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How to Go Geocaching. Geocaching is an increasingly popular, inclusive, fun and healthy pastime for individuals of all ages. It is also great for groups like families, friends, classes and youth groups working as teams. The sport combines...

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If you are planning a camping trip, one thing you might want to put on your itinerary is a geocaching adventure. Geocaching is a fun activity that the whole family will enjoy. Geocaching is an outdoor treasure hunt in which you use global positioning system (GPS) coordinates to hide and seek containers called geocaches anywhere in the world. Still need a better idea of what geocaching is all about? You must be a muggle - someone who doesn't geocache or even know what it is. We also suggest you take a look at these geocaching apps to help get you started.

Not to worry. Here's a list of geocaching terminology that can help you become more familiar with it and get you on your way to finding caches.

Cache machine - A group of cachers formed to work together to find a large number of caches quickly.

TLNL - Took Nothing, Left Nothing. While caching, you have the option to leave the cache as it was found or take what you find and leave something of equal or greater value for the next cacher to discover.

DNF - Did Not Find cache.

FTF - First To Find a cache after it has been placed somewhere.

Power Trail - A path with a large number of easy caches placed every tenth of a mile.

Travel bug - An item that travels from cache to cache, which has a unique tracking number assigned by geocaching.com.

Geocoin - Very similar to a travel bug, a geocoin is able to be tracked. It can be placed in a geocache and then travel to another geocache with stories along the way.

UPS -Unnatural Pile of Sticks, which is a common sign of cache hidden underneath.

Podcache - A puzzle or cache that uses spoken auditory clues that you listen to on-site through a portable MP3 player.

Muggled - A geocache that has been vandalized or stolen.

BYOP - Bring Your Own Pen/Pencil. Sometimes you will need to use a physical sheet of paper if you want to sign the cache logbook.

CITO - Cache In, Trash Out. This has been an ongoing environmental initiative by geocaching.com since 2002 to help clean up parks and anywhere else you may find caches.

D/T - Difficulty/Terrain. Difficulty is the mental challenge of finding a cache, and terrain describes the physical environment. A 1/1 cache would be the easiest to find and a 5/5 would be the most difficult.

GC Code - A code that is unique to every cache listing. It always starts with GC and ends with other letters or numbers.

Ground Zero (GZ) - This is the location where your GPS device shows you have reached your cache destination. It means you are within zero feet or meters from the location of the cache.

Mega-event cache - An event attended by over 500 people that is essentially a day of planned activities related to finding geocaches.

Multi-cache - This is when there are geocaches in multiple locations. Your GPS will take you to the coordinates of the first cache, and once you find it, will take you to the location of the next cache after that.

Spoilers - Sometimes the worst part of geocaching, a spoiler is someone telling you the exact location and details of a geocache to help you find it. This is the worst, because it ruins all the fun of finding the geocache on your adventure!

So what did we miss? Let us know in the comments!

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Geocaching Terminology & Glossary | Campmor's Outdoor Blog

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If you are planning a camping trip, one thing you might want to put on your itinerary is a geocaching adventure. Geocaching is a fun activity that the whole family will enjoy. Geocaching is an outdoor treasure hunt in which you use global positioning system (GPS) coordinates to hide and seek containers called geocaches anywhere in the world.

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Increasingly, organizations are looking for programmes that could bring out values of Innovation and Dynamism. With the use of sophisticated equipment like handheld Global Positioning System (GPS) devices and objective-based caches, The Geocaching Challenge! makes a fun and engaging experience and addresses key values effectively.

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I started geocaching in May of 2010. Since that time, I've logged finds in five countries on four continents and in 32 of the 50 states. As you geocache, you start to look for common themes between containers ( bison tubes, 35mm film canisters, magnetic key holders) and hiding spots (inside the top of fence posts, hanging from branches, and under lamp post skirts).

Perhaps my favorite new twist to the game has been the ability to filter my search by "favorite point," meaning I actively seek out the most popular geocache containers as determined by members of the geocaching community. Searching by favorite points has really allowed me to key in to the "best" hiding spots, containers, or significant/notable historical or geological attribute.

At some point, I created a file on my computer called "Cool Geocaching Containers" as a place to store photographs of geocaches I felt went above and beyond the standard "lock and lock" hidden in in a tree stump. In no particular order, here are a few of my favorites.

