Geocaching - My New Hobby
This is a very belated post about my 'newfound' hobby, Geocaching. If you've had contact with me at any point within the past few months, are on a forum I frequent, follow me on Twitter, or are a Facebook friend you'll probably have heard all about it.
Geocaching, put simply, is a real-life, high-tech treasure hunt. Someone hides a 'cache', records its latitude and longitude, and lists the co-ordinates on the Geocaching website to enable other people ('cachers') to go out and search for it. I started playing in August 2010, and have found 77 caches so far. I swear I must be ten times fitter now than I was a few weeks ago thanks to all the walking.
The Caches
Caches are, in their simplest form, waterproof tupperware containers containing a logbook and a pencil for finders to record their visit. Some caches are also big enough to contain goodies that you can trade, e.g. badges, pocket games, toys, and key rings. There are also special trackable items that you can help travel from one cache to another. Caches can vary in shape and size greatly. Sometimes large, in the form of ammo containers, but can also be really rather small - a 35mm film canister or even this...
People often set a series of caches along a route enabling finders to partake in a guided walk of a particularly interesting area. Some caches have multiple stages and cachers are asked to visit various points to answer clues to reveal the cache's final location. Some caches feature a riddle or puzzle that one must solve in order to obtain co-ordinates. Some are much harder than others. The hardest cache I have done so far is a 5-star rated difficulty, 4-stage puzzle cache.
There are also virtual caches, caches that don't actually have a container. The main kinds are 'virtual', 'webcam' and 'Earth' caches. To 'find' a virtual cache you will probably be asked to visit a certain spot and answer a question about the area and/or take a photograph of yourself there. These are often spots that would be nice to visit but have no suitable hiding place for a real cache. A webcam cache is a fun type of cache where you go to an area that is overlooked by a webcam and photograph yourself with it - I did this at Abbey Road in London. An Earth cache is a learning opportunity - you will be asked to visit an area and answer questions relating to some geological feature.
My Favourites
Sometimes I like to grab caches simply for the thrill of finding something hidden, but at other times caches can take you to really interesting and unique locations that you would never have thought of visiting otherwise. Here are a few of my favourite caches;
- Banksy woz 'ere - a cache near to a tunnel filled with interesting graffiti.
- London - Beatles Abbey Road - a webcam cache at Abbey Road studios, where The Beatles recorded and photographed the cover for their famous album of the same name.
- The riddle of the stones - an Earth cache allowing me to discover more about the stones at Stonehenge.
- V for Vendetta - a riddle solved using the V for Vendetta comic book, located in Larkhill - a military base that is featured in the comic. It felt creepy walking around there.
- Hot Springs, Bath - A virtual cache at one of my favourite places in the whole world. Britain's only natural hot springs filling an ancient Roman bath house and temple.
Can I play?
The only thing you need to find a cache is a GPS-capable device. If you've got a handheld GPS, great! If not, don't worry just yet. There are Android and iPhone apps available that will enable you to cache with your smartphone. Still no dice? You could try a car satellite navigation system if you've got one. Failing that, there are various GPS devices available on the market, some going quite cheaply.
Found something you can use, or are curious about what might be in your area? Simply sign up at http://www.geocaching.com and search your location (on the right hand side of the homepage) for nearby caches. Even if you think you live in a remote area in a remote country, check anyway - you may be pleasantly surprised. I was! There are millions of caches worldwide, including in Antarctica.
Geocaching is a family-friendly activity. Children are often encouraged to come along as lots of the caches contain 'treasure' (usually in the form of toys and games) that they can trade. Remember to trade up or trade even if you do take anything, though! Caches also have a terrain rating so you can check beforehand if it will be suitable for buggies, very young children, wheelchair users, or if dogs are allowed. There is something for everyone!
I'd love to meet other cachers so feel free to add me as a friend if you play - my username is Maccath.