[containers for new geocaches]

Up here in Canada I see mostly lock'n'locks. I've also seen a fair number of peanut butter jars used.

 

Most other containers I've seen (mostly tupperware style containers) tend to leak and result in wet caches.

 

Whatever container you use please make sure its watertight on its own and don't depend on a ziplock bag to keep the moisture out.

[Multi tools]

I carry a Leatherman Wave on my belt at all times (except when flying or visiting government buildings). Its served me well for years.

[Why camo?]

I don't wear anything special for geocaching normally (unless dressing for the weather). I normally wear cargo pants and bright coloured t-shirts. If I need a jacket is usually dark red (spring jacket) or orange (winter jacket). I also wear a hat, but I wear it everywhere so its not hobby specific.

 

One thing I do carry just for caching is a bag I gave the original name of "my geocaching bag". Its a green canvas messenger style bag (it was labelled as a "jump bag" in the store - I think its a remake of a bag a paratrooper would jump with, but in essence its just a canvas messenger bag). In the bag I carry the following:

 

extra batteries for my GPS

USB cable for GPS

pens & mechanical pencils for signing logs

trail food (usually granola bars)

first aid kit

bug spray

sun block

gloves (for when I need to stick my hands in dirty places)

flashlight

GPS

compass

emergency whistle

caribiner

ziplock bags

stoop & scoop bags (optional if one caches without a canine companion

 

I often carry trade items in it as well, and when I am on multi-day trips, a netbook computer.

 

The bag & its various contents have served me well.

[Hobbies that have a natural connection with Geocaching]

It was raining, and Dad had hip-replacement surgery in November, but we still managed to go caching for an hour or so on Christmas day in Port Colborne ON (Niagara Region of southern Ontario for those from away). We snagged 3 caches before calling it a day.

 

Caching is a fun way to spend a Christmas.

 

edit: replied to wrong thread - sorry for the off-topicness of this.

[Geocaching in foreign countries]

I have a BlackBerry 8000 series World Edition Sprint phone which worked well over in Europe. Couple that with CacheBerry and a good GPSr and you'd have a decent paperless solution.

 

I was travelling for work, so I didn't have to pay for my cell usage while I was over there, however roaming costs are expensive. It costs $1.29 US/minute for voice - not sure of data, but I wouldn't want to pay it If you get a Blackberry with Wifi you can probably avoid these charges. You may also want to buy a SIM card when you arrive so you only need to pay local charges instead of roaming back to the US.

 

Just as a caveat: Don't depend on the GPS on the phone working. For some reason Blackberry GPSs don't work if they are not connected to North American networks - I have no idea what the reason for this bizarre limitation is, but several of my friends had the same issue over there.

[Canadian Cachers]

I am Canadian. I now live in the US and haven't had a chance to do a lot of caching in Canada yet. I do know that there are some nice caches just north of Toronto, and down in the Niagara Falls region.

[where did you hear about geocaching?]

I started in Belgium when a co-worker told me about it. Whats remarkable about this is that I an Canadian, and he is American, and we were on a business trip to the same office (but for different reasons). We went out caching one Saturday, and ended up in France (we crossed the border without realizing it). Been hooked ever since.

[How did you get started?]

A co-worker introduced me to it while we were both on a business trip to Belgium. Its interesting to me becaise I'm Canadian, he's American, but my first 5 finds are in Belgium, which is kinda cool I suppose