1. Here we have the PVC pipe to nowhere. Believe it or not, we walked by this one about 47 times before realizing we could pull the entire contraption off the side of the wall.

2. Next up is the cache inside the log. This one stood out in that it was obviously "out of place," but this one can throw you for a loop if hidden inside a larger stack of firewood.

3. Number three was mounted inside this deactivated fire alarm. Accessing the log book required the strength of a NFL football player, but I channeled my inner Clay Matthews and got the job done.

4. Accessing this cache involved winding the "bucket" up from small lawn ornament wishing well. The container was surprisingly deep-as a PSA, remember to call before you dig!

5. Camo phone anyone? I know I always like to take mine out deer hunting in the fall.

6. This woodpecker was cleverly pecking on a fence outside a Wild Bird's Unlimited store. We pulled the pill bottle slightly out of the cavity to demonstrate how/where the log can be stored (no woodpeckers were endangered in the making of this geocache).

7. On the subject of birds, how about this container aptly named "Angry Birds"? This is a great solution for urban caching, but you obviously want to deter nature from getting in the way of this outdoor activity.

8. Thinking about watering your lawn? Think again! This clever hide had us nearly covered in poison ivy. Three cheers for hints and spoiler photos like this one:

9. I'm not entirely sure what "material" someone used to craft this mossy hide, but this one gets an A for effort!

Difficulty + terrain!

10. And, last but not least, reflectors of evilness! Now you see it:

Now you don't!

Do you have a favorite geocache container? Leave a comment below. Happy trails! ~ CalORie

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I started geocaching in May of 2010. Since that time, I've logged finds in five countries on four continents and in 32 of the 50 states. As you geocache, you start to look for common themes between containers ( bison tubes, 35mm film canisters, magnetic key holders) and hiding spots (inside the top of fence posts, hanging from branches, and under lamp post skirts).

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Geocaching - Petrified Forest National Park (U.S. National Park Service)

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2. As with all park visitors, you are required to pay the park entrance fee at the park entrance stations. The Petrified Forest National Park Annual Pass or the America the Beautiful Annual Pass, Senior Pass, Access Pass, or Volunteer Pass can be used in lieu of paying the entrance fee.

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First off, you may be wondering, what is geocaching? Geocaching is a fun, low cost activity that you can do with family or friends. Many hikers love the sport of geocaching because it hones your navigational skills, and is another reason to spend time outdoors. I have written another article on geocaching, which is essentially outdoor navigation with GPS.

Geocaching is a modern day treasure hunt, although you do not keep what you find. Instead you replace it with something else of the same or higher value. When you geocache, you're really not driven by the treasure, but rather the process of finding the cache. It is a great way to enhance your GPS navigational skills.

Participants use GPS devices to track down their treasures, therefore it is important to have a device that is easy to use.

What to look for in a GPS

If you want to find the best GPS for geocaching, there are several features you need to look for. There are hundreds of devices available, and some are great for fisherman, others are better for backpackers, and yet others are ideal for geocachers. So to help parse through the product offerings, compare the devices based on the following criteria:

Screen size. Is it easy to see the information on your screen? Can you resize maps easily? Will you need reading glasses to look at the maps?

Ability to lock onto satellite signals. How quickly can the device find a signal? Will it work in cloudy conditions?

Size and dimensions. Is it of a practical size and dimensions? Can it easily clip to your daypack or is it heavy and bulky?

Waterproof. Many claim to be waterproof, but are really just water resistant. If you think you might drop yours in a stream or lake, make sure it is waterproof!

Battery life. A short battery life can easily cut a fun day of geocaching day short.

Weight. If you are a hiker and backpacker, this will be important to you.

Budget. Depending on your budget, you may also decide on a color display vs. black and white, although it won't necessarily make you better at geocaching! There are touch screen displays, built in cameras and MP3 players, and many other features that are nice, but not necessary.

Built in Geocaching Feature. Some GPS devices have a geocaching mode that enable you to keep track of cache locations. Some even enable you to wirelessly download locations of caches.

