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Geocaching
Geocaching is an outdoor sport that involves the use of a Global Positioning System ("GPS") receiver to find a "cache" placed anywhere in the world. A typical cache is a small, waterproof container full of "treasures". Geocaching is a unique take on a traditional Easter-egg hunt in that it uses two recent technologies, the GPS and the Internet.
One participant will place the cache and note its coordinates. These coordinates, along with other details of the location are posted online. Other players obtain the coordinates from the Internet and, using handheld GPS receivers, seek out the caches, hoping to record their exploits in a logbook contained therein. Geocachers are free to take objects from the cache, in exchange for leaving something in return, so there's always a "treasure" for the next person to find.
Typical cache treasures aren't especially high in intrinsic value, but often make interesting souvenirs. Aside from the Logbook, common cache contents are:
The sport of Geocaching is ultimately a competition against yourself. For many cachers the hunt is its own reward. However friendly rivalries will arise prompting cachers to attempt to find more caches than ones "opponent" or rush to be the first to find a newly posted cache.
The sport of Geocaching was made possible by the "turning off" of the Selective Availability of the Global Positioning System on May 1, 2000. The first documented placement of a cache with GPS assistance took place on May 3, 2000 by Dave Ulmer.
There are several variations on the basic geocaching theme. Some caches require the seeker to solve a puzzle or visit one or more intermediate points to determine the coordinates of the actual cache (multicache). Some are "microcaches", too small to hold anything more than a logbook. A very few are virtual caches, with no container at all, usually at a site which is interesting in and of itself.
Geocaching is growing rapidly in popularity all over the world. As of April 28, 2004 there were 96214 active caches in 202 countries posted on Geocaching.com.
Geocaching and Where's George
The use of dollar bills stamped with the Where's George URL in geocaching has resulted in a conflict of interest. Where's George intends to track the natural flow of money, which geocaching is not representative of. Therefore the Where's George site currently discourages the tracking of bills used in geocaches.[1]
External links
See also: Letterboxing, Degree Confluence Project, Bookcrossing, Geodashing
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Geocaching.com
Includes large database on caches to hunt down, along with general information on geocaching.
http://www.geocaching.com/
Utah Geological Survey - Geocaching
State government site providing an explanation and introduction to geocaching within the state of Utah.
http://www.ugs.state.ut.us/utahgeo/rockmineral/geocache.htm
Buxley's Geocaching Waypoint
Explanation of the sport, collection of recent news stories, maps of cache locations, a FAQ, and announcements of geocaching parties and events.
http://www.brillig.com/geocaching/
Degree Confluence Project
A project with the goal to visit each of the latitude and longitude integer degree intersections in the world, take pictures at each location, and post pictures and stories on the website. (Not exactly geocaching...)
http://www.confluence.org/
Geocache Rating System
Tool for helping geocachers rate the overall and terrain difficulty of their hidden caches.
http://www.clayjar.com/gcrs/
Geocaching Geocoins Canada
Geocoins are numbered geocaching coins that are designed to provide geocachers with a collectable, tradable and trackable cache prize.
http://www.geocoins.ca/
Navicache
Provides a wide range of information and listing resources for the geocaching enthusiast including worldwide cache listing service, forums, and chat.
http://www.navicache.com/
The Maryland Geocaching Society
Geocaching related resources related to caching activities in Maryland. Site includes forums, chat, cache listings and coming events
http://www.mdgps.net
Utah geocaching games
Variety of geocaching games in and around Utah.
http://www.cachunuts.com
Geocaching Australia
Australian geocaching portal complete with links to forums, mapping tools and personal cache pages.
http://geocaching.com.au
GeoSnapper - GPS Photography
Enables users to upload and distribute accurately geo-referenced digital photographs using a camera and a GPS receiver.
http://www.geosnapper.com
GeocacheUK
Information and resources for UK geocachers including forums, chat rooms, maps and stats.
http://www.geocacheuk.com/
Tampa Bay Geocaching
Resources for GPS enthusiats in the Tampa Bay, Florida.
http://www.tampabaygeocaching.com
Georgia Geocachers Association
Includes cache events in Georgia, what's new, issues facing the GGA, discussion boards, as well as a resource section.
http://www.ggaonline.org
Alaska Geocaching
Information and discussion forums about geocaching in Alaska.
http://www.alaskageocaching.com
North Texas Geocaching Association
Features news, articles, information on membership and activities, FAQs, links and contact details.
http://www.ntxga.org/
Wisconsin Geocaching Association
Dedicated to promoting the activity through out the state. Features message boards, links, maps, membership information and photos.
http://www.wi-geocaching.com/
St.. Louis Area Geocachers Association
Features information on the group, activities, discussion forum, links and contacts.
http://www.geostl.com/
Michigan Geocaching Organization
Promotes geocaching in Michigan. Site includes, forums, news, downloads, and articles.
http://mi-geocaching.org/
Geo-* - Linux tools for Geocaching
Provides free Linux software for the activity.
http://geo.rkkda.com
British Columbia Geocaching Association
Portal to caching in and around BC. Promotes geocaching in BC by providing the resources such as News, Events, Downloads, Links, Recent Caches, and Fourms.
http://www.bcgeocaching.com
The Groundspeak Forums
Includes discussions on general questions, geographical regions, adventures, and GPS related issues.
http://forums.groundspeak.com/GC/
Oklahoma Geocaching
News, forums and event listings for cachers in Oklahoma.
http://okgeocaching.com/
Geoclashing
A capture-the-flag style game inspired by geocaching. Site has rules, strategy and an online forum.
http://www.geoclashing.com/
Colorado Geocaching Resource Pages
A summary of geocaching regulations in various Colorado public lands.
http://home.earthlink.net/~rsgeek
North Carolina Geocachers Association
Promotes and enhances geocaching throughout North Carolina. Listings of geocaches, information about membership and etiquette.
http://www.ncgeocachers.com
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