Geo-caching is essentially a grown-up version of an Easter egg hunt, except that it involves the internet, a GPS and possibly traveling great distances. Geo-caching began in 2000 when the US military unscrambled its Global Positing System (GPS) and has since boomed into a popular activity (it’s a bit unclear whether it is a sport, game or hobby) that has thousands of participants around the world.

“It’s the most surprisingly delightful way of connecting with people you would otherwise never meet. Somehow here you meet them across time and space: you get to a cache by following direction markers by satellite, and read the little book there, with messages from the people who’ve been there previously, possibly years before. And yet it feels so honest and personal — like a real meeting,” says Capetonian Dominique le Roux, an avid geo-cacher.

So how does it all work?

At its most simple, it works like this. Someone finds a spot and hides a cache. A typical cache is a waterproof container, which holds a logbook, a pen and a treasure(s). The treasure is generally small and inexpensive, such as a small toy, coins, trinkets or travel bugs (tags that can be traced from one cache to the next). Sometimes caches contain a disposable camera to keep a visual record of the people who find it.

The geo-cacher notes down the coordinates of the spot where the cache is hidden and posts them on a geo-caching website. If the cache is particularly difficult to find, the geo-cacher can also leave clues about its location.

Someone else will find the coordinates on the internet and set out with a handheld GPS receiver on a quest to find the cache. Once they find it, they’ll record their name and details in the cache’s logbook and, if they choose to, will exchange one of the cache’s treasures for one of their own.

For some enthusiasts, like le Roux, the treasure is irrelevant and the real prize is the sense of connectedness. “The little log book in each cache is the best. I love the fact that we’re actually communicating in the written hand — with each distinctive handwriting style — after meeting on the web and finding the cache through directions in the air, communicated to us by GPS.”

What you need to get started

The basic requirements are access to the internet, a handheld GPS receiver (Garmin are a popular brand) and, in most cases, a means of transport. The websites which list the cache locations are free to access so, after the initial cash outlay for the GPS, your expenses will be minimal. Unless you take it seriously enough to seek out caches in foreign countries that is!

A handheld GPS will set you back anything upwards of R1000, depending on what features it offers. If you don’t mind paying a bit more, it is probably a good idea to get one that is waterproof, has mapping capabilities, an altimeter (which measures altitude) and a good battery life. Seeing as you’re probably going to be travelling on foot, size does matter, so go for one that is lightweight and compact.

How do you play?

Before you choose a cache, you should make sure that you have at least a vague idea of what your current coordinates are — you don’t want to pick a cache that is on the other side of the world!

Once you’ve decided on a cache you can enter the coordinates as a waypoint in your GPS. Some units have a cable so that you can download the information straight from your computer to your GPS. In this way you are less likely to make a mistake and get lost.

You can then use your GPS to locate the cache. Often the coordinates are a rough estimation of where the cache is hidden and you will usually have to look around a bit before you find it. Once you’ve filled in the logbook and exchanged treasures, you must put the cache back exactly as you found it, so that it will be ready for the next person.

So, what happens if you don’t find the cache? Le Roux points out that this isn’t really a problem, “You wander round and round in circles and go home satisfied that you had a fun walk, forever curious about whether it was actually there.”

Play by the rules

Geo-caching is regulated by the enthusiasts themselves, who expect players to stick to a few simple rules:

• Leave the cache and surrounding area exactly as you found it.
• Don’t take something from the cache without replacing it.
• Don’t put anything in the cache that is not legal for everyone (eg. alcohol, pornography, firearms etc.)
• Don’t trespass on private property.
• If you are hiding a cache, make sure you have permission to do so from the owner of the land.
• If you hide a cache, you need to visit it regularly to make sure that it is properly maintained.
• If you are hiding a cache don’t hide it where it might be regarded as a security risk – keep away from official buildings in case your package is suspected of being a bomb!

Caches can be found almost anywhere, from the top of a mountain to the middle of a busy city. Typically a cache is big enough to hold the logbook and treasures, however in the city you are more likely to find microcaches (such as a film container) which only hold a scrap of paper and a pencil stub.

“The game takes you to areas you might not otherwise go. And it adds interest to an area you think you might know well. For example I’ve had great fun looking for caches in Deer Park and on the top of Signal Hill. The paths in these areas are well trodden, yet suddenly I found myself looking with intrigue and interest at every rock, wondering whether there was treasure hidden there,” says le Roux

There are also varieties on the traditional cache. A multi-cache, which is a bit more like a treasure hunt, requires that you find a number of coordinates (or clues) before you find the actual cache. An event cache, which is basically a gathering of geo-cachers, is found by date, hour and coordinates (everyone tries to reach the cache at the same time).

A locationless cache almost goes against the grain of what geocaching is all about. You don’t find a cache at a particular set of coordinates, instead you have to find a specific type of object, such as a strange rock formation or a Buddha statue. Once you’ve found the object, you log the coordinates on the website with a picture of yourself and the object as proof.

What precautions should you take?
You should take pretty much the same precautions that you would take if you were going on a hike. Tell someone where you are going and when you expect to be back. Take a cell phone, a warm jersey or raincoat, sunscreen, food and water.

Is this only for hardcore adventurers?

Not at all, geocaching is for anyone and most caches have a difficulty rating so that you can choose a cache that is appropriate for your age, fitness and abilities.

“It’s fun. Simple as that. One of those delightfully pointless games that we used to play as children: like hide and go seek, and treasure hunting. I think it’s good to remember the pure delights of play sometimes; to revert to childhood innocence. Where the value of treasure is not measured in rands or dollars,” says le Roux

Useful sites...
• www.geocacher.co.za
• www.geocaching.com
• Geocaching Association of Great Britain
• Find out more from Wikipedia
• Garmin's geo-caching website