The Best GPS for Geocaching:

The key is to get a device that is reliable, has the functionality you need, and fits your budget. Some of the major manufacturers of GPS devices are Garmin and Magellan, so you are likely going to see a lot of them on the market. Any GPS will be useful in geocaching, but some are better than others.
Here is a list of the best ones I've found:

Rugged, highly functional, best value GPS for geocaching. This Garmin GPSMAP 60 has a very large display for its size, and it is waterproof and easy to read. It has more functionality than a very basic GPS device, but isn't it nice to have an alarm clock and sunrise and sunset information? This one has 28 hours of battery life, which is great for those of us who like to go on multi-day outdoor adventures.

Best value, great for beginner hikers and geocachers. Do you just want a simple to use GPS device so you can get started geocaching? This is a great device for basic navigation. Unlike the fully loaded GPS', this one has a black and white display, and it is very easy to read outdoors. Plus it has a 17 hour battery life!

Lots of bells and whistles, and great if you want to use it in your car too. This GPS is considered to be one of the best overall GPS devices, and is good for geocaching as well as other outdoor adventures. It has a touch screen interface, and no buttons except for the on and off button. Since this one is at the top end of the price range, you can expect all the other bells and whistles like a full color display, a touch interface that will work with gloves on, and a MicroSD card slot so you can add more maps and save location data. It also has a very sensitive receiver, which is great for cloudy days, and a geocaching feature that enables you to wirelessly download caches and details directly to it. The drawbacks are its price, its display can be a little difficult to read in bright sunlight, and it is water resistant, not waterproof. The nice thing about this Garmin device is that you can load in street maps and mount it in your car, making it truly multi-purpose.

Lightweight and user friendly. This is a lightweight user-friendly GPS that has trackback functionality. That means that as you hike along toward your geocache target, a series of dots on the screen will track your progress. Then, you can retrace your steps back when you turn on the trackback setting. It is a basic GPS device, so good for geocaching beginners on a budget.

Apple's iPhone with Geocaching Apps?

Eventually smartphones like Apple's iPhones will be great for geocaching, but only the 3G version of the phone is suitable for geocaching. Plus, many users have complained about the poor battery life. So for now I'm sticking to a stand alone GPS.

Why Any Outdoor Enthusiast Needs a GPS

GPS' have many uses in the outdoors - whether you're an amateur or avid geocacher, a hiker, backpacker, mountain biker, or other outdoor enthusiast, investing in a GPS is a good idea. It could save your life if you are lost in the wilderness.

Happy trails! And have fun geocaching!

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First off, you may be wondering, what is geocaching? Geocaching is a fun, low cost activity that you can do with family or friends. Many hikers love the sport of geocaching because it hones your navigational skills, and is another reason to spend time outdoors.

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Using a GPS tablet, provided by Team Challenge Company, your teams will navigate their way around a sequence of virtually triggered checkpoints which are set in the real world, built around your chosen venue or city and can include bespoke questions to your team. The triggers reveal challenges to complete and information for the teams to interact with in order to score points in a bid to win the Winners' Trophy! Each challenge is marked either automatically by the programme providing instant feedback, by our live trail controller, or by an in-situ trail marshall whom the teams meet along the route. Each team will get increased rewards if they complete the most challenging routes and will also receive regular pop-up information bars on the screen to help guide them through the hunt.

Learning Outcomes

Through live updates during each teams progress it helps to motivate them and engage the teams in competing together to win the trophy. Encourages forward planning through teams selecting the route they take in order to score the highest points by completing as many correct checkpoints as possible. Trust builds as challenges are completed successfully and individuals learn to appreciate each other's different abilities. Group challenges require teams to employ innovative thinking. They must utiliseeffective communication skills to arrive at a collective shared strategy and then jump into swift uninhibited action.

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Using a GPS tablet, provided by Team Challenge Company, your teams will navigate their way around a sequence of virtually triggered checkpoints which are set in the real world, built around your chosen venue or city and can include bespoke questions to your team.

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Chapter 1

An Introduction to
Geocaching
In This Chapter
ᮣ Understanding geoaching
ᮣ Finding out how geocaching works
ᮣ Discovering the benefits of geocaching
ᮣ Minimum requirements for geocaching

G

eocaching is a new, popular sport that relies on using a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver, the Internet, and your
powers of observation. In a nutshell, you find some stuff, take some stuff, leave some stuff, record it all in a logbook, and have fun! To elaborate a little more, someone, somewhere, hides a container filled with goodies (toys, travel memorabilia, costume jewelry, you name it). He or she then posts the location coordinates on the Internet along with a few clues. You visit a Web site database, get the coordinates, and use your GPS receiver to zero in on the geocache location. (Your GPS receiver usually won't lead you directly to the cache, and this is where your powers of observation come into play in locating the cache's hiding place.) Geocaching is pronounced GEE-oh-cash-ing. It's not appropriate to pronounce cache as ca-SHAY, even if you are French. So unless you want some funny looks, stick with good ol' cash.

