Things You Need For Geocaching
By Jeffrey Fang
Geocaching is known by many names. It has been called everything from high-tech hide-and-seek, global stash hunting to a more modern version of the Easter egg hunt. Geocaching is a very fun adventure game for GPS users. To enjoy your geocaching adventure, we have listed a few geocaching gear and supplies for you to consider.
GPS Unit. A GPS receiver is the most essential gear you need for geocaching. You need to input the geocache coordinates into your GPS in order to find it. Garmin is number one when considering GPS for geocaching with their host of products to make sure you find that big cache. With a Garmin GPS in your hand and an appetite for adventure, you will definitely find all the geocache around the world.
Geocache Containers. A geocache is a small container hidden by geocachers. Some are hidden in forests or deserts while some are buried in urban areas. If you decide to hide your very own cache, you must use the right type of container. Ammo cans are the best container for geocaching. They are very cheap, designed for the outdoors and waterproof. The tupperware box is the most common and cheapest geocache container around. It is quite waterproof, strong and comes in a variety of sizes. It can easily be wedged in any nooks and crannies and it looks innocent unlike ammo cans. Film canisters, bison tubes and small magnetic tubes are used for micro and nano caches.
GeoCoins. GeoCoins are numbered geocaching coins that were made to give geocachers a collectable, tradable and trackable cache prize. You can leave them in your geocache for other geocachers to find or trade them.
Travel Bugs. Travel Bugs are items that, once registered, can be tracked online. The travel bug is carried from cache to cache (or person to person) in the real world and you can follow its progress online.
GeoSwags. GeoSwags can be left as prizes for other geocachers or traded for other items in the geocache. Some common geoswags are casino chips, hot wheels and patches.
Geocaching Clothing and Accessories. With geocaching, you would usually head into urban areas or the woods. Proper clothing is therefore very important to keep you safe and warm.
Logbook. A logbook is where visitors of your hidden geocache will write down details about their visit. You can write down jokes or tips about the place.
Geocaching Checklist
Before you head out on your next Geocaching trip, be sure you have everything you need. I use a fanny pack that has my geocaching items in it so I can always be ready to go. You do not need a backpack, unless you have children with you for all the extra things you need for them.
This is the checklist, with an explanation of each below:
GPS Receiver
List of Caches
Pencil or Pen
SWAG
Bugspray
Gloves
Flashlight
Compass
Spare GPS Batteries
Trash bag for CITO (optional)
Water
GPS Receiver - A bit on the obvious side, but you cannot geocache without it!
List of Caches - If you do not have your caches loaded into your GPS receiver, you will want to printout the details on each cache you intend to visit.
Pencil or Pen - Almost every geocache has a pencil or pen in it. And almost none of them work. Bring your own so you can log your visit.
SWAG - (stuff we all get) Most people go geocaching just for fun, but as an extra incentive for the kids, many caches have small toys inside. It is common practice to swap things in and out of the cache. Take a small item, but leave something of equal or greater value. Usually there are little toys that make it fun for the kids to find. A few things of note about leaving items in a cache. First, never leave food in a cache. Animals or bugs will find it and make a mess. Second, never put matches, knives, lighters, etc. A good rule of thumb is to only leave items that you would let your 3-year-old play with.
Bug Spray - Many good caches are hidden in places where there are biting insects. Protect yourself and your children.
Gloves - Sometimes you need to 'find by feel', because you are pretty sure that the cache is hidden in some dark hole. Be safe. Wear leather gloves. Aside from the creepiness factor of putting an un-gloved hand in a hiding hole for spiders, sometimes hollow stumps or crevices that make good cache-hiding spots also make good dumping grounds for people to put broken bottles, cans or other trash.
Flashlight - Even on a bright, sunny day, you may need your flashlight. In fact those bright days make it hard for your eyes to see into the dark places that might hide a cache.
Compass - Unless you have a fancy GPS receiver with a built-in compass, most GPS units require movement to accurately show directions. Your GPS might tell you that the destination is 150 feet to the north, but unless you are moving, it does not know which way north is. A cheap little compass can at least show you north so you know which way to start moving.
Spare GPS Batteries - If the batteries run out, your day of fun is over. They also make great SWAG. You never know...your batteries in a cache might save someone else's day of geocaching!
Trash Bag - Some people like to CITO (cache in, trash out), and clean up the areas they visit. Be careful, and wear your leather gloves.
Water - Stay hydrated. Even if you do not want to carry the water with you while you look for caches, keep some in the car so that you can drink there. Sometimes geocaching takes you to places where a fresh drink can be hard to find.
About the author
The author's web site Geocaching Depot dot com provides information about geocaching supplies, geocache containers and where to buy geocoins. from http://www.FreeArticlesAndContent.com
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