GPS loctaion?

[ermaclob]

How far of do caches need to be from the gps location i give to locate it? do i need to give the exact location of the cache; or can give a gps location as a starting point and hints to where the cache is. (lets say 400 yds away)

[+SeekerOfTheWay]

Hiding Your First Geocache

 

Step #3.

Step 3 -Placing Your Cache

 

Once you arrive at the location of your hide, it is critical to obtain accurate GPS coordinates. This is the very heart of the activity, after all.

 

Be aware that during bad weather, the accuracy of the GPS unit may be poor. Some GPS units have the ability to take an average set of coordinates. If your device cannot, it is best to mark a waypoint, walk away from the location, then return and mark another waypoint.

 

Continue marking waypoints at the location, around 7 -10 times, and then select the best waypoint. Learn How to Average a Waypoint.

 

Once you have your waypoint, write it in permanent marker on the container and in the logbook. Make sure you have a copy to bring back with you. Write a few notes in the logbook if you like, place it in a zippered plastic bag for extra protection, and place it in the cache container.

Edited August 8, 2011 by SeekerOfTheWay

[+Cardinal Red]

How far of do caches need to be from the gps location i give to locate it? do i need to give the exact location of the cache; or can give a gps location as a starting point and hints to where the cache is. (lets say 400 yds away)

There are offset puzzle caches where you could give the distance and bearing to project a waypoint from your desired starting point. There are also letterbox hybrids where you can give text instructions to follow (much more than just a hint).

 

Puzzle Projection Example: H. Leucocephalus 241 - Prayerfully Centered

 

Letterbox Hybrid Example: History Detectives - JuniorC Meeting House

[+mwellman]

How far of do caches need to be from the gps location i give to locate it? do i need to give the exact location of the cache; or can give a gps location as a starting point and hints to where the cache is. (lets say 400 yds away)

 

Welcome to Geocaching, ermaclob!

 

From your profile page, I can see that you have not logged any finds online. And your question suggests that you have not found any.

 

The Geocaching Guide recomments that you find 20 caches first before your first find. Then you have a chance to see how your GPS operates, different cache containers (ie waterproof) and if this is a hobby that you would like to continue with. Caches will need maintenance - wet logs, animal chewed on it, muggles discovered it and it is your responsibility to check on it regularly.

 

Come back and let us know how you did and if you have any other questions.

 

Enjoy your Geocaching Adventures!

 

mwellman from Alberta

[+L0ne.R]

How far of do caches need to be from the gps location i give to locate it? do i need to give the exact location of the cache; or can give a gps location as a starting point and hints to where the cache is. (lets say 400 yds away)

There are offset puzzle caches where you could give the distance and bearing to project a waypoint from your desired starting point. There are also letterbox hybrids where you can give text instructions to follow (much more than just a hint).

 

Puzzle Projection Example: H. Leucocephalus 241 - Prayerfully Centered

 

Letterbox Hybrid Example: History Detectives - JuniorC Meeting House

 

You will still need to get accurate coordinates of the final location and provide those to the Reviewer. He/she will check to see how close the final location is to other caches in the area.

 

If you plant a Letterbox Hybrid be aware that the most important criteria about a Letterbox Hybrid is the stamp - preferably a unique stamp. See this forum post with examples of unique stamps. If you can't provide a unique stamp then a puzzle projection cache might be a preferred choice. But you still need to get accurate coordinates for the final location.

[ermaclob]

before i put stuff out ill play the game a little first to get to know how its done. i just thought that the actual idea of hiding something for someone to find was pretty cool. i could probably do a few fun ones

 

can i put stuff underwater? like in 30 feet of ocean or lake? scuba cache?

[+dfx]

can i put stuff underwater? like in 30 feet of ocean or lake? scuba cache?

 

Absolutely! Has been done many times before. Just make sure it fits within the guidelines, i.e. no vacation caches; accurate coordinates must be given OR some other means of locating the cache that involve GPS somehow must be available; you must be ok with doing maintenance when required; cache must be an appropriate container with log sheet inside, etc etc.