In a few short years, geocaching has grown incredibly popular. Relatively cheap and accurate GPS receivers and widespread
access to the Internet have helped the sport flourish throughout the world. As of April 2004, the Geocaching.com site (www. geocaching.com; one of the first Web sites devoted to the sport and currently the largest geocaching site on the 'Net) had over 91,000 active geocaches listed in its database, spread out among 201 countries. And that number continues to grow each day. That's a lot of caches out there to find!

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Part I: Getting Ready to Geocache

Although geocaching is based on a fairly simple idea, you need to understand a number of basic things - or at least be aware of them - before you get started. That's what this chapter is all about. I show you exactly what geocaching is, how the sport got started, why you should geocache, and what you'll need to get started with the sport.

What Is Geocaching?
If you're reading this book, there's a good chance you've heard about geocaching (or saw the title on a bookstore shelf, wondered what the heck it was, and started flipping through pages). The rising popularity of the sport has gotten a fair amount of media attention. Maybe you read a newspaper or magazine article about it or perhaps heard friends talking about some of their geocaching adventures.

Geocaching technology
Geocaching relies on two technologies:
ߜ The Internet: Various Web sites list the coordinates of geocaches that you can search for. ߜ GPS: The satellite-based Global Positioning System (which everyone calls GPS for short) is used to help you zero in on the location of geocaches. (I discuss GPS in depth in Chapter 2. I even wrote a whole book about it: GPS For Dummies.)

People use these two technologies together for finding and hiding goodie-filled containers that, by now, you've probably guessed are called geocaches.

How geocaching got started
Until 2000, the U.S. government degraded GPS signals using something called Selective Availability (SA). SA allowed the U.S. and its allies to use special GPS receivers to get very accurate location information while preventing civilian GPS receivers from having as much precision.

In May 2000, SA was officially turned off (mostly because the U.S. government developed a way to degrade the accuracy of GPS to specific geographic regions). Suddenly, like magic, civilian GPS receivers that formerly were accurate only to

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about 300 feet became accurate to 30 feet. This new level of accuracy offered some interesting, creative possibilities.
Three days after SA was turned off,...

Continue Reading

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05_575716 ch01.qxd 8/4/04 9:33 AM Page 9 Chapter 1 An Introduction to Geocaching In This Chapter ᮣ Understanding geoaching ᮣ Finding out how geocaching works ᮣ Discovering the benefits of geocaching ᮣ Minimum requirements for geocaching G eocaching is a new, popular sport that relies on using a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver, the Internet, and your powers of observation.

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Code Sheet / Redemption FormOregon's Mt. Hood Territory is the home of geocaching. Literally, the place where it all began. Back in May of 2000, when Dave Ulmer hid the

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Genealogy Geocaching: Exploring Your Roots

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Many genealogists describe their attraction to genealogy as the way genealogy is like a puzzle or a mystery waiting to be solved. For those of us enamored with genealogy we feel that we are on an adventure. Geocaching is one way to help your non-genealogist family members get a feel for the adventure that is family history.

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A thought came to me today as I was trudging through the woods: What is the oldest recorded Benchmark? Most of what I have seen has been from the 1950's o...

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Geoteaming is the award winning platform for building and running mobile based scavenger hunts, amazing races, conference gamification and much more!

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Part of being a sports fan is the risk you sign on for every year and every game, putting your emotion on the line for a bunch of grown men who generally make more money than you. John Chen, however, has taken investment in his team to another level. Earlier this week, he laid down $1 million of his own money on three MetLife Stadium suites for SuperBowl XLVIII. His goal is to create the ultimate Super Bowl bonanza for anyone with $30,000 to spend. In the process, he's hoping to not only to help the Seahawks win their first ever Super Bowl title, but also to help his guests test their communication skills, build trust, and sharpen their competitive edge.

