How do i convert a GPS bearing ?

[Dom Drewe Martin]

Hi,

 

I too am new to geocaching and i was wondering if someone could explain how i convert a GPS bearing into a normal everyday value i can use without a GPS?

 

I have found a geocache i would like to do but at the end it says "the cache can be found at: N57 0A.BCD W003 E2.FGH" - if i do this cache i'm going to end up with (i think) a GPS bearing but seeing as i don't have a GPS and just the good old style compass can anyone help? Or is this geocache not for me?

 

Many thanks,

Dominique

[+briansnat]

Hi,

 

I too am new to geocaching and i was wondering if someone could explain how i convert a GPS bearing into a normal everyday value i can use without a GPS?

 

I have found a geocache i would like to do but at the end it says "the cache can be found at: N57 0A.BCD W003 E2.FGH" - if i do this cache i'm going to end up with (i think) a GPS bearing but seeing as i don't have a GPS and just the good old style compass can anyone help? Or is this geocache not for me?

 

Many thanks,

Dominique

 

That looks like a puzzle cache where you need to resolve the letters and the result would be map cordinates. Those can be used to find a cache if you are very good with map and compass. There are a number of formats for map coordiates. Here is a nifty little conversion program http://boulter.com/gps/

[Ranger Fox]

Solving the puzzle will give you numbers for each letter, as briansnat pointed out. For example, A = 1. Once you substitute the letters for their numbers, you'll have GPS coordinates. You can then find the cache the same way you have found others without a GPS receiver. (I'd suggest putting the coordinates into Google Maps and seeing where the map pin leads you. This can also be done in the field.)

 

If you ever have coordinates and a bearing, I'd like to suggest the Javascript Great Circle Calculator.

[+niraD]

That looks like a puzzle cache where you need to resolve the letters and the result would be map cordinates.

Actually, I would expect it to be a multi-cache, unless it takes more than copying information from signs/plaques and basic arithmetic to determine the values of A through H. But this varies regionally.

 

I too am new to geocaching and i was wondering if someone could explain how i convert a GPS bearing into a normal everyday value i can use without a GPS?

 

I have found a geocache i would like to do but at the end it says "the cache can be found at: N57 0A.BCD W003 E2.FGH" - if i do this cache i'm going to end up with (i think) a GPS bearing but seeing as i don't have a GPS and just the good old style compass can anyone help?

How have you found the caches that you've already found? Once you determine the values of A through H, you should be able to find this cache in the same way.

 

But you seem to be confusing "coordinates" with "bearings".

 

Coordinates (aka longitude and latitude, aka GPS coordinates) indicate a specific location. For example:

N 57° 01.234' W 003° 52.678'

 

Bearings indicate a direction from a known starting location, and are usually accompanied by a distance. For example:

371ft (113m) at a bearing of 75° from N 57° 01.234' W 003° 52.678'

 

Anyway, in the example you provided, if A=1, B=2, C=3, D=4, E=5, F=6, G=7, and H=8 (as an example), you would get:

N 57° 0A.BCD W 003° E2.FGH =

N 57° 0(1).(2)(3)(4) W 003° (5)2.(6)(7)(8) =

N 57° 01.234' W 003° 52.678'

 

Then you just need to navigate to those coordinates the same way you would navigate to any other coordinates. Of course, you should substitute the values of A through H that you actually get, instead of using the example values above.

[Dom Drewe Martin]

Spot on, thank you! I also found that by just popping in the bearing thingy into streetmap (website) it gives you the location (which you can then print and take with you).

[+hzoi]

Looks like you want to try this multi cache. Bearing calculations don't appear to be needed for this one.

 

You will need to visit the 8 waypoints listed on the cache page -- they should be visible on the app if you are using a phone. Then look at the photo on the cache page, which has a collage with numbers corresponding to each little picture. Once you have visited all eight waypoints, you should have the values for A through H and can use them to derive the final coordinates for the cache container, as nariD explained.

 

For instance, to get the value for A, go to waypoint 1, N 57° 02.919 W 003° 02.379. Match the picture to your location, and that corresponding number will be your value for A.

[+briansnat]

Spot on, thank you! I also found that by just popping in the bearing thingy into streetmap (website) it gives you the location (which you can then print and take with you).

 

As NiraD pointed out, don't confuse bearings with map coordinates. In simplest terms, bearing is a direction and coordinates are a place. All cache pages use coordinates. Some may also use bearings, but there aren't a lot of those.