[tdheot]

Hey!

Just discovered geocaching today. Planning to go Geocaching this weekend in my area with a bike and a backpack.

I have just a quick question or two, and this looked like the right place to ask.

So, when I'm going geocaching this weekend, what should I pack in my backpack? All I can think of right now is my GPS, water, a few pens and pencils, but I figure that I'm missing something vital.

Furthermore, the getting started guide suggests that once I find the cache, I should replace something in it with another thing of equal or greater value. So should I just bring seemingly random objects in my backpack for when I find it to replace? Or when I find it do I have to go back home and find something to replace it with? Or should I come back later at some further point in time?

Pretty simple question, haven't found the answer yet though.

Thanks,

John

[Gitchee-Gummee]

tdheot, on 26 April 2012 - 07:38 PM, said:

....what should I pack in my backpack? All I can think of right now is my GPS, water, a few pens and pencils, but I figure that I'm missing something vital.

As it is your first outing, that's about it. You will learn what else you need as you go along. No rush.........

tdheot, on 26 April 2012 - 07:38 PM, said:

Furthermore, the getting started guide suggests that once I find the cache, I should replace something in it with another thing of equal or greater value. So should I just bring seemingly random objects in my backpack for when I find it to replace? Or when I find it do I have to go back home and find something to replace it with? Or should I come back later at some further point in time?

Nothing says that you should replace something in the cache.... it says that IF you take something you should trade even or better.
You don't have to trade at all. Usually, people carry a number of things with them. You can take one thing and leave two or three, or the other way around.
If you make it so that you have to come back later, you are only going to be dragging an anchor.....

Best advice -- have fun. Nothing else.

This post has been edited by Gitchee-Gummee: 26 April 2012 - 07:51 PM

[The A-Team]

tdheot, on 26 April 2012 - 07:38 PM, said:

Hey!

Just discovered geocaching today. Planning to go Geocaching this weekend in my area with a bike and a backpack.

Welcome!
As far as what to bring in your backpack, it depends on where you're going. If you're going deep into the bush, you will probably need different things than you would if you were caching in urban areas. What you've already listed are definitely the most important, so you'd probably be fine with that, but don't forget the extra batteries!

As far as trading items, I wouldn't worry about it at first. Once you find a few caches, you'll get a better idea of what type of items (usually called swag) are common. When trading swag, you would normally already have the item with you, so you do the swap at the time you find the cache and sign the log. When geocaching started, caches often had very decent swag. Today, unfortunately, the general quality and value of swag has drastically decreased. You won't find valuable items very often anymore.

Just make sure you have fun, and good luck!

[oxford comma]

bandaids and antibacterial wipes Are good- I've only found 54 so far and those 2 things have come in handy a lot already. as for swag - I have a bunch of things in small ziplocs , as well as a number of somewhat signature items - a small geo-emergency kit , complete with a tacky poem. if the cache is trashy or the swag is sparse, I'll add a couple extra things.
so: I carry:
Kleenex, extra ziplocs, a couple pr of disposable gloves, a small first aid kit and some antibacterial wipes, plenty of swag , a few extra logs, a couple thin line sharpies, a pr of tweezers, a whistle, a small flashlight, and a couple of plastic grocery bags for CITO ( cache in, trash out) i have used everything except the whistle so far.
I also have a couple of ready to go caches in case I find a cool location.

[tdheot]

Gitchee-Gummee, on 26 April 2012 - 07:50 PM, said:

tdheot, on 26 April 2012 - 07:38 PM, said:

....what should I pack in my backpack? All I can think of right now is my GPS, water, a few pens and pencils, but I figure that I'm missing something vital.

As it is your first outing, that's about it. You will learn what else you need as you go along. No rush.........

tdheot, on 26 April 2012 - 07:38 PM, said:

Furthermore, the getting started guide suggests that once I find the cache, I should replace something in it with another thing of equal or greater value. So should I just bring seemingly random objects in my backpack for when I find it to replace? Or when I find it do I have to go back home and find something to replace it with? Or should I come back later at some further point in time?

Nothing says that you should replace something in the cache.... it says that IF you take something you should trade even or better.
You don't have to trade at all. Usually, people carry a number of things with them. You can take one thing and leave two or three, or the other way around.
If you make it so that you have to come back later, you are only going to be dragging an anchor.....

Best advice -- have fun. Nothing else.