Those benefits are all part of the team-building exercises that Chen offers through his company, Geoteaming. Geoteaming caters to mostly corporate customers and offers business simulation exercises based on the sport of geocaching, which is essentially an outdoor treasure hunt that uses GPS receivers, Pocket PCs, two-way radios, and digital cameras. In over 10 years of business, he's worked with a long list of blue-chip companies, including Intel, Apple, Hilton, Amazon and Google. In Geoteaming, participants split into teams, and have to decipher visual and written clues in pursuit of a 'hidden cache', otherwise know as the treasure. Geoteaming's programs have names like 'The A-Ha', 'The Search' and 'The Amazing Kitchen Race', and their website claims that over 90,000 people have participated in a program over the company's history. In addition to his moniker as "The Kid", Chen is a former Microsoft employee who helped launch over ten products, including the once-ubiquitous Microsoft Exchange. As you may have guessed, Chen is also a huge Seahawks fan.

While Chen has done a lot of interesting things over the course of his career, including leaving Microsoft for the risk of a conceptual start-up, the suite bet is clearly the most interesting, and riskiest yet. While the market for Super Bowl tickets has been relatively soft so far, the suite market is through the roof. According to SBtickets.com, suites are 5-10x more expensive than in a typical year, which makes Chen's gambit even more audacious.

On the Geoteaming Website, Chen lists winning a World Poker Tour tournament as one of his life goals. As a poker player, he's certainly familiar with going all-in, which is what he's done for the Super Bowl...literally. He claims to have liquidated his entire savings in order to purchase the five suites, which will fit 146 after his kids and mother, who is limited to a wheel chair. Chen originally got the idea to turn the Super Bowl into a Geoteaming adventure after looking into game options for his mom, who is a huge Seahawks fan, and needs room for her wheelchair. From there, the idea took on a life of it's own, and the package is now for sale on Geoteaming's website, listed under the program name "The Suite Geoteaming Super Bowl Adventure."

While he could have just sprung for some nice lower level SuperBowl tickets and saved himself roughly $600,000, that wouldn't be Chen's style. As his company might suggest, Chen is dedicated to experiential living. For $30,000, he's guaranteeing memories for football fans that will last a lifetime, including six hotel nights, transportation to and from your hotel for all activities, as well as 9 hours of suite access for the game. Additionally, you'll get into the Maxim party and more four-star dinners than you can count on one hand. Of course, there will also be a New York City treasure hunt, as well as some Seahawks-centric entertainment, including time with former Seahawks linebacker, Joe Tafoya. Chen is also looking into Broadway tickets for one night, but hasn't yet picked a show. For anyone who can afford it, it will be a truly unique way to experience everything that Super Bowl weekend in New York has to offer.

Without the hassle of having to figure out the details and logistics, you'll be free to explore new relationships and challenge old ways of thinking, two core tenants of Geoteaming. For Chen, if he sells all of the 146 packages, he'll net $1 million in profit on his suite bet. That would make for quite a victory celebration on Sunday night, especially if the Seahawks win.

I'm the CEO of TiqIQ.com, which is the leading ticket search engine online. I started my professional career as a writer covering New York technology in 1996. I've been fascinated by the ticket market from a young age and remember trying to understand what drove the market i...

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An Seattle Entrepreneur Just Made A $1 Million Bet On Super Bowl Suites

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Part of being a sports fan is the risk you sign on for every year and every game, putting your emotion on the line for a bunch of grown men who generally make more money than you. John Chen, however, has taken investment in his team to another level. Earlier [...]

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"It's not a splurge - it's an investment." Brian Scudamore said it best in his article, " Why Team Building Is The Most Important Investment You'll Make."

The BizX team didn't know what to expect when Bob Bagga, our CEO, made the announcement of a surprise company event. Anticipation grew high the week leading up to that Monday, and many of us tried to guess what was in store.

Finally, the cat was out of the bag! Enter Geoteaming: a popular team-building activity created by a BizX member and former Microsoft employee, John Chen, who now lives his mission of leaving people better than he found them, by providing an experience of personal breakthroughs, life lessons, and results that will stay with you forever.

