Welcome to Welcome to GEOCACHING 101!GEOCACHING 101!The sport where YOU are the search engineThe sport where YOU are the search engineTMTM

www.iowageocachers.orgwww.iowageocachers.orgwww.geocaching.comwww.geocaching.com

The Groundspeak Geocaching Logo is a trademark of Groundspeak, Inc. (Used with permission)The Groundspeak Geocaching Logo is a trademark of Groundspeak, Inc. (Used with permission)

GEOCACHING 101GEOCACHING 101What is Geocaching?What is Geocaching?Where are the Geocaches?Where are the Geocaches?Who Geocaches, and why?Who Geocaches, and why?What is a GPS?What is a GPS? …and how does it work? …and how does it work?Looking up a Geocache.Looking up a Geocache.Marking a Waypoint.Marking a Waypoint.Let’s go GEOCACHING!Let’s go GEOCACHING!

What is Geocaching?What is Geocaching?GeocachingGeocaching is an entertaining is an entertaining outdoor adventure game for GPS outdoor adventure game for GPS users of all ages.users of all ages.The basic idea is to set up The basic idea is to set up caches (hidden boxes) all over caches (hidden boxes) all over the world and share the the world and share the locations (Latitude/locations (Latitude/Longitude) of these Longitude) of these caches on the caches on the internet.internet.

What is Geocaching?What is Geocaching?GPS users can then use the GPS users can then use the coordinates to find the caches.coordinates to find the caches.Once found, the visitor may take Once found, the visitor may take something from the cache, leave something from the cache, leave something (of equal value), and sign something (of equal value), and sign the logbook.the logbook.The ‘find’ is then logged onto the The ‘find’ is then logged onto the Internet website where statistics Internet website where statistics about found and hidden about found and hidden caches are maintained.caches are maintained.

Types of GeocachesTypes of Geocaches

TraditionalTraditionalMulti-CachesMulti-CachesEventEventVirtual*Virtual*Webcam* Webcam* EarthcacheEarthcache

Letterbox HybridsLetterbox HybridsLocation-less Location-less (Reverse)*(Reverse)*CITO Cache In / CITO Cache In / Trash Out EventTrash Out EventUnknown (Mystery) Unknown (Mystery) Project APEProject APE

* Indicates a type of geocache that is no longer* Indicates a type of geocache that is no longerpermitted to be placed, but existing caches of permitted to be placed, but existing caches of thethe type are “grandfathered” into the system.type are “grandfathered” into the system.

Cache ContainersCache ContainersAmmo CansAmmo CansTupperwareTupperware35mm Film Cans35mm Film CansBison TubesBison Tubes

Magnetic Key HoldersMagnetic Key HoldersPill ContainersPill ContainersLock ‘N Lock ContainersLock ‘N Lock Containers““Blinkies”Blinkies”

Finding a GeocacheFinding a GeocacheBe inconspicuous in public places.Be inconspicuous in public places.Search carefully.Search carefully.Practice LNT (Leave No Trace).Practice LNT (Leave No Trace).Sign logbook and replace cache as Sign logbook and replace cache as found, Do Not Relocate.found, Do Not Relocate.If you trade trinkets, trade kindly.If you trade trinkets, trade kindly.Report any problems promptly.Report any problems promptly.If you take a traveler, log it and pass it If you take a traveler, log it and pass it on in a timely fashion.on in a timely fashion.

Finding a TravelerFinding a Traveler

Travelers are meant to travel, please do Travelers are meant to travel, please do no keep them.no keep them.Follow Directions given with the Follow Directions given with the traveler for proper logging. traveler for proper logging. Examples of travelers include “Travel Examples of travelers include “Travel Bugs” and “Geocoins”.Bugs” and “Geocoins”.

