Boswijk Posse Geocaching

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What is Geocaching?

Geocaching is sometimes referred to as 'Treasure hunt using a GPS' or 'hiking with a purpose'.

In short geocaching is as follows: A geocacher has hidden a treasure on a special location. He then publishes an internet page describing how and where this cache can be found. Other geocachers can view this cache description and then can start to hunt for and find the cache. During the hunt, a handheld GPS device is required as coordinates are being used to determine the location.

For me, the combination of GPS, Internet and outdoor activity is an adventureous and fun activity for the whole family. In the vicinity of my hometown I have found many surprising spots thanks to geocaching.

Geocaching is a worldwide phenomenon; in the Netherlands there are over 8000 caches but also in other countries you can go geocaching. Overall there are over 830,000 caches available and this number is everygrowing. Through the international website I have made contact with people all over the world and also joined them for a geocaching hunt.

Hiding a cache

Someone hides in a special location, i.e. a nice area in the nature, or a historic location, a cache. Most often it is a tupperware box or ammo box but often it can also be the size of a 35mm filmrol canister or even a small nano cache. On the internet the cache owner then provides instructions on how the cache can be found. The most often used cachetypes are:

	Traditional caches
	De cache owner publishes the exect coordinates of the cachelocation on the internet. The hunter can use these coordinates to go straight to the cache. It sounds simple, but sometimes this cache is placed in difficult terrain or ingeniousely hidden
	Multi-caches
	De cache owner publishes the start location on the internet. The hunter has to use this point to find the next waypointd and the final location of the cache. Often information needs to be collected or questions to be answered at the intermediate waypoints in order to determine the next waypoint.
	Unknown caches
	With this puzzel, a ficitive location is published. To determine the exact location, a puzzle or riddle needs to be solved. This can be done at home. The variety and difficulty of puzzles is huge. It can range from a Sudoku to a mathematical puzzle; a world riddle or a dive in history or nature. I found Google, Wikipedia and Excel to be of essence in solving the puzzle.

Some examples of puzzles can be the:counting of objects, fotopuzzles, sudoku , chemical formulas or astronomy

Finding the cache

It is up to the hunter/cacher to find the cache. Depending on the cache-type and difficulty level it will be more or less effort.
For hiking the route, the determination of the direction through coordinates en localising the cache a GPS device is a requirement. Furthermore a compass, spare batteries, pen and paper, food and plenty of drinks should be part of every cachers backpack.

Once the cache has been found, the hunter will log his/her visit in the logbook which is always part of the cache. Furthermore the cache may contain goodies that can be exchanged. Goodies are small objects that you can swap. The unwritten rule is that if you take out a goodie, you put something back of equal or more value. As the goodies are usually toys, children are always very excited and curious when a cache is opened.
After logging, the cache is placed back in the exact location so the next hunter can try to find it. Finally, the hunter will log his/her find on the internet. Usually a small story is written on special moments during the hunt for the cache, accompanied by photos and a thank-you note to the cache owner.

Travelbugs and Geocoins

There are special goodies named travelbug of geocoin. These are trackable goodies that are supposed to travel from cache to cache or follow a specific assignment prepared by the owner of the bug or coin. If you find one in a cache, you can remove it without replacing something else. The bug or coin is supposed to be placed in the next cache within 14 days. You also log your find of the bug or coin on the internet using a special number published on the bug or coin. Some examples of assignements are: 'See as many countries as possible' , 'only travel eastwards' or 'make a special photo with the travelbug'.

Cache Rules

Geocachers do not walk in a straight line in the direction indicated on the GPS device. Geocachers repspect nature and someone elses property. Clear -common sense- guidelines have been defined to which all geocachers should abide.

Placement of a cache is only done after approval of the landowner.
Before the cache is published on the internet, a independent reviewer checks the cachedescription to see if the guidelines for publishing a cache -a defined by groundspeak/geocaching.com have been adhered to.
Cachers respect nature and only walk on trail and paths unless specifically mentioned in the cachedescription.