Geocaching

Romy5152 · Guru

Geocaching

BohemianGypsy · Guru

Romy5152 wrote:
Has anyone in Grey Nomads ever participated in Geocaching? Geocaching is, and I quote directly from the website, "the free high-tech treasure hunt where you use your GPS receiver to find caches hidden by other players. It's a great way to be outdoors, enjoy the environment and revel in the thrill of the hunt!" Website for those interested: www.geocaching.com.au

I have never heard of it Romy but sounds like it would be fantastic fun biggrin biggrin biggrin biggrin

Michelle

Romy5152 · Guru

This is something we're keeping in mind to do when we do the 'biggie' with our caravan around Australia - when we retire. Hopefully, that will be in about 2 or 3 years time - or sooner if I can get hubby to stop working.

-- Edited by Romy5152 on Thursday 9th of August 2012 07:07:46 AM

Romy5152 · Guru

Have you checked out the website, Michelle? Apparently, when you are in whatever town or city you've arrived in or are nearby, you go to the website, look up co-ordinates of possible caches in that area, and then go a-hunting; using your GPS or mobile phone if it is GPS enabled. The cache will be hidden, but you look around in the general area, and when you find it, you can either look at it and put it back, or keep it and replace it with something equally as interesting to the traveller and exactly where you found the thing you're keeping. It sounds like so much fun and gives you something else to do when travelling. Gives the grey matter a workout too. If anyone gives it a go, would you mind posting in here, so we can enjoy your experience too, and see what you thought of it. Ta.

BohemianGypsy · Guru

Romy5152 wrote:
Have you checked out the website, Michelle? Apparently, when you are in whatever town or city you've arrived in or are nearby, you go to the website, look up co-ordinates of possible caches in that area, and then go a-hunting; using your GPS or mobile phone if it is GPS enabled. The cache will be hidden, but you look around in the general area, and when you find it, you can either look at it and put it back, or keep it and replace it with something equally as interesting to the traveller and exactly where you found the thing you're keeping. It sounds like so much fun and gives you something else to do when travelling. Gives the grey matter a workout too. If anyone gives it a go, would you mind posting in here, so we can enjoy your experience too, and see what you thought of it. Ta.

I just checked it out Romy and I signed up so just awaiting for it to be approved lol then I can go a hunting when we take the van out or when we go driving in the 4WD.

Thanks so much for introducing this to us Romy.

Michelle

Dougwe · Chief one feather

Sounds similar to a "Fox Hunt" that was popular when CB Radio was not legal, many moons ago now. You would track down and find someone by their signal strength. Good fun. I actually met my first wife during one. We often joked and I would call her a "Foxy Lady".

Delta18 · Guru

This has been discussed several times before. To save re-typing, here are a couple links to read....

http://thegreynomads.activeboard.com/t44731688/geocaching/

http://thegreynomads.activeboard.com/t40839405/geocaching/

http://thegreynomads.activeboard.com/t46786088/geocaching/

http://thegreynomads.activeboard.com/t32959975/geocaching/

We have personally been doing it on & off for about 8 years and still find it interesting.

Cheers Neil

Romy5152 · Guru

That's interesting HW. I know one couple who found a brand new bird watching book in their cache. I guess it's the thrill of the hunt that's important. I understood however, that if you chose to keep the item, you had to replace it with something else and leave it in the exact same place - otherwise the co-ordinates would have to be changed, wouldn't they? Or do you mean hidden in a different place but within the same co-rodinates?

-- Edited by Romy5152 on Thursday 9th of August 2012 07:04:32 PM

Happywanderer · The Master

I am a member of the site. Haven't been in for awhile and haven't gone searching for anyhthng yet as my son has claimed my GPS for his own use.
Members of my family do geocaching and find it fun. I might get into it one day.

Romy5152 · Guru

Well, there you go. Some of us know about geocaching. I had never heard of it before stumbling into the site. You know how it is - you go trolling the net for something and end up in an entirely different site on an entirely different topic. At least I do. But yes, it sounds like a fun thing to do. For those who have done it (or know of someone who has) what are some examples of caches found? Just curious.

Happywanderer · The Master

They are usually small items, probably something that would fit on a keyring size. They will be hidden in an airtight container. I met a couple of nomads at Greens lake who were doing it. They had a full plastic container of little items. tiny plastic toys was an example. She said go shopping at the 2.00 shops for small trinkets. When you find one you take that out and leave one of yours.. Then you go online and say what you have found and where. Then you put the found item in another place.
Sometimes they can even end up overseas.

Happywanderer · The Master

No, you don't move the container. The co-ordinates stay the same.
You CAN remove the item and leave another one in its place.. The one you take out, you can put it in another place. Or keep it I suppose. Never thought of that.

Romy5152 · Guru

Ahhh, makes sense. Would love to do it one day.