Geocaching

• The main website

  • On the homepage you can put in a postal code, city, etc. and find nearby caches. Once the results list comes up you can select “map these geocaches” at the top right. This shows you the multitude of caches in your chosen area. (see figures on right)

  • Click on a cache you are interested in and then click on its name. At this point if you want to be able to get the coordinates and find the cache you have to be a member.

  • You can register quite easily and then you’ll be able to see the coordinates.

  • But before you rush out to find the cache, read the logs on the caches page (found under the coordinates, just scroll down). This will give you an idea of whether the cache is findable or not (sometimes they get vandalized or disappear or whatever). The logs have dates on them so you can see if someone has recently found it or if most recent tries have been failures. Also on the caches page under the cache name are three ratings of the cache – difficulty (how hard it is to find), terrain (how tough it is to get to it) and size (micro is like a film canister or matchbox size for example, small is like a sandwich Tupperware and large is usually shoebox size).

  • Once you’ve found one that interests you and seems active, you need some kind of GPS unit or the app for your phone (phone app).

  • I used my car GPS when I first started and then started using the app, now we’ve upgraded to be premium members (you can sign up for this on the geocaching.com website for a fee).

  • Either put the coordinates into your GPS or select start for the cache on your phone and away you go. Basically you drive to the area using maps/car GPS and then walk when necessary using whatever device you’ve chosen. (Note: don’t forget to charge your batteries!).

  • When your device says you’ve gotten to the spot, you have about a 10m diameter circle to search (depending on the accuracy of your GPS unit) – now it’s time to use your best detective skills. Most caches are in some kind of Tupperware or other container and then wrapped in camouflage tape for concealment. They can be on the ground or elevated in some way (hanging in a tree).

  • Once you've found it, sign the log book/sheet. Some have tradeables (the rule is you are supposed to leave something of equal value if you take anything), others just have logs (often the micro ones just have logs). If you are lucky, there might even be a trackable that you can make a trade for!

  • Trackables are special geocaching tradeables that are being "watched" by their owners on the geocaching website. These trinkets want to travel from cache to cache, racking up the miles. If you take one, try to move it on to another cache ASAP.

  • Don't forget to log your find and leave a note for the cache owner on the app/website when you get a chance - we love to watch our caches get found!

  • DID YOU KNOW? Geocaching is more about the travel than the cache. It’s about being out and about and finding new interesting places to visit – the cache just adds a new dimension to hiking, walking, etc.

Figure 1: Geocaches around Toronto