With several inches of snow on the ground, a chill wind blowing, and temperatures hovering around the zero mark, it hardly seems the time to discuss an outdoor activity. However, Cathy Weaver from the University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension Service gave a wonderful presentation at the Tourism Advisory Committee meeting last week on the growing sport of geocaching, and I wanted to share some information here.
By now you're probably asking yourself - what is geocaching? Thanks to the geocaching.com website, I have an easy answer for you. Geocaching is an entertaining adventure game for gps users. Participating in a cache hunt is a good way to take advantage of the wonderful features and capability of a gps unit. The basic idea is to have individuals and organizations set up caches all over the world and share the locations of these caches on the internet. GPS users can then use the location coordinates to find the caches. Once found, a cache may provide the visitor with a wide variety of rewards. All the visitor is asked to do is if they get something they should try to leave something for the cache.
What is a gps unit? A GPS unit is a electronic device that can determine your approximate location (within around 6-20 feet) on the planet. Coordinates are normally given in Longitude and Latitude. You can use the unit to navigate from your current location to another location. Some units have their own maps, built-in electronic compasses, voice navigation, depending on the complexity of the device.
What is a cache? A cache can come in many forms but the first item should always be the logbook. In its simplest form a cache can be just a logbook and nothing else. The logbook contains information from the founder of the cache and notes from the cache's visitors. The logbook can contain much valuable, rewarding, and entertaining information. A logbook might contain information about nearby attractions, coordinates to other unpublished caches, and even jokes written by visitors. If you get some information from a logbook you should give some back. At the very least you can leave the date and time you visited the cache.
Larger caches may consist of a waterproof plastic bucket placed tastefully within the local terrain. The bucket will contain the logbook and any number of more or less valuable items. These items turn the cache into a true treasure hunt. You never know what the founder or other visitors of the cache may have left there for you to enjoy. Remember, if you take something, its only fair for you to leave something in return. Items in a bucket cache could be: Maps, books, software, hardware, CD's, videos, pictures, money, jewelry, tickets, antiques, tools, games, etc. It is recommended that items in a bucket cache be individually packaged in a clear zipped plastic bag to protect them.
What are the rules of geocaching?
1. Take something from the cache
2. Leave something in the cache
3. Write about it in the logbook
Where you place a cache is up to you.
Now you know as much as I do about the sport of geocaching.
There are currently 265 caches hidden within 100 miles of North Platte. There's one called "Saving Private Ryan" in the area of the 20th Century Veterans Memorial, one called the "100 acre wood" that's appropriate for children near the I-80 exit, and one out at Buffalo Bill's Scouts Rest Ranch that gives some history of the ranch and encourages geocachers to come during crane season.
Sounds like a lot of fun, doesn't it? Let's everyone ask for a gps unit for Christmas, and when the spring thaw comes, get out there and find a cache!
