Why Would I Want to Geocache?
Where Do I Find a Geocache?
What Do I Do When I Find a Cache?
Are There Any Other Geocaching Websites?
Welcome to my geocaching page. I will try and give you a brief rundown of what geocaching is and how much fun it can be. I have been geocaching since the 2000's. My wife and I have been out on several occasions and tallied up almost 120 geocaches in four (4) states.
Geocaching is our favorite thing to do when we are not backpacking, hiking, camping, whitewater kayaking or taking a bike ride. Our adventures have led us to geocache in Pennsylvania, New York, Florida & Hawaii. This form of outdoor treasure hunting is fun for you, your spouse, your children, your friends or the whole family. I have posted a few of our favorite <LINK> geocaching pictures at the bottom of the page. So you ask yourself?
Geocaching is an outdoor adventure / treasure hunting game. This game incorporates a GPSr unit and obviously yourself. Geocachers (people who are attempting to find the caches) use their GPS units through latitude & longitudinal coordinates to find a cache hidden somewhere in the area, the next state, a neighboring country or all the way across the world! That's right, this game is worldwide! Over 1.5 million caches are hidden worldwide throughout 100+ countries. If you had the opportunity to read my GPS Technology page you will have a good understanding on what GPS is and how it works. A GPSr is vital to geocaching, but caching can be done without a unit. But you will need some good knowledge in map and compass reading.
There is even a story behind "Signal" the Frog, geocaching.com's mascot.
Where Do I Find a Geocaches?
You must go to www.geocaching.com and create an account. Don't worry it's free and they do not sell your information or email to a third party. If you choose not to create an account, you will not be able to see the caches exact locations. The website offers a wide variety of options for the cacher and premium members receive even more perks (member caches, query building, etc..). Geocaching.com explains all there is to know in great detail about geocaching, so I will keep this page short.
Geocaching is not just about finding the cache, but it is more about where the cache takes you and what you may see along the way or at the cache location. For example, you may come across a vista (overlook in which looks out over a vast area) on top of a mountain that you never thought existed! Back to the original question. When you find a cache you are generally rewarded with a container of goodies and a log book. Be sure to sign your name and list what you took and what you are leaving. If you choose, you can leave a small message too. When you find the cache you take an item out and replace it with another item. You are also asked to clean up any trash or debris that you may find in the woods (CITO, stands for: Cache In, Trash Out). There are rules to geocaching, please be courteus & respectful and follow them. Also geocaching.com does have some guidelines and etiquette you must follow in order to create a user account and/or to setup your own geocache for the world to find. Common sense, courtesy, respect and the golden rule are some easy things to remember and follow when out geocaching or participating in any other outdoor adventure.
In May of 2000, the U.S. Gov't opened up the very limited access of GPS technology to the public. Prior GPS users instantly received a huge upgrade, their GPS units were know 10x more accurate! Since then, GPS manufacturers have been busy designing and creating units not just for military, commerical and professional purposes, but also for civilian use. Within the first month, "GPS Stash Hunting" (now known as Geocaching) instantly began to grow and gain popularity. On the geocaching website you can read about the history of geocaching and the stories behind it such as: the inventor, the first cache finder and much more. Please, I encourage you to take the time to check it out.
Note: There are various acronyms and words commonly used when discussing geocaching.
Cache – A box or container that contains, at the very least, a logbook.
Geoswag – The items that can be found in some larger caches.
Muggled - Being caught by a non-geocacher while retrieving/replacing a cache; also, a muggled cache has been removed or vandalized by a non-geocacher, usually out of misunderstanding or lack of knowledge.
Smiley – A cache find. Refers to the "smiley-face" icon attached to "Found It" logs on some listing sites.
BYOP – (Bring Your Own Pen/Pencil) The cache in question lacks a writing device for the logbook.
CITO – (Cache In Trash Out) and refers to picking up trash on the hunt.
CO – (Cache Owner) The person who is responsible for maintaining a cache, usually the person who hid it.
DNF – (Did Not Find) Did not find the cache container being searched for.
FTF – (First To Find) The first person to find a cache container.
FTL – (First To Log) The first person to log the find of a cache container online.
GPS – Short for Global Positioning System, also occasionally refers to the receiver itself.
GPSr – Short for GPS receiver.
SGC - (Senior Geocacher) An experienced participant of the pursuit.
TFTC – (Thanks For The Cache) This is often used at the end of logs to thank the cache owner.
TFTH – (Thanks For The Hunt or Hide or Hike) It shares the same purpose as TFTC, but can also be used when the cache was not found.
TN – (Took Nothing) no trade or traveling item was removed from the cache.
LN – (Left Nothing) no trade or traveling item was added to the cache.
XN – (eXchanged Nothing) combines the previous two acronyms; nothing was removed or added.
SL – (Signed Log) used when the participant visited the cache and signed its logbook.
TSIA – (The Streak is Alive) used when the participant has an active streak of continous days finding a cache.
Note: The various acronyms in this section are often combined in various ways, such as "TNLNSL, TFTC!"
GRC – (GuardRail Cache) used in the description on where a cache may be hidden.
GZ – (Ground Zero or Geo-zone) refers to the general area in which a cache is hidden.
ICT – (Ivy Covered Tree) used in the description on where a cache may be hidden.
LPC – (Light/Lamp Post Cache) used in the description on where a cache may be hidden.
MKH – (Magnetic Key Holder) used in the description on the type of container used for the cache.
PLC – (Parking Lot Cache) used in the description on where a cache may be hidden.
POR – (Pile Of Rocks) used in the description on where a cache may be hidden.
POS – (Pile Of Sticks or Stones) used in the description on where a cache may be hidden.
UFO – (Unnatural Formation of Objects) a pile of material that obviously did not form naturally and is a likely cache hiding spot.
UPS – (Unnatural Pile of Sticks) a piles of sticks that did not form naturally and where a cache may be hidden.
A matter a fact there is! A list below will give you a start on where to look and find geocaches in your area. The most popular site however is www.geocaching.com.
Note: Click the pictures below to view them at full resolution.