Geocaching Basics! Ready, Set, Go!

Geocaching Game Basics

Hello, Geocachers !

      Now that you've read my previous post and know what Geocaching is it's time to explain the Game Basics to get you out finding more Geocaches. I hope you are ready in starting your new favorite hobby. 

If you're new to my blog be sure to read " What is Geocaching " before proceeding.

I was recently asked if Geocaching was something difficult to learn or if it was easy enough to play. My reply was that one awesome thing about geocaching is that it can be as easy as you want it to be or as hard as you want it to be, the choice is yours on how you want to play the game. If you're interested in getting outside to play with your GPS then you will have a great time. If you are also interested in taking the game to another level, and you are heavily into technology and mapping, then there are many other ways you can play the game with all the tools and resources you have at your reach. You can easily make the game what you want it to be, creating a whole world of fun. The guidelines and rules of the game as designed to maximize flexibility and fun. 

Trail we hiked during the Summer of 2017 for a series of Geocaches
Photo Credit Jessie C
Follow @everyday.fun.day101

The basics of the game are simple: The Geocacher selects a cache from a Geocaching website, the one I use is Geocaching.com. After you have selected on the cache you want to set out and find you will need to send the coordinates to your GPS, or you can open a Geocaching app from your smartphone that has GPS enabled built into it. Check out my list of top Geocaching Apps you can download and use HERE. It will be then up to the Geocacher to use their navigational and detective skills to seek and find the Geocaches hidden container. 

All of this is possible with the help of the famous GPS. Let's talk a little about the GPS and how its use affects the game. The GPS satellites in space will broadcast coded signals right to your receiver or phone depending on the one you will be using when setting out on your adventure. The receiver will need to read signals from at least three others satellites at a time to calculate its general location through a process called trilateration, Sounds complicated? Don't worry you won't really need to know all of this in order to play the game and have a great time. This is all extra information that I find interesting in order to know a little how the back end of the game works. Once the receiver knows your position, the receiver can calculate your speed, bearings, distance traveled, distance to your destination, and lots more. I find it so fascinating to understand how it's all done from selecting the GPS and being able to locate the Geocache.

Very rarely you will stumble on what I like to call
"A Silly Cachers hide" I walked in on two Geocaches
Both carrying a logbook  / Summer 2017
Photo Credit: Jessie C
Follow @everyday.Fun.Day101

With signals from several satellites, the GPS receiver can get a more accurate fix that includes altitudes and altitude and the exact time, as well as latitude and longitude. In their words the more satellites your device can read the more accurate the position will report to you, however, that is not always the case. It all depends on how much connection you can get in the area you are caching in. Let's explain; just knowing where the cache is located on the planet is only half the battle. Geocaching does sound very easy to play and generally it really is that easy to play, however, the GPS doesn't always like to cooperate as it should. It may take a lot more work to locate some caches then you expected. You will often need to explore the uncharted terrain, when you reach the location it may take some serious searching to find the Geocache, that all depends on the accuracy of your GPS receiver and the hidders receiver, both have an effect on the game. Also, keep in mind some cachers are very creative when it comes to hidden their Geocache be sure to look in every corner, every crack, under logs, look all over the place for the Geocache and I am sure you will find it. 😊

** Geo Lingo: BEARING ( also known as azimuth), is a compass degree to be followed to find your target. When you will go after a Geocache, your GPS receiver provides a bearing as one of a compass's 360 degrees. **