As an outdoor enthusiast you know how to get out there and have fun. Hikers, you have your switchback-filled trails. Standup paddle boarders, you have your shimmering bodies of water. But there is another group that can claim the entire outdoors as their playground. Geocachers are about to leap into the spotlight.
Hide n Seek
Geocaching can be thought of as outdoor hide n’ seek. Using a GPS system, geocaches (caches for short) can be found by typing in a set of given coordinates.
A cache is a container holding a sheet of paper or a logbook and possibly an item of some sort. If you find a cache with an item in it, the general idea is to take the item as your own, and put something else back in. But that’s the easy part. Finding a cache is where the game is.
Caches are rated on a 5-point system in two different categories of skill and terrain. A small cache under a lone tree in a public park could be considered a 1/1 rated cache. The tougher a cache is to find, and the rougher the terrain is to reach it, the higher the rating. An example of a 5/5 cache would be a container at the top of Half Dome containing a log sheet and a free locking carabineer. Get it?
CacheStock
Caches can be found in every type of location imaginable. That’s why there are so many. Any moment now, the amount of caches in the world will total 2 million, according to GeekWire’s calculations.
There are plenty of travel details for the event. But, keep this in mind. As geocaching requires some serious travel, you’re going to want a reliable car. You’ll definitely want to get in contact with your auto insurance company to get the best deal on covering your geocaching vehicle. Some caches are way off the beaten path and may require some off-roading.
CacheTripping
The same goes for finding caches in any state. Caches are located all along the Appalachian Trail with thousands to be found in places like Maine and on Blood Mountain, Ga. Geocaching can also be done on many of the classic American road trips. If you thought driving Route 66 was fun before, wait until you check out the cache called “Hydro Flute: The Lady or The Tiger” in Barstow, Calif. Further along the Route is “Full Metal Yucca” in New Mexico.
Remember, geocaching is an adventure game. Some of the caches can be tough to get to and have an impact on your vehicle. Check with the professionals first.
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