What is Geocaching? Geocaching is a worldwide game of hiding
and seeking treasure. A geocacher can place a geocache in the
world, pinpoint its location using GPS technology and then share
the geocaches existence and location online. Anyone with a GPS unit
can then try to locate the geocache. How do you pronounce
Geocaching? You pronounce it Geo-cashing, like cashing a check.
What is the meaning of the word Geocaching? The word Geocaching
refers to GEO for geography, and to CACHING, the process of hiding
a cache. A cache in computer terms is information usually stored in
memory to make it faster to retrieve, but the term is also used in
hiking/camping as a hiding place for concealing and preserving
prov
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What is a GPS device? A GPS unit is an electronic device that
can determine your approximate location (within around 6 - 20 feet)
on the planet. Coordinates are normally given in Latitude and
Longitude. You can use the device to navigate from your current
location to another location. Some devices have their own maps,
built-in electronic compasses, and voice navigation, depending on
the complexity of the device. How does GPS work? Each GPS receiver
is a computer that receives signals broadcast from GPS satellites.
A receiver needs to read signals from at least three satellites at
a time to calculate its general location by a process called
trilateration. With signals from four satellites, a GPS receiver
can get a more accurate fix that includes altitude and the exact
time, as well as latitude and longitude. The more satellite signals
the receiver reads, the more accurate the position it reports to
you.
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If I use a GPS unit can someone track where I am going? No! GPS
devices do not actually broadcast your location. The satellites
using radio frequencies actually broadcast their own position. Your
GPS unit takes that information to figure out where you are
(trilateration). Hazard Getting lost Plan ahead, bring a map of the
area and a compass, use the Buddy System (see Tenderfoot
requirement 9), mark your starting location, carry a cell phone,
let others know where you are going and when you plan to return. If
you do get lost stay in one place. Hazard Thunderstorms and other
dangerous weather situations
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Listen to forecasts. If storms are predicted reschedule your
trip. Always dress appropriately, take plenty of water and carry
rain gear. Hazard Cuts and scrapes (broken glass, barbed wire,
briars, etc.) Wear long pants and long-sleeve shirt. Be vigilant of
your surroundings and be careful. Carry a first aid kit. Hazard
Sprains Wear sturdy boots. Hazard Blisters The most common injury
for hikers. Whenever a hot spot develops stop immediately and
protect the tender area with a piece of moleskin. If blister breaks
treat like a minor cut or abrasion (see 1b for first aid.) Wear
boots that fit properly and are well broken in. Keep your feet
clean and dry; change socks frequently
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Hazard Poisonous plants Learn how to recognize and avoid
poisonous plants in your area (poison ivy, poison oak). Carry a
first aid kit. Hazard Insect stings and animal bites Use insect
repellant to minimize likelihood of ticks and chiggers. Button your
collar and tuck pant legs youre your boots or socks. When in wooded
or rocky area always be aware of snakes (copperheads and
rattlesnakes) and spiders (black widow, brown recluse). Carry a
first aid kit. (See 1b for first aid.) Hazard Darkness When caching
it is easy to lose track of time. Know how long it will take to get
back to your starting location. Always carry a flashlight with
extra batteries. Hazard Heat and cold extremes This is similar to
weather conditions, but includes taking precautions to prevent
sunburn (hat and sunscreen), heat exhaustion or hypothermia (extra
clothes, gloves).
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Cuts & scrapes Clean the wound by flushing with water,
apply antibiotic ointment, and cover with a dry, sterile dressing
or bandage. Change dressing daily and watch for infection.
Snakebite Unless you are an expert, always assume a snake is
venomous. Treat like a small puncture wound by washing, applying
antibiotic and covering. Remove jewelry in case of swelling, have
victim lie down and raise the bitten part higher than the body.
