Geocache & DGN - Modern Day Treasure Hunting?

[Troy Spiral (13)]

The Basic Idea:

Geocaching is the "sport" of hiding and/or locating small treasures or "caches" with a few verbal clues and, most importantly, GPS coordinates.

The cache is often a few trinkets relating to the individual who places it, a memo pad and pencil, and possibly a few coins, or some other "treasure." These are usually placed in an air-tight container -- most often Tupperware -- and hidden in some out-of-the-way place. The ultimate hiding spot is (hopefully) well-concealed; a hollow log, a space under a large stone, a crevice in a rock, etc.

The individual responsible for placing the cache then provides a series of clues and GPS coordinates (this might sound complicated but its not) for the cache hunters. These clues are usually provided through clubs or via the internet, through links like the ones below. Some geocachers provide regular clues while other provide various levels of clues so that the chase can be as challenging or as easy as you want it to be.

From Vater Araignee :

Arm you self with a hunger for adventure and discovery, Join in on the free game of geocaching.

What is it? Well broken down into it's simplest form, it is finding a hidden container (called a cache) with nothing more then GPS coordinates and a GPS reciver or a map.

Basic rules when you find one?

1. take something from the cache

2. leave something in the cache for others

3. write about your findings in a logbook

Goecaching can help you learn new things about where you live, get you exorcise, sharping you thinking skills.

It can also help spread the word about DGN. HOW?

When you find a cache and write in the log book put the url in there or drop some street team cards in the cache.

That sounds like something that can only be done out in the country.

Not true!

There are at least 30 caches on Belle Isle.

There are 8 caches between the RenCen and Comerica park.

There are 4 caches within walking distance of the City Club (don't look for them after dark please.)

Most of all you never know how many interesting people you will meet who are looking for the same thing as you.

Read on!

[Vater Araignee]

Arm you self with a hunger for adventure and discovery, Join in on the free game of geocaching.

What is it? Well broken down into it's simplest form, it is finding a hidden container (called a cache) with nothing more then GPS coordinates and a GPS reciver or a map.

Basic rules when you find one?

1. take something from the cache
2. leave something in the cache for others
3. write about your findings in a logbook

Goecaching can help you learn new things about where you live, get you exorcise, sharping you thinking skills.

It can also help spread the word about DGN. HOW?

When you find a cache and write in the log book put the url in there or drop some street team cards in the cache.

That sounds like something that can only be done out in the country.

Not true!

There are at least 30 caches on Belle Isle.

There are 8 caches between the RenCen and Comerica park.

There are 4 caches within walking distance of the City Club (don't look for them after dark please.)

Most of all you never know how many interesting people you will meet who are looking for the same thing as you.

Read on!

Edited July 8, 2008 by Vater Araignee

[Vater Araignee]

Frequently Asked Questions About Geocaching

What is Geocaching?

Geocaching is an entertaining adventure game for gps users. Participating in a cache hunt is a good way to take advantage of the wonderful features and capability of a gps unit. The basic idea is to have individuals and organizations set up caches all over the world and share the locations of these caches on the internet. GPS users can then use the location coordinates to find the caches. Once found, a cache may provide the visitor with a wide variety of rewards. All the visitor is asked to do is if they get something they should try to leave something for the cache.

How do you pronounce Geocaching?

jē-ə-ˈkashiŋ

jee-oh-kash-ing

Are there any other names for Geocaching?

The Great modern Treasure Hunt

Electronic Treasure Hunt

GPS Stash Hunt

Global Positioning Stash hunt

Geocaching is the standard for the game.

You gave me the coordinates so I know where it is. Is it that easy?

Hell yeah IF YOU HAVE A MILITARY GPS REVIVER.

If you have a civilian receiver you could be up to 7 yard off on average, then you take into account that most are hidden, oh and the is the issue of getting to the general location.

What is a GPS device?

A navigational system using satellite signals to fix the location of a radio receiver on or above the earth's surface; also : the radio receiver so used

How do GPS devices work?

Um yeah right Like I could explain that so go to GPS: The New Navigation .

OK OK I'll try. A GPSr reads pulse signals from multiple satellites and basically uses the pulses to triangulate its position. Yeah I know I so over simplified it that I'm wrong.

So if I have a GPS unit, someone can track where I am (and where I'm going)?

