barnabasbenn Posted November 30, 2004 Share Posted November 30, 2004 Hey everyone,I've read most of the posts and now I'm really pumped up about geocaching.I went yesterday and got a Legend(although I can't have it till Christmas),I'm looking forward to start "caching in".Does anyone have any tips for a beginner?. Quote Link to comment
+AuntieWeasel Posted November 30, 2004 Share Posted November 30, 2004 Yeah -- don't wait until Christmas. Your head will explode Quote Link to comment
barnabasbenn Posted November 30, 2004 Author Share Posted November 30, 2004 Have to wait,promised my wonderful wife,she bought it for me... Quote Link to comment
+CYBret Posted November 30, 2004 Share Posted November 30, 2004 Take a look at the caches in your area, there might be some that you can find using just a map and a compass. Your wife said you can't have the Legend until Christmas....not that you can't cache, right? Bret Quote Link to comment
+AtoZ Posted November 30, 2004 Share Posted November 30, 2004 I have found 3 caches so far without a GPSr, okay one was marked by a bouy and in a sunken airplane but I didnt use a GPSr to find it. The other two I used the MAPQUEST map off the cache page, so it can be done. There is one cacher that has like 1000 findes without a GPSr so it is very doable. Now you wondering you just spent $100.00 for a GPSr. LOL cheers Quote Link to comment
+writer Posted November 30, 2004 Share Posted November 30, 2004 You can certainly find caches without a GPSr, though I think it can take significantly longer, depending on the cache. So try a few of the easier ones in your area and see how it goes. I've found that urban ones can be easier in this regard, though not always... Quote Link to comment
Azaruk Posted November 30, 2004 Share Posted November 30, 2004 Buy that PERFECT gift for your wife. Tell her what it is, or better yet, show her. State, kindly but firmly, that she CANNOT have it, use it, hold it or play with it until Christmas. Grab the GPSr, tell your wife that you changed your mind. Go geocaching. Your head won't explode!!! Quote Link to comment
+Thot Posted November 30, 2004 Share Posted November 30, 2004 http://factsfacts.com/geocacher.htm Quote Link to comment
+Katydid & Miles Stone Posted December 2, 2004 Share Posted December 2, 2004 Don't start with the more difficult ones. Getting a DNF (did not find) at the start is a bummer. Trade up wheneve possible, bring spare batteries and start out with a full tank of gas. And above all, enjoy the adventure! MS Quote Link to comment
+robert Posted December 2, 2004 Share Posted December 2, 2004 this is just the start of many more threads like this.... someone gets a new GPS for a gift but can't use it until Xmas. Quote Link to comment
+FluteLlama Posted December 2, 2004 Share Posted December 2, 2004 I take my GPS along, but frankly, I use the MapSource software to find the coordinates & that usually suffices. It gets us to the area at least. Then we can begin searching around that area. But, yeah, you'll be having great fun once you really get cookin' with the GPS. FluteLlama in California Quote Link to comment
+tirediron Posted December 2, 2004 Share Posted December 2, 2004 Buy that PERFECT gift for your wife. Tell her what it is, or better yet, show her. State, kindly but firmly, that she CANNOT have it, use it, hold it or play with it until Christmas. Grab the GPSr, tell your wife that you changed your mind. Go geocaching. Your head won't explode!!! Good call! Quote Link to comment
+macatac1961 Posted December 2, 2004 Share Posted December 2, 2004 bring spare batteries Never forget the extra GPS food. Getting in is fun but having the batteries to get out can mean the difference between flipping through the channels sitting on your couch or scrambling to find a road before the sun sets. Quote Link to comment
barnabasbenn Posted December 3, 2004 Author Share Posted December 3, 2004 Thanks for all the advice and encouragement,I work 12hr. night shifts and this will be just the thing to ease some of the tension from work. Quote Link to comment
The Dune Doggies Posted December 7, 2004 Share Posted December 7, 2004 Check out www.geocachestore.com they sell a pack for caching that is GREAT. It even includes batteries! And the bag is not only handy but very functional for caching and comfortable to tote around. Check it out and treat yourself to yet another little gift year. Quote Link to comment
+Leapin' Lizards Posted December 8, 2004 Share Posted December 8, 2004 Waypoint the caching vehicle. It's astonishing how a 0.3-mile hike into the scrub just at dusk can turn into a 4-mile hike back out when things look unfamiliar in the dark. Uh... not that I'm speaking from experience or anything..... Quote Link to comment
+New England n00b Posted December 8, 2004 Share Posted December 8, 2004 THE FOLLOWING IS MY OPINION, AND MY OPINION ONLY. Well, maybe someone shares my opinion, but I claimed them first. I think. Uhhh, where was I? Oh, yeah... I'll give my advice, which is likely a rehash of what everyone else has said already: (for perspective, I am a very happy Legend owner) 1) Bring a real compass. The Legend has a 'direction finder' which works when you move, but when stopped, it doesn't know where you are facing. The Legend has a number available in one of the fields called a bearing number. Use this number with your real compass. You should only have to do this when you are close to the cache, say 50 feet or less. 2) Buy MapSource TOPO. These are (limited) 1:100k topographical maps that can be downloaded to your Legend. I use them (at the advice of Briansnat) and they have been invaluable. Much better street info than the base maps (though not as good as dedicated street map software), and much better terrain information. 3) FRESH Spare batteries. And ALWAYS dispose of used ones upon returning home. I once changed out batteries and left them in my pack. On the next outing I saw them and thought they were new... and wouldn't you know it - the batteries I had died and I replaced them with... dead batteries. 