21st Century Treasure Hunting

© Patricia Poulin / RumBum.com

A Geocached stash. Lots of treasure, and a few suprises, await.

Playing hide and seek may be for children, but a new high-tech version of this timeless game is entertaining for people of all ages. Geocaching is a 21st Century treasure hunt using satellites and waypoints instead of hand drawn maps and an ‘X' that marks the spot. Explorers may find themselves tromping through a variety of landscapes in search of secret loot. With over 854,000-listed caches, geocaching treasure is located at a number of places across the world.

Geo-What?

Broken down, the word "geo" refers to geography and caching (pronounced cashing) is the process of hiding a cache much like hikers and campers do when attempting to conceal or preserve water and other provisions for themselves to find later. Geocaching is the process of of finding a hidden treasure, or cache, by following the map and waypoint information stored within a GPS unit.

What to Carry

To get started, geocachers will need access to a computer and a hand held GPS (Global Positioning System) unit. Basic GPS units may cost anywhere from $80 to $100, with more technologically savvy units priced as much as $500. Iphone users may purchase the Groundspeak application made especially for geochacing for $9.99; this app allows treasure hunters to consult directly online with www.geocaching.com to find geo-chaces all over the world. In addition to a GPS unit, explorers can ensure a safe experience by packing extra batteries, water, a cell phone, insect repellent and sunscreen.

How to Play

Hidden caches are often located on public property, such as local parks or neighborhoods. Treasure hunters can find cache waypoints by searching local and international geocaching websites where fellow treasure seekers post coordinates of a stash along with details of the location. Many websites rate caches in terms of difficulty and the terrain crossed to reach the stash. Some caches will be easy to spot while others may require further detailed steps by completion of a crossword or logic puzzle. Terrain ratings run from one and five on the scale, with a one being wheelchair accessible and five requiring kayaks or climbing gear to reach. As simple as it sounds, finding a cache can often require ingenuity to physically reach once you've found the "hidden" treasure.

Successful geocachers will find their prizes stored in plastic waterproof containers or surplus ammo boxes that vary in size. Contents found in a cache can range from the latest kids' meal toy from a fast food restaurant to a waterproof match container. The thrill of the unknown buried treasure is reason enough to start searching. As a general rule geocachers should sign the logbook located within the container and retrieve their hard-earned prize. Bringing extra trinkets to leave behind will continue the cycle and assure that the next treasure hunter is not left empty-handed.

Enterprising geocachers can set out on a day hike or take an overnight treasure hunting adventure. By combining a GPS unit with an ambitious spirit, outdoor and treasure hunting enthusiasts are bound to have a memorable experience while bonding with friends and family, whether or not you recover the treasure you set out to find.

Originally published September 30, 2009.