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What is Geocaching?

Submitted by King Boreas aka Ian on
Forums
All About Geocaching

Flash Intro-"Geocaching" 
6 minute Movie-"Searching for a cache" 
Basic Info

 

  • Buy or borrow a Global Positioning System receiver. A basic unit is the Garmin eTrex GPS or Magellan GPS 315. Both cost about $100 and can be found at stores such as Wal-Mart, Best Buy or online at http://www.amazon.com
  • Find a cache near you at <http://www.geocaching.com> Enter a ZIP code and the site will list nearby caches. Select a cache, such as "Geocache by Ray" or "Arboretum One" and click on its "details" button. Write down the cache's coordinates and print out the description. Use the online mapping site link at the bottom of the page to get driving directions to the location.
  • While still at home, enter into your GPS receiver the coordinates of the cache as they are listed on the Web site. Coordinates -- such as N 39 degrees 24.661; W degrees 094 14.86 -- describe the latitude and longitude of the site.
  • Follow the driving directions until you can drive no closer to the cache and park your car. Follow the arrow on your GPS receiver as it leads you to the cache. Be aware that heavy tree cover can block the GPS signal. Once you leave your car, it could take anywhere between 15 and 45 minutes to find the cache.
  • The GPS signal will fluctuate once you are within 100 feet of the cache, so from that point on, you're on your own. Check around stumps and under rock and leaf piles. Remember that almost all caches are placed above ground, so no digging!
  • Congratulations! You've found the cache. Take an item, leave an item and record your experience in the logbook. Reseal the cache and put it back exactly the way you found it.

  • When you get home, e-mail the person who hid the cache and let him know you found it. Also, post a description of your experience on the cache's online page at <http://www.geocaching.com> 
     Have Fun !

    GPS info ... Minnesota Geocaching Association ... Geocaching videos 

    Attachment:etrex.jpg

 

King Boreas aka Ian

3 recent DNF's ...may be the work of the cleaner ?

Sat, 02/21/2004 - 11:26 AM Permalink
KITCH

see i told ya that guy is a piece of crap...i swear if he is doing it and not posting it i'm going to be really pissed......

would be KINDA NICE if he at least warns somebody....but this is b.s.

nothing nice about it but a warning would be ......you know what i mean.....

Sat, 02/21/2004 - 1:59 PM Permalink
KC0GRN

I haven't yet, I hit up oakdale park today along with Flicek and the north Phalen one "Unless you are blind". I'm gonna go to Phalen tomorrow. So the buncing ball one has problems? I'll try to look for it tomorrow, anything I should know? Want me to confirm if it's missing?

Sat, 02/21/2004 - 3:21 PM Permalink
King Boreas aka Ian

It's in a split tree trunk, near the shore. Similar chunks of wood are wedged in. Look for any loose wood that you can pull out. If you don't find that, it's probably gone.

joe

Sat, 02/21/2004 - 3:47 PM Permalink
KC0GRN

cool, I'll check it out tomorrow and report back.

Btw, found 6 caches today, 3 Boreas Rex ones, and a few other Geocachers out at Oakdale Park, was an excellent day all around, weather was nice, only problem I ran into was my pants and boots got drenched from walking around in all the snow (sometimes came up past my knees).

CM, you interested in checking Phalen out tomorrow afternoon?

Sat, 02/21/2004 - 3:51 PM Permalink
King Boreas aka Ian

you're doing a great job with your logs and photos. having fun ?

Sat, 02/21/2004 - 4:07 PM Permalink
KC0GRN

Had a lot of fun today :) Like keepin good logs, and I happen to have a very stealthy digital camera (almost like a spy cam, made by phillips) so it's easy to snap a quick picture, and it's already at the right resolution so I just upload to the site right from the camera.

Hopefullly will get the rest of the Phalen caches tomorrow, make good use of this GPS I'm borrowing (same one as yours, you can see it in a couple of the cache pics I got).

Thanks again Ian!

