Delons Posted November 1, 2010 Share Posted November 1, 2010 (edited) Were going for a day of caching tommrow and I was wondering what tools, tips or anything else you have to suggest to me! It will be my first "Big" day of caching! I'm not using a GPS, in my opinion it's more fun, kinda adds to the challenge! I'm going to be caching around Here. Thanks! -Delons Edited November 1, 2010 by Delons Quote Link to comment
+mwellman Posted November 1, 2010 Share Posted November 1, 2010 Sounds like fun! We have found several just using the maps and local knowledge but the ones in Mohagen Park and along the river banks may be harder. Print off a satellite map and a street map with the caches numbered. Then you can add some notes on the side for each cache (size, hints etc). Tools: hiking stick to poke into corners, leather gloves to move leaves etc and to grab rose bushes or pine trees when climbing steep slopes, long tweezers for nanos, first aid kit (just in case), pen and paper to make notes so that you can write a great on-line log later, water, and snacks. Tricks: - stick with low difficulty and terrain to start, - look at Groundspeak store for ideas for containers, also the Cool Cache Containers forum discussion, - keep your eyes open for geotrails, for something that looks different, look from different angles, look up and down, - respect the enviroment and don't trample the ground around the cache, - most important - have fun! Enjoy your Geocaching Adventures tomorrow! Quote Link to comment
+Wolfdentx Posted November 1, 2010 Share Posted November 1, 2010 First how are you going to do it without gps? As far as things to take I take water,extra pin,little notebook to take notes so I will remember when I get back home. I take extra zipbags and logs so if I find any that need replaced I can. That is all I can think unless you want to take a multi tool like a leatherman. Quote Link to comment
+Chokecherry Posted November 1, 2010 Share Posted November 1, 2010 I bring my cache bag with which has swag to trade, the gps, multi tool, tweezers, extra batteries, camera, note pad, extra pens, phone. That's for an average full day. Then if I'm out in the woods I have another bag with band aids, other socks, extra shoes usually, sometimes extra pants depending on weather, paper towel, walking stick. And so on. But really it depends on where I intend to be out caching for what I intend to bring. When I was in a town doing micros I just brought the phone, gps and stuffed a pen down my bra and that worked fine. Quote Link to comment
+Scubasonic Posted November 2, 2010 Share Posted November 2, 2010 Were going for a day of caching tommrow and I was wondering what tools, tips or anything else you have to suggest to me! It will be my first "Big" day of caching! I'm not using a GPS, in my opinion it's more fun, kinda adds to the challenge! I'm going to be caching around Here. Thanks! -Delons I have no suggestions since the first thing I would tell you that is needed is a GPS....but hey that's how I roll. Scubasonic Quote Link to comment
Delons Posted November 2, 2010 Author Share Posted November 2, 2010 Were going for a day of caching tommrow and I was wondering what tools, tips or anything else you have to suggest to me! It will be my first "Big" day of caching! I'm not using a GPS, in my opinion it's more fun, kinda adds to the challenge! I'm going to be caching around Here. Thanks! -Delons I have no suggestions since the first thing I would tell you that is needed is a GPS....but hey that's how I roll. Scubasonic I just think Google Maps, and instinc is as good as a GPSr Quote Link to comment
+Lovejoy and Tinker Posted November 2, 2010 Share Posted November 2, 2010 I just think Google Maps, and instinc is as good as a GPSr You've never cached in a dense forest then, where the clue is "Under a cut log" Or out on a moorland hillside where the clue is "Under a rock", and there is a sea of rocks. Even with a reasonable GPS indication these can often take a while to search all the said items within a reasonable radius. On google satellite view, all those rocks look very much the same. Good luck and most importantly have fun Quote Link to comment
Delons Posted November 2, 2010 Author Share Posted November 2, 2010 I just think Google Maps, and instinc is as good as a GPSr You've never cached in a dense forest then, where the clue is "Under a cut log" Or out on a moorland hillside where the clue is "Under a rock", and there is a sea of rocks. Even with a reasonable GPS indication these can often take a while to search all the said items within a reasonable radius. On google satellite view, all those rocks look very much the same. Good luck and most importantly have fun One bad thing about no GPS, is I'm writing down everything I need, and EXACTLY where I have to go to get it. Quote Link to comment
