Have you been searching for a geocache and seen an icon that looks like one of the angry ghosts from the Super Mario games? Wondering why this cache icon looks different than you may be used to? You’ve stumbled upon a “grandfathered” type of cache called a virtual cache.

While searching for geocaches might bring you to some interesting places to find a cache, with a virtual cache the location is the cache! There is no logbook, no container – only the realization of finding a place that a fellow geocacher thought was worth visiting.

Logging a virtual cache often requires an action on your part. Maybe you need to find an answer to a question, take a picture, maybe you need to do ten jumping jacks, do a handstand or do the moonwalk. The point being that the creator of the cache is the one setting the rules on you being able to log this as a find.

What do we mean by saying that these caches “grandfathered”? It means that at one time in the past the owners of geocaching.com allowed virtual caches to be created and posted on the website. They have since stopped allowing this, but allowed the virtual caches that were already in place to remain there. That’s the bad news. The good news is that you can still share your favorite locations in this manner, just on another site run by the same people! Check out www.waymarking.com where “virtual caches” can be posted as waymarks.

Do you have a favorite virtual cache? We’d love to hear about it either on here or via our facebook page! Post a comment below or send us a note by going to our contact us page. 

Pocket Queries are the “Easy Button” of Geocaching! I was a long-time Cacher before learning what they were, so although you may already know all about them, I can only assume there are alot of Cachers who, like me, have been caching for a while and still don’t know what they are.

So, let me explain. A Pocket Query is basically a Geocache filter that the main Geocaching website offers at http://www.geocaching.com/pocket/ There isn’t any ONE thing that pocket queries are for, which is what makes them so great!

SO, let’s say you want a list of caches within 30 miles of your home coordinates that you haven’t found yet. Too easy. Just go to the pocket query page, check a few boxes and you have your list, which is emailed to you and can be downloaded in GPX format, which means with most GPS units you can actually UPLOAD it directly to your GPSr! (no more entering caches into your GPS one at a time.)

You can also upload this list to compatible devices like iPhones, iPods, iPads (and I’m sure several others.) You don’t even need an internet connection with these devices, because all of the cache details are already there, which means PAPERLESS CACHING!

Now, let’s say you’re a FTF addict No problem. Go to the pocket query page and tell it to run every single day… and to find caches that “Have not been found” and every day you’ll get a report in your email inbox of all caches within your specified radius of the location you specified (if any) that have never been found. KEEP IN MIND THOUGH, this is generated daily. So if you’re a BIG FTF hunter, the best thing to do is to set up notifications for instant alerts of new caches.

There are many other possibilities. You can filter your queries by difficulty, container type, terrain, attributes and more.

So as you can see, Pocket Queries make finding the caches you’re interested in finding much quicker and easier. Not to mention the other, added benefits like the ability to preload all caches in a specified location to your GPSr at once… paperless caching etc.

Do you use Pocket Queries? I would love to hear what you use them for and anything else related them in the comment field below.

by: Larry Sullivan (localbiz)

Once you have gotten some cache finds under your belt, it might be time to hide some geocaches. I would not recommend hiding any caches until you have found a good variation of caches, so that you understand the game pretty well and understand the time and responsibility requirements.

Hiding caches is not as easy as you might think. There are a number of factors to take into account. Remember you are placing geocaches for others to find, so you want to make sure everything is good to go before publishing the new cache. Before I go any further, you need to make sure you read and understand Groundspeak’s rules on hiding caches.

So what do you need to take into account when hiding a cache?

Location: “location is everything” they say. As I drive around, I am always looking for new places to hide a cache. When evaluating a location, I ask myself:

• Where would/could geocachers park?
• Is this a high muggle area?
• Are there too many houses/businesses around?
• Where are the nearest caches in the area?
• How much bushwhacking or stealth would be required?
• What unique features or reasons do I have to put a cache hear?

Permission: Getting permission is very important. If the cache location is on private property, then it is critical to make sure the owner knows what geocaching involves, where the cache is located, and if there are any special instructions. There are tons of stories out there about geocachers getting into trouble because the property owner knew nothing about geocaching.

Cache type: There are a variety of sizes of caches. Pick a cache that will fit well into your environment-one you can hide and hopefully find. The possibilities are almost endless. Be creative, it does not always have to be an ammo can.

Coordinates:You need to make sure the coordinates are fairly accurate. It has been amazing to see how many caches there are

First Geocache!

out there with coordinates that are drastically off. It is very frustrating to the geocacher who has to figure out where the cache is vs. where it should be. Take multiple readings, approach from different angles, use multiple gps devices are all options.

Swag/prizes: Should you provide first to find prizes? It is really up to you but I usually will provide a prize for caches that take some effort or the geocacher needs to work to find it.

