Geocaching Tips

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The first thing you should be looking at as a new cacher are the cache ratings. Each cache is rated for difficulty and terrain these ratings will give you the best idea of how difficult a cache is. Read 'all' the previous logs and they also contain some form of feedback re the ratings and percieved difficulty.

The first thing to do when arriving at your destination is set a waypoint for your vehicle, so you can find it without difficulty if you get dis-oriented whilst searching for the cache.

So to get started all you need is a GPS receiver, a pen and most caches will require the use of a vehicle to get near the location, some require 4WD or a long hike. Then logon to GC.com and register your 'username' the name you or your team will be recognised as. You can also take some items to use as swaps, not all geocachers swap items that is entirely up to you. Once you've hunted down your first find, log back into GC.com and log your find. If you visit a cache location and the cache is missing, always make sure to log the cache as "did not find" on the web site so the cache owner knows there maybe a problem and can rectify it.

In Western Australia if you use a UHF radio the unofficial channel is 15 so keep your ears on.

Keep in mind that distances can be deceiving. When you’re using your GPSr to find a cache, the unit only knows how close the site is as the crow flies. You may be a kilometre from the cache, but there may be a river in the way, or a near vertical climb, or a mountain.

The next step is actually getting ready as a suggestion of what to take. In no particular order drinking water, sunscreen, insect repellant, rain coats, umbrella, towel, good walking boots/shoes, a hat, camera, GPSr and pen, cache repair items such as some duct tape, ziplock bags, pencils, sharpener, log book. There are many more but you will make your own call on what to take along.

We always take a copy of the print friendly page from GC.com as a reference, it also has the encrypted clues in case you need a hint when unsuccessful at first try.

Time to start the search, use your GPS to locate the approximate location there will always be some error in the co-ords ie tree cover, poor gps coverage of some sort so expect to search around the GZ area. Co-ords on most caches should bring you within 5 meters of the cache as co-ords will differ day to day reciever to reciever as satelittes move and signal strength varies a good set of co-ords will always bring you within the 5 meter range. The most important rule in geocaching is 'DO NOT BE SEEN' keep an eye or ear open to sense approaching muggles. Try not to reveal the location if someone is heard or seen approaching leave the area discreetly and try to give the impression of bird watching or some other activity.

You've found it, now you can take an item and leave an item, and enter your name and the experience you had into the log book. I suggest once you do locate the cache look around carefully and make sure no one is in the immediate area, quickly as possible take a mental picture of the cache and way it is hidden. Then remove the cache and take it away from GZ (the further the better) so you can log it and not draw attention to the 'actual' location.

Make sure to seal the cache and place it back where you found it. If it had some rocks, leaf litter covering it, please replace them. The cache should be left in the same or better than when you located it.

Remember that waypoint we suggested you create where your car was located? Use that now to get back! You’ll be glad you had it.

How to hide a cache

Think about the location carefully a poorly placed cache may be trashed quite easily by passing muggles. This may not affect your decision as you can easily replace a cache but think of others. A lot of geo cachers put a lot of time and effort into creating Travel Bugs and they may end up in your cache and thus your protection. Don't place them in area's frequented by lots of muggles, residential area's and childrens playgrounds area examples of poor choices.

If it is only a couple of metres from the highway, there's a strong chance someone may plunder it. Try to find a place that will take a bit of time to get to, preferably on foot.

Will it be easy to find
If it is too visible, or too close to busy roads, trails, etc. there's a good chance someone may stumble upon it. But don't make it too difficult! If you hide it well, give hints on geocaching.com as to the location or warn that it will be difficult to find and set the difficulty level higher than normal.

Make sure to review the guidelines for listing a cache on the GC.com web site.

You are ultimately responsible for the cache, so make sure you know the rules for the area where your cache is being placed.

The big reward for geocachers, other than finding the cache itself, is the location. A prime camping spot, great viewpoint, unusual location, etc. are all good places to hide a cache.

First you'll need a container. Anything water resistant will do but geocachers have had good success with plastic buckets, tupperware containers, ammo boxes. You'll also want to invest in some zip-loc bags to put the items into in case your container leaks.

Make sure to mark your cache so that someone who doesn't hunt can figure out what it is. Most cachers mark the container with Geocaching.com, the name of the cache, and any contact information they feel is necessary. More info is better than less.

Next you'll need a logbook and a pen. A small spiral notebook does the trick. Make sure to put a pencil in the cache as well.

It's also recommended to have a stash note to welcome the cache finder and let them know what it is all about (if they accidentally find the cache). GC.com have a letter you can use Stash Note.

What shouldn't be in a cache?
Use your common sense in most cases. Explosives, ammo, knives, drugs, and alcohol shouldn't be placed in a cache. Respect the local laws. All ages of people hide and seek caches, so use some thought before placing an item into a cache.

Now go and place your cache and log it on the GC.com website, make sure you fill in all the details and think about your choice of ratings for the difficulty and terrain.

Maintain your cache
Once you've placed the cache, it is 'your responsibility' to maintain the cache 'and' the area around it. You'll need to return as often as you can to ensure that your cache is not impacting the area, and ensure that the cache is in good repair. Does the area look disturbed? Are visitors disrupting the landscape in any way? If you have concerns about the location, feel free to move or remove it from the area.

Travel Bugs

One of the more misunderstood area's of geocaching is travel bugs and how to log them. If done incorrectly the bug can become lost in the system and possibly not re appear.

A Travel Bug is a trackable item that moves from place to place, picking up stories along the way.

Follow these GC.com procedures on the links below

What is a Travel Bug?

How do I log a travel bug?

Remember to write down the TB number off the tag, so you can log it after you drop the bug off somewhere.

How to I get my TB out of a cache?

One way was to drop it into a Travel Bug Graveyard.

However, that cache was set up with false coordinates. Any bug placed into that cache will add false miles to its journey.

If the bug is yours and you have the tracking number (six digit code), when you're logged in and on the bug's page you should see a drop down that says "Recalculate Distance". Click the drop down and you can choose "Mark Bug as Missing". That takes it out of the cache and not in your inventory of bugs. If someone finds it later they can grab it directly from "Missing" (and if they're nice they drop it into the cache they found it and remove it).

Travel Bug listed in my cache that's not there?

Example: You've got a cache. Someone dropped a travel bug (correctly) in it. A muggle comes by and grabs the bug and never logs it. Now there's a bug listed on your cache page that's not there.

It used to be that you were at the mercy of the Travel Bug owner to go through the process above (if they were responsive). However Geocaching added a new feature. As a cache owner, you can also mark a bug as missing - thereby removing it from your cache. To do this, you must be logged in, and the bug MUST be in a cache you own. Then go to the bug's page, and there'll be a drop-down in the upper right hand corner that allows you to "Mark Bug Missing."