+Lovejoy and Tinker Posted November 2, 2010 Share Posted November 2, 2010 One bad thing about no GPS, is I'm writing down everything I need, and EXACTLY where I have to go to get it. You'll find others Like, you will probably have to miss out on most if not all multis, which can be really fun to do. You know, where you find a location then get coordinates (or clues to coordinates) which lead you from place to place and ultimately to the cache. I'm not sure how you would do one of those as there would be no way to plot those coordinates onto a hard printed google map. But like I said, if you are having fun then play the game however you want. Sans GPS would certainly be more challenging, and if that's the challenge you like to set yourself.... The only issue I can see is that knowing the GPS position of a cache, and therefore a reasonably narrow search area, you know roughly where to look and where not to look. This information is often useful so you know not to look too far outside that search area where your searching may cause damage. You can usually rule out certain locations as being too far from where the GPS is pointing. Without a GPS you may be tempted to stray quite a way from the actual location and search areas where the CO, landowner or whoever would rather you weren't poking around. So bear that in mind and read the cache pages carefully to look for any additional info such as "The cache is not in the wall, so please don't pull moss from the wall". If the wall is 50 feet from where your arrow is pointing then chances are you would be nowhere near the wall anyway, but with no gps to tell you that, you could easily end up searching the wall. Would be interested to know how you get on with your day's map caching. Quote Link to comment
Delons Posted November 2, 2010 Author Share Posted November 2, 2010 One bad thing about no GPS, is I'm writing down everything I need, and EXACTLY where I have to go to get it. You'll find others Like, you will probably have to miss out on most if not all multis, which can be really fun to do. You know, where you find a location then get coordinates (or clues to coordinates) which lead you from place to place and ultimately to the cache. I'm not sure how you would do one of those as there would be no way to plot those coordinates onto a hard printed google map. But like I said, if you are having fun then play the game however you want. Sans GPS would certainly be more challenging, and if that's the challenge you like to set yourself.... The only issue I can see is that knowing the GPS position of a cache, and therefore a reasonably narrow search area, you know roughly where to look and where not to look. This information is often useful so you know not to look too far outside that search area where your searching may cause damage. You can usually rule out certain locations as being too far from where the GPS is pointing. Without a GPS you may be tempted to stray quite a way from the actual location and search areas where the CO, landowner or whoever would rather you weren't poking around. So bear that in mind and read the cache pages carefully to look for any additional info such as "The cache is not in the wall, so please don't pull moss from the wall". If the wall is 50 feet from where your arrow is pointing then chances are you would be nowhere near the wall anyway, but with no gps to tell you that, you could easily end up searching the wall. Would be interested to know how you get on with your day's map caching. Yea, I'm going for 7 caches, then lunch Will let you know my turn out. I'm packing my bag with: Letherman Mirror Leather Gloves Magnet Stick and flashlight. Quote Link to comment
+Lovejoy and Tinker Posted November 2, 2010 Share Posted November 2, 2010 Yea, I'm going for 7 caches, then lunch Will let you know my turn out. I'm packing my bag with: Letherman Mirror Leather Gloves Magnet Stick and flashlight. Ah yes, a Leatherman Wave. Never without mine and has come into its own many many times. Even once when the dog got tangled up in some wire which wrapped itself round his leg. One quick snip with the wire cutters got him free. Never had a need for a magnet, but you never know. As for the mirror - it's best not to know what you look like after a day's caching Quote Link to comment
