Caching without a GPS?

[digitalosh]

I wanted to get into geocaching but I didn't have a GPS (except a driving one, which proved mostly useless) so I got a little creative... I posted it all at my caching blog... topics include:

 

Paper Caching

iPhone Caching with Geopher Lite

iPhone Caching WITHOUT Geopher Lite <----Free (if you own the iPhone...)

 

Let me know what you guys think, it's my first attempt at a useful blog about geocaching.

 

http://sascache.wordpress.com/2009/02/11/g...-without-a-gps/

 

If this is considered spam, please feel free to delete it, but I think I made some contributory points in the blog

[digitalosh]

Also, does anyone else have any other ways to suggest on how to geocache without a GPS? Something I may have missed?

[+emb021]

I've heard of a guy who caches and used maps from Google Earth to find them, no GPS.

[digitalosh]

I've heard of a guy who caches and used maps from Google Earth to find them, no GPS.

 

That would be the same as the 'paper caching' I mentioned in the post, no?

[ao318]

There is a cacher here in the Sacramento Region that has found over 700 caches and has over 75 FTF without a GPS. He uses Google Earth to find them. He has been the FTF on a few of my hides.

Edited February 12, 2009 by ao318

[digitalosh]

There is a cacher here in the Sacramento Region that has found over 700 caches and has over 75 FTF without a GPS. He uses Google Earth to find them. He has been the FTF on a few of my hides.

 

Wow! That's intense!

[+iPhone3Gcacher]

Don't forget to mention the Geocaching app for the iPhone. That's how I roll. No GPSr.

[+DarkZen]

I found quite a few of my first ones paper caching before I had a GPS.

[digitalosh]

Don't forget to mention the Geocaching app for the iPhone. That's how I roll. No GPSr.

 

Do you mean the Geopher Lite app I mentioned? or is there something else

[+ChicagoCanineCrew]

I found one recently thanks to my brother's Blackberry. He looked up the coordinates on Google Maps from it.

[+iPhone3Gcacher]

Groundspeak has created an app for the iPhone. Search geocaching in the app store.

[Groleau]

I often geocache sans gps with just map and compass. I have topo mapping software for my map. I try to find a landmark, tower, etc. on the map which is also on the ground. Using a compass bearing, and pacing(65 right foot steps= 1 pace. 65 paces = 100 meters) you can get pretty close. Try it, it adds a new dimension to the sport.

Edited February 12, 2009 by Groleau

[+niraD]

The Geocaching sans GPS article at Cacheopedia has some information.

[+edscott]

I've heard of a guy who caches and used maps from Google Earth to find them, no GPS.

 

That would be the same as the 'paper caching' I mentioned in the post, no?

 

Sort of.. but don't many... although fewer than in years past... GPS users still carry a paper printout of the page?

 

I usually carry two sheets of paper per cache. The front page mostly to keep track of what I've done and which one is next and to take notes and comments for my log and also the page that has the little 3.5"x3.5" map as a satellite image zoomed in one click from the GC.com default setting. If I'm not familiar with the area I may need a larger map covering my route from parking to the cache so print that out instead of the second cache page, but at the same scale. I don't use Google Earth, but it probably would work the same. I just use the regular Google satellite images that are available from the links on cache the page. If the terrain is easy to read I just go find it, if it isn't then I need to find the nearest identifiable point and use pace and compass from that point to the cache.

[+moparots]

My first week or so I did all my finds with the google maps and paper from this web site. I would just write down hints and clues and little hand drawn maps. I really like the "way out in the woods" caches best so, I had to get a GPS for those.

[+Trucker Lee]

I ran off and left my GPS units at home. I have found two in rest areas by exporting into S&T, then zooming the map and looking at the location in comparision to the streets. Then, go take a good guess.

[666hotline]

I've heard of a guy who caches and used maps from Google Earth to find them, no GPS.

I did that it befor i got a gps