Treat for shock. Get help immediately. Insect stings Bee (wasps and
hornets) Scrape away stinger with edge of knife; do not squeeze the
sac attached to the stinger. Apply an ice pack to reduce pain and
swelling. Always look before you put your hand into an area where
these insects may have a nest. This is a common injury when
geocaching. Spider Watch for any allergic reaction and, if seen,
get medical help immediately. Apply an ice pack to reduce pain and
swelling. Chiggers Apply calamine lotion or fingernail polish to
the bite to reduce irritation
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Tick bites -- Use gloves. Immediately remove tick by grasping
it with tweezers close to the skin and pulling gently. Wash the
wound with soap and water and apply antiseptic. Wash your hands.
Exposure to poisonous plants Wash the area with soap and water
immediately. Apply rubbing alcohol or calamine lotion. Heat and
cold reactions: Sunburn Treat sunburn by applying cool, wet cloths.
Stay in the shade if possible and keep area covered to prevent
further burning. Prevent by wearing proper clothing and sunscreen
with a protection factor (SPF) of at least 15. Heat stroke Get help
immediately. Place victim in a cool place, loosen tight clothing,
and apply ice packs to armpits, groin, neck and back. This can be
life-threatening. Signals of heatstroke include any of those for
heat exhaustion as well as hot, sweaty, red skin; confusion and
disorientation; and a rapid pulse. Heat exhaustion Get out of the
heat, drink plenty of water (no caffeine), take off extra clothing,
apply cool, wet cloths to skin, and fan the person. Heat and
dehydration can lead to heat exhaustion. Symptoms include pale,
clammy skin; nausea and headache; dizziness and fainting; muscle
cramps; and weakness or lack of energy.
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Hypothermia You do not have to be in frigid weather to develop
hypothermia. Anyone caught in a cool, windy rain shower without
proper gear may be at risk. A victim may feel cold, numb, fatigued,
irritable and increasingly clumsy. Also, watch for shivering,
slurred speech, poor judgment and unconsciousness. Get help
immediately. Monitor breathing, get them out of the cold and/or
wind, remove wet clothes, put on layers of warm clothing, wrap in
blankets, give person something to eat and something warm to drink.
Do not apply direct heat or rub the skin. Warm person slowly.
Dehydration Do not wait until you are thirsty before drinking.
Taking small sips of water frequently will keep your body hydrated.
Symptoms include feeling fatigued or confused, or developing a
headache, body aches or dizziness.
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Other hazards include muggles (drunk or stoned muggles, law
enforcement (rangers, police, security guards), and other animals
such as snakes, poisonous and not, bear, deer, elk, and wild dogs.
Know the area that you will be caching in, if possible, do some
research.
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Why should you never bury a cache. A GPS receiver will never
get you to the exact spot (ground zero). You dont want people
digging holes searching for a container. This could destroy fragile
environments and create ill will on the part of property owners. A
good rule of thumb should be: If a shovel, trowel or other pointy
object is used to dig, whether in order to hide or to find a cache,
then it is not appropriate. How to use proper geocaching etiquette
when hiding or seeking a cache, NOTE: This is a good time to pass
out The Geocachers Creed cards (www.geocreed.info). Practice Cache
In Trash Out (CITO) Follow Leave No Trace guidelines in the natural
environment Respect property rights and be careful of the area
around the cache Follow all laws and regulations Do not endanger
yourself or others Write an entry in the logbook at the cache Cache
items are there for fun and trade. Try to leave something of equal
value to what you take
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Respect other visitors around the area Consider that children
may find the cache so be appropriate Tell the cache owner if
maintenance is needed Move Travel Bugs quickly Do not damage the
cache Make sure the cache container closes securely to protect from
the weather Dont move a cache Obtain permission to copy an idea,
add to a series, or place a cache close by an existing cache and
how to properly hide, Research the location Where are you taking
them? Is the location remote (a long hike), recreational (familiar
place like parks and public areas), or routine (where people
routinely gather? Who else will be around? Many good cache
locations are also favorite spots for the homeless to hang out.
Consider likelihood of animals and poison plants.
