There are 2,739,732 active geocaches around the world, just waiting to be discovered by one of the six million registered geocachers (“Get the Free Official Geocaching app and Join the World”). Geocaching, as defined later, is a popular hobby with much to offer. Besides obvious amusement during the moment, geocaching helps people build relationships with current friends and meet new ones. Advantages of the pursuit range from health benefits to survival knowledge. Despite the fact that there is no concrete reward for geocaching, the activity is a phenomenal investment of time.
Most often, the objective of geocaching is to uncover a hidden object and a have marvelous time. A geocache is an object that is hidden for others to chase after. To begin, one must download the official geocaching application to view possible finds, or caches (the shortened version of geocache is cache, used often since it is easier to say). After selecting a specific one to search for, the searchers scavenge for the geocache until they reach the treasure. After logging their name and the date on the paper inside the geocache itself, the adventurers must replace it as it was found.
But before this, it is important to understand some of the terminology associated with the engagement. Prior to partaking in the fascinating endeavor of geocaching, interested individuals need proper edification on the subject. On the official geocaching website, there is a glossary containing ninety-four words. Several of them are common knowledge, for instance, latitude, longitude, and coordinates. The rest are considerably more complex; the list even includes special acronyms, but they are not all imperative to the understanding of basic geocaching.
Only those that are relevant are included in the following. First off, Geocaching is a real-world, outdoor treasure hunting game using GPS-enabled devices (“Getting Started With Geocaching”). This leads to the definition of a geocache, which is an official container hidden with at least a logbook (see logbook below) inside. Consequently, a cacher is short for geocacher, one who geocaches. As mentioned, a log or a logbook is either a physical or virtual record of everyone who has found the geocache. As players record caches on the app, their find count increases, which is the number of caches they have found.
On rare occasion, a cache may need repairs, or be temporarily inaccessible because of construction, weather, hunting, or any other peculiar reason. In this case, it will be labeled online as disabled. Disabled caches are marked like this to signal that they are inactive for the time being. Therefore, no one will go looking for a missing cache. When out geocaching, there are almost always people nearby who do not geocache. These are muggles, and they tend to be very judgemental and lifeless. It is best to avoid them altogether.
Now that the basic geocaching vocabulary has been established, some of the acronyms posted online will be acknowledged. In order to preserve time and effort for more geocaching, loggers frequently condense phrases. For example, BYOP is used by members who have placed caches to inform hunters to Bring Your Own Pen/Pencil because they did not enclose one. This is common, on account that most caches are quite petite. Another abbreviation used by the placer is TOTT, standing for Tools Of The Trade. This signifies the cacher to bring some of the standard tools to cache, usually referring to tweezers or a pencil.
Wise geocachers always bring their handy tools on a trip, just in case. P&G or P/G is used on both the concealing and the discovering end of the operation. It represents a quick cache with a place to park, hence, a Park and Grab. In addition, both parties can have SWAG. Of course, all geocachers have confidence, but this is not the kind of SWAG they are referencing when they include it in their comments. It tells the caching community that there is Stuff We All Get, implying that there are minute trinkets in the container for trade. Accordingly, collectors can leave their mark and gain a novelty for themselves.
In some instances, the creator of a cache will leave some sort of gift in the container for the FTF, or the First (person) To Find, namely money (Majewski “Arizona Centennial Legacy Projects”). This provides even more incentive to search for the prize, since generous players could hide a one hundred dollar bill in their cache. FTF’s usually gloat that they are the FTF online, basically disclosing that they have no lives and geocaching is their one true passion. In the event that a cacher does not unmask the hidden object, one registers it as DNF, alias Did Not Find. In effect, the hider is notified that someone DNF it.
Those seeking the same cache may also view this information and consider avoiding this location in case they do not come across it, either. If enough people list DNF for one cache, then the creator of the cache should scope out the landscape to ensure that it is still in the accurate position. It is a somber realization when one charts a DNF, just to discern that someone else found it later that day. Finally, TFTH or TFTC suggests, Thanks For The Hide/Cache, expressing gratitude towards the creator for a clever hide (“Glossary of Terms”). Understanding the lingo behind the act is the only way to successfully find a cache.
Learning about geocaching is worth the time; the return on investment compensates for each minute devoted to it. Before getting too involved, it is necessary to install the official geocaching application. Without it, there is no direction relating to the beginning point since all options are shown through the virtual aid. After this, one must make an account so geocaches are available. Next, it is recommended to acquire a geocaching buddy. It is easier with more than one set of eyes, not to mention much more enjoyable. Plus, it is a great way to bond with almost anyone and expand the relationship.
Nothing brings folks together like geocaching does. Then, an intelligible cacher will be prepared by gathering any TOTT that would be useful along the journey because it is frustrating to get to a cache and learn that its retrieval requires tweezers, or it does not contain a pencil. This is also why it is critical to BYOP. With a friend, or alone, if that is preferred, it is possible to choose a geocache or a few to try to track down. There needs to be some sort of organization for the outing. If the excursion is meant for wandering, then this step can be skipped, but it is more convenient to have plan.
Following this, one must put in thought regarding a mode of transport. Depending on where the cache is located, the cacher must determine logical means to proceed to the destination. Biking or walking to a geocache serves as a functional form of transportation, but the cache in mind must be close enough to reach via bike or foot. Some caches are found on mountains. In these circumstances, hiking is unavoidable, though it is a tremendous form of a workout on a warm afternoon of geocaching (Henderson, “Hiking”). If the cache is a distant one, or the cachers plan to find an ample amount of them, then driving is the most reasonable selection.
Once these steps have been taken, it is time to start the ebullience. Now that the planning is complete, it is time to get out into the geocaching community and commence the valuable expedition. The first step in revealing a cache is to track it and get to its general vicinity. The cachers need to advance close enough to it, otherwise they will not be able to unearth it. Tracking a cache and exploring the surrounding environment gives those who geocache a better awareness of the region or neighborhood as well as directions. New places for activities can even be found, specifically restaurants, parks, or entertainment centers.
Along with that, it provides a better understanding of how to use GPS, cardinal directions, and coordinates (Durkee, “2013 LSTA Snapshot”). Once the device beeps (whether a phone or GPS), the geocache is close. Now, a cacher should start inspecting nearby elements like rocks or trees, getting as close to the suspected item as possible. When it is within proximity, it is essential to start rummaging around the space to uncover the cache since it will not be in plain sight. At this point on rare occasions, strange creatures may be observed that are elseways hidden from civilization.
This is just another unknown perk that cachers take pride in. Muggles do not see road runners or coyotes on their average day, but geocachers may. Anyway, spotting the geocache itself is not always an easy feat. Sometimes it takes a while to detect the cache, if one can even locate it at all; nevertheless, on most occasions, the cacher will stumble upon the hide in a matter of minutes. This is because geocaching is not meant to be extremely difficult. Once the geocache is found, cachers can sign the log in the cache and log the success on the app. Finding a geocache is an enormous self victory. It boosts confidence and one’s sense of pride.
Furthermore, since progress is kept on the app, people can look back at all the geocaching they have done. Depending on if there is any SWAG in the container, cachers can take an item from the depository and replace it with another small trinket. There is something to gain and to give, although, this step is optional. Lastly and perhaps the most important step, it is vital that cachers put the geocache back exactly as they encountered it so fellow wayfarers can share the experience. Once one geocache is tracked down, cachers can repeat the process to cache as many as they would like (or can before exhausting themselves).