Filed under: Recreation, tourism | Tags: geocache, Geocaching, GPS, Hiking, puzzles, riddles, treasure hunt
So, what, exactly, is this “geocaching” thing? From Geocache.com:
Geocaching (pronounced geo-cashing) 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 device can then try to locate the geocache.
The best part of this nifty hobby is that you probably already have the equipment you need, right in your pocket. Are you the proud owner of an iPhone or smartphone? If so, then you can download several different free apps to get you started at geocaching! Here’s a freebie for the iPhone from Geocache.com, and here’s an article from AppleBlog with several more iPhone apps for geocaching. A quick search of the Android Market on my phone reveals a few dozen different geocaching apps to pick from, and almost all of them are free!
And why am I telling you about this? Because Corvallis is rich in geocaches. In fact, a quick look at Geocache.com’s Google maps shows so many locations in the area that you’ll be stunned you aren’t tripping over caches on your way out to the mailbox! There are easily more than a hundred of them within a couple of miles of where I’m sitting, right now.
Geocaching started out as a pretty simple hobby, involving a hike to find the cache, which contained a log book where you’d sign your name, and a couple of little trinkets to take with you as “treasure.” It’s evolved into a dynamic hobby since then. With variations like Travel Bug races, mystery caches, puzzle boxes, riddles, and night time hunts, not to mention virtual and webcam caches, this hobby is not only a great way to get out and enjoy nature, it’s a real challenge, too!
It’s so popular, there’s even a cute-looking movie about it, called Splinterheads. Check out the trailer:
Geocaching also places an emphasis on eco-friendly practices, particularly with its “Cache In, Trash Out” tenant. Cachers are expected to both clean up after themselves, and pick up any trash they find along the way. Because this hobby occasionally catches a little flak for trespassing or littering, participants go out of their way to take care of the trails and paths they use, and keep cache areas clean and neat.
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