Any other geocachers here?

[rocky367]

Been wondering for a while if there are any other geocachers here? We are in the LaCrosse area and I've hidden a few along the local snowmobile trails where possible, but haven't had any finds yet but snowmocachers.
We go by kc9gbo (still need to change our name), and have around 1700 finds and about 40 hides.
For those wondering what geocaching is check out the following link:
http://youtu.be/-4VFeYZTTYs

 

[racerx]

Yep there sure is, I'm under cummins6061 in NE IL. I just went over 1800 but only have a few hides but my cache stash is building up so I need to get out and hide them. Check out the West Bend WI Mega-event if you haven't already, I'm planning on it this year for the the third year in a row and is always a great w/e of caching. I've have done some snomo-caching and in the northwoods quite a few are accessible that way.

 

[yamahauler]

I have a nice GPS for that and am looking to give it a try.

Do any of you guys have some good informative websites and how to get started, etc...

Thanks,
Nate

 

[racerx]

http://www.geocaching.com/ is the main site for worldwide geocaching but there are a few others. You do not have to be a member as there is free access but members get a lot more privileges. I would say check it out as a non-member and see if you like it and go from there. Warning:caching is addictive . There are some basic videos and info pages on the Geocaching.com website to give you some ideas

 

[b_offill]

The wife and I have done a few. It is a good time.

 

[rocky367]

Yep, planning on doing West Bend again this year. We went last year and had a blast!

For starting out, don't be afraid to find local groups like www.wi-geocaching.com to find someone to help you out. It may take a bit to find your first one, but after that I'm sure you'll be hooked!

I sure want to try snomocaching, and really need to find the time to get up north to try do it, although I have a bookmark list for my local area.

 

[ezra]

looks cool watched some u tube then started thinking after the 3rd vid. I hope not but some D.B. is going to pipe bomb some of them rune the game.sad world we live in that is what I think of after 5 min of vid watching

 

[rocky367]

Yeah, that's the sad thing, so far all that has happened is people see cachers come and go from a hide or they find the hide and call the bomb squad and they come out and blow it up. So bomb squads aren't that bad as they actually use the site to check, but others like to use their toys.

 

[michaeladams]

my daughter and i are going to start our quest this weekend. we are going to try to find one per week, seems like a good bonding experience.

 

[landoman]

We do it but mostly in the summer on vacations. Breckinridge, Colorado was our best finds on the jeep trails.

 

[lofsfire]

So you guy sparked my interest. I loaded a few points around my area in my GPS and tried to find one at lunch today but no luck. Any pointers?

The one I tried to look for today showed on Google earth it was by a shopping area. My GPS led me to the same area as expected but heres where my problem comes in. The point it take me to in a paved parking lot. Only thing with in 60' circle is 1 36x13' island/curb planter and a light pole. Here is the link
Here is the location N 41° 25.303 W 087° 20.047
Air photo Map On the map you will see Walgreens on the corner then two building north of this. Between these two building go to the east across the service the road you will see the island/curb planter and a light pole if you look close. Basically the GPS puts me right between these two things.

It also looks like it was last found on May 3, 2011

How close should the GPS get me? I was expecting with in 5'
also I using my Garmin 255w which is more of a driving direction GPS does this matter? Yes I did set it to Walking mode.
Oh the planter just has some low growing evergreen bushes not much to hid anything in. Would it be buried? What type of container should I be looking for? Tupperware?

I figured this would be a good one to start with then I would know what to look for when I take the kids. Then I would have a fall back one to "hunt" for with the kids if need.

 

[landoman]

Not sure on your 255w but on the garmin 60csx, there is a geocaching mode i will call it where after you download the caches to your gps, it will tell you how far you are from it in feet. Once you are with 25 feet or so, we start circling. I have seen them as small as waterproof match containers zip tied to a branch to large ammunition boxes. We have searched some out for an hour after we get to the 25' range. I would venture to say you should not have to dig for a cache.

The GPS coordinates are only as good as the person that originally placed the cache. You may find tips or spoliers when you scroll down through the comments section for each cach on the site.

 

[lofsfire]

Not sure on your 255w but on the garmin 60csx, there is a geocaching mode i will call it where after you download the caches to your gps, it will tell you how far you are from it in feet. Once you are with 25 feet or so, we start circling. I have seen them as small as waterproof match containers zip tied to a branch to large ammunition boxes. We have searched some out for an hour after we get to the 25' range. I would venture to say you should not have to dig for a cache.

The GPS coordinates are only as good as the person that originally placed the cache. You may find tips or spoliers when you scroll down through the comments section for each cach on the site.

