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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

 

KC0GRN

I can go get the coin on Wednesday.

I'll hold off posting it's presence a little while then

Mon, 03/22/2004 - 8:34 AM Permalink
KC0GRN

Wow, I was just playing with microsoft mappoint 2002 (got it at some microsoft event I went to a while back, never thought to use it for geocaching) and found out it'll take gps coordinates. I can create driving routes (finding the most efficient ways, whatnot) with stops at caches, etc.

So this free piece of software might come in handy for me. Check it out, I added all the Boreas Rex (besides mankato) caches to a map.

Attachment
brexcaches.jpg
Tue, 03/23/2004 - 11:42 PM Permalink
KOP

I got a GPS today.How do I start?

Sat, 03/27/2004 - 3:47 PM Permalink
KC0GRN

congrats KOP. Simple, sign up at geocaching.com and get out there to find some caches (May I suggest Ian's caches around Lake Phalen as some first ones to get?)

If you're ever interested, I go caching most weekends, I would be happy to show ya the ropes.

Sat, 03/27/2004 - 4:06 PM Permalink
KOP

I would be interested. all new to me.I did sign up on that site. thanks KC

Sat, 03/27/2004 - 4:26 PM Permalink
KC0GRN

I think we were getting a group together too from here to go out caching.

Think we got OTS, THX, Ian, Kitch, and myself interested so far. Maybe get ClueMaster in too, depending on his schedule.

Hey Ian, would it be possible to make up an event cache for this, like a cooler crew geocaching event?

Sat, 03/27/2004 - 10:38 PM Permalink
King Boreas aka Ian

Why the hell not? You wanna do it? If not, I will.

Sun, 03/28/2004 - 8:03 AM Permalink
KC0GRN

Go for it, I'll definately attend (just won't be in town between April 22nd and may 3rd)

Sun, 03/28/2004 - 12:51 PM Permalink
KOP

How do I tell my GPS to go there?

Sun, 03/28/2004 - 3:07 PM Permalink
KC0GRN

what make/model GPS do you have KOP?

April 10th sounds good to me, Phalen is a great place to meet as well.

Good idea on the CITO event Ian. Guess I'll start considering events and CITOs as true caches then as well.

BTW, tried for Cooler Crew Chicks: Me2 today, boy was that a mistake, clouds combined with trees were interfering with my signal lock on the GPS, it started to drizzle, making the leaves slick, and I ended up knee deep in mud/limestone silt on that hill. I was in that area around october and was gettin around just fine, guess it was just a bad combination today. I'll have to try again when it's a nice dry sunny day.

Oh and I did the stairmaster cache, bad timing all around today, as some st. paul firefighters were running drills going up and down the stairs.

Sun, 03/28/2004 - 4:30 PM Permalink
KOP

it's just Garmin e trex yellow. KC

Mon, 03/29/2004 - 3:34 PM Permalink
KC0GRN

Cool, same one I've been using (well, borrowing until mine finally comes) great little unit though, I think Ian has the same one.

Mark a waypoint (first option at the top of the settings screen) then edit it, changing the coordinates to match the ones you find on the site.

For the Phalen meeting though, those coordinates won't help, I think they're just bogus ones. Ian?

Mon, 03/29/2004 - 8:56 PM Permalink
King Boreas aka Ian

Yeah, the listed coordinates are in someone's yard.

Mon, 03/29/2004 - 9:15 PM Permalink
KC0GRN

Should I start a thread for the 10th?

So far we got Ian, OTS, KOP, and myself going. Kitch? Clue Master?

Tue, 03/30/2004 - 9:33 AM Permalink
KITCH

I'm never sure if I can go or not until the day before...but man weekends suck for me!!! so as it stands...count me out....

Tue, 03/30/2004 - 10:15 AM Permalink
KC0GRN

Woohoo! Finally

My GPS has been shipped finally. Should have it by the weekend.

Only took em a month since I ordered it...

Tue, 03/30/2004 - 11:52 AM Permalink
King Boreas aka Ian

Should I start a thread for the 10th?

sure

Tue, 03/30/2004 - 12:30 PM Permalink
Clue Master

I'm with Kitch. Especially with it being Easter weekend and her moms birthday. Plus I have a big project at work that weekend that I really should show up for. Sounds fun tho. I plan on seeking some Geo's out in the Black Hills this weekend. We leave tomorrow and return Sunday night. Should be fun. 10 year anniversary.

Tue, 03/30/2004 - 9:29 PM Permalink
THX 1138

Do I understand people are hooking up @ Phalen on the 10th?

Thu, 04/01/2004 - 5:12 AM Permalink
King Boreas aka Ian

yeah, will that work for you? Scribe? Kids?

Thu, 04/01/2004 - 5:37 AM Permalink
KC0GRN

Hey Ian, I was thinking of placing my first cache at Phalen, seeing as you're the cache placement veteran, would it get approved since there's a few there now? I know I'd have to place it at least .10 miles from any of the other ones, but I have a couple spots in mind that I think are far enough apart from the others.

Any other pointers for placing a cache?

Thu, 04/01/2004 - 8:16 AM Permalink
King Boreas aka Ian

not really

you've found enough to know a good hide.

when you register it, there is a section that is only seen by the approver. list any info that he might want to know. saves e-mail tag.

also state that you would like it listed for the newby CITO day, or however you want to describe it.

good luck !

Thu, 04/01/2004 - 9:38 AM Permalink
KC0GRN

Thanks Ian, and I have a great idea for the cache now too.