Trading ItemsTrading Items

Do Not Place:Do Not Place:Guns / KnivesGuns / KnivesDrugs / AlcoholDrugs / AlcoholExplosive / AmmoExplosive / AmmoFood or Scented Food or Scented ItemsItemsThings that freezeThings that freezeUse Common SenseUse Common Sense

Do Place:Do Place:Toys / gamesToys / gamesTrinketsTrinketsBooksBooksTravelersTravelersSignature itemsSignature itemsCamera to take Camera to take picture withpicture with

Geocaching and the Geocaching and the Environment Environment

A primary contribution of Geocaching to the A primary contribution of Geocaching to the environment is CITO (Cache In Trash Out).environment is CITO (Cache In Trash Out).CITO involves picking up litter in local parks and CITO involves picking up litter in local parks and recreation areas.recreation areas.CITO can be a activity for an individual geocacher to CITO can be a activity for an individual geocacher to do at any time or the purpose of an “Event Cache”.do at any time or the purpose of an “Event Cache”.Many CITO Events are held during March and April Many CITO Events are held during March and April close to International Cache In Trash Out Day and close to International Cache In Trash Out Day and Earth Day.Earth Day.An Example of a local CITO event is An Example of a local CITO event is the Cedar Rapids CITO Extravaganza.the Cedar Rapids CITO Extravaganza.

Goals of CITOGoals of CITOActively promote the good Actively promote the good stewardship of park land.stewardship of park land.Assist in the maintenance Assist in the maintenance of parks & trail systems.of parks & trail systems.Increase public awareness Increase public awareness of Geocaching.of Geocaching.

Where are the Where are the Geocaches?Geocaches?

Where are the Where are the Geocaches?Geocaches?

There are currently over 469,000 active caches worldwide!

Where are the Where are the Geocaches?Geocaches?

Who Geocaches?Who Geocaches?

People that are:People that are:YoungYoungOldOldMarriedMarriedSingle Single Have childrenHave childrenDo not have childrenDo not have children

Those that like the Those that like the OutdoorsOutdoorsThose that like Those that like PuzzlesPuzzlesBasically anyone Basically anyone that has a sense of that has a sense of adventure!adventure!

How Did It Get How Did It Get Started?Started?

On May 1, 2000, On May 1, 2000, the GPS signal the GPS signal degradation called Select Availability degradation called Select Availability (SA) was removed.(SA) was removed.The change allowed GPS units owned The change allowed GPS units owned by civilians to now be accurate to by civilians to now be accurate to within as close as 6 feet.within as close as 6 feet.On May 3rd, Dave Ulmer hid a ‘cache’ On May 3rd, Dave Ulmer hid a ‘cache’ in Oregon, listed the location on a in Oregon, listed the location on a newserve group. It was visited twice newserve group. It was visited twice within 3 days.within 3 days.

Mike Teague, the first to find Ulmers Mike Teague, the first to find Ulmers Cache, built a web page to document Cache, built a web page to document the ‘caches’.the ‘caches’.A few months later Jeremy Irish, the A few months later Jeremy Irish, the current operator of the current operator of the Geocaching.com website, expanded Geocaching.com website, expanded the idea and promoted the game.the idea and promoted the game.On September 6On September 6thth, four months after , four months after the first ‘hide’, the official torch was the first ‘hide’, the official torch was passed to Jeremy. Geocaching is passed to Jeremy. Geocaching is now in all 50 states and in over now in all 50 states and in over 200 countries.200 countries.

How Did It Get How Did It Get Started?Started?

What is a GPS?What is a GPS?A GPS (Global A GPS (Global Positioning Positioning System) unit is System) unit is an electronic an electronic device that can device that can determine your determine your approximate approximate location (within location (within 6-20 feet) almost 6-20 feet) almost anywhere on the anywhere on the planet.planet.

What is a GPS?What is a GPS?A GPS uses a system A GPS uses a system of 24* satellites to of 24* satellites to calculate your position. calculate your position. Only 3 are needed to Only 3 are needed to calculate (triangulate) calculate (triangulate) position.position.The GPS receiver can The GPS receiver can ‘see’ at most 12 of the ‘see’ at most 12 of the 24 satellites at any one time24 satellites at any one time(at ground level).(at ground level).

What is a GPS?What is a GPS?Since your GPS knows the location Since your GPS knows the location of where each satellite in the sky, of where each satellite in the sky, which it uses to determine which it uses to determine distances. With these distances it distances. With these distances it computes your location.computes your location.You can use the unit You can use the unit to navigate from your to navigate from your current location to current location to another location.another location.

