GeoCaching - my new hoot!

[Rocky Raab]

Any other geochachers here?

Well, it IS hunting of a sort.

I've just started geocaching with the GPS my family gave me for Christmas (a Magellan Meridian Color) and it is a hoot.

For those not in the know, geocaching is a treasure hunt using GPS receivers. You input the coordinates of a cache and then the GPS leads you to it. Caches are usually small boxes the size of ammo cans or smaller and they contian a logbook and various goodies. Once you find it, you enter your name and date, any comments and then you can take a goodie and/or leave one.

There are 97 computer pages of caches located near my home! I've been out and found five so far and gave up looking for one.

For more info go to the main geocaching WEBSITE (http://www.geocaching.com)

[jmarriott]

Yeap done it a couple of times.

Buddy does it all the time. He uses a metal detector for the final find and dig process also.

WE have the gps localtions of a couple in Indiana in lakes under water now also. So it seems to be spreading to divers also.

One as a small altoids box sealed in plastic zipper bag.

Most are off the main trails in hoosier national forest, Some are really deep inside.

[captain2k_ca]

Been doing it for a couple years now Rocky, it is a blast, and the best part is that I can take my daughter with me and teach her a bit about the outdoors!!

[Rocky Raab]

Know what you mean. I found one yesterday called "Just For the Girls" and it was created to make the game exciting for girls. It had a lot of play makeup, jewelry and the like inside.

What a great idea.

There's a one nearby that's got a Hot Wheels theme - and another with a "hunter orange" theme. Most of the ones here are stored in ammo cans wedged under boulders, so there's lots of room inside.

There are also Minis, micros and nanos - all in decreasing size. Some of the nanos are as small as a medicine capsule! Boogers to find!

[captain2k_ca]

I just found a multi-cache. The first part was a magnetic keyholder attached to a train trestle bridge!!

And at first my GPS was 50 meteres off!! Lookin for a needle in a haystack!!

[Tater]

There are 92 pages (1831 caches) within 100 miles of Mtn Home. I'd looked into it a while back but never got out. My SAR team leader said it's a good way to stay in practice with GPS and map/compass so I think I may give it a shot. At the very least I can get out and get some exercise.

[captain2k_ca]

Its a real good way to get outdoors and have fun :)

I recommend it to anybody ;)

[TreeDoc]

I've been meaning to get started with that. I was first exposed about a year ago when I was supervising my crew on a tree pruning job in a tiny little city park under the canopy of 2 huge trees. When I was scrutinizing the detail of their clean-up, I happened across a strange container hidden in a bush along the right of way to the freeway that ran within yards of the park. I opened it up and found all kinds of little trinkets and even a few bucks! There was a note inside that people had signed and left messages on so I went on that site and found the info on the cache.

I think that would be cool to do, I'm glad you mentioned it and reminded me of it.

[toxic111]

Its a fun hobby, takes me to new places around home that I would not have thought of.

Quite often I will look for caches when I go on a road trip, jsut something to look for while away for the weekend.

[Tater]

Which GPS, up to $200, would you recommend? I was looking at the Garmin GPS 60. I've heard good things about Garmin and I want a new GPS before I start heading out too far. Thanks for the input.

[toxic111]

I am using a Garmin Etrex Legend. it only has 8mb of memory, but I am able to load in maps into it, plus it works with google earth.

I don't think you could go wrong with any of the Garmin units.. I've been really happy with mine.

[captain2k_ca]

I have gots a Garmin GPS 76 and it werks jest fine and dandy :D

Only once have I been a FTF.

[Mil Dot]

Rocky,
You're right. This is entertaining, the first cache I located was when I traveled to Minnesota last week at a wayside rest area near my home town. Picked up a travel bug and brought it back to Colorado to rack up a few miles for it. Placed it in the second found and am busy figuring out the next one. this will get you familiar with a gps unit.

MD

[Aderpodick]

Edited due to inappropriate content

[Catfish]

Rocky,
Knowing you, and the cache being just for girls, I`ll bet you left your pphone number didn`t you. :D But now that I let the cat out of the bag the rest of the guys here will be leaveing their`s too, so all you guy forget you read this, Rocky doesn`t need anymore compatition. ;)

[Lilred]

Aint never heared tell of such a thing but I looked at the website....and it seems t be alot of fun. Seems like the kids would really love it. Thanks Rocky, I now have a gift fer my boy fer Christmas. I have been debatin on what to git him fer a month now. He would love doin that....he's like his mama..he hates sittin in the house.