Alright, great advice and thanks for the tips. I'll keep that in mind. Thanks

The A-Team, on 26 April 2012 - 07:54 PM, said:

tdheot, on 26 April 2012 - 07:38 PM, said:

Hey!

Just discovered geocaching today. Planning to go Geocaching this weekend in my area with a bike and a backpack.

Welcome!
As far as what to bring in your backpack, it depends on where you're going. If you're going deep into the bush, you will probably need different things than you would if you were caching in urban areas. What you've already listed are definitely the most important, so you'd probably be fine with that, but don't forget the extra batteries!

As far as trading items, I wouldn't worry about it at first. Once you find a few caches, you'll get a better idea of what type of items (usually called swag) are common. When trading swag, you would normally already have the item with you, so you do the swap at the time you find the cache and sign the log. When geocaching started, caches often had very decent swag. Today, unfortunately, the general quality and value of swag has drastically decreased. You won't find valuable items very often anymore.

Just make sure you have fun, and good luck!

Follow up question: how do I know if I'm going to be going into bush? I'm going to stick with the green highlighted beginners ones for now, but other than that I have no idea where I'm going...

Quote

bandaids and antibacterial wipes Are good- I've only found 54 so far and those 2 things have come in handy a lot already. as for swag - I have a bunch of things in small ziplocs , as well as a number of somewhat signature items - a small geo-emergency kit , complete with a tacky poem. if the cache is trashy or the swag is sparse, I'll add a couple extra things.
so: I carry:
Kleenex, extra ziplocs, a couple pr of disposable gloves, a small first aid kit and some antibacterial wipes, plenty of swag , a few extra logs, a couple thin line sharpies, a pr of tweezers, a whistle, a small flashlight, and a couple of plastic grocery bags for CITO ( cache in, trash out) i have used everything except the whistle so far.
I also have a couple of ready to go caches in case I find a cool location.

Ah, first aid. Got it, thanks

[The A-Team]

tdheot, on 26 April 2012 - 08:43 PM, said:

Follow up question: how do I know if I'm going to be going into bush? I'm going to stick with the green highlighted beginners ones for now, but other than that I have no idea where I'm going...

On each cache page, just above the list of logs, there's a list of links titled "For online maps...". If you click on one like Google Maps, you should be able to see a satellite image of the area, and maybe even use Google StreetView to get a better idea of the site. Knowing at least some basic information about the area could help with finding your way to the cache, what you'll need to be prepared for, etc. By sticking to the "beginner" caches, it's pretty unlikely you'll be going on any long hikes in the woods. It's more likely you'll be fairly close to roads, but it all depends on how the cache owner rated their cache. Do as much research as you can before you leave home, and it will increase the likelihood of your making the find.

Also remember that your GPS will rarely take you to the exact spot of the cache. Due to inaccuracies in both the hider's and your GPS devices, the coordinates will only get you close. Once it says you're within about 30 feet, you'll need to stop looking at the GPS and start searching for the cache. Make sure you read the description and hint for any information that could help you find it.

[tdheot]

The A-Team, on 26 April 2012 - 09:01 PM, said:

tdheot, on 26 April 2012 - 08:43 PM, said:

Follow up question: how do I know if I'm going to be going into bush? I'm going to stick with the green highlighted beginners ones for now, but other than that I have no idea where I'm going...

On each cache page, just above the list of logs, there's a list of links titled "For online maps...". If you click on one like Google Maps, you should be able to see a satellite image of the area, and maybe even use Google StreetView to get a better idea of the site. Knowing at least some basic information about the area could help with finding your way to the cache, what you'll need to be prepared for, etc. By sticking to the "beginner" caches, it's pretty unlikely you'll be going on any long hikes in the woods. It's more likely you'll be fairly close to roads, but it all depends on how the cache owner rated their cache. Do as much research as you can before you leave home, and it will increase the likelihood of your making the find.

Also remember that your GPS will rarely take you to the exact spot of the cache. Due to inaccuracies in both the hider's and your GPS devices, the coordinates will only get you close. Once it says you're within about 30 feet, you'll need to stop looking at the GPS and start searching for the cache. Make sure you read the description and hint for any information that could help you find it.

Sounds good. Once I reach the site of the cache, how long should I look for before giving up?

