Where to Begin

READ THIS Before you Sign up for a Free Account on Geocaching.com

Choosing your user name

When choosing your user name be sure that you pick something you can live with and something you don't mind everyone calling you. In the world of caching your user name is your only name that most cachers will use when addressing you.  

GPS 

If you have never used a GPS before then it would be advised to ask around to other cachers and find out what they like about their GPS. Do some research and only invest in a less expensive model if you feel you will only use it periodically. If you go to the sporting goods store you can hold different models in your hand and get a feel for what you are comfortable with. GPS models can range in price from $85.00 to $850.00, some are made for geocaching and some are made to hook directly to your computer. Hooking via USB or Port cable is a better choice because it eliminates entering coordinates by hand and offers less room for error. It is a huge disappointment to reach your destination and get skunked because you had the wrong coordinates.

Resources 

Free software for download and upload of coordinates to geocachers is abundant and most all work very well depending on your understanding of computers and your gps unit.  This is another area to ask other Geocachers about. One of the most simple programs is Easy GPS and to find these visit Easy GPS http://www.easygps.com/download.asp 

Finding your first Geocache

•  Researching the Cache

Keep in mind that distances can be deceiving. When you’re using your GPS unit to find a cache, the unit only knows how close the site is as the crow flies (a direct line). You may be a mile from the cache, but there may be a river in the way or a near-vertical climb involving 3 miles of switchbacks, or a mountain – you get the picture.

1. Read the cache page. The page will provide a map, details about the cache and a clue once you get to the cache site.

2. Use a map if your gps does not have a map feature.

3. If you have a good idea of the area, you can navigate via the GPS unit.

You’ll most likely need to do all three things to prepare and reach the geocache. 

Getting within a mile or two of the site isn’t usually too difficult – it’s the last mile that’ll get you every time. You will want to ensure your success in finding the cache so do a little homework.

• What to take along

Wear sturdy shoes if you are not familiar with the area where the cache is located, throw in a jacket in and long pants are usually the best. 

In the Geo Bag- A small back pack or fanny pack will work great. Load it with; fresh batteries, a flash light, light gloves, a few trade items, a pen or pencil and maybe some bug spray and a band-aid or two.

Trade items are usually a dollar store type of item or something of interest, every now and again you will find unusual trade items like travel bugs and geocoins these items usually aren't for keeping but trading and dropping into another geocache. Learn more about these items in the forum or on geocaching.com.  Most cachers drop and trade items like; arrowheads, foreign coins, keychains, Cd's anything but food items or liquid items.

•  Keep these tips in mind when searching for a cache:

Always be aware of your surroundings and it isn't a bad idea to waymark the geo-rig aka car.

Many of the caches are off-trail, so make sure to be aware of your surroundings. If you’re concentrating on your GPS unit, look around you occasionally for holes, bears, etc.

Bring and drink plenty of water.!    

•  The Hunt

It is pretty straightforward to get within a mile or so from the cache (unless it’s deep off-trail). If you’ve done your research, follow the map more than the GPS unit (although we keep ours on the whole time). It’s inevitable that you’ll lose signal from overhanging trees, mountains, etc.

It’s always good to have a compass on hand if your GPS unit doesn’t have one.

When you leave your car, mark its location as a waypoint! Sounds silly, but once you get deep into the cache hunt, it’s easy to get disoriented. We’ve learned this from experience!

When you get close to the Geocache (within 300 feet, which is the length of a football field), make sure to check your GPS unit signal.  Don’t concentrate as much on the arrow as the distance decreasing, as you get closer to the site.

For the last 30 feet, use a compass or a gps feature point to point for the direction of the cache.

The final 30 feet is the hardest. It helps to think like the person who hid the cache. If there are stumps around, investigate around the base. Check for a pile of rocks. Some stashes, especially in people-trafficked areas, are pretty ingeniously hidden, so it helps to know the container they used. 

• The Find

Whoo hoo! You found the cache! Congratulations! Now what?

Usually you take an item and leave an item and SEIGO promotes fair trades to keep the quality of the cache for the next finder.

Enter your user name and experience you had into the log book. Some people prefer to just enter their name into the log book. It’s an accomplishment enough to locate the cache.

Make sure to seal the cache and place it back where you found it. If it had some rocks covering it, please replace them. It’s pretty straightforward.

Remember that waypoint we suggested you create where your car/trail was located? Use that now to get back! You’ll be glad you had it.

• Logging your find

When you get home, log on to Geocaching.com and log your find, this is a great place to tell of your adventure finding your first cache or your 1001^st cache! The owner of the cache is always happy to know the condition of their cache and it’s nice to know that people are looking for them and having a fun and safe search.

Great work! After several trips to geocaches in your area, you’ll be ready to place your own. Welcome to the exciting world of Geocaching! 

Start your adventure by visiting www.geocaching.com

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