Boxergurl Posted March 1, 2010 Share Posted March 1, 2010 I'm a newbie! I became very interested in geocaching a few years ago, but never invested in the GPS to actually start. Well, hopefully my GPS will be here this week so that my husband and I can go on our first caching adventure this weekend (finally!!). We were actually just planning on packing a lunch and making a day of it (going to do some hiking as well). I just wondered what essentials or must have items would you suggest a newbie to bring? I don't want to get out into the middle of the woods and think, "Gosh, why didn't I bring THAT?". Of course, maybe I really don't need much more than my GPS. I figured it wouldn't hurt to ask. Quote Link to comment
+ngrrfan Posted March 1, 2010 Share Posted March 1, 2010 (edited) I have: Camera Baggies for cache maintenance Extra log book Extra batteries for the GPS Extra Sharpies for signing the logs waterless soap neosporine kleenex munchies trash bag(s) chapstick sunscreen bag of trackables I need to move bag for trackables I pick up a few bandaids Winter: watch cap thin gloves ice cleats Summer: rain gear local area trail map(s) Yeah that about covers it. OH!!..... the pack is a hydration pack so it has water in it too. edit to add bandaids Edited March 1, 2010 by ngrrfan Quote Link to comment
+Ratbas Posted March 1, 2010 Share Posted March 1, 2010 (edited) I don't really have a separate pack for GCing. My device is my cellphone which charges during the drive. Backpack contains the usual dayhike stuff plus some swag and maybe TBs. Edited March 1, 2010 by Ratbas Quote Link to comment
+jopasm Posted March 1, 2010 Share Posted March 1, 2010 I carry a daypack whenever I'm out whether it's caching or a dayhike. Obviously for a park & grab I don't strap it on, but I'll often have it in the car. It always has: water first aid kit lighter/matches swiss army knife (with knife & saw) bug spray sharpie pencil pen spare batteries for GPS flashlight UV flashlight (not actually for caching) headlamp clipboard & pad (mostly not for caching) I may add a leatherman in the near future. If I know I'm going to be out for a day there's room for lunch or a snack. If the weather is cool I keep a fleece jacket in the pack (stuffed into a ziplock bag, works as a poor-man's space saver bag when you squeeze the air out). I always have a point & shoot camera with me, if I'm on a photo-trip I have an insert that fits in the pack and holds a dSLR and a couple of lenses and spare battery packs. The first aid kit is based on a cheap $1 from walmart. I added a few things that are useful for outdoors (tweezers, small bottle of hydrogen peroxide instead of neosporin [allergies on my part], better band-aids). It won't hurt to carry a spare log (you can print them out online) and a few spare small baggies to replace damp logs. I haven't printed any out yet but I probably will soon. I don't have a dedicated "swag bag", but I carry a couple of trade items in a side pouch of the backpack. Quote Link to comment
airdefenderuk Posted March 1, 2010 Share Posted March 1, 2010 (edited) Suggestions on what to include in a GC backpack Edited March 1, 2010 by airdefenderuk Quote Link to comment
+briansnat Posted March 1, 2010 Share Posted March 1, 2010 (edited) It all depends on the kinds of caches I'm going after. Fir urban and suburban hunts all I carry are my GPS, some trade items, my digital camera and maybe some insect repellent and water. For caches that involve hikes I take everything I take on all hikes and that includes enough equipment to spend a night or two outdoors. Here is my pack when I emptied it out a couple of years ago. This is my summer bag. I've also since added a small emergency bivy sack which is always in my pack. I've also ditched the PDA since I now have a paperless GPS. For winter I add a down vest, wool hat, a thicker fleece pullover, neck gaiter and extra gloves. Edited March 1, 2010 by briansnat Quote Link to comment
+StarBrand Posted March 1, 2010 Share Posted March 1, 2010 Pocket knife matches lighter socks rain jacket/pants hat mylar blanket x2 compact poncho whistle insect reellant first aid kit lightweight rope snacks extra batteries LED flashlight and headlamp fleece pullover SWAG extra GPS few seasonal items Quote Link to comment
+GeoWyrm Posted March 1, 2010 Share Posted March 1, 2010 You should certainly check out the previous discussion on what items to take... and another thing I find particularly useful is having a simple pencil sharpener handy! I generally always have something with me to sign the log but I personally dislike trying to sign with a dull pencil so I sharpen them along the way so the next cacher doesn't have to! Quote Link to comment
Boxergurl Posted March 2, 2010 Author Share Posted March 2, 2010 Wow, thanks for all the replies!! Definitely a lot of items I would not have thought of, so I'm definitely glad I asked. Honestly, I know to be as safe as possible, but it wouldn't have dawned on me to bring things like a whistle or a mylar blanket. You never know when a sticky situation will present itself! Quote Link to comment
+fishgeek Posted March 2, 2010 Share Posted March 2, 2010 Something I have not seen listed here but that I have frequently needed is a pair of leather gloves. They are handy when turning over rocks and logs and looking through cedar trees. Spider-proof gloves are best. Wow, thanks for all the replies!! Definitely a lot of items I would not have thought of, so I'm definitely glad I asked. Honestly, I know to be as safe as possible, but it wouldn't have dawned on me to bring things like a whistle or a mylar blanket. You never know when a sticky situation will present itself! Quote Link to comment
+godavid Posted March 3, 2010 Share Posted March 3, 2010 Pocket knife matches lighter socks rain jacket/pants hat mylar blanket x2 compact poncho whistle insect reellant first aid kit lightweight rope snacks extra batteries LED flashlight and headlamp fleece pullover SWAG extra GPS few seasonal items w0w ever thing but the kitchen sink i need to start me a back pack Quote Link to comment
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