GEOCACHING - Outdoor "hide & seek" activity you need to try!

in #geocaching7 years ago (edited)

Even though this “game” is almost an adult (18 years old), there is so many people who haven't heard about Geocaching.

It all started in May, 2nd 2000.

- WHAT IS GEOCACHING?

Simply, Geocaching is an outdoor game or activity which will provide you a lot of fun and it will help you to discover new places, cities, blocks or investigate more already known places. If you posses a smart phone, and there is a few people who doesn't posses any, or GPS device you can participate in this so much fun activity. There is no age limitations so everyone can enjoy.

"Geocaching is legal in every country except, of course, North Korea (where GPS and all other mobile devices are illegal to possess)"

northwestrving.jpg

(photo: www.northwestrving.com)

In general, Geocaching is hide and seek game in which you are trying to find an waterproof containers called "Geocaches (or 'cache')" which contains an paper log book in which you need to sign your username to mark it as found. You can also make your own Geocache hide it where ever you want and provide it's coordinates and data on Geocaching app so other people can try to find it.

- HOW CAN I DO IT?

So, first thin you need to do is to download an app on your smart phone and make an account. After that you just go to Geocache map which will show you all the "caches" near your location. If you click on the nearest it will provide you more details about it. Usually caches are placed near some important location such as important statues, squares, buildings, murals or just places/things you need to see. Also they can be hidden everywhere, so there's no rule about hiding caches.

For example, if there Geocaching app says that there is an cache on main square in your town and you are near so you want to find it. When you click on the map to guide you directly to it, it will show you standard GPS map and guide where you need to go (GPS will not guide you on exact spot of the cache, but it will bi within 10ish meter radius). Since GPS is not so precise you need to see more information about the cache, for example if cache is magnetic (than it's obvious that container is attached on some metal surface), or what is the size of the cache, or what is the difficulty of the cache. There are also hints if you need it – small riddle or clear information which can be useful to provide you and easier way to find it.

axacouk.png

(photo: www.axa.co.uk)

When you find it try to not be so excited and obvious because maybe someone else is also trying to find it and he is near you so please act calm. Sign the log book with your user name and date then return the container cache) on the exact spot where you found it so other people can find it also.

If you have any problems with cache or location, there are comments about every cache so you can see more info, more photos or report that something is wrong with cache (container is damaged, paper log book is full...) so the owner can fix the problem or act with the situation.

fiscalfitnessphoenix.jpg

(photo: www.fiscalfitnessphoenix.com)

Final step is to mark cache as "found" in you Geocache app and leave comment how did you like it, or if you didn't find it mark it as "Didn't find it" and provide more information why you didn't find it etc...

- GEOCACHES

The first geocache was placed by Dave Ulmer on May 3rd 2000 near Beavercreek forest, Oregon, Portland.

As I mention, geocaches are usually waterproof containers in all sizes from "nano" to XL and can contain just paper log book and maybe pen/pencil or they can contain things to exchange with the owner of the cache. It can contain all kind toys, coins, papers, badges, currency, buttons and even CD's... so you can leave your item in the container after you find it and take one from the container.

visitoxfordms.jpg

Of course, food, danger and illegal stuff are not allowed to put in the container.

You can find Geocaches literally everywhere, on and in the trees or bushes, on the traffic signs, between rocks, underneath the rocks, in the water, hanging, stick... literally every situation and every city or even a small villages or abandoned places.

- IS THERE ANY GEOCACHE IN MY HOMETOWN?

Of course there is, you wouldn't believe how many. Let's just quick check Geocache map of some random towns:

ZAGREB

Zagreb.jpg

LISBON

Lisbon.jpg

LONDON

London.jpg

NEW YORK

London.jpg

See? There are everywhere!

- MOST INTERESTING and CRAZIEST GEOCACHES

Earth's Roof - Mount Everest Peak

  • on the top of the Mont Everest

mapdash.jpg

(photo: www.mapdash.com)

Geocache Description:
"You must remember that climbing the Mount Everest is not for beginners. Even the ones that are used to still die in this mountain.
Only try for this climbing with the right equipment, the right partner, the right weather and the right mind."