Sat, 02/21/2004 - 4:21 PM Permalink
King Boreas aka Ian

The beach cache was found, so I gave you a free hint. If you have time, can you remove the Mosh Pit cache? It was supposed to be temp, and it's too close to the Buddy Cache. If you want, just put the items in other caches.

Thanks

Sat, 02/21/2004 - 6:17 PM Permalink
KC0GRN

Sure think Ian, I noticed the "Unless you are blind" cache is empty, perhaps I'll move the mosh pit cache there?

BTW, I had wanted to put this in the mosh pit cache, but I think I'll just leave it in one of the other Phalen ones.

Sorry about the clarity, this small cam doesn't do closeups well. It's something I'm thinking of making a signature token, if I can cut the time to make it down (and make it a bit better). Basically a piece of plexiglass I rounded and engraved (like a medallion).

Attachment
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Sat, 02/21/2004 - 9:40 PM Permalink
King Boreas aka Ian

perhaps I'll move the mosh pit cache there?

that'd be great

I'm thinking of making a signature token

that's cool. you wanna get your name on there if you can

Sun, 02/22/2004 - 6:09 AM Permalink
KITCH

I think it has the name on the item....

who is whatsagps agian???i'm confused a little.

Sun, 02/22/2004 - 10:34 AM Permalink
King Boreas aka Ian

He has the Buddy Cache.

Sun, 02/22/2004 - 2:37 PM Permalink
KC0GRN

that's cool. you wanna get your name on there if you can

actually I do have my geocaching nickname on it, was kinda using pogopod's wooden nickel as an example.

I didn't make it out today, I really wanted to, but things kept coming up (which is too bad, I really wanted to make good use of this GPS while I had it) Think I'll head out early tomorrow and hit one or two phalen ones (and move that cache).

Sun, 02/22/2004 - 4:20 PM Permalink
Centris

using pogopod's wooden nickel as an example

Pogopod's wooden nickel??? AAAAakkkkkkkk!
Gee......I wonder where he got HIS idea from??? (sigh)

Actually, your medallion sig item is really good - congratulations!

Mon, 02/23/2004 - 8:55 AM Permalink
KC0GRN

Thanks Centris ;) Thought I'd be a bit different, just gotta fine tune the idea a bit before it's easy enough to drop one everywhere, then again, why drop one at every cache? Maybe just milestones or ones I found either challenging or interesting.

And thanks for the idea, since it sounds like you started the wooden nickel thing ;) Haven't seen one of yours out there yet though, hope I find one sometime.

Mon, 02/23/2004 - 9:13 AM Permalink
KC0GRN

Hey Ian, I was out at Phalen this morning, I dunno what's up with "Help It's A Prank" but ya stumped me again today, granted I didn't have much time, I'll definately try again, at least I know which cache I'll be leaving my signature medallion in, soon as I can find it :)

I removed the mosh pit cache while I was there, and placed the contents (were kinda soggy) in the "Unless You Are Blind" cache, even the card with the log on it (marked it the Mosh Pit temp cache). Wasn't sure what to do with the pog tube, so I still have it, thought it'd be too confusing to leave it either at the mosh pit, nor with the other cache. Let me know, I'm close by phalen so I can drop it back off or whatever.

I'll post a note on the Mosh Pit Cache's page on geocaching.com so people know it's not there anymore, until you can update it.

Mon, 02/23/2004 - 9:38 AM Permalink
King Boreas aka Ian

Thanks for everything. You can throw the container away. They're AX-MAN cheap.

Good work on Spectrum. Probably a similar deal on Watson, with those repeating IUM's etc.

You found Bouncing Ball? Prank is the same kinda deal.

Mon, 02/23/2004 - 12:24 PM Permalink
KC0GRN

Nah, didn't end up finding any today, although I might sneak back out there after work.

Actually, maybe I'll just use the container as my first cache hide (kinda symbolic perhaps, not so much that I'm trying to be cheap). I got to thinkin about Newell park today (it's close to my workplace), and I checked on gc.com, couldn't find any there. As an experienced hider/geocacher, is there any reasons why there isn't one there?

