Greater Guide to Geocaching

Cache Variations

As the popularity of caching grows, creative cachers have found new ways to enhance the game. In addition to the standard cache packed away in a watertight container, the following variations of caches can be found.

• Multi-Cache: This is a series of caches that lead to a final physical cache. The first cache holds only a clue to the second, the second cache clues you to the third, etc. A multi-cache may consist of just two caches or may be unlimited.

• Webcam Cache: These caches use web cameras (typically set up by agencies or individuals to monitor road conditions or local parks) that you must position yourself in front of to log your visit. The twist is that you must have someone monitor the website to save the shot of you on the webcam.

• Microcache: This is the smallest of caches and is large enough only to hide a tiny logbook, which may be just a small sheet of paper. They are typically too small to house even a pen. A microcache with a magnet attached to it can be hidden in the busiest of urban areas.

• Benchmarks: These are brass markers that were originally placed by surveyors across the United States; a great number of them are close to historical landmarks or on mountaintops.

• Virtual Cache: This is could be a monument, a plaque embedded on a wall or any unique point of interest. Most virtual caches do not have an actual cache with stash or a logbook to sign. To prove you found it, you will be asked to take your photo in front of it or answering very specific questions about the cache.

Some people favor certain types of caches and find themselves pursuing those a bit more than the others. Other geocaching enthusiasts specialize in only one type of cache, for example making their one of team’s goals to be finding all the multi-caches in Southwestern Michigan. