Frequently Asked Questions About Geocaching
Welcome to Geocaching! If you still have questions after reviewing our answers to
frequently asked questions, you can also search our Knowledgebase or ask a question in the geocaching
forums.
- What is Geocaching?
-
Geocaching is a worldwide game of hiding and seeking treasure. A geocacher can place
a geocache in the world, pinpoint its location using GPS technology and then share
the geocache’s existence and location online. Anyone with a GPS unit can then try
to locate the geocache.
- How do you pronounce Geocaching?
-
You pronounce it Geo-cashing, like cashing a check.
- What is the meaning of the word Geocaching?
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The word Geocaching refers to GEO for geography, and to CACHING, the process of
hiding a cache. A cache in computer terms is information usually stored in memory
to make it faster to retrieve, but the term is also used in hiking/camping as a
hiding place for concealing and preserving provisions.
- What is a GPS device?
-
A GPS unit is an electronic device that can determine your approximate location
(within around 6 - 20 feet) on the planet. Coordinates are normally given in Latitude
and Longitude. You can use the device to navigate from your current location to
another location. Some devices have their own maps, built-in electronic compasses,
and voice navigation, depending on the complexity of the device.
- How does GPS work?
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Each GPS receiver is a computer that receives signals broadcast from GPS satellites.
A receiver needs to read signals from at least three satellites at a time to calculate
its general location by a process called trilateration.
With signals from four satellites, a GPS receiver can get a more accurate fix that
includes altitude and the exact time, as well as latitude and longitude. The more
satellite signals the receiver reads, the more accurate the position it reports
to you.
- If I use a GPS unit can someone track where I am going?
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No! GPS devices do not actually broadcast your location. The satellites using radio
frequencies actually broadcast their own position. Your GPS unit takes that information
to figure out where you are (trilateration).
Unless you have a tracking system implanted by aliens, you should be safe from the
satellites above. As an extra precaution, however, you can put aluminum foil on
your head to deflect the "gamma" beams.
- How much does a GPS unit cost, and where can I buy one?
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For more information, review our guide to buying
GPS Units for Geocaching.
You can usually find GPS units at electronic, camping and boat supply stores. You
can also purchase them online. Prefer to use a GPS mobile application on your phone
and pay a monthly fee instead? Learn
how.
- How do I use a GPS unit for Geocaching?
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In order to go geocaching, you will need to understand how to enter waypoints into
your GPS device. If you have any questions, try the online forums. There is always someone ready to help.
- You gave me coordinates to a specific cache location. Seems pretty easy.
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It is deceptively easy. It is one thing to know where a location is shown on a map;
it is another to actually try to arrive at that location. Sometimes you cannot navigate
directly to a cache by going straight in the direction your GPS receiver points
- there might be a river or other obstacle in the way. It is up to you to find the
best route to the cache, remembering to respect the environment and practice Cache In Trash Out along the way.
- What are the rules in Geocaching?
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1. If you take something from the cache, leave something of equal or greater value.
2. Write about your find in the cache logbook.
3. Log your experience at www.geocaching.com.
- What is usually in a cache?
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In its simplest form, a cache always contains a logbook. The logbook contains information
from the owner of the cache, notes from visitors and can contain much valuable,
rewarding, and entertaining information. In smaller caches, a logsheet may be used.
Larger caches may contain a logbook and any number of more or less valuable items.
These items turn the cache into a true treasure hunt. You never know what the owner
or other visitors of the cache may have left there for you to enjoy. Remember, if
you take something, it is only fair for you to leave something in return. It is
recommended that items in a cache be individually packaged in a clear, zipped plastic
bag to protect them from the elements.
Quite often you may also find a trackable item. Groundspeak Trackables come in two
types: Groundspeak Travel Bugs®, and official Geocoins.
A Groundspeak Travel Bug is a trackable tag that you attach to an item, and
which travels from cache to cache with the help of people like you. Each tag is
etched with a unique code which the finder can use to log its travels on this website.
