The basics of Geocaching are to use a GPS to play hide and seek with containers hidden across the globe. This is truly an international sport, and is great for people who love the outdoors and treasure hunting.

History of Geocaching:

Geocaching started in 2000; after the Selective Availability on GPS systems was removed (do most of us even remember what we did before GPS, MapQuest?). Caching is similar to other older games played through the years, where landmarks and clues where given to players to help them find a treasure but Caching uses the technology to get to the point.

The first recorded Geocache was placed on the 3rd of May 2000 and was found twice by the 6th of May 2000, the spot now has a plaque dedicated to the first ever Cache placed and found.

What is in a Geocache:

According to tradition of Geocaching, the cache should be placed in a waterproof container; it must contain a logbook with a writing tool, and treasure/trading items. The treasures included in the cache, which is often called swag, are actually not worth much money and can be small toys, books and many other small items. Some Geocachers have signature items they leave behind, and some cachers even move swag from Geocache to Geocache and call them hitchhikers. These hitchhikers can be given goal destinations, so Geocachers can know whether to take them along on their next hunt.

When you place a Geocache, in order for it to be found, you need to log the coordinates and details of the location and post this information a listing sight where other Geocachers can find the details and hint for it.

You are allowed taking the swag from the Geocache, as long as you replace it! So buy some swag and a great GPS unit and get caching.

Some of the Geocache Types:

Virtual cache- these are coordinates given for a location and the Geocacher has to email the information found on the cache or take a picture with the cache in order for that person to be recognised as finding it.

Earthcashes – this cache is organised by the Geological Society of America, and Geocachers have to complete and educational lesson about the area the cache is found in.

Location less caches – this is when Geocachers are given a location to find but it is not a specific location in World. An example would be a log cabin with an outhouse, Caches then log there finds GPS co ordinates with a picture and nobody else can log this spot

Multi cache – cachers find multiple discoveries at either one location or a few different locations, and these usually contain coordinates to the next cache. These all lead to the final cache which would have the log book.

Travelling cache – this is a Geocache that once you find it, you then have to relocate the cache and you are now the hider of that cache.

Safety tip – be careful while Ceocaching out there, caches are often placed in remote places and hiking in the wilderness should be done as safely as possible. There have been a few deaths and accidents reported about people out Geocaching, so safety first.