Fred's Place

Geocaching is a hi tech game of hide and seek that involves using a GPS to find an object, usually a waterproof container, such as an ammo box or Tupperware container, filled with small trade items (swag) and a logbook. Coordinates, maps, hints and logged finds can be found for these hidden objects at: Geocaching.com. Sometimes the container is smaller  (micro cache), such as a pill holder, or yet even smaller and harder to find (a nano cache). The micro and nano caches usually contain only a small log to sign. As of this date there are 1,281,925 caches around the globe. There are also different types of caches for you to find. Chance are that there are several near you waiting to be found. They can be found on roadsides, in parks, along nature trails, under bridges or even on mountain tops. The hiding of a cache is limited only to the imagination. Searching for a cache can be an individual effort, a team effort, or it makes for a great family outing. The best source for information is in the Geocaching.com website.

  I have been caching for 5 years, and have found 1037 caches and 150 benchmarks, mostly here in Vermont. I have also hidden 12 caches, and have had fun watching them.  I started with a Garmin etrex Legend, and graduated to a Garmin GPSMAP 60CSx, and now use an Oregon 550. My backup is a basic etrex and a compass. I really enjoy the Oregon because of it's touch screen and it is also easier to see than my first GPS. My over 50 eyes really apreciate that! Also it's just a darn nice toy! You don't have to spend a lot to enjoy caching. A basic GPS can be had for around a hundred dollars. You will probably want some other items along with you, such as writing tools, a small notebook, spare socks (my favorite next to bug dope), batteries, and a compass (know how to use it!). I have a backpack filled with a varied assortment of hiking/survival gear that I have carefully chosen, and could probably spend several day in the woods. I also carry 2 large bottle of water, as it is easy to dehydrate on long hikes especially in hot weather. It depends on where and how far you want to travel to find a cache. You shouldn't have any problem finding useful equipment at such dangerous places as LL Bean, EMS, and Dicks Sporting Goods.

  The program GSAK (Geocaching Swiss Army Knife) gets more use than any I currently use. It makes it very easy to track caches and benchmarks using  the .gpx and .loc files available for download at the Geocaching website. You can easily export waypoints to your GPS and to many mapping programs.  I must confess though, I still print a topo map with waypoints on it, just in case. There are many Geocaching programs available for different platforms.

  At any rate, if you want to have some outdoor fun and get some exercise, checkout the Geocaching website for all the information you need to get started on this very popular high tech game.