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What are you taking them through? Will they travel through a
marsh or near a busy highway? Is there a trail or will they
bushwack? Are there steep drop-offs in the area? Its not about what
you find; its about getting there. What are they going to find? Is
there a great view, special significance to the location, or is
this just for fun? Will this be a physical (getting to the cache),
mental (multi-cache, mystery cache, well camouflaged cache) or
stealth (an easily accessible container but difficult to retrieve
and sign without being seen) challenge? When you have eliminated
the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the
truth. Sherlock Holmes. Prepare your cache (container and contents)
Type of container you use will depend upon the hiding location What
will the environment support? Is it secured from being dislodged or
damaged from the weather or animals? What other containers are
located in the area? You want to mix up the
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How much maintenance will be needed? Will a person look
suspicious while searching for the cache? Cache containers should:
Be watertight and readily identifiable as a geocache Contain a
logbook protected in a plastic bag Have trade items (when size
permits) but NO food items or dangerous items Include a note
explaining what the cache is (available from Geocaching.com Place
your cache Obtain the best coordinates (this may require several
visits to the site) Allow for accuracy, keeping in mind others will
be walking in the area post, In submitting the details of your
cache to Geocaching.com you will need to know the following: Cache
type (traditional, multi-cache, letterbox hybrid, event, CITO,
unknown, Earthcache or Wherigo) Size (micro, small, regular, large,
other) there is no option for a nano size cache Name of the cache
Identify who placed the cache (defaults to your user name) Date
placed Coordinates typically latitude and longitude in degrees and
decimal minutes (hddd mm.mmm) Difficulty and Terrain rating (1-5) a
guide is available on the cache listing page to assist you.
Remember if you are a new user the cache may seem more difficult
than it actually is. Short description (generally 500 characters or
less giving type
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DNF (Did Not Find) FTF (First To Find) Geohunt A game involving
geocaching to hunt for clues or caches. Muggle Someone who doesnt
know about the sport of geocaching. You want to be careful that
people dont see what you are doing, as they might just take the
cache. When someone has broken into a cache and ruined it, that is
called being muggled. Spoiler Information that gives away the
location of the find. SWAG Stuff We All Get refers to the toys and
other trade items in a cache. TFTC (Thanks for the Cache) or TNLN
(Took Nothing, Left Nothing) acronyms often written on cache logs.
Travel Bug An item that travels from cache location to cache
location with a trackable number written on a metal tag so you can
record on the Geocaching.com website where you picked it up and
where you dropped it off. Travel Bugs often have a mission getting
to a certain state, for example.
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Leave What You Find Preserve the past. Observe, but do not
touch, cultural or historic structures and artifacts Leave rocks,
plants and other natural objects for others to enjoy Practice the
lift, look, replace technique Never destroy any natural setting,
whether hiding or seeking a geocache A good clue can go a long way
to avoid damage to the wrong container 5. Minimize Campfire Impacts
Know fire regulations and guidelines. Not often relevant for
geocaching, but good to remember. This could be a factor if you
plan to cook while on a hiking trip. 6. Respect Wildlife Observe
wildlife from a distance Never feed wild animals Never leave food
of any kind in a cache; wildlife may find and destroy the cache and
items may harm animals Keep pets on a leash for their safety and
the safety of wild animals 7. Be Considerate of Other Visitors
Yield to others on the trail Use the same courtesy when geocaching
that you would show during any other Scout activity dont run, yell
or shout. Dont trespass Respect the rights and experiences of other
visitors; geocaching is only one of many outdoor recreational
activities
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LATITUDE Latitude (also called parallels) divides the Earth
horizontally in a north-south direction. The Equator is defined as
0 degrees. Lines of latitude are measured by their degrees north or
south of the Equator (up to 90 degrees at the North and South
Poles. LONGITUDE Longitude (also called meridians) divides the
Earth into segments with lines meeting at the North and South
Poles. These lines divide the Earth vertically in an east-west
position. The Prime Meridian, which runs through Greenwich,
England, has a value of 0 degrees. Lines of longitude are measured
by their degrees east or west of the Prime Meridian (up to 180
degrees in each direction).