Chen created Geoteaming over 20 years ago after he realized he had perfected the art and science of team building: Customization + facilitation = breakthroughs and results. He's been custom designing corporate team building events ever since, using high-tech adventure to navigate teams through virtual, physical and cerebral challenges that unleash the power of collaboration and teamwork.

The day of, we couldn't wait to dive in! We gathered together to be briefed and form into teams, then tackled the first two "warm up" tasks, picking our team name and creating a unique cheer. The brainstorming session of our whacky ideas highlighted the uniqueness of each team member, helping us reach an agreement by capitalizing on each other's strengths.

Then it was off to the races! As we moved through the challenges guided by the Geoteaming app and in tune with the agreed-upon strategy, each person had an opportunity to lead the team closer to victory. In the process, we learned about each other, built trust, and improved our communication.

We ended the night awarding the winning teams with prizes and bragging rights, and enjoyed a custom video by Geoteaming recapping our adventures and antics. It was an incredible night of healthy rivalry which ultimately brought the BizX team closer together.

Often, it is the shared efforts (or the lack thereof) of the entire team that ultimately decide the success or failure of a project.

How are you building strong teams at your company?

Check out how we did in this video recap, and give Geoteaming a call today to setup an event for your team!

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Team Building: An Ingredient of Strong Company Culture

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"It's not a splurge - it's an investment." Brian Scudamore said it best in his article, " Why Team Building Is The Most Important Investment You'll Make." The BizX team didn't know what to expect when Bob Bagga, our CEO, made the announcement of a surprise company event.

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Basically, it's a high-tech version of treasure hunting, in which one utilizes GPS signals to seek out containers other users have hidden all over the world.

Contrary to many news reports that come out on the hobby every year, geocaching is not new. We're just starting its 18 th year of existence right now. And no, it's not a rip-off of Pokemon Go. Actually, it's safer to say Pokemon Go is a rip-off of geocaching.

Geocaching does have a bit of a steep learning curve, though. So if you've ever wanted to get started but didn't know how, have no fear, we're here to help you out.

Why geocache?

Geocaching is another reason for me to get out of the house and enjoy the great outdoors. It helps fill in the gaps between hunting and fishing seasons. Most of the items you'll find in a geocache are not valuable. But the fun is in the hunt and in discovering new and interesting places I never would've found otherwise. For instance, I had one lead me to Doc Holliday's grave in Colorado. Another led me to an abandoned quarry and a ghost town in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Yet, another led me to an amazing natural tunnel through a mountain in Virginia that was first seen by Daniel Boone.

Now, I'm not promising you'll have adventures like that every time out, but you will get to know the area you live better and you might even discover a few new hunting and fishing spots along the way. I know I have.

Basic Rules

First and foremost, the rules of the game are simple. Find a cache, sign your name to the logbook as proof you were there and place it back where you found it. You can also trade for small trinkets of low value if you so wish. This can be especially fun for small children. Just make sure you're trading items of equal value.

Afterwards, don't forget to log your find online to let the cache owner know you found it. Be sure to tell a little story of the find and thank them for hiding the cache.

Getting Started

I've been geocaching for 13 years now and I can easily say it's much easier to get into the game now than when I started. That's mostly due to the development of several smartphone apps that make it possible to find your first geocache in only minutes.

Some geocachers utilize smartphone apps only these days. I still prefer a dedicated, hand-held GPS receiver. The good news is, these get cheaper and cheaper every year. It is also easier to set them up for geocaching than it was in the past.

Some users start out with the apps before upgrading to a dedicated GPS. It all depends on what you want. A dedicated GPS is going to be far more accurate than a smartphone. Also, apps will use battery on a smart phone fast. The apps also utilize data, so make sure you have a decent plan ahead of time. Although I recommend a dedicated GPS if you're going to get serious about it, there's absolutely nothing wrong with trying out the apps just to see if you like the game.

One thing I should mention is that there are several geocaching websites out there that list the caches, but Geocaching.com is pretty much the unchallenged king. And yes, there are paid memberships on the site which give access to additional features. If you're just going to geocache once in a while, you don't necessarily need to purchase one. Again, it just boils down to how serious you get about it.

Most of the things I reference n the rest of this article will be references to things you'll find on Geocaching.com

Finding your first cache

Odds are good you drive by at least one geocache every day without knowing it. They're literally everywhere. For your first cache, I recommend something easy. Geocaching.com rates caches on a 1-5 scale for difficulty and terrain, 5 being the hardest. A 1/1 cache might be something hidden near the parking lot of a local trail head. A 5/5 might be an all-day hiking, climbing or kayaking adventure.

