Geocache

[PaphosAL]

You often mention this term in your blogs, Dominic. I know it has something to do with GPS, but would you please enlighten us further?

For example, is it an aid for other GPS-equipped explorers following on behind you later to locate your points of interest? Or is it some kind of 'treasure hunt' hobby? What does a geocache comprise of and look like?

Thanks-AL

[Dominic]

Geocaching has been around for over 15 years now. As soon as Clinton told the military to flick the switch and open GPS up to everybody, somebody thought it would be a neat idea to hide something in the woods, and post the coordinates to it online. Other people then went and looked for it, using their GPS, and geocaching was born.

In the good old days, you would find interesting stuff in a geocache. I remember finding books and musical CDs. The books I just tended to move to a different cache, but I still have my Best of Blondie cd I found in one cache!

In Cyprus, there are nearly 1000 caches. Some consist of decent sized containers which you can still find interesting stuff in. You are supposed to bring stuff (swag) to swap. Most are smaller these days, and the best you can hope is that they take you to a nice location, or they are an interesting hide.

When you find the cache, you have to sign the log book as well. You can also log it online at www.geocaching.com

Geocaching introduced us to loads of places on Cyprus we would never have found otherwise. These days though, I have more fun setting them than finding them.

[smudger]

So anyone can set up a geocache anytime, anywhere? And then add it to the online geocaching site, and do you have to replenish whatever you take out?

[Dominic]

No, there are rules about cache placement, if you want it to appear on the geocaching website.

You are best off finding some first, so you know what is expected of a cache. The guideline is to trade up. IE, only take something out of a cache if you replace it with equal or better value. However, you can sign a log book without taking anything, if you are not interested in collecting little bits of junk.

[smudger]

So I need to check the geocaching website to check the rules, find the sites and work out what I can take and what to leave? Sorry to be dumb but I'm struggling to see how to get started!!

[Dominic]

Sign up for a free standard account first, then just have a look around the site. You will also need to download an app to your phone. Are you Apple or Android?

[smudger]

Thanks Dom, I have an iPad.

[smudger]

Thanks Dom, I have an iPad. But a very basic phone!!

[Dominic]

Well you need something that has a GPS. It is a bit difficult without one! Not impossible though. You can plug the coordinates into google maps and get an idea as to where you should be that way.

Roughly where abouts are you? If you would rather not say on the forum, send me a PM. I can send you a couple of cache locations near to you which would be "beginner friendly", and findable without a GPS. You could at least get an idea that way.

[PaphosAL]

Thanks, Dominic, Jacs ét al for the input to my op query (where I was just being nosey, LOL!)

Which still leaves me wondering- WHAT exactly did Dominic hide under a bloody great big rock, overhanging a sheer precipitous DROP down into the Avarkas Gorge (a tumble that not even the local goats can get away with, without breaking a leg [I know, as we've seen such poor suffering animals on our many walks up and down this gorge]), when from his previous blogs, Dom appears to suffer a bit from Vertigo?

And so do I, LOL!

Cheers- AL

[Dominic]

Um, from memory, it was half a fircone, with a small logbook inside it. It wasn't a real half fircone, but a fake one specially designed to hold a log book.
On the other side of the gorge, in a similarly precarious position, I hid a tupperware container with a proper logbook, and a collection of swaps. If I was being unkind, I would describe them as a collection of cheap crap from Jumbo.

Actually, the best place to get stuff to put in caches is from a charity shop. They have a big collection of small items ideal for caches, at a reasonable price. So you will be doing good as well.

The problem I am having at the moment is one of apathy. I have currently placed seven caches at assorted locations in Western Cyprus which I have not yet bothered publishing. I need to pull my finger out.

[smudger]

Ah, right, on my wavelength Dom! Visit the Paphiakos Bookshop in Tremithousa, opposite the school.

As well as the books we have all sorts of knick knacks suitable for caches I'm sure!! If not, at least you have the pick of the best book selection in Paphos!!!!

[angieb]

Geocaching is fun.
I've found a few in Paphos. Some are very well hidden so you need to use the clues to track them down - can make you feel a bit daft wandering round and round a tree or a rock, searching in all the wee nooks and crannies. Micro caches can be really tiny too, and very hard to spot, the bigger Tupperware containers are usually easier to find.

[smudger]

Thanks for theoffer Dom, we're in Tremithousa, but think without the phone we're a bit snookered. Will keep it on the back burner for when technology arrives in our complex!!

[Ams]

You can buy a handheld GPS, which is what I did when I first started Geocaching (I got cheap second hand one), but it's fiddly to use as you don't have a full keyboard and typing in co-ordinates and names was a pain. It is so very much easier with an app on your phone.

I don't do it often, and to be honest I am not always too bothered about whether I find the cache or not, for me it's about finding and exploring new places in Cyprus. I've been to some beautiful places, found new venetian bridges etc with Geochaching that I wouldn't have found otherwise. I sign up to the weekly emails so I can see if any new interesting sounding places come up, and save them for places to explore later.

[PeteandSylvi]

Just to add to Dominic's description, if you go to geocaching.com and click on Learn you will have access to videos telling you all about it.

As you might have expected on geocaching forums there is a debate about whether a handheld GPS or smartphone is best. Many people are happy with a smartphone which can be immediately online but runs the battery down and is more difficult to read in strong light. A handheld GPS is easier to read but needs the caches downloaded onto it from an online device.

Most places you can go to in the world have geocaches as can be seen on the live map. We have now cached in 10 countries which will be 11 by the end of September and enjoyed being taken to many places you would not have known about. We also like the fact that it is a hobby you can enjoy whenever you wish. There is no continuing commitment needed.

Pete