Mon, 02/23/2004 - 12:51 PM Permalink
King Boreas aka Ian

I put an early Boreas Rex there, that disappeared shortly after. There's not a lot of cover, residences on 3 sides.

If I were to go back, I'd try the Devil's Den. I don't know why it's called that. A low area on the Pierce Butler side of the park. There may be other spots, but you have to consider nosey people wondering what 'cachers are doing.

Good Luck !

If you do, let me know and I'll archive mine. I'm probably going to anyway.

Mon, 02/23/2004 - 1:12 PM Permalink
KC0GRN

Oh so that's where that boreas rex one was at, I noticed there was an archived one. I'll try and check it out this week and see if a good spot comes to mind. That's a good point about the nosey people though, definately keep that in mind. I was thinking of the Devils Den too (well that area, I have no idea why it's called that either).

Mon, 02/23/2004 - 1:34 PM Permalink
KC0GRN

Wow Ian, I'm just not having much luck with those Phalen caches yet, but I'm definately determined to find em now, GPS or no GPS. I know where they're supposed to be, just haven't quite got em yet.

I'll get em Saturday though, as that's al I'm plannin on doing.

Mon, 02/23/2004 - 10:46 PM Permalink
Frosti

Ian, when we were on the train in Scotland there was an article about geocaching in the on-board train magazine. The sport is pretty international. The article was pretty basic, but I grabbed a copy of the mag if you're interested.

Tue, 02/24/2004 - 6:40 PM Permalink
King Boreas aka Ian

Sure thing ! Thanks

Tue, 02/24/2004 - 9:25 PM Permalink
Frosti

Are you going to Fern's on Sunday?

Wed, 02/25/2004 - 3:49 PM Permalink
King Boreas aka Ian

No, I have previous plans.

Wed, 02/25/2004 - 6:06 PM Permalink
KC0GRN

nice find kitch, thanks! Something else I can read up on, even monthly :)

Thu, 02/26/2004 - 11:20 AM Permalink
KITCH

I read all the threads on geocaching.com discussion board and mngca as well....and when i'm bored go to other states boards...

Thu, 02/26/2004 - 11:31 AM Permalink
KC0GRN

I've been whittling my boredom away trying to decipher those puzzle caches. Tough stuff...

Thu, 02/26/2004 - 11:44 AM Permalink
King Boreas aka Ian

I've been retrieving and archiving caches the past two days. I have three new ones placed, but not submitted. At least a couple more will go out tomorrow.

A couple of them are influenced by your buddy, Kitch.

Thu, 02/26/2004 - 1:00 PM Permalink
KITCH

I've been retrieving

influenced by your buddy

I'm assuming your talking about retrieving vs. placing in that regards????

OR...are you going to start doing some harder caches with different stories on them??

On a side note:
I got a few ideas up my sleave for puzzle caches...not that hard but should be fun....
I don't think I'm going to do any placements in next few weeks...I'm more going to focus on finding travel bugs to take with me to 'bama. in march.

Thu, 02/26/2004 - 1:21 PM Permalink
King Boreas aka Ian

do the words "beacon" or "tetanus" ring a bell?

Thu, 02/26/2004 - 1:41 PM Permalink
KITCH

"tetanus"

tetanus does (i don't know about beacon)....but I'm still confused...are you picking up old cans???

I think its more a thing the two them like to bitch when they get togethor...I'm not sure what that is all about....

I heard that MTN-MAN is on your case.... he is gotten upset with somebody else in the area and now is pissed off....I think that is what its all about but i'm not sure!!!!!! HE was pissed at some guy called eckotracker or something like that...this guy is messing with others caches and using them as part of a multi with no premission...when mtn-man found out about that he got all in a huff....

