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Technology: Getting Started With Geocaching
President Clinton announced the end of selective availability of the Global Positioning System(GPS) signals to the public on May 1, 2000, dramatically increasing the accuracy for anyone who could access a GPS locator. Just two days later, a GPS enthusiast, David Ulmer, posted online the latitude and longitude coordinates for a cache that he hid containing “treasures” and a log for other GPS enthusiasts to find—and the great outdoor treasure hunt called geocaching was born.
Today, according to the official geocaching website (www.geocaching.com), more than 911,380 active caches attract seekers around the world.
The official geocaching site provides the locations of registered caches, and loads of other information—from how to get started to the best features to look for in a GPS locator. The site is owned by Groundspeak, Inc., and its use is free if you sign up as a member.
Your Treasure Hunt Beings
So you’ve registered online, and now you’re ready. Download the coordinates. Take a drive or a hike, or both—but go. Do. Explore. Find the cache. Take the treasure. Replace the treasure. Make a log entry—add your information to the chronological history there of people that have already traipsed through bramble, crossed streams and fought mosquitoes to reach the cache’s location because, well, it’s fun. Be sure to take plenty of pictures along the way and when you make your big discovery, too.
Now go back to the geocaching online site. Add your favorite photo. Make friends. Joining this virtual community is like joining Facebook for hikers. Geocaching also contributes to our story-telling heritage, because geocache enthusiasts contribute their stories and photos on the website.
Handheld GPS locators can be purchased from as little as $60 to well over $1,000 with a wide variety of optional features. Some hybrids of SmartPhones and GPS locators are coming onto the market, too. Books on geocaching have proliferated, and recent publications for travel and outdoor sports often include at least a paragraph—if not an entire chapter—on the subject.
Variations of geocaching can add even more interest. Two common tokens, Geocoins and Travel Bugs are often moved from cache to cache. Travel Bugs are registered and tracked, providing an interesting, ongoing and unpredictable version of the 1990’s “Where’s Waldo?” Geocoins can also be tracked from one cache to another, or placed and retrieved as souvenirs. (Note: Promotional items are not eligible for NSBP grant funds under the OMB cost principles.)
While geocaching isn’t new, it is catching on in the byway world. States are getting involved, too. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has a Web page devoted to geocaching (www.dnr.state.mn.us/geocaching/index.html.) Another enterprising State, Nebraska, ran a geopicting contest, combining geocaching and photography to promote its scenic byways. Scenic byways are also starting to appreciate this sport and enjoy its benefits. The Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway in Minnesota held a daylong hunt in September. To encourage visitors along the Mississippi River and the Great River Road, the Mississippi River Parkway Commission held a geocaching event from July 1 to September 21. The Minnesota River Valley Scenic Byway and Washington State’s International Selkirk Loop area also promote geocaching. Private and community interests along many byway corridors now help promote the sport to draw travelers, too.
Find information on providing and maintaining caches on www.geocaching.com. Because of the popularity of this fun trend for outdoor travelers, byways will surely be discussing its benefits. For byways, after all, the visitors are part of the treasure!
