Geocache - Geocaching

[TeeDee]

Wondering if there are any here that geocache?

Outside activity ,gets some activity to new places , sometimes engaging puzzles, requires to see what is out of the normal context of the environment and locate - so some tracking type observational exercises possible.


So any one into it or mixed concerns about leaving tupperware boxes in natural environments ?

 

[Broch]

My concern, to be honest, when I was roped into helping some friends reach a remote geocache using my 4x4, was that some of these caches are on private land and off the public access. It was also apparent that a great many participants don't care about the countryside or how they get there - like all good ideas it can be abused unfortunately.

 

[Bhod]

Geocached on and off for around 20 years now, have 'cached all over the world and it's taken us to some interesting off the beaten tourist track places. Not a fan of the micros (although I do see a need for them), much prefer the traditional caches but these tend to be few and far between now.

Like everything that has become more accessible to the 'masses' it is open to abuse, I still tend to grab the occasional one when on holiday but very rarely go out of my way to get them at home nowadays.

 

[William_Montgomery]

What's the basic idea behind geocaching? Is it a sequential trail that you follow that let's you explore the area, or a series of one-off discoveries? And, what might one generally expect to find at the final location?

 

[TeeDee]

What's the basic idea behind geocaching? Is it a sequential trail that you follow that let's you explore the area, or a series of one-off discoveries? And, what might one generally expect to find at the final location?

Can be sort of both - so can be a clue location with a single leg the final cache location or a multi leg clue ( which then leads onto the next one ) before the final cache location.

Its more akin to letter boxing if you've ever done that on any moorland - letterboxing used to be a big activity on Dartmoor and I assume elsewhere.

 

[TeeDee]

My concern, to be honest, when I was roped into helping some friends reach a remote geocache using my 4x4, was that some of these caches are on private land and off the public access. It was also apparent that a great many participants don't care about the countryside or how they get there - like all good ideas it can be abused unfortunately.

I can understand that and the concern - but that type of potential for ' colouring in outside the lines 'type abuse is true of many many activities ( bushcraft included ) if one chooses to not follow some common guidelines.

I'm not sure how one can make the statement of "It was also apparent that a great many participants don't care about the countryside or how they get there" if one has had limited personal limited exposure and participation in it?? You maybe right - just not sure how you've reached that conclusion.

 

[William_Montgomery]

Can be sort of both - so can be a clue location with a single leg the final cache location or a multi leg clue ( which then leads onto the next one ) before the final cache location.

Its more akin to letter boxing if you've ever done that on any moorland - letterboxing used to be a big activity on Dartmoor and I assume elsewhere.

Got you. Presumably there is a general etiquette involved. My understanding is that it's based on Garmin type gps nav devices, but from the mention of it becoming more widely accessible to the masses, I'm assuming that's largely been replaced by smart phones nowadays?

I like the sound of it incorporating navigational, tracking and observational skills. Sounds like it has some interesting potential.

 

[Pattree]

This is a Californian geocaching site that uses a dedicated app. It’s a pretty comprehensive description of the system.

I don’t see why you can’t set one up on your own but it’s going to take work.

Geocaching Frequently Asked Questions

California State Parks

www.parks.ca.gov

I know I sound like a walking advert for W3W but I’ve been using it for a long time. It’s ideal for geocaching.

 

[Bhod]

Got you. Presumably there is a general etiquette involved. My understanding is that it's based on Garmin type gps nav devices, but from the mention of it becoming more widely accessible to the masses, I'm assuming that's largely been replaced by smart phones nowadays?

I like the sound of it incorporating navigational, tracking and observational skills. Sounds like it has some interesting potential.

Geocaching started in the US, some person would head out into the wilds with an ammo can full of goodies and post the co-ords up on an IRC channel for others to go find, as GPS devices became more accessible a website was created and more and more caches started appearing. Rules were, you had to sign the log book and if you took something from the cache you replaced it with something of at least equal value.

Earliest placed cache I've found is GC23 on Oahu which was hidden in 2000

 

[Broch]

I can understand that and the concern - but that type of potential for ' colouring in outside the lines 'type abuse is true of many many activities ( bushcraft included ) if one chooses to not follow some common guidelines.

I'm not sure how one can make the statement of "It was also apparent that a great many participants don't care about the countryside or how they get there" if one has had limited personal limited exposure and participation in it?? You maybe right - just not sure how you've reached that conclusion.

Good point; my niece is an avid geocacher and I discussed it with her and her husband at some length so my 'knowledge' is bias and second hand, apologies. The 'chat' groups they participate on are all about 'bagging' the caches, getting so many in a weekend, competing within the group etc. But, I admit, that's a skewed sample set.

 

[TeeDee]

Got you. Presumably there is a general etiquette involved. My understanding is that it's based on Garmin type gps nav devices, but from the mention of it becoming more widely accessible to the masses, I'm assuming that's largely been replaced by smart phones nowadays?

I like the sound of it incorporating navigational, tracking and observational skills. Sounds like it has some interesting potential.

Yep - smartphone is probably the best option - see if you can find the geocache App - it is well put together in terms of collating and then providing the local and not so local geocaches in your area.

I think for me the main attraction is - it gets you out of your normal areas of exploration , encourages paying attention to the environment for clues / context / camouflage and the puzzle caches can offer a little mind puzzle.

 

[TeeDee]

Good point; my niece is an avid geocacher and I discussed it with her and her husband at some length so my 'knowledge' is bias and second hand, apologies. The 'chat' groups they participate on are all about 'bagging' the caches, getting so many in a weekend, competing within the group etc. But, I admit, that's a skewed sample set.

In fairness I can see/imagine how to some the backdrop/nature/environment & land rights would be a secondary consideration.

 

[TeeDee]

Should possibly point out I'm just dipping my toes into it - not full on.

Some of the language relating to it , whilst maybe intended in a playful manner I find some what cringe inducing. I think this maybe trainspotting with grid coordinates. Which is fine.

 

[nigelp]

I’ve not done it for years. Lots locally have been abandoned which is a shame.

 

[Wildgoose]

In fairness I can see/imagine how to some the backdrop/nature/environment & land rights would be a secondary consideration.

I did a bit a few years ago, it sort of tied in with some tracking dog work I did (as a hobby, not anything real)
Some of the hides are great.
I did happen across a couple dismantling a dry stone wall once, literally taking it down brick by brick to find the cache.
Turned out to be a QR code on a plate attached to the stile post.

 

[TeeDee]

I did a bit a few years ago, it sort of tied in with some tracking dog work I did (as a hobby, not anything real)
Some of the hides are great.
I did happen across a couple dismantling a dry stone wall once, literally taking it down brick by brick to find the cache.
Turned out to be a QR code on a plate attached to the stile post.

Yes - thats very much a 'bigger picture' thing isn't it - difficult to understand what is going on internally to lead to such action. Madness of Mobs and all that - or maybe just Madness of the moment.

 

[Tengu]

Oddly, in spite of my interest in maps this has not grabbed me.

I have never owned a GPS anyhow

 

[Brizzlebush]

I've had a lot of fun with the kids using the geocache app and my phone.
It's a great way to get them out for a walk, keep them engaged whilst not realising they're exercising.
Treasure hunting basically. Without any, er, actual treasure.
Although we took some tiny toys to swap with what we found.

 

[Paul_B]

There used to be a treasury cache behind the pub on the way to Glasson Dock. I thought it was set up before the euro. There was supposed to be several currencies no longer in use.

The idea of this was if you're an adventurous traveller you take your spare, local currency from a less traveller location and took the currency you found in the cash for your next out of the way destination. I heard there were some very minor currencies in there and some dollars.