What is a GPS?What is a GPS?Some units have their own maps, Some units have their own maps, built-in compasses, pressure built-in compasses, pressure altimeters, and even voice altimeters, and even voice navigation.navigation.Don’t worry though, a GPS device Don’t worry though, a GPS device doesn’t send signals, it only doesn’t send signals, it only receives them. So . . . no one can receives them. So . . . no one can track your location!track your location!

How do GPSHow do GPSdevices work?devices work?

Let’s say you don’t Let’s say you don’t know where you know where you are but a passerby are but a passerby tells you that tells you that you’re 238 miles you’re 238 miles from Cleveland.from Cleveland.That puts you That puts you anywhere on the anywhere on the perimeter of a perimeter of a circle around circle around Cleveland!Cleveland!

How do GPSHow do GPSdevices work?devices work?

Another passerby stops and tells you Another passerby stops and tells you you’re 340 miles from Boston.you’re 340 miles from Boston.So not only are you on the perimeter of So not only are you on the perimeter of the circle around Cleveland, but around the circle around Cleveland, but around Boston too.Boston too.There are There are now only now only two possible two possible locations!locations!

How do GPS devices How do GPS devices work?work?

Finally, Finally, someone someone stops and stops and tells you that tells you that you’re 272 you’re 272 miles from miles from Baltimore.Baltimore.You now You now know right know right where you where you are!are!

WAAS/DGPSWAAS/DGPSColor screenColor screenExternal antenna jackExternal antenna jackTurn by turn ‘Autorouting’Turn by turn ‘Autorouting’Base map / Optional mapsBase map / Optional mapsMemory sizeMemory size

12 channel receiver12 channel receiverWaterproofWaterproofElectronic altimeterElectronic altimeterElectronic ‘compass’Electronic ‘compass’Computer InterfaceComputer InterfaceBacklit ScreenBacklit Screen

Available GPS Available GPS FeaturesFeatures

Power sourcePower sourceScreen sizeScreen sizeOverall size/weightOverall size/weightIntended useIntended use

How much will I pay?How much will I pay?

GPSr UnitGPSr Unit(Pricing as of 9/28/2007)(Pricing as of 9/28/2007)

The GPS The GPS StoreStore GPS NowGPS Now Amazon .coAmazon .co

mm

eTrexeTrexBasic UnitBasic Unit

$99.95 $99.95 $99.99$99.99 $93.09$93.09

eTrex LegendeTrex LegendIntermediate UnitIntermediate Unit

$149.95 $149.95 $149.99$149.99 $124.41$124.41

GPSmap 60CSxGPSmap 60CSxAdvanced UnitAdvanced Unit

$449.95$449.95 $449.99$449.99 $837.99$837.99

Quest 2Quest 2Advanced UnitAdvanced Unit

$584.95$584.95 $559.95$559.95 $444.86$444.86

Looking up a Looking up a GeocacheGeocache

Go to Go to geocaching.comgeocaching.comon your web on your web browser.browser.Click on “log in” Click on “log in” or go to “Create or go to “Create an account now” an account now” if you do not if you do not already have an already have an account.account.

Looking up a Looking up a GeocacheGeocache

Once logged in, Once logged in, select the state select the state or country from or country from the drop-down the drop-down menu or type in menu or type in the zip code for the zip code for the area you the area you would like to would like to search.search.Click the right Click the right arrow.arrow.

Looking up a Looking up a GeocacheGeocache

Click on Map.Click on Map.

Looking up a Looking up a GeocacheGeocache

Zoom, zoom… Zoom, zoom… Select “Zoom In”.Select “Zoom In”.Click on the area Click on the area of the map you of the map you wish to explore.wish to explore.

Once zoomed in Once zoomed in close enough to close enough to see individual see individual caches, select caches, select “Identify” and “Identify” and click on the map.click on the map.

Click on a cache Click on a cache in the list to see in the list to see its details.its details.

Looking up a Looking up a GeocacheGeocache

Enter the Enter the Coordinates for Coordinates for the geocache the geocache you selected you selected into your GPS into your GPS …and the hunt …and the hunt begins!begins!

