Geocaching for Dummies
Find a high-tech hobby in the great outdoors!\ Dig into this fast-growing detective sport that's fun for all ages\ Once you get your coordinates, your GPS receiver, maps, compass, and this book, you're ready for adventure! Seek out containers of goodies hidden around the world by other geocachers, hide a cache of your own, see new places, and get a little exercise to boot. Here's where to start!\ The Dummies Way\ * Explanations in plain English\ * "Get in, get out" information\ * Icons and...
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Find a high-tech hobby in the great outdoors! Dig into this fast-growing detective sport that’s fun for all ages Once you get your coordinates, your GPS receiver, maps, compass, and this book, you’re ready for adventure! Seek out containers of goodies hidden around the world by other geocachers, hide a cache of your own, see new places, and get a little exercise to boot. Here’s where to start! The Dummies Way Explanations in plain English "Get in, get out" information Icons and other navigational aids Tear-out cheat sheet Top ten lists A dash of humor and fun Discover how to: Choose and use a GPS receiver Find and download coordinates Pack the right gear Share experiences with the geocaching community Search for benchmarks Use geocaching as a teaching tool
Introduction1About This Book2What You're Not to Read3Foolish Assumptions3How This Book Is Organized4Icons Used in This Book5A Few Closing Thoughts6Part IGetting Ready to Geocache7Chapter 1An Introduction to Geocaching9What Is Geocaching?10Geocaching technology10Geocaching explained11Deciding to Geocache14Who Geocaches?15What You Need to Geocache16Geojargon: Speaking the Lingo17Chapter 2Selecting a GPS Receiver21Understanding Basic GPS Concepts22Satellites22Ground stations24Receivers25GPS Receiver Accuracy26Factors That Affect GPS Accuracy29Discovering GPS Receiver Features30Shells30Screen display31Mapping capabilities32Memory33PC interface34Antennas34Batteries35Enhanced features36Selecting a GPS Receiver for Geocaching39Chapter 3Using a GPS Receiver43Getting Familiar with Basic GPS Concepts43Understanding coordinate systems44Understanding datums49Understanding waypoints51Understanding routes51Understanding tracks52Using Your GPS Receiver53Initializing a GPS receiver54Changing receiver settings56Entering a waypoint57Navigating to a waypoint59Chapter 4Using a Map and Compass61All about Compasses62Why do you need a compass?62How compasses work62Parts of a compass65Selecting a compass68All about Maps71Why do you need a map?71Selecting the right map72Understanding parts of a map75Using a Map and Compass81Getting familiar with basic navigation concepts82Orienting the map to north83Taking a bearing84Setting a course85Using triangulation87Part IILet's Go Geocaching89Chapter 5Selecting Geocaches to Find91Defining the Types of Geocaches92Traditional cache92Multicache92Virtual cache93Mystery cache93Locationless cache93Letterbox hybrid94Event cache94Webcam cache94Caches within caches94Using Geocaching.com96Querying the Geocaching.com Database98Basic search techniques98Detailed search techniques101Looking at the Search Results103Viewing the list of geocaches103Getting information about a geocache106Chapter 6Searching for a Geocache111Deciding What Gear to Bring Geocaching111Cache-related112Food and shelter115Electronic devices117Safety equipment119Getting Close to the Geocache122Starting Your Search125Search Strategies as You Near the Cache128Chapter 7Discovering a Geocache131What to Do When You Find a Geocache131Opening the cache132Signing the logbook133Leaving and trading goodies135Heading home137Logging your find online137When You Can't Find a Geocache140Logging a DNF141Try, try again141Chapter 8Hiding Geocaches143Deciding What Type of Geocache to Create144Selecting a Container144Ammo cans145Household plastic storage containers145Selecting a Location147Where to hide your cache147Where not to hide your cache148Hiding for seekers149Recording the location151Stocking a Geocache151Logbook and writing utensil151Identifying information152Goodies152Submitting a Geocache153Maintaining a Geocache158Physical maintenance158Online maintenance159Part IIIAdvanced Geocaching161Chapter 9Searching for Benchmarks163Understanding Benchmarks164Identifying Benchmarks in Your Area166Benchmarks from Geocaching.com166Benchmarks from the National Geodetic Survey169Finding Benchmarks172Starting your benchmark search173Documenting a found benchmark174Chapter 10Organized Geocaching Clubs and Competitions177Geocaching Clubs177Why join a club?178Finding a local club179Competitive Geocaching184Geocaching stats184Organized competitions185Chapter 11GPS and Geocaching in Education187GPS in the Schools188Geography188History and sociology189Ecology189Mathematics190Physical education190Incorporating GPS in a Class191Developing the curriculum192Acquiring GPS receivers194Evaluating your success194Educational Internet Resources195Part IVThe Part of Tens197Chapter 12Ten Internet Geocaching Resources199Geocaching.com199Navicache.com200Buxley's Geocaching Waypoint200GPS Visualizer200Today's Cacher201Geocacher University201Markwell's FAQs201KeenPeople.com201The First 100 Geocaches202Letterboxing North America202GPSInformation.net202Chapter 13Ten Geocaching Programs203Geocaching Swiss Army Knife (GSAK)204GPXSonar204CacheMate204Watcher205Plucker205GPSBabel205USAPhotoMaps206TopoFusion206Index207
