Finding Your first Geocache, the Hunt Begins!
Central Middle School students on the hunt for caches in Downtown Anchorage!
Step 1 – Researching the Cache
Take a minute to do some research before you go.
- Visit www.Geocaching.com and read a cache listing - including difficulty and terrain ratings - so you know what to bring and how to dress for your adventure.
- Locate the general navigation area on a map and familiarize yourself with local roads
- For some cache finds, you’ll use a car to get near the cache then your GPS for the final hike. Some caches are a quick walk, others a day hike.
Step 2 – Preparation
Preparation and safety are key in any kind of outdoor activity. Keep these tips in mind when searching for a cache:
- Search with a buddy! Never go Geocaching in the woods or remote locations without a partner. Anchorage is full of wild beauty and that includes wildlife such as bear and moose. Be sure to research the area you are traveling.
- Be aware! Many of the caches are off-trail. Take stock of your surroundings prior to heading out on your adventure.
- Hydrate! Bring and drink plenty of water, but don’t drink directly from a stream!
- Communicate! Let someone know where you are going and when you are coming back.
Step 3 – The Hunt
- Enter the coordinates (Waypoints) into your GPS unit.
- Use the “Go To” function and the GPS will provide direction.
- When you leave your car, hotel or your starting point- mark the location as a waypoint!
- When you get close to the Geocache (within 300 feet, which is about the length of a football field), make sure to check your GPS unit signal. Sometimes the signal will have an error between 25-200 feet. As you close in on the cache, don’t concentrate as much on the arrow as the decreasing distance display on the GPS unit.
- For the last 30 feet, use a compass or send your buddy in the direction of the cache.
- The final 30-100 feet is the hardest part of your quest! It helps to think like the person who hid the cache. If there are stumps around, investigate the base. Check for a pile of rocks. Some stashes, especially in people-trafficked areas, are ingeniously hidden. It helps if you know what type of container you are trying to find.
Step 4 – The Find
You found the cache! Congratulations! Now what?
- Usually you take an item and leave an item. Enter your name and your experience into the log book. Some people prefer to just enter their name. Log your find electronically at www.Geocache.com. and learn more about the history of the cache.
- Make sure to seal the cache and place it back where you found it. Try to make the site look like you found it. If the cache had rocks covering it, please replace them.
Great work! After several trips to Geocaches in your area, you’ll be ready to place your own. Welcome to the exciting world of Geocaching!
