Geocaching In Atlantic Canada

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Geocaching In Atlantic Canada
Canadas 1st Geocache GCBBA (GC41) Hwy 103
Exit 7 Placed by Ken Kane (eastriver)
Presented by fergus pals
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Fergus Pals
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What is Geocaching?

• Geocaching is an outdoor scavenger hunt using
  satellites and a handheld GPSr.

• The basic idea is to hide caches (small
  containers of treasures) and share the locations
  (coordinates) of these caches on Geocaching.com.
  This game is played in over 220 countries of the
  world.

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What is Geocaching?

• GPS users can then use the coordinates to find
  any cache.

• Once found, the visitor may take something from
  the cache, leave something, and sign the logbook.

• The find is then logged by the caches name on
  geocaching.com. Here statistics about found and
  hidden caches are maintained.

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How Did It Get Started?

• On May 1, 2000, the GPS signal degradation called
  Select Availability (SA) was removed.

• The change allowed GPS units owned by civilians
  to now be accurate to within as close as 6 feet.

• On May 3rd, someone hid a cache in Oregon. It
  was visited twice within 3 days and logged in the
  log book once.

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Global Positioning System

• GPS is a system of 27 satellites (24 active, 3
  reserve) to calculate your position.

• Satellites transmit their current position down
  to Earth via radio waves.

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Global Positioning System
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What is a GPS?

• A GPSr (Global Positioning System receiver) is an
  electronic device that you use to determine your
  approximate location (within 6-20 feet) almost
  anywhere on the planet.

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What is a GPS?

• The GPSr knows where the satellites are and can
  geometrically tell you your position. It also
  tracks time, and can calculate distance, speed,
  direction, and even elevation.

• You can use the unit to navigate from your
  current location to another location.

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What is a GPS?

• Some units have their own maps, built-in
  electronic compasses, altimeters, and even voice
  navigation.

• Dont worry though, a GPS device doesnt send
  signals, it only receives them. So . . . no one
  can track your location!

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Types of Caches

• Traditional
• Multicaches
• Puzzle/Mystery
• Webcam
• Event Caches
• Cache In Trash Out Events
• Earth Cache

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Size of Caches

• MICRO

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Size of Caches

• SMALL

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Size of Caches

• REGULAR

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Size of Caches

• LARGE

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GPS options to consider

• WAAS/DGPS
• Computer interface
• Power source options
• Color screen
• Backlit screen
• External antenna jack
• Screen size
• Electronic compass
• Altimeter

• Cost versus features
• Waterproof
• Ruggedness
• Type of batteries/ how many/operational
  time
• Type of keypad/data entry
• Basemap
• Optional maps
• Memory size/expansion

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Where do you find a Geocache?Nova Scotia at 70km
range
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How do you start Geocaching?
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My account Create a new account
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www.geocaching.com

• Search Types
• By Postal Code - Postal Codes are available in
  the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and
  Australia
• By Coordinate - Coordinates contain a latitude
  and longitude to determine a position on the
  planet
• By State/Country - Select a State and/or country
  to search

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www.geocaching.com

• Search Types
• By Username (Found)/(Hidden) - Searches the
  database for items either found or hidden by a
  username.
• By Keyword - A simple wildcard keyword search on
  the Item's name. "Iron Horse" will search for
  "Iron Horse" and not "Iron" and "Horse"
• By Waypoint Name - Searches the database for
  items that match a particular waypoint name. A
  cache waypoint name starts with "GC" and can be
  found on every cache listing as a quick reference

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Geocaching Glossary

• FTF -first to find
• Muggle- non-cacher (may destroy cache)
• TFTC -Thanks for the cache
• TFTH -Thanks for the hunt
• TNLN -Took Nothing/ Left Nothing
• TNLNSL / TNSL -Took Nothing. Left Nothing. Signed
  Logbook
• Swag Goodies for the cache

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Geocaching Glossary

• Waypoint -coordinates representing points on the
  surface of the Earth.
• Waypoint longitude and latitude of cache
• Waypoint Groundspeak name of cache
• i.e. GCXXXX.
• Spoiler -gives away details of a cache location
  and can ruin the experience of the hunt.

