Geocaching is a global treasure hunt where caches (secret storages) are hidden away for participants to find. If you like a challenge or want some fun new thing to do with your family or friends in your free time, geocaching is the perfect hobby for you. 

Using the official Geocaching app, you can choose any cache to find in your area and hunt it down given the location and exact coordinates. 

“It’s like a secret treasure hunt. You’re supposed to be looking for a ‘treasure’ without letting ‘muggles’ (non-geocachers) know what you’re doing,” said geocacher Lindsay Spencer.  

“It gets us out of the house for a purpose. It also allows us to get a good amount of exercise while doing something fun. The kiddos like it and we use it as family time,” said Spencer, who has three sons who go on geocaching adventures with her.

To find a cache, you can use the navigation system on the app to find the location of the cache or you can use your own navigation device and find it using the given coordinates. Caches always have a log where you can sign your name inside and record that you’ve found it. If you need some extra help finding it, the app gives you a hint. 

“The treasures can vary vastly, from a natural geological feature to a bolt in disguise. You can make it as easy or as hard as you want it to be.  Some are so small that there is nothing to log besides in the app, some have little things to trade and a log. And they are everywhere,” continued Spencer.

Geocaches can have different levels of difficulty, where the cache can be camouflaged, different levels of terrain, or require some puzzle solving skills. More advanced geocaches like to build challenges for cachers to debunk in order to get to the log or reward. If a geocache has items for trade inside, it is a rule to replace it with something of your own that is of equal or greater value. 

While remembering the most memorable geocaches she’s been on, Spencer said, “The kids probably remember the prizes better, but we had a great time looking for a cache that turned out to be a fake bolt on a bench in Tahoe City. And there was one where my son had to climb to the top of a baseball fence. That was pretty fun.”  

The purpose is to have fun and have a little hunt to go on. Spencer simply stated, “Why geocaching? Mostly just the adventure.”

Although there are many different types of caches, here is an overview on three of the most common:

Traditional  – A traditional cache is the most common type. It can come in different sizes; nano, small, medium, or large. It contains the logbook and, occasionally, items to trade. 

Mystery/Puzzle – This type of cache gives you an extra challenge. In order to unlock the cache or find the coordinates of the cache, you have to solve a puzzle. 

Multi-Cache – This type of cache has multiple locations where at each location, you are given a hint as to where the next position is. The final location reveals the cache. 

Now that you’ve learned all you need to know on the basics of geocaching, go out and have some fun geo-hunting! 

To learn more about geocaches in the community, you can visit their official website here: https://www.geocaching.com/about/cache_types.aspx