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Keller Ink Geocaching Article

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merkman
Past MnGCA Board

Joined: 03 Jun 2006

Posts: 2032

Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2008 8:58 am Post subject: Keller Ink Geocaching Article

The board was contacted by Maura Keller to help her write an article on geocaching. She would like to compile information from many sources.
The following is her initial list of questions. Please feel free to answer these questions via this thread. It will be interesting to see everyone's answers to these questions.

She is also taking interviews via her contact info, if anyone is interested.

Quote:

1. What is geocaching and has it grown in popularity? When was it first created?

2. How does it work?

3. How often do people typically take part in geocaching?

4. Is it an expensive hobby/activity?

5. What type of equipment is needed?

6. What are some common mistakes you see people make when they first get involved in geocaching?

7. Any tips/advice for those interested in getting involved?

Maura Keller
Keller Ink
Freelance Writer/Editor
3615 Rosewood Lane
Plymouth, MN 55441
Business phone: 612-720-4694
Fax: 612-341-4577
maurakeller@yahoo.com
kellerink@hotmail.com

Pear Head
Past MnGCA President

Joined: 04 Apr 2004

Posts: 5597
Location: north of Duluth

Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2008 9:28 pm Post subject: Re: Keller Ink Geocaching Article

merkman wrote:

Well, someone has to start here... May as well be me. I do hope others join in to promote the sport.

Quote:

1. What is geocaching and has it grown in popularity? When was it first created?

Caching is basically finding a container of dollar-store items using a GPS receiver, signing the logbook, and replacing the container 'as found' for the next person to find.

Quote:

2. How does it work?

Basically, you look up the cache that you are interested in on a cache listing service (geocaching.com is by far the most popular), enter those coordinates in your GPS receiver, follow the little arrow until you reach "ground zero" (which is typically when the GPS says you're within 20 or 30'), and then start looking for the container.

Quote:

3. How often do people typically take part in geocaching?

This varies wildly. Some find caches daily. Others a couple of times a week, or once every couple of weeks, or once every 6 months (or more). All depends on the person.

Quote:

4. Is it an expensive hobby/activity?

That's relative. To participate you basically need a GPS receiver, which can run anywhere from around $100 (new) to a few hundred dollars. After that it's mostly just the gas money to get from cache to cache.

Quote:

5. What type of equipment is needed?

A GPS receiver and access to the internet from home, work, or a public place.

Quote:

6. What are some common mistakes you see people make when they first get involved in geocaching?

Not hiding the container as they found it and not properly logging "travel bugs" online.

Many people tend to follow the little arrow on the GPS too closely. Once you reach that area of 20' around "ground zero" then you really need to put down the GPS and start looking with your eyes.

Quote:

7. Any tips/advice for those interested in getting involved?

It's often easiest to start with someone who has already done a few, although certainly not necessary. It's also a good idea to have a number of 'finds' under your belt before you make your first 'hide', and be aware of the requirements of the land managers before you hide.

If you have questions/comments, feel free to post them here or contact me through my geocaching.com profile.

- Pear Head
_________________
Hmm...

loneeagle_24
Geocacher

Joined: 17 Jun 2003

Posts: 870
Location: Montevideo

Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2008 4:53 am Post subject:

Quote:

1. What is geocaching and has it grown in popularity? When was it first created?

Just like a treasure hunt. but only with Mcdonalds toys and such. Although sometimes there are surprises in a cache.

Quote:

2. How does it work?

What PH said

Quote:

3. How often do people typically take part in geocaching?

This varies. Some only find them once or twice a year, while others that are addicts find them every day or just about every day. This has a lot to do with where they are also. Some areas are more cache dense than others as well.

Quote:

4. Is it an expensive hobby/activity?

The two most expensive things involving this hobby have to be the GPS and the gas. There are the occasional minor things to consider like hotel/motel stays if you are away from your "home" area. There is some gear that works better based on the time of year also.

Quote:

5. What type of equipment is needed?

GPS, internet access, and depends on the time of year, but normally you would want to get a good pair of hiking boots, and possibly some water proof clothing for those times when it is raining. This can vary widely from individual to individual though.

Quote:

6. What are some common mistakes you see people make when they first get involved in geocaching?

In my experience I have had some new ones actually grab the whole cache thinking that is what they are supposed to do. also you have those that grab a trackable (either a TB or a coin) and either don't log them at all or improperly log them, then keep them and don't place them into another cache.

Quote:

7. Any tips/advice for those interested in getting involved?

If you are finding your first cache or two, I suggest finding a larger sized cache or two before trying to find a micro. These are very tough to find if you haven't found a cache at all prior to. If you can it would be good to go with a seasoned cacher the first time if possible as well, but not necessary.

Most of all it is a great tool to get people out doing some activity rather than sitting in a house playing video games or such.

-loneeagle_24
_________________
King of the Jeff Gordon TB's!
They put that cache WHERE?

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