Furthermore, what do I do if I don't find the cache? How do I know whether the cache was picked up by a muggle or if I just didn't find it? Should I mark it as lost if I don't find it?

[The A-Team]

tdheot, on 27 April 2012 - 07:52 AM, said:

Sounds good. Once I reach the site of the cache, how long should I look for before giving up?

It will vary. Some caches you'll be able to spot from a hundred feet away, while others may be so well camoflaged as to take hours of searching and multiple visits to find. A good guide will be the difficulty rating. A rating of about 2 or under (which I think is the "beginner" filter limit) should usually take less than 10-15 minutes to find. This does depend on how the owner rated it, though, so there may be some low-rated caches that could take longer to find. Be prepared to spend a bit longer searching, since you haven't found any before and aren't familiar with how different cache containers can be hidden.

Quote

Furthermore, what do I do if I don't find the cache? How do I know whether the cache was picked up by a muggle or if I just didn't find it? Should I mark it as lost if I don't find it?

If you can't find the cache, log a "Didn't find it" or DNF log. Whether it's missing, or you just didn't find it, this log records your attempt to find it. Don't worry, it isn't a penalty to log a DNF (though some seem to feel that way). It's just a record of what actually happened: you tried to find it, and you didn't find it. It can sometimes be difficult to determine if a cache has been muggled or not. For example, if it's a pretty easy cache with a strong hint, and there's only one spot that matches the description and hint, you could mention in your DNF log that you think it might be missing. This will alert the cache owner that they might need to check on it. If a cache has a higher difficulty rating, and there are many spots where it could be hidden, it's more likely that it's there and you're just not seeing it. This is especially true with the needle-in-a-haystack type caches, like this one:

I've been there at least 10 times now, but still haven't found it. Others have, though, so I know it is there. I'm actually about to go out and give it another attempt! Sometimes the best feeling is when you finally find a cache you haven't been able to find previously.
If you can't find a cache, don't get discouraged. Keep an eye on the cache listing, and if someone else finds it and confirms it's there, go back and try again!

[Sol seaker]

Don't worry if you have trouble finding your first couple of caches. That's common. After a while you'll see how people hide them and it will get easier.

If you're looking for them in the woods, generally it will be easier. At least that's how it is around here.

You don't have to trade items, but I always carry something just in case. I take foreign coins, because people like those and they're easy to carry. I also save small nice stuff that I don't need anymore. Think about what you'd like to find in a cache.
I also picked up some mini-screwdrivers from the dollar store, two for a dollar. Those are good trade items, I think.
They say, "Trade even or trade up". Sometimes it's fun to just leave nice stuff for the next guy.


Often people carry spare paper for logs in case the log is wet. I like to carry paper that is called "write in the rain" paper because it holds up better, but it's hard to find, so any regular paper is good. I got little tiny notebooks from the party store, so I use those too.

You can't tell whether the cache has been taken or if you just can't find it, so just mark it "DNF" (did not find) and the owner will figure it out.

Have a lot of fun!!!

[tdheot]

The A-Team, on 27 April 2012 - 08:48 AM, said:

tdheot, on 27 April 2012 - 07:52 AM, said:

Sounds good. Once I reach the site of the cache, how long should I look for before giving up?

It will vary. Some caches you'll be able to spot from a hundred feet away, while others may be so well camoflaged as to take hours of searching and multiple visits to find. A good guide will be the difficulty rating. A rating of about 2 or under (which I think is the "beginner" filter limit) should usually take less than 10-15 minutes to find. This does depend on how the owner rated it, though, so there may be some low-rated caches that could take longer to find. Be prepared to spend a bit longer searching, since you haven't found any before and aren't familiar with how different cache containers can be hidden.

Quote

Furthermore, what do I do if I don't find the cache? How do I know whether the cache was picked up by a muggle or if I just didn't find it? Should I mark it as lost if I don't find it?

If you can't find the cache, log a "Didn't find it" or DNF log. Whether it's missing, or you just didn't find it, this log records your attempt to find it. Don't worry, it isn't a penalty to log a DNF (though some seem to feel that way). It's just a record of what actually happened: you tried to find it, and you didn't find it. It can sometimes be difficult to determine if a cache has been muggled or not. For example, if it's a pretty easy cache with a strong hint, and there's only one spot that matches the description and hint, you could mention in your DNF log that you think it might be missing. This will alert the cache owner that they might need to check on it. If a cache has a higher difficulty rating, and there are many spots where it could be hidden, it's more likely that it's there and you're just not seeing it. This is especially true with the needle-in-a-haystack type caches, like this one:

I've been there at least 10 times now, but still haven't found it. Others have, though, so I know it is there. I'm actually about to go out and give it another attempt! Sometimes the best feeling is when you finally find a cache you haven't been able to find previously.
If you can't find a cache, don't get discouraged. Keep an eye on the cache listing, and if someone else finds it and confirms it's there, go back and try again!