+NYPaddleCacher Posted November 2, 2010 Share Posted November 2, 2010 Were going for a day of caching tommrow and I was wondering what tools, tips or anything else you have to suggest to me! It will be my first "Big" day of caching! I'm not using a GPS, in my opinion it's more fun, kinda adds to the challenge! I'm going to be caching around Here. Thanks! -Delons I have no suggestions since the first thing I would tell you that is needed is a GPS....but hey that's how I roll. Scubasonic I just think Google Maps, and instinc is as good as a GPSr That depends entirely on where you're going. I was in Tanzania earlier in the year where my hotel was located, and to the east the resolution was quite good such that one could identify small buildings and even individual trees. Across the road, you couldn't even make out a large building. That was pretty much academic though as the nearest cache was about 50 miles away (which I found, and probably could have just based on the cache listing). I'm also planning a trip to Costa Rica in the spring. There are many areas there where the terrain is completely obscured by many square miles of cloud cover. Quote Link to comment
Delons Posted November 2, 2010 Author Share Posted November 2, 2010 Going out right now, hoping to get atleast 7 caches! WOOT! Quote Link to comment
GPS-Hermit Posted November 2, 2010 Share Posted November 2, 2010 This is a total unnecessary thread! Quote Link to comment
+dfx Posted November 2, 2010 Share Posted November 2, 2010 This is a total unnecessary thread! this was a totally unnecessary reply! Quote Link to comment
+John in Valley Forge Posted November 2, 2010 Share Posted November 2, 2010 Going out right now, hoping to get atleast 7 caches! WOOT! Good luck and enjoy the sunshine! Quote Link to comment
+sbell111 Posted November 2, 2010 Share Posted November 2, 2010 Are there any totally necessary threads? Quote Link to comment
knowschad Posted November 2, 2010 Share Posted November 2, 2010 This is a total unnecessary thread! Don't worry... there is an unlimited supply of spools. Quote Link to comment
+Scubasonic Posted November 2, 2010 Share Posted November 2, 2010 Were going for a day of caching tommrow and I was wondering what tools, tips or anything else you have to suggest to me! It will be my first "Big" day of caching! I'm not using a GPS, in my opinion it's more fun, kinda adds to the challenge! I'm going to be caching around Here. Thanks! -Delons I have no suggestions since the first thing I would tell you that is needed is a GPS....but hey that's how I roll. Scubasonic I just think Google Maps, and instinc is as good as a GPSr Well I can see how you could feel that way with th amount of finds you have. SS Quote Link to comment
+Scooter Rider Posted November 2, 2010 Share Posted November 2, 2010 Going out right now, hoping to get atleast 7 caches! WOOT! Don't do it run away run away wile there is still time. When it becomes a habit there no know cure. Good luck Quote Link to comment
+dfx Posted November 2, 2010 Share Posted November 2, 2010 Well I can see how you could feel that way with th amount of finds you have. nevermind the finds, i'm more worried about those hides there. Quote Link to comment
7rxc Posted November 2, 2010 Share Posted November 2, 2010 This is a total unnecessary thread! Don't worry... there is an unlimited supply of spools. It's not like there is a requirement to READ unnecessary threads is there? Some are very entertaining, some not! Of course the nature of Hermits is to be left alone isn't it? Doug 7rxc Quote Link to comment
Mr.Yuck Posted November 2, 2010 Share Posted November 2, 2010 This is a total unnecessary thread! Well, he certainly is enthusiastic. Problem is, so was Ashnikes. Quote Link to comment
+Lovejoy and Tinker Posted November 2, 2010 Share Posted November 2, 2010 Okay, betting time, odds please on: 1) He will find all 7 without a GPS and wonder why we all use one 2) He will find none and want to know what type of GPS to buy 3) He will find some but not all but still won't want a GPS 4) He will find some but not all and will want a GPS 5) He won't find his way back to the car without a GPS and we'll never hear from him again. (Just kidding Delons, have fun) Quote Link to comment
+Scubasonic Posted November 2, 2010 Share Posted November 2, 2010 Well I can see how you could feel that way with th amount of finds you have. nevermind the finds, i'm more worried about those hides there. isn't that the truth. Good Point SS Quote Link to comment
+Too Tall John Posted November 2, 2010 Share Posted November 2, 2010 Okay, betting time, odds please on: 1) He will find all 7 without a GPS and wonder why we all use one 2) He will find none and want to know what type of GPS to buy 3) He will find some but not all but still won't want a GPS 4) He will find some but not all and will want a GPS 5) He won't find his way back to the car without a GPS and we'll never hear from him again. Heh.. I'll bet against #5. If someone's gonna get lost from these forums, it'll be because they left their GPS behind at the last cache, not because they didn't have one in the first place. . . Quote Link to comment
+EscapeFromFlatland Posted November 2, 2010 Share Posted November 2, 2010 One bad thing about no GPS, is I'm writing down everything I need, and EXACTLY where I have to go to get it. Just like caching without GPS, you should do that without paper. Quote Link to comment