I highly recommend seeking out an easy 1/1 for your first find to give you the confidence of an easy find and to show exactly what you're looking for. Try to seek out one that is of a "regular" or "small" size because the micros can be tricky for some new cachers.

To aid in your hide, I'm posting pictures of some common geocaching containers here too.

Once you've found your first cache, sign the log with whatever username you signed up on the site with. If you want to trade for some items in the cache, go for it. Don't forget to log about your experience online.

Trackables

I should take a moment to note there are items you will find in some caches that aren't meant for you to keep. Trackables and geocoins are items with unique codes attached that are meant to travel from cache to cache. Some have a very specific goal in mind, some just want to see the world. Make sure to log them appropriately on the website and move them along to another cache quickly because these items belong to other geocachers and they want to see them moving.

Types of caches

There are many different types of caches, which I will breakdown quickly here.

Traditional: simply put, this is a cache that is hidden at the listed coordinates.

Multi-cache: This cache involves several stops along the way. You might have to find multiple containers or solve some simple puzzles to find the coordinates to the next stage.

Unknown: also known as the "puzzle" cache, these caches often require you to solve some sort of puzzle that reveals the container's final location.

Letterbox hybrid: an off-shoot of letterboxing, a letterbox hybrid contains a stamp and ink pad. This type can sometimes make you rely on clues instead of a GPS to find it, too.

Virtual: with this cache type, there isn't actually a container at the coordinates. Instead they lead you somewhere and you have to answer a question to the cache owner about the place to log your find online.

Earthcache: this type is very similar to the earthcache in that you have to answer questions about the area, but the questions always deal with geology or other natural forces with some earth feature.

There aren't all the cache types there are, but these are the most common you will likely encounter when getting started. This dovetails into the next thing I want to discuss.

Event Caches

I HIGHLY recommend finding and attending a local event cache when getting started. Event caches are pre-planned meetings where geocachers can socialize, make new friends and share their experiences with others who enjoy the game.

It's also a great way to learn about the game. Most experienced cachers are more than happy to share their tips and tricks, while many others are probably willing to show you the ropes if you ask. Don't be afraid to show up and ask questions. I've attended events all over the U.S. and have found people to be friendly and inviting no matter where I've gone.

There are also different kinds of event caches. There are standard events, which are the most common. There are CITO (cache in, trash out) events where geocachers work together to clean an area of garbage.

Finally, there are mega and giga event caches. These events are much rarer. A mega event is one where more than 500 geocachers attend. A giga is an even rarer new cache type for events with more than 5,000 attendees. The first one of these to be held in the U.S., Geowoodstock 2018, is slated to be held this spring in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Hiding a geocache

I highly recommend one finds at least 50-100 caches before going out to hide their own. This is just so you can get an idea of what containers work best and how geocaches are typically hidden. Granted, finding this number may not be possible in every area because some areas have more caches than others, but you should at least find a decent number before trying to hide your own.

Remember, hiding a cache is a chance to be creative and give back to the community. Think about the kind of cache you'd like to find and where you'd like to find one. If you have any questions, be sure to contact your local reviewer (the person who publishes each cache). They'll be more than happy to help you with any hiding questions you might have. This might include things like securing permission to hide your cache or local or state regulations for geocaching in your area.

Often, there are many local geocaching organizations that can help you out with these things, too.

You should also use a dedicated GPS unit to hide. Caches hidden using coordinates obtained by a smart phone are usually not as accurate and could lead to frustrations for seekers of your cache.

For cache hiding ideas, I also recommend hitting YouTube. There are many YouTubers out there who find and feature really unique caches all over the world. Seeing some of the best ideas may help spur some ideas of your own.
NEXT:7 SHED HUNTING TIPS FOR THOSE WHO CAN'T SEEM TO FIND THEM

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Here's Everything You Need to Know About Geocaching

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Basically, it's a high-tech version of treasure hunting, in which one utilizes GPS signals to seek out containers other users have hidden all over the world. Contrary to many news reports that come out on the hobby every year, geocaching is not new. We're just starting its 18 th year of existence right now.