GEOCACHING in IOWA

1
GEOCACHING in IOWA
2
Where am I?
GEOCACHING in IOWA
3
G P S
GEOCACHING in IOWA
4
G P S
lobal
ositioning
ystem
GEOCACHING in IOWA
5

• A GPS unit receives signals from at least 4 of 12
  visible satellites in orbit.
• Each satellite transmits an atomic clock - based
  signal so that all the satellites transmit the
  same signal at the same time.
• The GPS unit measures the time lag between
  signals and computes the distance between the
  satellite and itself. By using the 4 satellites,
  it can derive its location.

GEOCACHING in IOWA
6
GEOCACHING in IOWA
7
cache
cache - cache
geocache
GEOCACHING in IOWA
8
WHAT'S A GEOCACHE?

• Clearly marked
• Weatherproof

GEOCACHING in IOWA
9

• logbook
• pencil
• camera
• trading items
• travel bugs

• NO
• food
• weapons or danger
• burying in the ground
• hiding where homeland
• security might be an issue
• (military bases, airport,
• highway bridges, etc.)?
• hiding on private property
• without permission or some
• parks like National Parks,
• Historic Monuments

GEOCACHING in IOWA
10
IOWA Geocaching facts (as of August 2007)
OLDEST ACTIVE CACHE Maltese Goldfinch, Backbone
State Park
Placed January 13, 2001
Coordinates N 42 37.413 W 091 33.982

• hosted 24 different travel bugs
• found by 92 geocaching teams
• nearest neighboring geocache
• 1.7 miles away

(Rating out of 5 stars 1 is easiest, 5 is
hardest)? Difficulty 2.5 out of 5 Terrain 3.5
out of 5
GEOCACHING in IOWA
11
IOWA Geocaching facts (as of August 2007)

• 3398 cache listings of all types
• Des Moines 812 listings
• Council Bluffs 659 listings
• Ames 797 listings

GEOCACHING in IOWA
12
The continuing story of a travel bug named LUCKY
FETCHIN' DAWG
MISSION To travel and get his picture taken with
other lucky dogs
GEOCACHING in IOWA
13
LUCKY FETCHIN' DAWG Released Friday, July 16,
2004
9234 miles Currently in Denmark
GEOCACHING in IOWA
14
ENTSOC BUG 1 Released Monday, November 18,
2002 Miles traveled 36,589
Currently in Michigan
GEOCACHING in IOWA
15
OMAHA GLOBE-TROTTER Released Friday, April 16,
2004 Miles traveled 20,539
Currently in South Australia
GEOCACHING in IOWA
16

• IOWA GEOCACHERS ASSOCIATION
• 627 members

Cache In, Trash Out Events
GEOCACHING in IOWA
17
geocaching.com navicache.com terracaching.com Buxl
ey's Geocaching Waypoint

• Free membership
• Pick a username
• Learning forums
• Mapping
• Track travel bugs, geocoins

GEOCACHING in IOWA
18
GEOCACHING
GEOCACHING in IOWA
19
GEOCACHING
Family fun that begins with satellite and
computer technology ...
GEOCACHING in IOWA
20
GEOCACHING
Family fun that begins with satellite and
computer technology ...
...continues with exercise while walking in the
woods...
GEOCACHING in IOWA
21
GEOCACHING
Family fun that begins with satellite and
computer technology ...
...continues with exercise while walking in the
woods...
...using your head to solve puzzles and find
hidden treasure...
GEOCACHING in IOWA
22
GEOCACHING
Family fun that begins with satellite and
computer technology ...
...continues with exercise while walking in the
woods...
...using your head to solve puzzles and find
hidden treasure...
...and meeting new friends and fellow adventurers.
GEOCACHING in IOWA
23
GEOCACHING
Family fun that begins with satellite and
computer technology ...
...continues with exercise while walking in the
woods...
...using your head to solve puzzles and find
hidden treasure...
...and meeting new friends and fellow adventurers.
WE'LL SEE YOU OUT THERE!
GEOCACHING in IOWA