Geocaching?

[Betty]

Any of you ever go geocaching (http://www.geocaching.com/)before?

We recently tried it out and found our first cache and thought it was a fun addition to offroading - although many MANY of the caches have nothing to do with 4x4 trails.

The idea, in case you haven't heard of it, is to use a gps and coordinates that someone else has left to find a "cache" - a little treasure box. They always contain a log to right your name in and some are large enough to store items. You take an item and leave an item. We left a key chain / change purse thingy and took a bottle opener. The fun isn't so much in what's in the box, although that can often be amusing, but in the finding!

Modern day land pirates in search of booty following a strange and magical mapping device.

I wonder if there are any geocaches at Disneyland?

[Morrigoon]

I believe there are

[blueerica]

That sounds like tremendous fun!

[Not Afraid]

It reminds me of MA.

[blueerica]

Yes, but global.

[Alex]

Did it once, wasn't worth the effort. Though I imagine it varies a lot from cache to cache.

But once I'm out hiking I generally just want to walk, having a goal is low on my priority list.

[innerSpaceman]

Ditto that. If I'm out in the wilderness, that's all the enjoyment I need or want.


I guess it's nice to have a mellow goal. The hidden grove of Giant Sequoias was a "goal" on a recent hike, but not one that distracted from the myriad pleasures along the way.

I think a treasure hunt would blind me to any wonders that weren't clue or booty.

[Stan4dSteph]

I've done it before. It's pretty fun to find travel bugs to see where they've been before. I don't own a GPS though, so I don't go very often.

[JWBear]

I've heard of it, but haven't done it.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

My brother in Alaska actually purchased a small GPS unit in order to take up geocaching. It's pretty big there, as something to get you out and about during the short hospitable season. A cool aspect is that items are often in areas that are snowed over for much of the year, so the cache really is hidden a lot of the time. They've taken the kids on a few trips and they seem to be enjoying it. Of course most anywhere you go in Alaska is bloody gorgeous so no matter what, just having a look around is a neat way to spend your day.

[Betty]

It doesn't really spoil the hike so much as lead you to a beautiful place. I'm planning some for our next big bear adventure and noticed that many of them are chosen as a way to direct you so some "secret" beautiful spot that you may not have gone to before.

For us - we are NOT hikers. Since getting the jeep, we've been out more weekends then not - and hiking a bit is a natural extension of being out in nature away from it all. It's the bit of motivation I needed to get my butt out of the jeep and off the road on my own feet.

It's also a great way to explore some 4x34 trails we may not have known about before.

I'm amazed at just how many are actually out there. Just typing in my zip code brings up pages and pages of them.

[Mousey Girl]

Is there a certain brand of GSP that is recommended above another?

[ozron]

There used to be a couple of caches at the zoo. We'd check them every once in a while to see how active they were.

Both were displaced by exhibit updates. I'm not aware of any new ones.

[Betty]

It's also a great way to explore some 4x34 trails we may not have known about before.



You know those 4x34 trails! ;) 4x4 trails is what I meant... OHV... fire roads... whatever you want to call them.

I love how within about 7 or 8 minutes I can be up in the hills behind corona and away from just about everyone. It's quiet. The trees makes great noises not just from the leaves but the occasional "creeeeeek" as well. Getting the jeep has been great for family time and getting us all doing the same thing, together. Picnics, exploring, and now geochaching too. :cool: We listen to music and all sing along.

And now that you have all been camping and all the pictures... I've been looking into camping gear too. There's no way it'll fit into the jeep but still.