4) Always always always mark your parking spot as a waypoint. Not a big deal on the short runs, but longer hikes, or convoluted trails systems - well worth the 5 seconds of button pressing. 5) Proper gear - Water, good hiking boots/shoes, deet, etc. Whatever your local environment calls for, have it. It'll make your experience much more enjoyable. Some NICE things to do, but not really required: 1) Always appropriately log your visits. There are several schools of thought on this, I'll give you mine. A "Did Not Fin" or "DNF" log means you looked for the cache, but did not find it for whatever reason. Writing a DNF allows the cache hider to know there may be a problem with their cache and a check-up is needed, and also allows time-strapped cachers (such as myself) consider passing on that cache that particular day, based on your description. A "Found" log is just that - you found it, signed the log (or whatever the cache required). it is a very good idea to comment on teh condition of the cache (IE dry, a bit wet, overstuffed) etc. Helpful for both hiders and finder. Also nice is to describe your visit. Many owners like to hear about your adventure they created. A "Should Be Archived" log should be used sparingly. If you really think the cache is destroyed or missing, contact teh owner via email, if possible. If they do not respond, an SBA log may be appropriate, especially if there is a new danger that was not present when the cache was first hidden. Gone back to the cache for a good time/drop off a travel bug? Just a "note" is fine... no sense logging it as found twice. Those are things I consider VERY important. Now for some nice things to do, but not critical: 1) Update the firmware in the Legend. Unless you have a compelling reason not to, go to the Support section of Garmins website and download their latest software update to the legend. (Assuming yours isn't already). 2) Consider going 'paperless' - this means getting an El Cheapo Palm or PocketPC device and upload cache pages into a program like Cachemate. This allows you to store MANY MANY cache pages in the palm of your hand, rather than printing out reams of paper. Makes for great spontaneous outings. 3) Most important, IMO, become a Premium Member. A yearly fee is only $30, and they now take credit card payments, rather than just PayPal or checks. that $30 gives you access to PocketQueries - a way to download up to 500 cache descriptions in a single file (useful for paperless caching) and otehr features. To see what is available, log in to your account from the main page, check your 'profile' and look for Member Features or something similarly worded. That will give official information about membership bennies. Last, but most certainly not least - The forums, while incredibly useful & often entertaining, are not geocaching. Many many members never even visit the forums. There are times when you might feel slighted by another member or Groundspeak volunteer due to differences in viewpoint. Don't take it personally. People are sometimes hard to understand when text is the only clue to go by. By all means, participate (and welcome, by the way) in the forums. Just remember if it gets too 'hot' in here, there's a whole lotta nature and fresh air out there... (said the computer geek). Welcome to the addiction of Geocaching! let us know how your adventures turn out! Quote Link to comment
barnabasbenn Posted December 8, 2004 Author Share Posted December 8, 2004 Lot's of good tips,man am I really looking forward to getting started.I already go to sleep thinking about the places I will go.Also I would like to know how to make myself one of those pictures y'all use below your name,an avitar is it? Quote Link to comment
+New England n00b Posted December 8, 2004 Share Posted December 8, 2004 "Avatar". All you have to do is find an appropriate image (I *THINK* in bitmap (or .BMP) format) and upload it to your profile page. You get to that by logging in to the main geocaching.com page (not the forums) and opening your profile. There is a button towards the lower half of the profile section for uploading your avatar. Simply follow the instructions, THEN IMMEDIATELY from there go into the forums. If you simply log out and come to the forums later, the forums won't know you made the change. So make the change and immediately come to the forums. Should show right up for you! Quote Link to comment
Azaruk Posted December 8, 2004 Share Posted December 8, 2004 JPG is better (I stand to corrected but I think JPG and GIF are accepted. BMP can be quite large) Quote Link to comment
+Markwell Posted December 8, 2004 Share Posted December 8, 2004 Actually, the site accepts pretty much all graphic formats, but it converts them all to a JPG. Quote Link to comment
Azaruk Posted December 8, 2004 Share Posted December 8, 2004 Thanks Markwell. I am standing, and consider myself corrected! Quote Link to comment
barnabasbenn Posted December 9, 2004 Author Share Posted December 9, 2004 I tried to get my picture but I must have done something wrong.I logged in on the home page and went to my account and clicked on the "choose avatar",then I hit browse and uploaded my pic and came straight here but it isn't here.Did I miss a step somewhere? Quote Link to comment
+orome Posted December 10, 2004 Share Posted December 10, 2004 Now would be a great time to review the FAQs and helpful tips provided here and elsewhere. I'm at the mercy of a friend with a GPSr presently, so I've had plenty of time to learn about cache-in-trash-out, cache cloggers, what to put in one's caching pack and other geocaching etiquette. Read on! Quote Link to comment
barnabasbenn Posted December 13, 2004 Author Share Posted December 13, 2004 Nevermind,I figured out what I wasn't doing.Now if Christmas will hurry up and get here, "Oh what fun it is to sing a caching song tonight"..... Quote Link to comment
+Anonymous' Posted December 13, 2004 Share Posted December 13, 2004 Yeah, just read the forums and find out as much about Geocaching as you can. They're what keep me informed on caching things. Quote Link to comment
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.