+The Chaos Crew Posted November 2, 2010 Share Posted November 2, 2010 Good luck Delons (I miss Ashnikes, this guy is looking promising as a potential to fill that void….) Quote Link to comment
+dfx Posted November 2, 2010 Share Posted November 2, 2010 (I miss Ashnikes, this guy is looking promising as a potential to fill that void….) not until he starts dumpster diving. Quote Link to comment
Mr.Yuck Posted November 2, 2010 Share Posted November 2, 2010 Okay, betting time, odds please on: 1) He will find all 7 without a GPS and wonder why we all use one 2) He will find none and want to know what type of GPS to buy 3) He will find some but not all but still won't want a GPS 4) He will find some but not all and will want a GPS 5) He won't find his way back to the car without a GPS and we'll never hear from him again. (Just kidding Delons, have fun) I predict #3: He will find some, but not all, but still won't want a GPS. At that point, I will tell him that around here, he could find 50 similarly named keyholders in street corner metal newspaper boxes, and do it in a few hours. However, I'm not going to tell him where "here" is. Quote Link to comment
+Nicodemus3 Posted November 2, 2010 Share Posted November 2, 2010 Pity...I would have expected you'd want at least 8. Quote Link to comment
+Lovejoy and Tinker Posted November 2, 2010 Share Posted November 2, 2010 Sorry, there was another option I forgot: 6) He'll find 5 and put 5 new ones out (Well last time he found 2 and hid 2, so logically......) Quote Link to comment
+John in Valley Forge Posted November 2, 2010 Share Posted November 2, 2010 Sorry, there was another option I forgot: 6) He'll find 5 and put 5 new ones out (Well last time he found 2 and hid 2, so logically......) That's the most frightening. That one hide is wrong on so many levels. Quote Link to comment
Keystone Posted November 2, 2010 Share Posted November 2, 2010 I merged together two threads started by the OP about the same geocaching trip. Be nice to the enthusiastic newbie. Thanks. Quote Link to comment
+bflentje Posted November 2, 2010 Share Posted November 2, 2010 I think there's a lot meanness in some of the replies, even if it only meant as fun. But in my experience, in seven hours WITH a GPS, I can score in excess of 50 caches in some areas. Quote Link to comment
+Lovejoy and Tinker Posted November 2, 2010 Share Posted November 2, 2010 I think there's a lot meanness in some of the replies, even if it only meant as fun. From the exchanges he has had in his 3 or 4 threads I get the feeling he can handle it ok, take a bit of ribbing and take it in the spirit it is intended. I wouldn't joke with him if I thought he was one of the sensitive types who would take things the wrong way. He's handled the questionning, criticisms and jokes well so I don't think he'll mind what anyone has said. Quote Link to comment
+bflentje Posted November 2, 2010 Share Posted November 2, 2010 I think there's a lot meanness in some of the replies, even if it only meant as fun. From the exchanges he has had in his 3 or 4 threads I get the feeling he can handle it ok, take a bit of ribbing and take it in the spirit it is intended. I wouldn't joke with him if I thought he was one of the sensitive types who would take things the wrong way. He's handled the questionning, criticisms and jokes well so I don't think he'll mind what anyone has said. I can personally handle anything. And I think even if the OP can handle it, it's still just plain mean. But whatever makes you all feel good about yourself, you go for it. Quote Link to comment
+Lovejoy and Tinker Posted November 2, 2010 Share Posted November 2, 2010 I can personally handle anything. And I think even if the OP can handle it, it's still just plain mean. But whatever makes you all feel good about yourself, you go for it. Oh come on, are you seriously suggesting we cant have a laugh and a joke on the forum? I don't think anyone has been mean at all. Lots of us have wished him good luck and been quite constructive in our comments and suggestions to his idea of caching without a gps. Also in what he should take with him. There's a difference between being mean and a bit of ribbing. It's a fine line at times, but I don't think I have crossed it in this instance. If when the OP gets back he takes something the wrong way and thinks I'm being mean then i'll be the first to apologise. That's his call. Quote Link to comment
+John in Valley Forge Posted November 2, 2010 Share Posted November 2, 2010 I think there's a lot meanness in some of the replies, even if it only meant as fun. But in my experience, in seven hours WITH a GPS, I can score in excess of 50 caches in some areas. I'd say the replies in here are pretty tame and meant to be helpful. Quote Link to comment
