What is Geocaching?
Often referred to as High-tech Treasure Hunting, Geocaching uses Global Positioning Satellites (GPS) to find locations on the earth’s surface using co-ordinates published on www.geocaching.com (or other similar sites). Once you find the Geocache, which is often a plastic lunchbox type container, you sign the log to record your visit, and, if you wish, swap an item in the cache!For more information on how to get started, check out www.geocaching.com Cache TypesMicro Cache - A small Cache usually only big enough for the logbook itself (often just a roll of paper) Sometimes you need to BYOP! These days more and more Micro Geocoins are being made, so you may still find a coin!!
Webcam Cache - To log a Webcam Cache you have to have your picture taken on the webcam. This usually involves PAF to get them to capture the image shown on the webcam' website!Multi Cache - A Cache with more than one stage. Sometimes you have to collect numerical clues, sometimes you just follow a trail of Caches, each giving the co-ordinates for the next. Mystery Cache - Also known as Puzzle Caches, though a Mystery Cache is simply defined as any Cache where the given co-ordinates are NOT the final co-ordinates. Often the Cache owner will set a puzzle for you to solve to find the final co-ords.Wherigo Cache - basically a funky multi-cache. You need a GPS-enabled PDA or a Wherigo-enabled GPS (such as Garmin's Colorado or Oregon) to do one of these. Instead of visiting waypoints and performing manual calculations to find the final Cache, you simply enter your answers into the Wherigo 'cartridge' (the program on your PDA or GPS). If you're correct the next waypoint is released, if not, try again! Once you've answered the final question, the final waypoint is released - the Cache location! Trackables Travel Bugs - TBs can be anything! The only thing they have in common is that they wear a dog tag which has their tracking number on. All TBs share the same icon (the dog tag)Geocoins - Geocoins are highly collectable. Most have their own icon which can be seen in your profile. Coins used to be round on the whole, but more adventurous coins are being minted these days so they come in all shapes and sizes! Micro coins are becoming ever more popular as people try to liven up those boring Micro Caches! If you find a Geocoin DO NOT KEEP IT! They belong to someone else and are trackable items NOT swag!!! Someone has probably paid a lot of money for the coin, and stealing it is wrong! Unfortunately many coins are beautiful and they do run the risk of being stolen far more than TBs. Of course sometimes a Cache Hider will leave an unactivated coin as a FTF prize - this is there as your reward for getting to the Cache first, so go ahead, register the coin, and send it out on a mission (or keep it for yourself!)These days more people are worried about their coins, and not releasing them into the wild. Visiting events is a great way to spot different coins, as owners bring them to share! You can check out bikermel76's coin collection here