I'm thinking I'll take the "I failed at Phalen" logo, and instead of tshirts, I'll make up buttons to put in the cache I place at Phalen.

This in turn will be the only way anyone that wants one will get one, by visiting the cache.

Thu, 04/01/2004 - 10:00 AM Permalink
King Boreas aka Ian

This in turn will be the only way anyone that wants one will get one, by visiting the cache.

sneaky (that's the way, uh huh uh huh. I like it!)

Thu, 04/01/2004 - 11:40 AM Permalink
THX 1138

I think we have the boys that weekend, and they'd love to go out to Phalen. So I'm going to try to make it if I can.

Someone please remind me this weekend to check my calander @ home.

:-)

Fri, 04/02/2004 - 4:54 AM Permalink
KC0GRN

cool site Kitch. Thanks!

Bring the whole group along THX, should make for an interesting Saturday anyway.

BTW, just ordered some "I failed @ Phalen" buttons to put in a cache I'll be placing at phalen. It's no tshirt, but a lot more portable, not to mention cheaper. Hopefully they'll be in in time so I can have the cache placed on the 10th. Just bring something to trade for one.

Fri, 04/02/2004 - 8:21 AM Permalink
KOP

got my first cache today. it was the longville park cache in WBL.looked 4 LL's in keller no luck kind of wet right now will try again later.

Fri, 04/02/2004 - 4:46 PM Permalink
Frosti

Check your calendar THX.

Fri, 04/02/2004 - 5:00 PM Permalink
KC0GRN

Cool KOP, glad to hear you got one, only can get more from there.

Fri, 04/02/2004 - 10:54 PM Permalink
KC0GRN

Good News! The buttons will be ready and to me on time so I can place my cache at Lake Phalen and have it ready to be found on the 10th.

Here's the final image that will appear on them.

Attachment
phalenbutton.jpg
Fri, 04/02/2004 - 11:20 PM Permalink
Frosti

Have you checked your calendar yet, THX?

Sat, 04/03/2004 - 9:07 AM Permalink
THX 1138



Looks like we'll be there.

Sat, 04/03/2004 - 9:37 AM Permalink
THX 1138

Have you checked your calendar yet, THX?

:-)

Yes, and I checked with Scribe.

So four or five of us will be there. I doubt the 16 year old will want to go.

Sat, 04/03/2004 - 9:38 AM Permalink
KC0GRN

Sounds like it'll be a decent turnout then.

Got my Rino 130, checking out all the features today. Turns out with EasyGPS, I can just upload waypoints to it, very cool feature to have if you're into getting a few caches at a time.

Since I'm familiar with the etrex, I also found out there's a ton more waypoint icons (even a bowling one, different, but cool), only bad thing about having so many features, is that it takes a bit longer to do something on it.

I'll have it with me on the 10th if anyone wants to have a look.

Sat, 04/03/2004 - 10:47 PM Permalink
KC0GRN

Okay, I got my cache placed (buttons will be there hopefully on the 10th). And it is far enough from the other caches. Even been submitted, so hopefully it won't show up until the 9th, perhaps an attender of the event can get the first find that way.

Mon, 04/05/2004 - 9:17 PM Permalink
KITCH

815pm tonight....NORTH parking lot of HIDDEN FALLS...going nite caching till about 10pm (park closes).

going to try to find.."$*(%@* CLOWNZ" and some others.....

afterwards we will hit a local bar....

Tue, 04/20/2004 - 1:38 PM Permalink
THX 1138



HELP

I need Cache's at Como ASAP.

I think I'm gonna take my Cub Scouts to Como tomorrow night (monday), and hunt for some Caches.

Sun, 04/25/2004 - 7:28 PM Permalink
King Boreas aka Ian

http://www.geocaching.com/seek/nearest.aspx?lat=44.976417&lon=-93.151667

These two are virtuals:

http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?guid=eaf7b32f-6e78-4ef4-8c9b-aa11c8b68d62

http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?guid=51b8137f-d733-4117-be9c-6cd995c89a35

You look for a sign or an object, to get the required information.

This is a fun one:

http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?ID=52469

This one is a micro (pog tube) which may or may NOT be there:

http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?guid=8467f4ea-0cd5-46db-9ec2-08821fe6fdbc

Don't spend a lot of time on it. I guess the area has changed a bit. If you try it, you want to go to the *end*

It's not on the side.

Sun, 04/25/2004 - 11:55 PM Permalink
Liquor Lady

Iv'e been spiked! Darn! Too bad spike wasn't a screw ;)

Mon, 04/26/2004 - 4:32 AM Permalink
THX 1138



Thanks so much Ian.

Could you give a little more help?

We don't have a lot of time (only about an hour), so could you give me general vacinity of one of these. Especially Sculptures & Vultures, or Happy Anniversary, since they're both real caches? I'd just like to know where to park, so as not to waste time.

Thanks again. I think the boys will like this. We'll actually check off a couple of our requirements with this one.

Mon, 04/26/2004 - 6:32 AM Permalink
King Boreas aka Ian

Happy Anniversary is a virtual.

Sculptures and Vultures is near the pool AKA Blair Witch Woods. Park on the road 100-150 feet away.

I honestly thought there were still some there, or I'd have put another one.

Mon, 04/26/2004 - 7:06 AM Permalink
King Boreas aka Ian

I'm leaving work now. I'll be caching in Coon Rapids/Blaine. Call me if you need anything.

Mon, 04/26/2004 - 7:18 AM Permalink
THX 1138



Happy Anniversary is a virtual.

My bad.

Thanks for your help Ian.

Mon, 04/26/2004 - 1:11 PM Permalink