+Sol seaker Posted November 2, 2010 Share Posted November 2, 2010 Were going for a day of caching tommrow and I was wondering what tools, tips or anything else you have to suggest to me! It will be my first "Big" day of caching! I'm not using a GPS, in my opinion it's more fun, kinda adds to the challenge! I'm going to be caching around Here. Thanks! -Delons Along with the multi-caches someone else mentioned that you can't find without a GPS, you also can't get puzzle caches. Also I would say the number of caches you can attempt. You are going out to find 7 caches. I found 11 in an hour once, but never could do that without a GPS. But speed isn't what is necessarily important. We all have different ways we enjoy the game. If your way is without a GPS, then the more power to ya. I hope you come back and say you found all seven of them and don't need a GPS still. I know I couldn't do it. Quote Link to comment
+GeoGeeBee Posted November 2, 2010 Share Posted November 2, 2010 Along with the multi-caches someone else mentioned that you can't find without a GPS, you also can't get puzzle caches. I don't see why not. You would have to solve them before you go out, of course. Plug the coordinates into your favorite mapping application and then it's just like finding any other cache. Quote Link to comment
+John in Valley Forge Posted November 2, 2010 Share Posted November 2, 2010 (edited) Of course you can find some without a GPS (or find a thousand along that alien trail), giving a person an idea of whether they want to invest $$ and get deeper into the game. Not a bad idea actually. Edited November 2, 2010 by John in Valley Forge Quote Link to comment
+dfx Posted November 2, 2010 Share Posted November 2, 2010 Along with the multi-caches someone else mentioned that you can't find without a GPS, you also can't get puzzle caches. that's not really true. most puzzle caches effectively become traditionals once solved. just punch the final coords into google maps, earth or any other of your favorite mapping tool and you (theoretically) know where to go. technically you could do the same thing with most multis if you had a way to look up coordinates on google while being out there. of course most people who have that ability already have a kind-of GPS anyway. on the other hand, i believe that this is how most iphone users find their caches really Quote Link to comment
+Scubasonic Posted November 2, 2010 Share Posted November 2, 2010 Well I use my GPS to find my house everday after work, Geocaching is just a secondary use. LOL Scubasonic Quote Link to comment
+J the Goat Posted November 2, 2010 Share Posted November 2, 2010 I'm totally supporting the guy in finding caches without a GPS. I don't have the stones to do it that way. This hiding-caches-without-a-GPS garbage has got to stop though. Quote Link to comment
+Scubasonic Posted November 2, 2010 Share Posted November 2, 2010 Were going for a day of caching tommrow and I was wondering what tools, tips or anything else you have to suggest to me! It will be my first "Big" day of caching! I'm not using a GPS, in my opinion it's more fun, kinda adds to the challenge! I'm going to be caching around Here. Thanks! -Delons Good Luck Delons........May the force be with you...........use the force Delons.....use the force......let go....let go........ SS Quote Link to comment
+Scubasonic Posted November 2, 2010 Share Posted November 2, 2010 I'm totally supporting the guy in finding caches without a GPS. I don't have the stones to do it that way. This hiding-caches-without-a-GPS garbage has got to stop though. whatever floats your boat..... Scubasonic Quote Link to comment
+kpanko Posted November 2, 2010 Share Posted November 2, 2010 Along with the multi-caches someone else mentioned that you can't find without a GPS, you also can't get puzzle caches. You might get a multi-cache or a puzzle, if you go out and find the first clue, then return to the computer and figure out where the next stage is. I suppose if you have good skills with a paper map, you might plot the lat & long coordinates in the field. The offset caches I found were probably less than 1000 feet away from the posted coordinates, so it would not be impossible to get there with just a map, a compass, and paper to do calculations. Quote Link to comment
+J the Goat Posted November 2, 2010 Share Posted November 2, 2010 I'm totally supporting the guy in finding caches without a GPS. I don't have the stones to do it that way. This hiding-caches-without-a-GPS garbage has got to stop though. whatever floats your boat..... Scubasonic Quote Link to comment
+SeekerOfTheWay Posted November 2, 2010 Share Posted November 2, 2010 Isn't caching without a GPS Letterboxing? Whatever happened to Ashnikes? I saw his name on a few logs I signed in Florida. Quote Link to comment
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