finds at two in the morning. Must be really annoying to the second to find who shows up half an hour later!

If you're looking for a new way to enjoy getting out for an afternoon with friends and family, give geocaching a try and soon you'll be hooked.