Geocaching 101

Ever wanted to go on a real life treasure hunt? Geocaching might be right up your street!

Geocaching is a modern day treasure hunt game, which uses GPS signals to navigate you to specific coordinates, to find the ‘treasure’. You may not have heard of it. I had never heard of it before being introduced by my brother-in-law in August 2013.

Geocaching is not a new thing. It’s been around since 2nd May 2000, when U.S. President Bill Clinton signed an order to end selective availability, meaning that GPS signals were now available to everyone. The very next day, on 3rd May, Dave Ulmer decided to hide a black bucket in the woods near Beavercreek, Oregon. He filled the bucket with various ‘prizes’, as well as a logbook and pencil. He then posted the coordinates online and waited. Within three days, two people had found the stash and thus geocaching was born, although it was called ‘GPS Stash Hunt’ back then.


The game is currently played by over 6 million geocachers worldwide and there are more than 2.5 million geocaches out there to find. The availability of free apps for smartphones makes the game more accessible to everyone and it’s growing in popularity.


I asked some fellow geocachers to tell me what they thought was important when starting out. I have used their geocaching nicknames below! If you ever wanted to go on a real life treasure hunt yourself, here are some tips to get started:


Before you start...


1. Download a geocaching app & create an account
There are quite a few available, including free apps. The GPS accuracy on smartphones is constantly improving and many seasoned geocachers I know cache solely with a smartphone, so there is no requirement to spend money on a dedicated handheld GPSr anymore.


Creating a geocaching account is free. You can upgrade to premium later on, if and when you decide you want to continue playing. Bohstom advises people to pick a short username - this will help when you're trying to squeeze your name on to a tiny logsheet!


It's tempting to just take your smartphone with your newly downloaded geocaching app and hit the road to find the cache nearest to home, but you might be better off taking some time before you go and doing a little research.


2. Do some reading - be prepared!


Before going out, it might be useful to prepare yourself by doing some research into geocaching. New cacher Rhaelys, who started geocaching in April 2015 and has found 18 caches to date, made sure to spend "a lot of time on geocaching.com reading rules, looking at forums and checking out maps". You know what they say, if you fail to prepare, then prepare to fail!


When you've chosen a cache to look for, the most important thing to read is the cache description. After that, you might consider throwing your eye over the most recent logs. You don't want to set out to find your first geocache only to find that the last ten logs have been DNFs! Griffkids advises to "check past logs to make sure it's still there".


Another reason to read previous logs: for extra hints. Fadingdimensions, who started caching in April 2015 and has 27 finds to date, advises to "always read other people's logs.... They usually give little hints if you are in a jam."


3. Know the cache size


SharkyC who started geocaching in March 2015 and has found 11 geocaches to date, wishes she realised "just how small the micros actually are". This is a great reason to research container types before you set out. Just a quick internet search for 'geocache containers' may help you once you're at GZ. Bingothebountyhunter advises new geocachers to "avoid micros" when starting out.


You may also want to avoid 'other' cache sizes at the beginning too. This is normally an unusual container type that doesn't fit in to any of the other categories, although sometimes cache owners choose 'other' as the size when the cache is actually a nano. Nanos are a subcategory of micros and are probably smaller than you could ever imagine when you start out. You'll no doubt be amazed when you first find one, but attempting to roll up a nano logsheet in the rain for the fiftieth time will knock that enthusiasm out of you. Not that I'm dissing nanos - I've hidden a few myself.
Sometimes a great location you want to bring people to will only have the room for a nano.


I recently met some new geocachers at a cache and had the nano container in my hand as I was waiting until what I thought were muggles to leave. When they told me they were geocachers, I handed the cache to them and they were amazed "is that it?!"


4. Know the cache type


The current most common types of geocaches are traditional, multi, unknown, earthcache, wherigo, letterbox hybrid, virtual, webcam (both of the last two are what is called 'grandfathered', meaning these are probably quite old geocaches and new caches of these type are no longer allowed). Of course, there are various event caches also, but it's unlikely an event will be your first smiley (although not outside the realm of possibility!)


