Earthcache Tool Requirements?

[+JL_HSTRE]

Since Earthcaches are virtual (i.e. no physical container) any tools required must be brought by seekers, not provided by the CO.

 

Distance is the most common measurement, of which there are numerous options, including apps or just eyeballing it (I know my foot is close to 1 ft in length).

 

Elevation (no longer allowed) can be measured with certain GPSr, and otherwise estimated from a topo map.

I've seen Earthcaches that require measuring water temperature and measuring water pH. I doubt most people travel with a thermometer, or for that matter even have a waterproof thermometer unless they have a fish tank. Unless you have a fish tank or a swimming pool, you probably don't have anything to measure pH either.

 

What other tools are allowed? Anything creative you've seen?

[Neos2]

I recently did an EarthCache that required a simple hardness testing kit for rocks (the CO made low cost household item suggestions). Doing that learning task was much like the lessons I taught my freshmen students in high school science class. 

Edited October 28, 2023 by Neos2

[Neos2]

I also recall an Earthcache where I needed to take along a magnet to test the rock. 

[+Goldenwattle]

I recently had one where I was meant to measure the water temperature. Sorry, didn't pack a waterproof thermometer for an international trip.

[+Harry Dolphin]

I did an Earthcache that required water temperature, so I bought a waterproof thermometer.  My nephew has an Earthcache that requires finding iron ore, and magnetite.  Bring a magnetic and compass with you.

[+Crazedllama]

There's on e in San Francisco that requires a magnet and a magnifying glass. I thought that was interesting. GC2KBX8

[BlueRajah]

Fire. Needing a lighter or candle.   

[+cerberus1]

We did one that said maybe it's a good idea to bring a hammer.

[+me N u]

There's an earthcache in Qatar that requires the use of vinegar (and a magnifying glass).

[+Sottiwotti]

There's an earthcache here in Belgium, where you need to bring a ruler to measure the length and width of a fossil. A lot of weird stares for sure...

[Neos2]

4 hours ago, cerberus1 said:

We did one that said maybe it's a good idea to bring a hammer.

I had that cache on a trip list one time, but we didn't end up going there. 

[+Goldenwattle]

7 hours ago, me N u said:

There's an earthcache in Qatar that requires the use of vinegar (and a magnifying glass).

 I can imagine that in Qatar a lot of people finding the Earthcache would be tourists (travellers), so vinegar would not be commonly packed by travellers.

[+Goldenwattle]

8 hours ago, cerberus1 said:

We did one that said maybe it's a good idea to bring a hammer.

That would add to you luggage requirement. Better not carry it in your carry-on.

[+barefootjeff]

There's an EarthCache (GC60V52) about the salinity of Lake Macquarie that requires collecting a litre of lake water, boiling it down and weighing the salt residue. That was a fun experiment, which I then repeated using a sample of sea water from the local beach here, and got results quite close to the expected salinity.

[+Goldenwattle]

3 hours ago, barefootjeff said:

There's an EarthCache (GC60V52) about the salinity of Lake Macquarie that requires collecting a litre of lake water, boiling it down and weighing the salt residue. That was a fun experiment, which I then repeated using a sample of sea water from the local beach here, and got results quite close to the expected salinity.

That's fine when you can take the water home and use a stove to do this, but no good for a traveller without a stove or a scales capable of weighing such a small amount. In fact I can speculate that most households wouldn't have a lab type scale capable of weighing such a small amount. My kitchen scales wouldn't be able to do this. However, maybe it could be taken to the local pharmacy. Maybe they could weight it for those without sensitive enough scales. A lot of mucking around. I could have weighed this when I was working, but not now I am retired.

[+barefootjeff]

48 minutes ago, Goldenwattle said:

That's fine when you can take the water home and use a stove to do this, but no good for a traveller without a stove or a scales capable of weighing such a small amount. In fact I can speculate that most households wouldn't have a lab type scale capable of weighing such a small amount. My kitchen scales wouldn't be able to do this. However, maybe it could be taken to the local pharmacy. Maybe they could weight it for those without sensitive enough scales. A lot of mucking around. I could have weighed this when I was working, but not now I am retired.

 

I used an old pot, which I weighed empty and then reweighed after boiling away the water to leave the salt residue. The salinity is about 30-35 grams per litre and my digital kitchen scales have a resolution of 1g so plenty accurate enough for the purposes of the EC.

[+Goldenwattle]

1 hour ago, barefootjeff said:

 

I used an old pot, which I weighed empty and then reweighed after boiling away the water to leave the salt residue. The salinity is about 30-35 grams per litre and my digital kitchen scales have a resolution of 1g so plenty accurate enough for the purposes of the EC.

Mine don't have that accuracy, as I imagine it would be the same for many people. Still, we don't have to do them all.

[+terratin]

On 11/12/2023 at 5:43 PM, me N u said:

There's an earthcache in Qatar that requires the use of vinegar (and a magnifying glass).

 I feel seen Mind you, there are quite a few ECs that require some kitchen experiments involving vinegar or diluted hydrocholoric acid.

Yeah, I always read the description and bring the kit that I need along on the trip. pH strips, thermometer, small container to collect samples, nose spray bottle of vinegar (mark it! putting it in your nose is not fun), handlense and other stuff.