Geocaching : What Geocaching is All About

Geocaching , also known as GPS scavenger hunt is a kind of electronic treasure hunt. Objects can be found with the help of a GPS receiver, like just a simple App. If you have limited idea about Global Positioning System or GPS, it is suggested to read our article on Global Positioning System to get the enjoyment of knowing about Geocaching.

What Geocaching is All About

Matt Stum on May 30, 2000 coined the terminology Geocaching. geocaching.com is the Global Geocaching Activity Headquarters for Geocaching, it has own forum community, shop, guidelines, books etc.

A geocache is usually a waterproof container with a logbook and found several small trade items. Each visitor carries over into the log book to document his or her successful search. Then again the geocache is hidden at the point where it was found previously. It is recorded on the corresponding webpage on the Internet, possibly supplemented by Geo-tagged photographs.

The above image shows a typical Geocache. Detailed information can be found here on official website (found by Vaclav Babinsky). This is a typical example of how Geocaching goes on.

Geocaching is the beginning of the modern treasure hunt

As most smartphones, tablets has in-built GPS receiver, Geocaching activity has been easier by installing simple free Android or iOS Apps. The rule is – Get some Stuff, Leave some Stuff. According to the database of the largest geocache directory of geocaching.com, there are now a total of over 1,600,000 active caches worldwide, including International Space Station.

Local Problem with Geocaching activity

Geocaches can be mistaken by outsiders as a threat, such as a terrorist working behind in prone to be attacked states of the countries like U.S. or India. You must register yourself at geocahing.com and let others know your activities. geocaching.com will try to legally help you. Local residents of some states, might not have heard of Geocaching ever in life, can suspect you a terrorist and it can end up with lot of harassment ! It is not to make scared of Geocaching, but an alert, so that you first read about Geocaching from Geocaching.com or ask them of probable risks.

The typical Geocaches

Without Geocache nothing is in Geocaching !

Nano Geoache are tiny cache container, usually less than 1 cm in diameter, which only contains a small piece of paper as a log book. Micro or Mini sized are small cache container, which often contain only a piece of paper and pen. Small vessels, can offer not only a logbook still room for smaller items. Large containers offers maximum space and therefore can have many nice objects. The cache container contains the log mostly barter items.

In Geocaching activity, if a cache is found, the finder can exchange some new item. This bartering is then recorded in the logbook and on the Geocaching associated website. In addition to objects of exchange in Geocaching, there are so-called Trackables like Travel Bugs (a kind of tag) and coins. Unfortunately, these special Geocaching coins has been a target by the coin collectors. Individual geocaching websites have developed their own guidelines for acceptable geocaching publications and local Government usually updates the rules for Geocaching.