- Flashlight: This is a must-have for looking in cracks and crevices where a cache might be hidden — and also in case you run out of daylight. If you’re smart, your flashlight uses the same type of batteries as your GPS receiver, giving you even more spare batteries.
- Cellphone: You probably have a cellphone, so bring it along (preferably with the battery fully charged). Just a note of advice, from my search and rescue experiences: I’ve found at times that people think of their cellphones as an absolute insurance policy against trouble. They can fail, cellphone batteries go dead, and you might have really bad cell coverage out in the middle of nowhere. So although a cellphone is great to have along, be prepared to take care of yourself!
- Spare batteries: I always bring along spare batteries for anything that uses them. (In this case, that means your GPS receiver and flashlight —and if you’re really safety conscious, your cellphone, too.) That’s the basic gear you need for geocaching.
The whole key with gear lists is to find out what works best for you. You’ll probably end up carrying too much stuff in your pack at first. After you’ve geocached for a while, check your pack and see what you’re not using so you can lighten your load. Most geocaches are located in pretty tame, civilized areas (usually 100 feet or so off a main trail or road), but I advise letting someone know where you’re going, when you’ll be back, and what to do if you’re late. Twisted ankles and broken-down cars seem to happen a lot in areas without cellphone service.
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