Geocaching (with c:geo app)

With the release of geocaching apps on android and iphone, geocaching has become accessible for the average person. Ownership of offline GPS devices is no longer the primary limitation to participating in this hobby. GPS and map download for offline use is built into nearly every smart phone on the market, giving anyone the basic tools to participate in this game.

The apps also allow for easy interaction between hiders and seekers compared to traditional GPS coordinate caching of old. Commenters can write updates and recommendations on the state of a cache in real time. Dangers and challenges can be clearly indicated. Spoilers are offered for those who are having trouble locating the cache, so explorers can choose their own challenge level. The community makes all the difference.

What is geocaching?

Geocaching is the act of hiding or finding a container in an outdoor natural or urban setting filled with at least a slip of paper for recording the find. In essence, it is treasure hunting with a few stipulations.

The Treasures

This sort of treasure hunt is more about the satisfaction of locating the cleverly hidden packages than about any financial gain. However, kids love the treasure exchange. Hiders place small items typically worth up to a dollar each (averaging about a quarter, in my estimate based on our hundred or so finds) in small, normal, and traditional sized cache containers. Note: Micros will only hold a rolled log.

Teams should replace any item taken with another of their own. The point to this is best summarized by the phrase "One man's trash is another man's treasure." Items new to you might be more valuable as a keepsake than what you brought with you.

I keep an assortment of little stickers, shells, buttons, pins, etc. on hand for these random exchanges. My son loves marking our find with a reward, some new toy he's never seen before. There are so many little items he gets bored with around the house that we always have options to add to our geocache stash.

Our ready to trade geocache stash of knickknacks, foreign coins (duplicates from my personal collection), and sealed stickers.

If the geocache container isn't watertight, add an item that won't rush or degrade from the temperature changes and moisture. Keep stickers in sealable baggies.

For each item we take, we put one of these items (not whole bag) in to replace it.

Honestly, not everyone abides by the treasure exchange honor code. We found empty containers with naught but the log. When that happens we kindly note on the app to replenish treasures for new exchanges. Some explorers are kind enough to add a couple extras for future finders. The original stashers may maintain the cache and be able to provide upkeep on the container, ensuring it's in its proper place, isn't damaged, containers log, treasures, and utensil, and is secure against the elements. 

On the rare occasion, we find a veritable treasure trove toy box of choices in a large cache.

Cache of toys found in our local town on side of road near fence and beneath a tree. 

Best selection we've come across.

The treasure exchange makes the adventure memorable for kids. Because of this, I only search for small caches and up, never micro. We want the discovery of items included from past explorers and the representative items from their different walks of life. What they had on hand is always a curious discovery. Like a game of empty your pockets.

The Rules for Searching

Explorers use their built-in GPS compass, map, and hints to locate a target cache on the app. There may also be spoiler images, and clues in the comments section to help the lost wayfinder.

When a cache is found, the exploration team can sign the log, identify that the cache was found or not on the app, take one enclosed item (not the log, obviously), and replace the taken item one for one with another token item. Then, the cache should be replaced in the location it was found, exactly as it was found. If a rock was holding it down, replace the rock. If it was camouflaged in some branches, put it back on the branches.

Muggles, as they are endearingly referred to as, are bystanders not aware of the cache hidden in the area. If they notice a registered geocache team or individual find it, they may steal it or remove it. Cache hiders must be careful to hide containers out of immediate view in an area publicly accessible.

Some caches are on private land, but are provided by the land owners themselves. Make sure to check any notes, details, or comments about the cache before traipsing through unknown territory.

Difficulty Levels

One cache we heard about was hidden in a wide drain pipe under a bridge, accessible only pulling a rope to retrieve the floating boat out of the darkness. We've also passed caches at the bottom of water bodies, requiring scuba gear to retrieve. There are caches of all types of difficulty.

Example screen provided by c:geo website.

c:geo android app details explained HERE

The icons in the middle of the screen (above picture) denote any challenges or limitations to accessing the cache. Take note of the Difficulty and Terrain ratings. Kids can manage 1 and 2 star ratings fairly easy. Five star ratings require special gear or distance or any number of factors which make it inaccessible for everyone.

If you require wheelchair access, parking nearby, or want to take your dog along, this set of icons can help you pick and choose which caches to try for. A full list of c:geo icons and meanings can be found HERE.

There is a helicopter icon which means flight required "Aircraft needed"!! That's how crazy it can get, though I've never seen that one anywhere in the three states I've geocached.

Watch for notes of bramble and poison ivy. 

Containers

The best containers are those with secure lids. Old army boxes, snap shut tupperware, screw close caps wrapped in duct tape, even specialized geocache camouflage containers have been used. Our favorite find was a false log hidden beside another log. It blended so well it took us a half hour of scouring around the same section before realizing the cache box was made to look like a log.

Hollow log cut to fit geocache container. Click on picture for source.

Overview

This app is so widely used, there is no highway, public area, or accessible wilderness off limits for a cache. Though in some remote areas there isn't anyone to start a cache, I've found them in places I didn't think there'd be any.

Snapshot of West Coast US in c:geo app. Each orange bubble is a cache, and each double question mark indicates multiple caches in that area, better identified once zoomed in.

If you're looking for a fun adventure with your kid without needing to pay much more than the cost of petrol, geocaching is the way to go.