I looked up my county and there was 579 things out there...and alot of em to do with civil war stuff. I reckon the titles they got up there are clues so to speak? I seen alot of things bein called names that only locals would know the answer to...and the difficulty ratin up there.
I'll have to boogey round that site and learn a lil more bout what in the tarnation yer suposed to do.

[Gunslingergirl]

This sounds like something that would be really fun to do.

My question is this: Do I need a really expensive GPS unit? I'm thinking this is something I would really like to do, but I don't want to spend a lot of money on a GPS until I know for sure.

Also, what's a good GPS unit. I've seen the name Garmin a lot in reply to this question, even earlier on this thread in fact. Are they the best manufacturer?

I'm getting excited. I'm thinking this could be really fun.

GSG

[TreeDoc]

No you don't. The GPS Receiver capabilities are pretty much the same on the inexpensive units as they are on the more expensive units. The money comes in to play when you start adding features like Base Maps, Cartography, Auto-routing, etc.

Garmin is one of the more popular manufacturers but they are also one of the top leaders in advanced GPS Technology. Garmin is nearly a stand-alone name in the aviation community where we use both their handhelds as well as the panel mount units. A lot of the technology comes from the aviation industry.

You can buy a Garmin eTrex at Wal Mart for about $100 + or - and it would be totally capable for use in Geocaching.

[Gunslingergirl]

Thanks TreeDoc.

I took a look at the geocache web site and there are a lot of caches in my area. I'm definitely going to have to try this. It sounds like fun.

GSG

[hunter1993]

UGLY GAL

[hunter1993]

IS THAT REAL

[TreeDoc]

Originally posted by hunter1993
IS THAT REAL

Originally posted by hunter1993
UGLY GAL

Huh???

Explain......

[Rocky Raab]

TD, what we had there was another wise azz who just wanted to up his "minimum mandatory post count" before he'd be allowed to post some scam sales item in Swap & Shop.

Because we have a minimum post count before they can list anything in S&S, they simply make idiotic off-topic posts in several forums and think they've fooled us.

Wrong.

[Rocky Raab]

So, back on topic...

Anybody tried geocaching since I started this thread? Lilred?

[Tater]

Took the boys out a few weeks back and found this one

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i203/ammotater/IMGP1082.jpg

[captain2k_ca]

Lots of new caches in my area, just havent had the time to go lookin for em.......

Started reloading, so that has been gobbling up quite a bit of my time as well!!

Then the factoid that I am only home on weekends, and my wife has been working weekends.....so I am at home with the kidlets, and the weather hasnt been good enought to take little ones.....ah well, summer is coming and I should be able to log a few!!!

[toxic111]

Once the snow is gone, and the mud dried up I know we will be out looking again...

[Gunslingergirl]

My plan is the same as toxic111's. Once the snow goes and it gets a bit drier I plan to go out and do some looking. Still have to buy a GPS unit too.

GSG

[skeeter@ccia.com]

Yes Rocky. quite a few in the neighborhood too....lots of fun...GSG, since I lost track back in Christmas and what you were wanting to get your father, what did you decide on anyhow if I might ask?.....A GPS unit would have been a nice idea. Even on your list to Santa. They just had a nice article in our local paper on the geo thing.

[Gunslingergirl]

Skeeter,

I'm sitting here thinking, "What did I get Dad for Christmas?" So much has happened since then, I'm not sure I remember.

I think I ended up getting him books. He does a lot more reading in the wintertime. I'm still a bit wary of buying him hunting equipment because he is so particular. I have stored up all the suggestions though and will keep them in mind for next Christmas.

GSG

[GoodOlBoy]

OK this looks like a brand new hobby to try. I thought yea sounds like fun but whats the chances of ME finding somebody who has actually done this?

There are 2425 listing within 100 miles of me.

Time to look at GPSs (Besides the one in my laptop)

GoodOlBoy

[skeeter@ccia.com]

Just for fun on a rainy day I play with google earth and the ords given on a cach site....something to do.

[saskshooter]

went out for the first time today and found twohad a good time took the wife and 5 year old with they thought it was preety cool

[Tater]

You can download all the cache coordinates from geocaching.com and view them anytime you want.