Maintenance: Remember if you hide a cache, you are responsible for it. Sounds basic but it is amazing how many cache owners seem to go MIA after they hide a cache. Periodically check on your cache, respond in a timely manner when a geocacher has a question or thinks the cache needs some help. If you can’t maintain the cache or have decided to stop geocaching, allow a fellow geocacher to take it over or archive the listing.

I hope these points are helpful. Overall hiding caches is just as fun as finding them, so I encourage everyone to try it out and help the hobby of geocaching grow.

img credit: nio_nl

One of the fun aspects of Geocaching is the thrill of the hunt and wondering what you’ll find in the cache, if you do indeed find it. The little toys (often called “Swag”) are always exciting for the kids, but obviously most adults don’t find much joy in little Sponge Bobs or G.I. Joes

But there are things we can find in caches that can be neat and exciting to find for both children and adults; trackable items!

There are two types of Trackable Items
- Geocoins
- Travel Bugs (TB)

They both have the same basic “function” or goal.

A travel bug looks just like military dog tags (I.D. tags.) Geocachers can buy them for a few bucks and attach them to anything they want. You could attach a TB to a stuffed animal, small toy, key chain… anything that is relatively small.

The image above is of one of my travel bugs called “Your lucky day.”

A Geocoin is basically a coin, usually about twice the size of a quarter, that Geocachers can also purchase for a few bucks, usually a little more than travel bugs, or have custom made. The coin(s) can be themed however you like. Maybe you want it to represent your company, family, organization, club… anything. It could even be dedicated to your favorite pet or maybe a loved one that has passed… the possibilities are really endless.

So what do you do with them?

All TB’s and Geocoins have serial numbers engraved into them. These numbers are unique to that particular TB or coin. Once you receive your TB or coin you activate it at the official Geocaching website. Once it is activated it will have it’s own page, where you name it, explain it’s purpose and give it a mission. Once you have the page done you release it into the “wild” (put it in the nearest Geocache)

Everytime a fellow Geocacher finds it they input the serial number on the Geocaching website, which digitally “picks it up.” Once they move it along by dropping it into another cache, they digitally “drop it.”

When a TB or Geocoin is in a cache a small icon with the picture of it will appear next the cache listing on the site.

The neat thing about TB’s and Geocoins is that you can give them a mission. For instance, we have a good friend in Germany who is also an avid Geocacher. So I created a TB and made it’s mission to go to his city in Germany for him to pick it up and then send it back to me.

There are many fun ideas. Maybe you want it to visit various beaches around the world or gardens etc. You can even request that people take pictures of it along it’s journey and post them to the item’s page.

Each cacher can write a note about the item on the page as well and you keep track of where it is on that page, so you know where it is at all times.

Now won’t that be neat to show people your TB or Geocoin that traveled the World and came back?

Travel Bugs and Geocoins are just another fun aspect of this awesome hobby we call “Geocaching!”

Garmin 010-00422-00 GPSMAP 60CSx

The best GPS for Geocaching is by far the Garmin GPSMAP 60CSx! The price is a bit higher than some of the cheaper ones, but you will be so glad you spent the few extra bucks to get this thing!

First off it’s far more accurate than the others. And secondly it has the ability to receive cache details directly from Geocaching.com which means paperless caching!

What paperless caching means to you is no more wasting a half-hour or more writing down cache details before your hunt and it also means no more wasting paper and killing trees.

This is also the #1 rated GPS by actual Geocachers on the Geocaching website, so there is no doubt at all that this is by far the best GPS for geocaching!

Geocaching is an outdoors GPS “treasure hunting” game, which began in 2000, where people hide small, waterproof containers, called “Caches,” in various spots all over the world (currently over 100 countries throughout the world.)

Inside the caches you’ll find a piece of paper or notepad (log book) for people who find it to sign, and often times, but not always, trackable items such as “Travel Bugs,” which resemble Military dog tags, and Coins and small toys and trinkets. Once placed, the owner logs the grid coordinates on the official Geocaching site so others can find them, enjoy the location, log their visit and possibly trade some small items.

In general the game seems a bit dull, but many of those who give it a shot and experience their first cache are Geocachers for life

So what’s so fun about finding a little box with toys in it?

That’s a good question. The fun isn’t just in what you find inside the cache, although most kids LOVE finding new toys and going on adventures. No, the true fun is discovering new locations, many of which you never knew existed, and meeting new friends along the way. (It’s also a healthy hobby to get into! You’re getting fresh air, relieving stress and exercising your mind and your body!)

However, there is something to say about starting a Travel Bug, or releasing a Coin, and watching it go from cache to cache and eventually back to you, many times after a trip around the world!

Geocaching truly is a fun sport and an excellent hobby! Whether you do it for the exercise, because your kids love it or for other reasons, there are thousands and thousands of great people around the world willing to welcome you to new and exciting places where they’ve enjoyed and they invite you to enjoy as well!