Thanks, this was close to work so I could look at lunch, and thought with being in a parking lot this would make it easier. I consider myself fair knowledgeable with this site b/c it was the first development I design as a Project Engineer.

 

[racerx]

Thanks, this was close to work so I could look at lunch, and thought with being in a parking lot this would make it easier. I consider myself fair knowledgeable with this site b/c it was the first development I design as a Project Engineer.

The link did not work for me what is the GC code? On the Nuvi it is best to select "Pedestrian" mode so it does not stick to the road. It is harder to use the Nuvi for cahing but it can be done. You will have to go to the satellite page and watch the coordinate numbers and try your best to match them up with the coords for the cache to be exact but in pedestrian mode should be able to get you close. The problem with the NUVI is the lowest scales are between 80-120ft, that is where you can use the coordinate page to put you at ground zero "GZ" to start the search. I used the coord page in the beginning but then after time just used the pedestrian mode and the smallest scale but now use a Colorado & Oregon.

I tried finding some screen shots to point this out but could not find anything off hand, but there is info out there for "geocaching with NUVI"

 

[racerx]

. Only thing with in 60' circle is 1 36x13' island/curb planter and a light pole.

How close should the GPS get me? I was expecting with in 5'

Is it a micro or a 1.5 terrain/difficulty or less? sounds like a LPC or LSC. Lamp Post Cache or Lamp Skirt Cache. Lift up the skirt. If no skirt it could be tuck up and in the Lamp Post

 

[lofsfire]

Is it a micro or a 1.5 terrain/difficulty or less? sounds like a LPC or LSC. Lamp Post Cache or Lamp Skirt Cache. Lift up the skirt. If no skirt it could be tuck up and in the Lamp Post

I will look tomorrow, the light pole does have a skirt on it and it is lose.

On my way home I tired two others and had no luck on one, and found the second one. I'm going to take the kids tonight after dinner, to the one I found, and see if they like look for the cashes.

 

[windingtrailgal]

My bro in law lives in CO and he was telling me about this a few months back...he's lovin it! We haven't had a chance to try it out and have no clue if/where we're gonna be taking a summer trip, but it seems cool to add another element as the boys are getting older. I'm glad ya'll brought this up again...was gonna see about UP caches.

Right after bro in law mentioned, there was a blurb in "Boy's Life" - the boys' scouting mag.

 

[rocky367]

If we found everyone of them it wouldn't be any fun! That's the first lesson, trust me I have a cache I've looked for 8 times and can't find. Even went with the owner and he couldn't find it also. Here is a link to different sizes: http://www.cacheopedia.com/wiki/Cache_Containers and no, they are not supposed to be buried although I've found some that break that rule.
My son and I would guess the light post also, lift the skirt and it should be there. Most people don't realize those lift.
One thing to look for is if they have been found recently and also concentrate starting out on the upper end of size as they are easier to spot.
@windingtrailgal, it is a great hobby to get the kids outside, being able to ride bikes, hike and explore new areas (and I'm surprised at the spots I've been taken even though I've lived in the area my whole life) and oh the adventures!!! At some point the things the kids learn in scouts may be applied to caching if you get into it.
Nice to see other folks on here! Makes me want to place more along the trails and hope folks do eventually find them on sled.

 

[racerx]

What rocky said x2. I have found park & areas within 2 miles of the house that I never knew about and if it wasn't for caching I would not have ever seen these places and this happens every time I go out . Some caches are quick and some are long. For example in my area this is this one "epic" cache (as everyone is calling it) that is approx 8 stages long with a different puzzle at each stage and takes you on a 7-8mi hike and 6-10 hours long. It is not for everyone for sure or you may only like some parts, like my wife only goes with me for the easy ones but does got to the West Bend event with me. I have also met other out on the hunt and even now met up with these people for group caching which adds to the fun. I do a lot of caching at night which adds more to the fun.

 

[racerx]

I have seen them as small as waterproof match containers zip tied to a branch to large ammunition boxes.

I guess you have not seen the "nanos" then, it is the size of the tip of your pinky. I have a nearby nano that is tucked in a small spot on a cobra helicopter which was fun to find. Put one of those on a bridge and it is a lot of "fun".

I have seen pine cones, fake numbers on objects (magnetic), bird houses, fake birds, tree branches cut in half the cache put inside and the branch put back together, cattails (which is hard in a sea of other cattails), the imagination is limitless. In the beginning it is hard for everyone until you get a feel for hides and experience. Then when you think you have it figured out a new style pops up