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Geocaching

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Combininb computers, the Internet and GPS to hike for treasure By Rick Castellini Special to PRIME Editor's Note: My husband's cousins, who travel between the West and Northeast for their business annually, are avid geocachers. They use the sport as exercise, as a way to learn more about areas they visit in their travels, and for fun! Our society has become so busy that we rarely make time for 'family activities' anymore. I found a great way to spend time with family and it makes use of Global Positioning Satellites (GPS), the Internet and hiking. In fact, a local senior, Bill, brought me up to speed on this fascinating meld of technology and nature called geocaching. He and his grandson take part in it as often as possible. In this article, I will share with you what geocaching is, how you can get involved, what type of equipment you might need to get started, and plenty of web links to get more details. What is geocaching? To understand geocaching, we need to first define GPS. GPS uses a series of satellites (24 to be exact) to triangulate a GPS users position. One must use a GPS receiver to utilize the system and access the satellites. Cost for a GPS receiver starts at $80. The signal will give you (within one to three meters of accuracy) your latitude, longitude, altitude, speed and direction. Learn more about GPS and how it works by visiting: www.howstuffworks.com/gps.htm If you are interested in purchasing a GPS, this site will provide you with some information: www.thegpsstore.com/ How geocaching works Geocaching starts on the Internet. You can search for a cache using the search engine and a city name or zip code at www.geocaching.com. Once you find a cache you would like to find, note its coordinates and trail description. Some are extremely easy to get to and find, others require more strenuous hikes, so be sure to read the details. Then you use maps, your GPS and treasure hunting skills to locate the cache. The reward Once you arrive at a cache, you open the container and leave a small item and take a small item, if you want. You then sign and date the log book and carefully put the cache back in its original position for the next treasure hunter to find. Geocaching resources Some great web sites that will help you have a successful 'hunt' include: www.mapblast.com, www.topozone.com, and joe.mehaffey.com How it all started According to www.geocaching.com, geocaching was born out of the removal of the "Select Availability Act" by the Clinton administration on May 1, 2000. Select Availability meant non-military GPS receivers would only receive signals accurate within 100 or more meters. Removing this intentional flaw allowed consumers to use GPS with incredible precision .... within 10 meters or less. On May 3, 2000 someone in Oregon 'hid' a cache (storage container) and within two days, two people had found the cache and logged it. Today there are more than 193,000 caches in 217 countries. In any given week, geocaching.com records more than 138,000 logs of geocachers world wide. We goecache, do you? We recently returned from a trip to Montana where we met my in-laws. They have become positively enamored with geocaching and enjoy planning and hunting for caches with their grandchildren. I am always surprised at the level of anticipation and excitement something so simple in nature generates each time we go out geocaching. What a great way to mix technology, family and friends, and nature. Check out www.geocaching.com and learn more about this exciting (and addicting) sport. Rick Castellini hosts a nationally syndicated radio show, is an author and computer consultant in Colorado. Visit his web site at HelpMeRick.com for practical tips and computer information every week.