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CompassCollector's Geocaching Page
N 37 1.078, W 121 35.925
[ Main ] [ GeoCard ] [ Paperless ]
My friend ("Eye Doc" on geocaching.com) turned me on to geocaching. It's a nice family-friendly activity with lots of potential for exercise, family fun, and the joy of discovery. Here's what you need:
Caching Gear - Mandatory
- A GPS Receiver. Although you can sometimes find a cache based on a description and/or picture alone (I've done it) a GPSr is required for many or most caches. Handheld units start at around $100, and good ones with extra goodies like WAAS (which increases the accuracy of the unit), extra waypoints (to store all those cache locations) and mapping capabilities can be hand for under $200. I currently use a Magellan SporTrak Map.
- A good pair of shoes or boots. You'll be doing a lot of walking, especially as you advance in this sport.
- A sense of adventure, and a desire to explore.
Caching Gear - Recommended
- Swag - a.k.a. Trade Items. These can be anything from stuff you've picked up at other caches to small toys, charms, knick-knacks, etc. The whole idea behind most caches is to take something and leave something. Remember, trade up, or trade even. Don't deplete a cache.
- A good compass. Although most GPSr units have a built-in electronic compass, a good quality handheld compass can be obtained for less than $10, and it doesn't require batteries. Also, a good compass will make triangulating a cache location a lot easier. I carry a MilSpec Tritium Cammenga, which is a lot more than $10, however, it's rugged, visible in the dark, and doubles as a map compass.
- A pencil/pen: Sometimes caches don't have anything to write with, or the pen/pencil originally placed there has walked away. Bring something to log your visit with.
- Flashlight: If you cache at night, or in low-light areas, you'll need something to find the cache with, as well as to see enough to log your visit. You should consider a flashlight that can be clipped to your clothing so that you can have both hands free.
- Spare batteries: I use a AA flashlight so that the batteries do double-duty for my GPSr and flashlight. I carry four fresh batteries at all times.
Caching Gear - Optional
- PDA: I cache paperless (link coming soon), so this is really not an optional item for me. Howver, unless you already have a PDA and know how to use it, I wouldn't recommend purchasing one just go to 'paperless'.
- Binoculars: You'll be going places with some wonderful scenery. A pair of compact binoculars will help you appreciate it fully. Also, a pair of binocs and a 'birding' book make great camoflage.
- Gloves: I feel a lot more confident reaching into a dark hole when there's a layer of cowhide over my hand. Also they help keep my hands warm in cold weather, and they are good for climbing on things, pushing aside branches, etc.
- Signature Item: Something that you leave in every cache. I had been using some mini-caribiners, but recently I've purchased some compass charms off of e-bay and will be using those in the future, probably taped to the back of my 'GeoCard'.
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