Nope.

Well unless you got a nifty phone that broadcasts its position or you are like phee and have a tracker implanted in you skull by the alien overlords. Make sure you mail phee some tinfoil, his address is...

How much does a GPS unit cost, and where can I get one?

GPSr's can range from $50 to $5000 depending on the kind of capabilities you are looking for.

You can geocache using a GPS enabled phone but it costs you monthly and is ultimately more expencive.

How do I use a GPS unit for Geocaching?

To play, you'll need to know how to enter waypoints into your GPS unit.

What are the rules in Geocaching?

Geocaching is kind of new so, the rules are rather simple:

If you take something from the cache, then leave something in the cache, there are exceptions to this.

Write in the logbook

Where you place a cache is up to you.

What is usually in a cache?

The simplest cache contains a log scroll (micro-cache 'bout the size of a film canister, bring your own pencil) or a note scroll (nano-cache, no pencil required)

At the very least you can try to leave the date and time you visited the cache.

Larger caches contain log books and other items. Remember, if you take something, be fair and leave something in return. Items could be: Maps, coloring books, vidoegames, tools, CD's, videos, pictures, money, jewelry, tickets, antiques, fishing supplies, hiking supplies, etc.

You might find trackable items.

What are trackable items?

Trackable items are items that usually have some form of goal for them.

A goal could be as simple as being moved from cache to cache to see how far it moves.

Another could be to visit another country or all 50 states by hoping from cache to cache.

Remember a trackable item is not yours to keep, just keep it moving because it is suppose to be the owners and if you keep it then it stops being tracked. HOW RUDE!!!

What shouldn't be in a cache?

• Explosives
• Poison
• Ammo
• Knives
• Food
• Weed or other drugs
• Booze
• Tobacco
• Porn

Use you brain! I take my 4 year old hunting for christs sake.

Where are caches found?

Anywhere.

Some caches are places to show the placers skill. I'm going to place one on a rock face, Tee hee hee, it is illegal to use climbing gear on it and you WILL face a fine and time in jail for it.

I have found geocaches:

• Inside of those fake rocks used to hide keys.
• Inside a hole in a tree.
• Under rocks.
• In a cave.
• Magnetically stuck to the underside of a bridge.
• High up a tree.
• 6 feet under water.
• In a hollow log.
• Under a trash bag in a garbage can.
• I found a nano cache once only because its fake grass was darker then the surrounding lawn.
• One guy put a cache in a dog house in his yard and had a motion detector set off a vicious dog barking.
• I missed one cache 8 times before I figured out that it was a fake bush and I had to pull the top off to get to the log book in its trunk.
• On time The clue was go to the back door and ring the doorbell, when I found the site and rang the bell a recording told me to look under the steps.

Point is you never know where the next person is going to hide one until it is hidden and found. Some caches are never found because most people don't have the fortitude to try.

Can I move a cache once I find it?

NO! Don't move the cache! Responsible cache owners check on their caches often and would freak out when they discover it missing.

How long do caches exist?

That depends on the owner. It could be as temporary as 1 day or until something like free passes are all gone or it could be permanent.

Some times caches are stolen. Let the owner know you couldn't find it every separate occasion you try, if every one does this the owner quickly knows it is gone.

Sometimes they are destroyed by nature or muggles (you know the uninitiated) and Geoasses (people that perposfuly hunt to trash a cache), please let the owner know if you find a destroyed cache.

What do I do if I find out that a cache has gone missing?

Reread How long do caches exist.

Is there a FRS channel to find out if other Geocachers are in the area?

Yup, the community decided on channel 2 as the primary for both FRS, and 12 as the alternate FRS.

Can I play without a receiver?

You sure can just check this out. LINK

Can geo caching help me?

Yeah! It will excorcise the mind, body and if you the type to connect to nature, your spirit!

Can geochaching help DGN?

YOU BET IT CAN!!!

Every time you find a geocache:

Sign the log book then resign by writing something like "Found by Team DetroitGothic.net"

Do you have any street team cards? If so place one, two or more in a cache.

Edited July 8, 2008 by Vater Araignee

[Vater Araignee]

If you have signed up at Geocaching.com and have started claiming your finds then pm me with the links to the caches and I will claim them for Team_DGN.