According to the Groundspeak website, traditional caches are "the original type of geocache and the most straightforward". When you're looking for your first geocache, you should probably start out with this type.


I won't go on about the different cache types here, there is plenty of information available already out there. But the advice is to stick to traditional caches at the start.


5. Choose your D/T rating carefully


There are 81 possibly difficulty/terrain combinations available. When you're starting out, it's probably best to stick with lower difficulty caches. I looked for a difficulty 5 geocache in my first week as a cacher. As you might expect, I didn't find it. In fact, I only found it when I was caching for about 18 months, and having now found it, I can say I never would have found it that first week. I didn't have enough experience to know about caches that are deviously camouflaged.


Terrain rating is more open - if you're already a hardened hiker or climber, you might decide a higher terrain rating is more appealing to you.


6. Learn how to use your GPSr/Smartphone app


Lulybelle says "My biggest problem when I started was I didn't know how to use the app, I didn't know you could see yourself moving on the map, so my advice would be to get familiar with the techy bits first." Again, a little internet research here will help you with how to use the device you have available to you and get the most out of it.


7. Find out what a trackable is


This is important. All too often new geocachers take trackables without knowing what they are or what to do with them. AntoniaG and CriddyBee both advise newbies to research what trackables are all about before you go out geocaching. As CriddyBee says, it's "sad to see how many (trackables) aren't logged properly or go missing." Remember that trackables belong to someone. It is very disheartening to see them go missing.


Make sure you know the difference between a trackable item and an item for swapping. You do not need to exchange anything for a trackable, but it's not yours to keep. Swag are small trinkets, sometimes personalised, that you can trade. If you see something you like in a cache, make sure to trade even or better for it. Kids will love this part of the 'treasure hunt', but expectations should be set low: often times, the swag is non-existent or not of top quality. The real treasure is the hunt itself!


8. Be well equipped


There are lots of geocaching TOTT (tools of the trade) out there. Most important is a pen or pencil of course, but a tweezers will be really handy if you're urban caching. You might even consider packing a geobag. This is not so important if you're going caching in a town or city, but if you're planning to go in to the forest or mountains to find a geocache, make sure you pack a bag with any supplies you might need.


Alstefanelli who started geocaching in February 2015 recommends that you "get good shoes, pack a fully functional geobag, get a walking stick [and] buy an external battery for your phone." If you're caching solely with your smartphone, an external battery pack is a priceless commodity, as the location services needed to cache with will drain your battery.


Now, go look for a geocache!


Ok, you've done your theoretical research, now you're dying to get your name on a logbook. Here's what to remember when you're out in the field.


9. Bring a friend


Sure, geocaching can be fun on your own, but when you're starting out, it's more fun to bring a friend, plus you won't feel as conspicuous if you're with a buddy. Duck Tales has this advice: "go with an experienced cacher. It helps avoid disappointment of a DNF and helps with the excitement factor".


BigMcKs started caching in the summer of 2014 and was introduced by a geocaching friend, TucKids. She says as soon as her and her boys found their first cache, they were hooked!


If you don't have someone to go with you, don't worry, as Odies Crew says "just take the bull by the horns and go for it." More often than not, you'll be the only person in your circle that has ever heard of geocaching, and it can be difficult to convince others to go with you. So just get up and go!


10. Use your common sense and respect your environment


Don't just follow the needle on your compass. I cannot stress enough the importance of this. The shortest route is the most taxing, more often than not. GrievousAngel advises that cachers should "use their brains to figure out that the best route may be *around,* not *through* the swamp, or zig-zagging up the mountain on the trail, no matter what the arrow tells you to do."


Don't pull GZ apart looking for the cache. Pooken advises "don't go looking in dry stone walls. They aren't supposed to be hidden there."


