Geocaching

Geocaching is a treasure-hunting game of 21th century.
Some people hide a “treasure” (cache) and then provide its location in geographical coordinates along with a brief description of the hiding-place on a web-site, and other participants (called geocachers) find the “treasure” and then report on it.
Geocaching was born in May, 2000, immediately after GPS Selective Availability had been turned off and GPS receivers owned by civilian users had become able to operate with accuracy on the order of 10 meters.

Who?

Geocaching is available to everyone equipped with a GPS receiver anywhere in the world regardless of age, gender, race, occupation, whatever.

What is the equipment?

In short, to play the geocaching you need a GPS receiver and free time to hunt “treasures”.
Actually a GPS receiver is not quite enough; for example, when you go looking for something by car, you need to pay for gas (or whatever fuel your vehicle happens to use).

What is a typical cache?

A typical cache is a waterproof container with a log book (at minimum) and various not so valuable trinkets. Once a geocachers have found the cache, they write something in the log book for future geocachers or leave a message for the cache owner.
As far as the trinkets are concerned, they can be unusual coins, CDs, books, small toys and the like. Geocachers can take some of them or even add something (add the newer ones) to those found.

Types of caches

Traditional cache is just a container with a log book placed somewhere; accurate coordinates of its location are listed by cache’s owner on a web-site.
Event cache is a geocaching game taking place at the time and in the place known in advance. “Event” means that many geocachers attend such an event. Normally, cache for this game is temporary and is placed in a day of event and for this day only.
Virtual cache is provided only with a set of coordinates; when its location has been established by geocachers, they can take a photograph of themselves with a GPS receiver displaying coordinates of the position and then send it to the cache owner.
Multi-cache, as its name implies, consists of several caches placed in different locations. In first hiding place among a log book and some trinkets you will also find an instruction on how to find the next one and so on.
Mystery cache requires geocachers to retrieve some background information to find a treasure.
- A set of coordinates can be a little bit off and you have to solve some puzzle to obtain correct coordinates.
- Cache can be easily located but a container has a padlock.
- You find the cache but there is a problem with on-line registration of your find (need to enter some information and the like)

Databases of cache locations