Looking up a Looking up a GeocacheGeocache

……Oops!!! Oops!!! Make sure you Make sure you read the entire read the entire cache listing, cache listing, for helpful for helpful information information such as parking such as parking coordinates and coordinates and additional hints.additional hints.Now…Let’s go Now…Let’s go Geocaching!Geocaching!

Marking a WaypointMarking a WaypointWhen you turn on When you turn on your GPS, wait for it your GPS, wait for it to triangulate (find to triangulate (find the satellites).the satellites).When the GPS is When the GPS is ready it will indicate ready it will indicate a 3D fix/position.a 3D fix/position.You are now ready You are now ready to enter the to enter the waypoint (geocache) waypoint (geocache) coordinates into the coordinates into the GPS.GPS.

Marking a WaypointMarking a WaypointEnter the coordinates for the Enter the coordinates for the geocache you have selected geocache you have selected (this can usually be done (this can usually be done under the “Mark” function of under the “Mark” function of the GPS).the GPS).Many GPS units have the Many GPS units have the ability to download ability to download coordinates directly from coordinates directly from your computer.your computer.If parking coordinates are If parking coordinates are given for the cache, be sure given for the cache, be sure to “mark” them as well.to “mark” them as well.

Begin the Hunt!Begin the Hunt!Your GPS will likely have Your GPS will likely have two or more different ways two or more different ways to guide you in the to guide you in the direction of your cache.direction of your cache.The compass page The compass page will be the most will be the most helpful when you are close helpful when you are close to the geocache.to the geocache.When you arrive at the When you arrive at the parking location, be sure parking location, be sure to “mark” the coordinates to “mark” the coordinates on the GPS before heading on the GPS before heading down the trail (this may be down the trail (this may be useful later).useful later).

I’m Lost!!!I’m Lost!!!If you get lost, don’t If you get lost, don’t forget that you marked forget that you marked (or should have marked) (or should have marked) your starting location your starting location before heading down the before heading down the trail.trail.Search for the waypoint Search for the waypoint you marked as your you marked as your starting location, select starting location, select “GO TO”, and head back “GO TO”, and head back to civilization!to civilization!Don’tDon’t forgetforget toto taketake extra extra batteriesbatteries withwith you!you!

What to take What to take Geocaching?Geocaching?

GPS…and GPS…and ExtraExtra BatteriesBatteriesCompass / Map / Cache InformationCompass / Map / Cache InformationBug Spray / Moist WipesBug Spray / Moist WipesTools – Knife, Mirror, String, FlashlightTools – Knife, Mirror, String, FlashlightTrade ItemsTrade ItemsPen / NotebookPen / NotebookCache Maintenance ItemsCache Maintenance ItemsClothes for Changing Weather ConditionsClothes for Changing Weather ConditionsExtra ShoesExtra ShoesWater / FoodWater / FoodCell Phone / CameraCell Phone / Camera

Some GPS linksSome GPS links

How a GPS worksHow a GPS workselectronics.howstuffworks.com/gps.htm/printableelectronics.howstuffworks.com/gps.htm/printablewww.nasm.si.edu/exhibitions/gps/work.html

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/gpsen.wikipedia.org/wiki/gps

Geocaching Info Geocaching Info WebsitesWebsites

www.GeoCreed.infowww.Geocacher-U.comwww.geocachingpolicy.org

En.wikipedia.org/wiki/geocachingEn.wikipedia.org/wiki/geocaching

Local OrganizationLocal Organization www.iowageocachers.org

PeriodicalsPeriodicals www.todayscacher.comwww.geocachingtoday.comwww.geocachingtoday.com

Cache Listing Cache Listing SitesSites

www.geocaching.comwww.navicache.comwww.terracaching.com

GPS MakersGPS Makerswww.garmin.comwww.garmin.com

www.magellangps.com/en/www.magellangps.com/en/www.lowrance.com/www.lowrance.com/

Any Questions???Any Questions???

Let’s Go Find ALet’s Go Find AGEOCACHE!GEOCACHE!