Take part in a real-world treasure hunt
Search high and low for physical objects, with Tim Bothwell.
Exercise doesn’t have to be hard. In fact, some forms of movement can actually be enjoyable. Even just stepping outside for a short stroll is a great way to stretch the legs and explore the outdoors without needing to build up a sweat. But why not make your walk that little bit more interesting with some good old fashioned Geocaching. A phenomenon that’s been around for many years, Geocaching has a following of users from all over the globe. Described as a real-world outdoor treasure hunt, geocaching involves searching for physical objects hidden by ordinary people in public places all around you. While the app will show you where geocaches can be found, it’s the challenge of actually finding those hidden objects that requires serious sleuthing skills.
The basics
Getting started. If you’re yet to experience the world of geocaching, start by downloading the Geocaching app on your Apple or Android smartphone. The app will ask you to set up a new account and profile which you can do using an email address, username and password. This profile is what you will use to search for and log geocaches, plus interact with other users.
Your first find. To begin looking for a geocache, open up the Map tab. It’s here you’ll find nearby geocaches surrounding your current location. You can also tap the icon in the top-right corner to see geocaches in list view. All geocaches are rated based on size, surrounding terrain, and difficulty to find. If you’re new to geocaching then we’d recommend starting with a difficulty and terrain rating of one. Tap a geocache on the map to see a description written by its owner, plus attributes – including whether it’s kid-friendly, accessible at night, or if there’s parking nearby. From this screen tap Activity to see a log of other users who’ve found this geocache – many will also choose to add a comment about their find.
The search. After selecting a geocache, it’s time to actually go out and find it. Remember that geocaches are normally very well hidden – they’ll often be inside tiny containers or cleverly disguised as objects such as rocks. When searching for geocaches, remember to be mindful of your safety – never put yourself at risk, especially in more difficult terrain. Also take care to not cause damage to property – while you’ll likely need to search high and low, note that geocaches will never be buried underground. If you successfully locate a geocache, log it in the app by tapping Log > Found it and add a comment if you wish. Many
After selecting a geocache, it’s time to actually go out and find it. Remember that geocaches are normally very well hidden – they’ll often be inside tiny containers or cleverly disguised as objects such as rocks.