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Before You Leave

• Study Cache sheet
• Type
• Size
• Found recently
• Previous cachers clues
• Download waypoint manual/auto
• Research location
• Maps
• Google earth
• Decrypt hint/spoilers
• Try Parks or spots you know

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Short Hikes

• Printout of cache listing
• Water
• Snack
• Extra clothes for Changing Conditions
• Swag
• GPS distances are direct. Real distances may be
  far greater
• Mark your Vehicle or Entrance Spot
• Use Backtrack for Practice

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Longer Hikes

• Bring
• Map
• Compass
• Buddy
• Cell Phone
• Emergency Whistle
• Travel First Aid Kit
• Tell somebody where you are going, when you will
  be back
• Wear Hunters Orange
• Carry Extra Batteries

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Distances are often greater than the GPSr
indicates. Line of sight 1.2 km. Walking path 2.5
km
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The Hunt

• At 20-40 Meters use Distance (not arrow)
• Zero out on Coords, Circle Outwards to find cache
• Look for Geocache Hotspots
• Stumps
• Tree Branches
• Piles of Rocks
• Piles of Branches
• Be Aware of Surroundings
• Insect Nests
• Holes
• Railway Tracks
• Animals

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At the Cache

• Sign the Log

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At the Cache
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What Not To Put in a Cache

• Food or Dog Treats
• Alcohol
• Sharp Items (knives, needles)
• Liquids (soap, water, hand lotion, shampoo)
• Scented Items (candles)
• Ballpoint Pens
• No Chaulk

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At the Cache

• Re-hide Better Than You Found It

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At the Cache

• Re-hide Better Than You Found It

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At the Cache

• Re-hide Better Than You Found It

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At the Cache

• Re-hide Better Than You Found It

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Im Lost!!!

• If you get lost, dont forget that you marked (or
  should have marked) your location when you
  started.

• Search for the Waypoint you marked, select GOTO
  or BACKTRACK and head back to civilization!
• Dont forget to have extra batteries

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Break Stretch
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GCJR8H
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Caching Etiquette

• Never move the cache
• Cover it well, e-mail owner, move off-trail
  slightly
• Carry a cache rescue kit
• Ziplock bags, pencil, small log book, dry cloth
• Take care of the cache
• Close all bags, place logbook in bag, close cache
  properly. Take pictures but not spoilers.
• Move travel bugs and coins along promptly
• Write appropriate comments when logging

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Geocaching and the Environment

• CITO- Cache in Trash Out
• When you visit a cache leave only footprints but
  take out any garbage you find.

• Goals
• Actively promote the Cache In Trash Out program.
• Assist in the maintenance of parks trail
  systems.
• Increase public awareness of Geocaching.

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Cammo Techniques

• Universal colour, black non-glare
• Cammo material
• -Duct tape
• -Paint
• -Natural material
• Hang container up high
• Over an embankment
• Suspend under a fallen tree

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Natural Material
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Duct tape suspended
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Peanut Butter Jar
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Black Duct Tape Up
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Novelty
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GC575F
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GCPMQA
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GCQ2PM
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GCH2kG
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GC2E80
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GCT7H3
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Travel Bugs

• Trackable tag that you attach to any item
• Item becomes a hitchhiker that is carried from
  cache to cache
• Cachers log it in and out so you follow its
  progress online
• You receive two tags, one to attach one as a copy

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How to Pick Up a Travel Bug

• Get the Tracking Number
• Visit the Travel Bug's Page
• Found it? Log it!

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How to Drop a Travel Bug

• Go to the Cache Listing
• Select "log a cache"
• Write log message
• Scroll down
• Select the travel bug that was dropped

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How /Why you discover a TB

• Get tracking Number
• Visit TBs home page
• Found it, Log it
• Enter Discovered it
• Allows for icon to be placed on your account.
  Many cachers discover at events.
• Cuts time in entering Found it/ Dropped it

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Geo-coins

• Tracked the same as a Travel bug

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Coins can be Discovered
Geo-coins
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To Activate a Travel Bug

• Logon to www.geocaching.com
• Click on track travel bug
• Enter tracking number on tag
• Enter activation code on bag
• Activate TB

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Geocaching Software Tools

• Google Earth- Provides satellite images. Gives
  you a picture of cache area
• EasyGPS- Waypoint management and download tool
• GSAK- Waypoint management and download tool. More
  detailed info. Premium membership gives pocket
  queries.
• Cachemate- Waypoint management for handhelds-
  Palm and Pocket PC

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• WWW.GEOCACHING.COM
• SCREENSHOTS

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SAFETY in the Woods (again)

• BRING
• Map, Compass, Buddy, Cell phone/ 2 way radio/FRH
• Whistle, knife, matches
• Extra batteries
• Tell someome where you are going. Mark your
  start, trackback
• Dress in layers
• Stay dry, shelter from wind (tarp, orange garbage
  bags)
• Consider a woods survival course or read a book
  on survival (hunters guide)

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Garmin GPSMap 60CSx Screenshots using XImage
Satellites
Compass
Long Lake
Sydney
Data
Find Page
Geocache
Geocache
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Lets Go Find A Geocache!
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Caches in Cape Breton
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Caches in Sydney
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Types of Cachers
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Questions?
I should be outside Geocaching
Thanks for joining us.