THE LEAP

geocaching1.jpg

(photo: www.geocaching.com)

geocaching2.jpg

(photo: www.geocaching.com)

Geocache Description:
"Though The Leap provides no room for error,
the jump will likely prove to be less
difficult than actually getting to the area."

REGISTAN DESERT

  • in the middle of Afganistan desert – Registan

geocaching3.jpg

(photo: www.geocaching.com)

EAST BAF

  • in the middle of the war zone within mine field

geocaching.jpg

(photo: www.geocaching.com)

Geocache Description:
"This cache is located on the East Side of Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan. Elev. 4980ft.

WARNING!! BE MINDFUL OF MARKED MINE FIELDS SURROUNDING THE AREA!
There is no need to leave the well beaten (man made/paved/concrete) paths."

You can also check here some of the interesting and cool picks:
https://www.buzzfeed.com/amandam10/20-ridiculously-creative-geocache-containers-1kzg?utm_term=.es25mDo5W#.gt8DdoYDA

MY EXPERIENCE?

I was searching caches in every town I visited, except my home town hahaha. I don't know why, perhaps I'm too lazy when I'm at home to go and seek caches, but I have logs in Valencia, Santiago de Compostela, A Coruna, Gijon, Lisbon, Almada...

Last ones were from Almada couple day ago. @katarinazaja and me went on our free day to catch some geocaches and here it is how Geocache hunt looks like:

#1

28555521_10156173905644910_1211138238_o.jpg

28640835_10156173904979910_24262947_o.jpg

28554572_10156173905109910_1172943395_o.jpg

#2

28554776_10156173906629910_1577540847_o.jpg

28579965_10156173906464910_1549150568_o.jpg

#3

28504868_10156173907354910_815323488_o.jpg

28547476_10156173906934910_1131152649_o.jpg

28547797_10156173907154910_1884684613_o.jpg

When I heard about Geocaching it sounded really stupid for me, but when I tried it for the first time it was so exciting and fun, so I dare you not to judge but to try it and you will see...

Till then...

... Kind regards!

GG

Sort:  

Geocaching is such a great way to explore and discover off the beaten places .. forcing you to take a closer look! We love it BUT we have to admit that we're overdue for some serious caching. Also check out our TRAVELFEED project .. you might love it.

Hey there! Yes, I agree that Geocaching gives you deeper investigation of the place you already know or gives you detailed view on some new place, for sure. I'll check it out! Thanks ;)

I found one at Manojlovac waterfall. Chillin there, relaxing and than Google it - so the first results was a geocatch :) Later I found out that they are everywhere :)

PANO_20170512_171550.jpg

Did you find it accidentally? :O

No, I googled for Manojlovac while I was there and first result was geocatch location

Ahaaam, I thought that you found one by accident than google it to find out what it is ahahahah

Nisam znao za ovako nešto. Zanimljivo. Hvala.

Topla preporuka! Jednom kad budeš imao slobodnog vremena pokušaj, siguran sam da će ti se svidit :)

Vrlo rado. Pogotovo sad kad počne biti ljepše vrijeme. Veselim se proljeću.

Geocaching is a great activity, and very accessible now that everyone has GPS on their phones!

Thanks to @josephsavage, this post was resteemed and highlighted in today's edition of The Daily Sneak.

Thank you for your efforts to create quality content!

Indeed! Today is much easier, but that can lead to some progress in Geocaching world, and I hope it will. Still, it's really fun to do it with your friends. Thank you @sneakyninja and @josephavage for resteem and highlight in today's edition. Keep in touch!

Thank you for the reminder @gingergeorge, I found out about Geocaching in 2012 and starting finding some of them but I've moved since then and hadn't thought about it again... as a bonus, it's a great way to find new walks in my local area

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