Three Required Items for Geocaching

I start off with the technology-related items:

• Cache location: Obviously, you need to know where to look for a cache: a set of latitude and longitude or UTM (Universal Transverse Mercator) coordinates. You’ll find tens of thousands of caches freely listed on the Internet. For information on locating a geocache, see the appropriately named section, “Selecting a cache to look for,” later in this chapter.
• Geocaching alias: Most people who geocache use a registered handle (alias) instead of their real name when they sign cache logs or make Internet posts. The aliases are cool-sounding names like Navdog, Wiley Cacher, or Moun10Bike. Be imaginative and come up with an alias that fits your personality. The aliases are all unique: If you try to register an alias on one of the popular geocaching Web sites and someone else already has registered the alias, you need to select another name.
• GPS receiver: You can certainly find caches by using only a map and compass (my adventure racing team does this to practice our navigation skills), but it’s sure a lot easier when using a GPS receiver. You don’t need an expensive GPS unit with lots of whistles and bells to geocache; a basic model around or under $100 will work just fine; receivers that support WAAS (Wide Area Augmentation Service) usually are more accurate than those that don’t.

Don’t forget to bring the GPS receiver user manual, especially if you just purchased your receiver and are still trying to figure out how to use it.