Geocaching: A Midwest primer
High-tech hide-and-seek gaining popularity
by Kip Ladage I'll admit it. I am willing to try just about anything once – except maybe jumping out of a perfectly good airplane. But when I first heard of the geocaching craze that is attracting grown adults into the woods to look for 50 cent trinkets, I was
doubtful. 
| Geocaching makes use of GPS technology. Photos by Kip Ladage |
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What could be the attraction to wandering around in the woods looking for junk? Why should I waste time looking for a "treasure" when I could be off fishing, running or doing anything else? The idea just didn't make sense to me. Then I gave it a try. Now I'm hooked and search for caches just about anytime I'm traveling.
Just what is geocaching? Defined simply, geocaching is a high-tech treasure hunt for low-tech rewards (if you count only the value of the prizes). Geocaching's greatest value is the outdoor experiences gained by hiking trails, exploring parks, paddling water trails and exploring other parts of the natural world. Since no definite rules exist for the process of geocaching, I'll explain the method I've used with great success.
Equipment
Before you begin geocaching, there is one piece of equipment that is vitally necessary: a GPS unit. With an inexpensive model or one loaded with all of the bells and whistles, a GPS unit is about all you need to go geocaching. For those considering the purchase of a GPS, look for units with the following features:
• "WAAS enabled," which incorporates another radio signal to provide additional accuracy.
• Ample waypoint storage to allow users to "save" numerous data points (locations) in their GPS units. A waypoint storage capacity of 500 waypoints is common in most models; higher priced models offer even more.
• Ease of data entry to minimize some of the frustration of manually entering waypoints into the GPS.
• PC connectability that offers an easy option for storing and editing your GPS information. You can dump
your GPS data onto your computer or upload information from your computer's hard drive to the GPS.
As daunting and technological as this list may appear, I think you will find that all but the most entry-level GPS models have the features suggested. Cache locations
| A hollow tree is a good hiding spot for a geocache. "Geocaching.com," the online HQ for the global geocaching community, is printed on the case of this cache. |
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Your next step is to acquire geocache coordinates. With the frequent addition of new caches, the best method for finding updated cache information is on the Internet. Of the many geocaching websites available for cache information, without a doubt one site stands out above all others. Geocaching.com provides everything from coordinates to a very simple user interface that allows you to track the caches you have found or hidden. Geocaching.com has made the process so easy that even the least computer savvy person should have no trouble gathering cache information. Begin by creating a personal account. This is free and necessary to personalize the geocaching.com experience. After creating your account, enter your ZIP code or the ZIP code of your travel destination. In a matter of seconds a list of nearby caches will pop up.
Browse the list to find a nearby cache. I started with a cache hidden in a forested public area only three miles down the road from my home. Just because the caches are close doesn't necessarily mean they will be easier or more difficult to find. 
| Specially made geocoins can be found in some caches. |
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Choose your first cache by clicking on its name to open a page filled with
details about the cache. You'll see the specific coordinates provided in standard latitude/longitude and UTM formats. I prefer UTM since I don't have to worry about converting to any lat/lon format. (Hint: Be sure your GPS is set to WGS84 datum if you are using www.geocaching.com!)
Scroll down the page and you'll also see a brief description of the cache. Some cache pages also have an encrypted message that provides
additional clues to where the cache is hidden. You can challenge yourself to decipher the coded message, or just push "Decipher" to read the clue. You are now at the most challenging part of geocaching: entering the data in your GPS. To date, every GPS unit I have tried to enter data into has been challenging. Scrolling through the alphabet one letter at a time is
clumsy, so if you can enter the data using a computer, do so. Carefully enter the coordinates for your selected cache and save them in the GPS with either the code name provided on geocaching.com or a name you've chosen. Do remember the name of the cache!
The hunt
Finally, it's time for the geocaching field work. Before heading out the door, grab an inexpensive "treasure" with which you are comfortable parting. You'll need it once you find the treasure. Walk, run, bike, paddle,
ski or drive to the access area where your chosen cache is hidden.
For readers who are unfamiliar with their selected area, create a waypoint of your vehicle's location so you won't get lost. Now locate the coordinates of the cache on your GPS and press "Go To" (or whatever your GPS requires).
Ordinary logic would make you believe this "seeking" part of a high-tech game of hide-and-seek is easy.
But streams, fallen trees and other obstacles may prevent you from walking a straight line from your vehicle directly to the cache. I've had to climb rock piles in quarries, skirt countless tree falls and rock hop across streams to reach the general area of a hidden cache.
Once your GPS unit indicates you've reached the location of the cache, you will need to become an outdoor detective. Look high, look low, look under and look inside. Somewhere in the general vicinity is the
cache you're searching for.
I've hidden a cache in the center of a standing tree trunk and blocked the view with a removable section of the tree. Another favorite has to be the cache hidden behind a rock in a hollow pocket in a limestone quarry. Cache containers can be anything from Tupperware or Army ammo boxes to PVC pipe or 35mm film canisters. Don't be surprised if the container is covered in camo tape or painted to match the surroundings.
According to accepted cache guidelines, the caches can be hidden anywhere that doesn't require digging. Common sense dictates geocachers should "leave no trace" for fellow geocachers or the natural environment.
Carefully study the hiding technique before removing a cache. Now open the cache and locate the logbook. Record brief notes about your find and any information you may wish to share regarding your particular
experience. Take the treasure from inside and replace it with the treasure you brought along.
I prefer to leave Hot Wheels cars in the caches I find. I know of at least one cache where you take a book and leave a book. Just about any treasure is acceptable as long as it is family safe.
Watch for items with special tags known as travel bugs. These treasures are specially tracked on geocaching.com as they travel from location to location.
After you've read the journal, made your entry and swapped treasures, reassemble the cache and return it to its hiding location just as you found it.
Finally, when you have returned to civilization with Internet access, logon to geocaching.com and to the specific cache you just located. Enter your "find information" on the "Log Your Visit" section of the site. Geocaching.com conveniently creates a log record of your finds and any caches you may choose to hide as
you become more involved in geocaching.
Geocaching is essentially a childhood game for grown-ups, the growing popularity of which is remarkable. Probably the best part of geocaching is the excuse it offers to hike another trail or paddle another river in search of a hidden treasure we know is somewhere along the way.
Kip Ladage (geocache name: krlkml) lives in Tripoli, Iowa. When not geocaching, he can be found photographing wildlife or paddling his kayak. A GEOCACHING GLOSSARY
Cache – A hidden collection of treasure. Usually the contents of a cache are inexpensive trinkets. However, higher-quality items are welcome, as are books and coins.
Geocoin – Special coins created and left in caches by dedicated geocachers.
GPS – A tool that employs the global positioning system to receive multiple satellite signals and calculate location and altitude.
Muggles – Ordinary and unaware people found in the vicinity of a hidden cache. Muggles – a term borrowed from the popular Harry Potter books – do not go looking for caches but may inadvertently find one.
Routes – Step-by-step directions from one waypoint to another.
Waypoints – Exact locations on the earth as determined by GPS. GPS can record a location waypoint or guide users to previously determined waypoints.
Tracks – Where you have been as measured and logged by GPS.
Travel Bug – Cache items with unique numbers that allow for tracking from one cache to another. Most travel bugs are tracked on www.geocaching.com.
TNLNSL – An Internet geocache acronym for "Took Nothing, Left Nothing, Signed Logbook." This acronym is usually used when logging a find on geocaching.com.
WAAS – Wide Area Augmentation System, an added electronic signal used by the GPS to provide additional location accuracy.
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