In Ireland, Coillte maintain many of the forests where geocaches are hidden. Geocaches hidden on Coillte run land must adhere to their 'Leave No Trace' policy. The principles of Leave No Trace are:


- Plan ahead and prepare
- Travel on durable surfaces
- Dispose of waste properly
- Leave what you find
- Minimise campfire impacts
- Respect wildlife
- Be considerate of other users


These are good principles to cache by in general. If GZ is already littered, maybe consider bringing a small bag with you and regularly practicing CITO (Cache In Trash Out) - leave the area a little nicer for the next finder, if you can.


11. Sign the logbook!!!!!


If I could put this one in flashing neon colours, I would. Seriously, the one strict rule of geocaching is to sign your name in the logbook. Remembering to bring a pen is part of this. I have pens everywhere. Several in my car and bag and always a least one in the pockets of every coat and jacket. A pencil or stamp works too but be sure to put your mark in the log!


DucInc backs me up on this one: "You only log a find when you actually find the container...getting to GZ does not equal a smiley!"


12. Don't worry if you can't find it


SharkyC looked for three geocaches before she actually found one. You may not find the first one you look for. Let's face it: you've never found a geocache before, you have no idea what you're doing! We were all new once. Stick with it; geosense is a skill to be honed.


S2zero puts it very well: "Just because you can't find it, doesn't mean it's not there." It might not be there. But equally, it might be and your geosense has well and truly left the buliding. DNFs are a part of geocaching. Sometimes the seemingly simplest of caches can leave you perplexed and revisiting the same place 5 times. But it always makes a great story when you finally turn that nemesis cache in to a smiley! DanUnaHolly take the "where would I hide it?" approach when they're not having any luck finding a geocache.


Once you're back home...


You've found the geocache, you've put your name in the logbook and you're probably feeling pretty pleased with yourself right now. What's next?


13. Write about your adventure online


You can't get that all important smiley unless you log a 'Found It!' on geocaching.com. Remember, the geocache you found was placed by a geocacher just like you. They took their time and effort (and probably money) to create a fun experience for you. The log you write is their only 'payment' (well that and Favourite Points but those are for Premium Members Only). Write a little more than TFTC in your log. Not only will the CO be grateful, you'll be able to look back and remember the find. Think of it as your geocaching diary. There's no need to talk about what you ate for breakfast that morning (but by all means, you can!), but a little something about the hunt is always interesting.


Likewise, remember to properly log any trackable items you may have picked up in the geocache you found.


14. Go to an event


There is no right or wrong time to start attending geocaching events, but as early as you can is a good guide. I have met a geocacher who had never found a geocache before attending the event, although this is an extreme example.


Roaming Relic started geocaching in March 2015 and has found 42 geocaches to date. He had found 8 geocaches before attending an event while on vacation in Maui (lucky guy!). His experience was that "everyone was happy to accept a newbie in to the circle". This is certainly true in my experience at events I've been to. Everyone is welcome. The more the merrier. Events are great forums to get extra hints and tips for that geocache that keeps eluding you, too. You will find out things you didn't know about the website or the app you are using. And most importantly, you will undoubtedly have great fun meeting people who share this great hobby.


15. Become a cache owner


There is no rush in doing this. When I asked my fellow geocachers for tips, the overwhelming advice was to wait before placing a geocache. Of course, you can technically place a geocache without ever having found one, but you want people to enjoy finding your first hide, right? Finding a variety of caches will show you what you would like to hide. Maybe you prefer long hikes in the forest, so you'll hide an ammo can at a great lookout spot. Maybe you prefer really tricky hides, so you'll hide a fake bolt on a railing in a busy urban area, so cachers can put their stealth to the test.
The main advice is to get some experience before you start hiding. Kryten2x4p advises not to "start hiding geocaches until you've found at least 100!"


16. Keep Calm!


This little gem of wisdom comes from Adolficus. Keep Calm. Simple. Don't decide to pack it all in because you can't find the geocache first time around or because you're getting frustrated with the app. Geocaching is meant to be fun!