Geocaching without a GPS

[+edscott]

Just wondering how much of a minority I am. Don't own a GPS, but enjoy finding caches using a topographic map instead. I often choose vastly different routes to the cache than most since I can "see" the whole area. Some caches must be easier this way.. but I know from experience that some are much more difficult. Anyone else doing it this way? edscott

[+Sissy-n-CR]

We did our first few that way. But it became tedious to keep having to go back to the house to get new maps once we got the answers to an offset.

 

Now, with a GPS and a Palm loaded with the caches, we can just go.

 

I very much like not having to do much preparation. Things could be improved; a better GPS--we have the SporTrak Map, should've gotten the Pro model--and better data processing on the Palm. On a recent trip, the only thing we needed was the GPS, the Palm, our logbook, and our trade items.

 

CR

 

[+edscott]

Yes multi part caches are a pain without a GPS. The only one I have done so far is only 5 miles or so away. Did one part per day. edscott

[+geospotter]

Walden Run has over 500 finds under his belt. ALL without a GPS.

 

geospotter

[Gustaf]

I found my first 50 caches without GPS. I still leave my eTrex at home sometimes, when going for low-difficulty caches, but I once found a 4/2 multicache without it.

 

Doing multicaches without GPS is fun, if you know how to do it. You need to know the length of your steps to be able to measure distance. Then learn how to calculate the distance and bearing between to sets of coordinates. Now all you need is a calculator and a compass!

[+Criminal]

I've begun a series of night-only caches that really don't require a GPSr to find them. It would be really helpful to have one for finding your way back out again.....

[+edscott]

Yes I know how to do it.. I orienteer much more than I geocache. I also leave my compass in the car most of the time when geocaching so I force myself to use only the map. Edscott

[+Web-ling]

I've done the majority of my caches GPSr-less.

 

WaldenRun has well over 500, and doesn't use a GPSr at all!

 

I find that hunting GPSr-less adds an additional challenge that I enjoy very much. I almost feel like I'm cheating when I give up and turn on my little yellow Etrex.

 

If you enjoy hunting without the GPSr, try benchmark hunting. Most benchmarks are actually EASIER to find without the GPSr.

 

[+Tervas]

Some people have done geocaching without GPS even before geocaching was inveted, see this thread.

[+Freelens&Mosie]

Mosie and I decided to do a letter box yesterday. No coordinates no GPS....I felt naked.

 

The early bird may get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese.

[+edscott]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Erwast:

Some people have done geocaching without GPS even before geocaching was inveted, see http://opentopic.Groundspeak.com/0/OpenTopic?a=tpc&s=1750973553&f=3000991683&m=8440962925.

 

Checked it out.. yes no surprise here. Orienteering has been popular in the Scandanavian countries for years.

[+briansnat]

I've found two without a GPS but its way easier with one. There is also Letterboxing

which is similar, but doesn't require a GPS.

 

"It has been my experience that folks who have no vices have very few virtues" - Abraham Lincoln

[mortonfox]

I have found a number of caches without a GPS, relying on cache descriptions and clues alone. It's usually when GPS reception is too poor or I'm trying to shortcut a multicache.

[+evergreenhiker!]

I've finished off a search for a box without aide of an gps a few times. One time it was because I couldn't find the second waypoint of a cache and wasn't about to give up! I just used the clues and hunted it out. The other two times was due to lack of signal in heavy cover. Oh, we have a cache that's under a freeway in our area...that one required use of a compass to finish it off since you can't get signal under heavy concrete. It took me three tries to get that micro.

[Hologram21]

I Geocache without a GPS. I try to stay away from multis, but oddly enough, my first travel Bug find was in a multi; however, I only found the last leg of it. I do go with my friend who doesn't own one and he helps too. I also sometime go with another friend who does own a GPS and the only thing i would say is that they do make it easier to get you in the gerneral vicinity. While he is wandering one way following the GPS, I go another and 9 times out of 10 I find it first. He can't understand how I do it. I have more finds now than he does. I just try to find a good place that I would hide it.

 

I recently had to use his GPS to get coordinates so I could hide some caches. If all else fails, ot I'm going someplace that is too big to search the entire area, I'll plug the coordinates into http://www.Lostoutdoors.com to help me out.