Every Travel Bug has a goal given by its owner, so if you think you can help
it along on its journey feel free to take it with you.
Geocoins are special trackable coins created by other Geocachers to commemorate
special events or as a signature item to leave in caches. They function exactly
like Travel Bugs and should be moved to another cache unless otherwise specified
by their owners. The variety of different geocoins is staggering! More information
about Travel Bugs and Geocoins can be found on the
Groundspeak Trackables page.
- What should not be placed in a cache?
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People of all ages hide and seek caches, so think carefully before placing an item
into a cache. Explosives, ammunition, knives, drugs and alcohol should not be placed
in a cache. Respect the local laws.
Food items are always a bad idea. Animals have better noses than humans, and in
some cases caches have been chewed through and destroyed because of food items in
a cache. Please do not put food in a cache.
- Where are caches found?
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It is common for geocachers to hide caches in locations that are important to them,
reflecting a special interest or skill of the cache owner. These unique locations
on the planet can be quite diverse. Make sure to read the cache descriptions carefully,
especially the difficulty and terrain ratings as some cache finds can be technical
and physically challenging.
For instance, a cache located on the side of a rocky cliff accessible only by rock
climbing equipment may be hard to find. An underwater cache may only be accessed
by SCUBA. Other caches may require long difficult hiking, orienteering and special
equipment. Caches may be located in cities both above and below ground, and outside
of buildings. Even the skillful placement of a small logbook in an urban environment
may be quite challenging to find even with the accuracy of a GPS. Have fun and remember
to share your geocaching experiences
online.
- Can I move a cache once I find it?
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Do not move a cache from its original location. If you feel that the cache may not
be located in the correct location, please email the cache owner directly or post
a log on the cache detail page, notifying the owner of your concern. It is an owner’s
responsibility to maintain cache placement.
- Are there any variations in the game?
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Yes! Geocaching is an activity that continues to evolve and mature with community
commitment and participation. If you have a new idea that incorporates the use of
GPS, we would love to hear about it. View the list of Geocache Types to see how the activity has evolved
from the original, traditional geocache.
- How do I hide a cache?
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Before considering your first geocache hide, find a variety of caches in your area
to familiarize yourself with the activity. Then, review our Guide to Hiding a Cache and the Geocache Listing Guidelines before
submitting a cache for review.
- When I submit a new cache for publication, how long will it take to be listed?
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Each cache that is submitted to Geocaching.com is reviewed by a volunteer, to ensure
that the cache meets the
Geocaching Listing Guidelines. This process may take up to 72 hours to have
your cache posted to the web site. We kindly ask for your patience during this review,
especially on weekends when site traffic can be high.
- Does Geocaching.com or a volunteer physically check the cache before publishing
it?
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While we would love to head out to every location to check on each and every cache
placement, it is an impossible task. We rely on the geocaching community to abide
by the geocaching guidelines, to ensure that permission for cache placement has
been sought, to provide accurate coordinates, and to keep the contents appropriate
for a family-family audience. If you find a problematic cache, please contact the
owner directly or contact us.
- What do I do if I find out that a cache has gone missing?
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If you visit a cache location and the cache is missing, make sure to log the cache
as one that you "Did Not Find" so the cache owner is notified. Cache owners who
repeatedly receive "Did Not Find" logs should check to see that their cache has
not been removed. As a geocacher, if you notice that a cache detail page has an
unusual number of "Did Not Find" logs, please let the local reviewer know or contact us. We rely on the geocaching community to let
us know the status of caches in their area.
- Do you have an FRS/PMR channel to find out if other Geocachers are in the area?
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Yes. The community has decided on channel 2 as the primary for both FRS and PMR,
and 12 as the alternate FRS (Family Radio Service) channel and 8 for the alternate
PMR (Europe). FRS and PMR radios are longer distance walkie talkies, like the Motorola
Talkabout.