Thu, 02/26/2004 - 1:50 PM Permalink
King Boreas aka Ian

4:30 am Columbia Heights
5:00 am Cambridge
5:45 am County line Hwy 65 N near a cemetery
6:00 am backtrack to 107, looking for a park
6:15 am missed my turn, heading west on 23
6:30 am find the crappy park
7:00 am Mora
7:30 am Woodland, Snake River State Forest
8:00 am Dad's Corner, Solana State Forest
9:00 am Rice Lake Wildlife Refuge
9:15 am McGregor
9:30 am Hassman
9:45 am Soo Line Trail
11:00 am Aitkin Dairy Queen
11:15 am Public Access
11:30 am Ripple River
12:15 pm Malmo Memorial Park
12:40 pm Smokin' Hills
1:15 pm gotta be in the cities soon

Somewhere in there I managed to place 6 new caches

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Fri, 02/27/2004 - 6:52 PM Permalink
KITCH

IAN...my parents live up in that area...one of these days i'm going to have to hit all the caches in the area....

Sat, 02/28/2004 - 5:49 AM Permalink
KC0GRN

Another good site, thanks Kitch.

I'm headin out caching now, gonna go get some of J.T.'s puzzle caches, then back to Phalen, hopefully to succeed more this time around ;)

Sat, 02/28/2004 - 9:50 AM Permalink
Clue Master

Great site Kitch! That link should be listed at the top of this thread.

Sat, 02/28/2004 - 6:13 PM Permalink
KC0GRN

Well I didn't make it to Phalen today, I spent too much time getting J.T.'s caches, had to learn his style of hiding, quite different from yours Ian. I got 4 of his though, none were the 3 posted here, still figuring those out.

A couple of his he was very tricky on hiding. Unfortunately, my camera didn't work on the last one, wish it had, as the hiding spot was very.. unusual, in fact, I was amazed he got it approved. When I get the others deciphered, I'll stop back to get a picture of that one.

Will be out at Phalen tomorrow, and I'll have backup with me.

Sat, 02/28/2004 - 10:01 PM Permalink
Clue Master

I spent too much time getting J.T.'s caches

I didn't know THX was putting those things out. Cooler!!

Hey KC, You need to quit you cachin' early and stop in to see us at Ferns.

Sat, 02/28/2004 - 10:21 PM Permalink
KC0GRN

nah, J.T. is this guys user name on the geocaching.com site, not THX.

I'm only caching in the afternoon, usually Sunday evenings I have to help out with stuff at church. I'd try to go otherwise.

Sat, 02/28/2004 - 10:35 PM Permalink
King Boreas aka Ian

I think he has J. T. mixed up with R. J.

Sat, 02/28/2004 - 10:35 PM Permalink
KC0GRN

lol oh, actually I do, thanks Ian, hard to keep all these names straight after a while.

Sat, 02/28/2004 - 10:36 PM Permalink
KC0GRN

Hey Ian,

Took some friends out to the Phalen caches, all of us combined didn't find any of them (luckily I took em over and they found the buddy cache). We stopped by the "Unless You Are Blind" cache (I thought it'd be nice for them to find a couple caches) and it was gone, looked all over that tree couldn't find it, bummer deal. I noticed someone logged it yesterday, perhaps they rehid it, that or else someone removed it.

I'm beginning to get a bit worred about some of those ones, if that one is gone, maybe some others are?

Sun, 02/29/2004 - 3:49 PM Permalink
Clue Master

I'd love to see that little thieving prick out there removing caches. He'd become a missing cache in no time

Sun, 02/29/2004 - 10:14 PM Permalink
King Boreas aka Ian

if that one is gone, maybe some others are?

I'll try to get there in the next couple days. Sorry

Sun, 02/29/2004 - 10:18 PM Permalink
KC0GRN

I did notice C.A.G. posted a find for it today, maybe you can contact him and see if he just rehid it thinking it wasn't hidden well enough?

Sun, 02/29/2004 - 10:55 PM Permalink
Clue Master

Joe Cache!

Sun, 02/29/2004 - 10:57 PM Permalink