That might be a bit of an overstatement. I think the geekiest fun you can have outside is dressing up as an Orc and doing some Live Action Roleplay… but Geocaching is a close second.
In a nut shell
Put very simply, it’s treasure hunting. You are given coordinates and a clue and have to use those to find the Geocache. These could be anything from tiny containers with nothing in but a roll of paper on which you can log your visit. Or they could be huge caches full of goodies that others have left behind.
You, armed with a GPS device or smart phone, set off into the countryside. Your GPS map will tell you when you are near to the cache and you then have to use the clue provided in the cache description to find your prize.
From there you log your visit on the roll of paper or in the notepad contained within the cache and you have the choice to take and leave something. Most caches are filled with little toys for kids but I’ve found badges, pens, many a business card and also some gorgeous artwork and photography.
You can then also log your finds on Geocaching.com – where you’ll also find loads more information about the activity.
Trackables
There are little items that can be picked up in one cache and moved to another. They come in the form of Geocoins and Travel Bugs. Most of them have a goal, a particular place that they want to end up and most travel the world.
You can take a look at the map of where a trackable has been through the Geocaching website.
You can also place your own trackables, just register it on the site and then place it in the Geocache of your choosing. You can then watch its movements it as it travels!
Placing a Geocache
All the Geocaches around the world are placed by normal people who enjoy the hunt. You can create your own cryptic clues and can place cleverly-hidden caches wherever you choose (as long as you have the landowner’s permission).
You could also consider placing a series of Geocaches that lead people along a route. They get to see a beautiful new part of the countryside and you get to see how many people you can fool. Or how many people understand your geeky references.
Other types of Geocaches
Not all Geocaches are a box under a tree. You also get mystery caches that take a very smart mind to be worked out and found. The clues are often so cryptic that you’re standing in the middle of a field reading it over and over with no idea of where to head next.
There are also virtual caches, multi-caches and Earth caches, to name a few.
What’s the point?
The point is that you get outside. You go for a walk, you discover new places and get to solve clues along the way. Geocaching is like one giant treasure hunt across some of the nicest places in the world.
Take a look at www.geocaching.com, I think you’ll be surprised at how many Geocaches you walk past on a daily basis!
About Ali Gajani
Hi. I am Ali Gajani. I started Mr. Geek in early 2012 as a result of my growing enthusiasm and passion for technology. I love sharing my knowledge and helping out the community by creating useful, engaging and compelling content. If you want to write for Mr. Geek, just PM me on my Facebook profile.