Coming soon "DGN Member only Geocaching site"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

grammar edit

Edited July 13, 2008 by Vater Araignee

[Vater Araignee]

Ok here is the deal:

I have been working on a DGN exclusive site and unfortunately I have been having host issue preventing it from coming to fruition.

So I have some solutions.

You can use DGN Street Team Caches Google map OR Google Earth.

I have also made a map for showing finds by DGNers and here is the Google Earth network link.

Soon I will make the DGN exclusives map.

If you have a find or a hide you want placed on one of these maps then PM me.

If you want to place a Street Team Cache and and are not sure how then PM me.

Questions answered and help I am your servant.

Edited July 17, 2008 by Vater Araignee

[Vater Araignee]

Ok for those that want to place a Geocache Street Team or otherwise.

#1. Find your hidding spot, if you don't have a GPSr Then follow my instructions for finding them using maps.google.com. If you do plan on using a GPSr then place it on the spot you want to hide and use waypoint averaging for 10-20 min. dont have that feature. Go to the point and jot down the coordinates then walk about 20 feet away com back and repeat about 20 times then average your coordinates.

#2 Name your cache.

#3 Make sure you put your log and pencil in a zip lock baggy before you put it in the container. Today I found a cache with a every thing inside dripping wet and the log book was trashed for writing in. Good thing I bring spares with me so if somebody finds it before the caretaker fixes things they can still writ to a log. Another had bubbles placed in it and they leaked but the log was spared because of a baggy.

#4 Download and fill out the attachment then place it in the cache.

If you can't open MSword docs let me know and I'll convert to html or pdf.

I got 4 today.

Happy hunting.

[hunhee]

Cool

The hunt is ON!!!

[Vater Araignee]

Hi guys,

I just wanted to show you some links to items you may come across in your hunt for treasure.

• Traveler Tags
  1. Evil Emperor Zurg
  2. Blue Light Special

• Travel Bugs
  1. "Kalimpong, India" Unite for Diabetes Travel Bug
  2. Touch My Monkey

     LilDevil's Underwear

• Path tags
  1. TeamLareau - Skulls
  2. Vampirella

• Geocoins
  1. Tom n Chris to WA coin
  2. WDD 2007 Commemorative Geocoin
  3. Australia 2007
  4. TP's Global Caching

~~~edit 4 formatting

Edited July 19, 2008 by Vater Araignee

[Nightgaunt]

My father does geocaching and I've always sort of thought of it as something lame that baby boomers do. You've caused me to reevaluate my position on the subject.

[Vater Araignee]

Glad I could be of help. Don't forget to drop some Street Team cards and writing the url in logs when you start hitting up caches.

[Troy Spiral (13)]

Hi guys,

I just wanted to show you some links to items you may come across in your hunt for treasure.Traveler

• Traveler Tags
  1. URLS]

• Travel Bugs
  1. [urlS=http://www.geocaching.com/track/details.aspx?guid=7258f9e4-7bb4-4565-90d2-6642206b368d" target="_blank]"Kalimpong, India" Unite for Diabetes Travel Bug
  2. Touch My Monkey

     LilDevil's Underwear

• Path tags
  2. [urlS=http://track.pathtags.com/publicpathtagprofile.php?id=6847" target="_blank]VampirelTeamLareau

• Geocoins
  1. coin
  2. WDD 2007 Commemorative Geocoin
  3. Australia 2007
  4. TP's Global Caching

~~~edit 4 formatting

Sweet writeup.

[Bernadette]

I've heard of this .. intriguing!

[Vater Araignee]

For those that feel they cant afford a GPS receiver but know they can qualify for a No annual fee credit card, just google "free gps" and you will find a way to get a Garmin nuvi 200. I wouldn't exactly recommend one for geocaching but something is better then nothing when it will get you near your location. The question is "how near?"

~~~edit~~~~

I tried and tried but couldn't get the articles to read for a layperson.

Edited August 10, 2008 by Vater Araignee

[Vater Araignee]

Looks like the recent cable rat work I have been doing has payed off and I'm going to be sent to Chicago to lay some line. The way hotels are about construction it looks like I'll only be working 5 hours a day and logging finds the rest. The best part is I'll be able to afford signature cards with the DGN url after the job is closed. WOOT!