outer banks child

Geocaching

Treasure hunts with a technical twist

by Susan Bolling

Don’t-cha surrender the booty just yet, matey! Thar be a new way to hunt doubloons for both pirates and landlubbers, as the 21st century offers a technological makeover for your classic “hide and seek” treasure hunt.

It’s called Geocaching, (pronounced “geo-cash-ing”) and it requires the use of a GPS unit. According to the official website, “the basic idea is to have individuals and organizations set up caches all over the world and share the locations of these caches on the internet. GPS users can then use the location coordinates to find the caches. Once found, a cache may provide the visitor with a wide variety of rewards. All the visitor is asked to do is if they get something they should try to leave something for the cache.”

While the concept might seem easy — you’ve got the coordinates, you’ve got a GPS, of course you’ll find the treasure — the challenge of successfully reaching your desired location is an entirely different story. Depending on the environment and surroundings, you may be taking a leisurely stroll, or strapping on your boots and waders for an adventurous trek.

Instructions on what to leave in a cache are listed on the website, but the contents generally are not of any great material value. Most consist of a waterproof container containing trinkets and memorabilia. There is also a logbook and a pen. Cache visitors are asked to at least sign and date the log book with one of several messages, like “TNLN” (took nothing, left nothing) or “TFTH” (thanks for the hunt).

To begin, I went to www.geocaching.com, the official Global GPS Cache Hunt site, and registered for free. Then, by entering my zip code and home coordinates, I was able to search and locate several caches within walking or biking distance of my home in Manteo; and a zip code search produced many caches hidden in Nags Head, Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills, Duck and Corolla, and Hatteras Island. (Note: If you don’t have a GPS unit, but would like to register and want to know your home base coordinates, you can download free software from Google called “Google Earth.” This technology is also helpful if you want to check out the surrounding terrain on a certain cache.)

Next, I called my Dad, a real estate agent in Virginia who has been quite happy with his handheld GPS unit for a few years, and let him know I was working on this story.

“Oh yeah, this is the ‘new thing’,” he explained. “People are hiding caches all over the world. I’ve wanted to get into it, but haven’t had the time. You can have my old GPS unit because I just upgraded.”

Dad made the trip down and we spent an entire Sunday hunting. It only took him about five minutes to teach me how to operate a basic GPS unit — forever when compared to the technological acumen of today’s elementary age whiz kids — then we decided to start with a cache classified as “easy” on the site. The post noted that it was created by a four-year-old and listed a general location. After decrypting the clue, I thought for sure I had it figured out. It was hidden in the playground. It had to be. I didn’t even need to look at the GPS — it might be too easy.

The lesson? Any four-year-old capable of operating a GPS unit is way more sophisticated than a playground.

When we finally found the cache — I won’t say where, in case you go looking — it was a thrill unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. In true pirate style, I immediately wanted to do it again, and so did Dad. On to the next.

The second cache was easy to get to but cleverly hidden. The clue for this particular hunt was rather obvious, but still, the thrill was there again while we watched the GPS unit count down the feet as we moved closer to the cache.

After a quick bite to eat, it was on to the third and final cache — a “multi-cache.” This is where the post gives you one set of coordinates to a cache that then directs you to another set of coordinates; the final cache. This hunt required a ride in the Jeep (only because we didn’t have bikes) for a short trip to the north end of the island.

Without spoiling the hunt I will tell you this: I would give anything to be a spectator as dad and I circled a holly tree with our arms outstretched above our heads trying to receive satellite signal on our GPS units because we simply could not find the first cache. Even though it was right there before our very eyes. Hidden with profound creativity.

I realized then that the trick to a successful find is to forget logic. The GPS already knows where it is. So don’t think about it; just look for it.

After all the searching, we couldn’t help but plan and hide a cache of our own. To participate, go to www.geocaching.com, register, enter 27954 in the zip code field to search for caches and look for “Pirates at the market!”

I can say without question that my favorite treasures found that Sunday are the memories made with my Dad and husband, trekking around town, seeing new sites and simply enjoying the outdoors and being together. A 100% family friendly activity that will also hone valuable skills, geocaching will have you and your little pirates hooked!

Things worth noting

What kind of GPS unit do I need? Expensive, complicated models are not required. Go for a basic, user-friendly unit with a screen large enough to see what’s important: the coordinates. Also look for something durable — pirate proof. www.geocaching.com offers additional buying tips on their “Getting Started” page.

Safety first. Walking and looking down at your GPS unit isn’t safe, particularly if you’re in town on busy streets or in rough terrain where there may be holes or other hazards. When planning a hunt with little ones, look for caches hidden in public areas with access to seating and restrooms to keep the search comfortable. Be sure to read all of the safety tips at www.geocaching.com before getting started.

Geocaching has its own language. CITO = Cache in trash out (when hunting, carry a trash bag and help clean up the outdoors.) FTF = First to find. “Geo-muggle” = someone not savvy to geocaching who may look at you funny as you walk in circles with your GPS. (Comes from the Harry Potter series where a muggle is a non-magical person.) Spoiler = information that can give away the location of a cache and spoil the hunt.

November 18, 2009