Alright, sounds good. Thanks for all your help! I hope you find it! Should I take my camera? I'm thinking about keeping a video or photographic log of my finds. Perhaps a blog?

Sol seaker, on 27 April 2012 - 09:21 AM, said:

Don't worry if you have trouble finding your first couple of caches. That's common. After a while you'll see how people hide them and it will get easier.

If you're looking for them in the woods, generally it will be easier. At least that's how it is around here.

You don't have to trade items, but I always carry something just in case. I take foreign coins, because people like those and they're easy to carry. I also save small nice stuff that I don't need anymore. Think about what you'd like to find in a cache.
I also picked up some mini-screwdrivers from the dollar store, two for a dollar. Those are good trade items, I think.
They say, "Trade even or trade up". Sometimes it's fun to just leave nice stuff for the next guy.


Often people carry spare paper for logs in case the log is wet. I like to carry paper that is called "write in the rain" paper because it holds up better, but it's hard to find, so any regular paper is good. I got little tiny notebooks from the party store, so I use those too.

You can't tell whether the cache has been taken or if you just can't find it, so just mark it "DNF" (did not find) and the owner will figure it out.

Have a lot of fun!!!

Cool, I have a lot of foreign coins just laying around, I'll take some of those! I also have a lot of trinkets from trips when I was younger, I'll pack some of those too. I've been meaning to get rid of them anyway to clear my room up!

I thought the log was inside the cache box? Or do you have to bring your own paper?

[Sol seaker]

Yes, the log is inside the cache box.

I'm sorry I wasn't clear.
Sometimes the log gets wet. A lot of us like to carry spare log paper and baggies to put them in. It's not mandatory. But if you come across a log too wet to sign it's nice to be prepared.
I'm not sure where you are at, but here in the Northwest US it happens a lot. If you're in a drier region, it may not be necessary, I don't know.

You had asked what else to take, so I just thought I'd mention it. No biggie.

The first thing is to have fun!!

[bpwilldo]

tdheot, on 26 April 2012 - 07:38 PM, said:

Hey!

Just discovered geocaching today. Planning to go Geocaching this weekend in my area with a bike and a backpack.

I have just a quick question or two, and this looked like the right place to ask.

So, when I'm going geocaching this weekend, what should I pack in my backpack? All I can think of right now is my GPS, water, a few pens and pencils, but I figure that I'm missing something vital.

Furthermore, the getting started guide suggests that once I find the cache, I should replace something in it with another thing of equal or greater value. So should I just bring seemingly random objects in my backpack for when I find it to replace? Or when I find it do I have to go back home and find something to replace it with? Or should I come back later at some further point in time?

Pretty simple question, haven't found the answer yet though.

Thanks,

John

As a newbie myself (59 finds), I first tried micros. Didn't find them on the first attempt but did on the second. I wasn't sure about my commitment to the hobby, so I was a regular member. As such, I didn't have access to the full info for the caches in my GPSr. Once I read up on those two, I found them right away. The first hunt and the subsequent find were both fun. Needless to say, I upgraded my membership. Paperless and all that but we still keep a paper log.

I think larger than micro are easier to find once there. I think micros are easier to get to. Anyway, I'd just take a fine point pen other than the things you would normally have biking. Like a helmet...

[The A-Team]

tdheot, on 27 April 2012 - 09:37 AM, said:

Alright, sounds good. Thanks for all your help! I hope you find it! Should I take my camera? I'm thinking about keeping a video or photographic log of my finds. Perhaps a blog?

Yes, I did finally find it!
Be careful about what photos you post online. If a cache owner has put a lot of work into camouflaging their container to make it difficult to find, they may not be happy to find a photo of it posted online for all to see. If it's just an ordinary container, try to frame the photo so it doesn't give away the hiding spot. Maybe walk a bit away from the hiding spot or something.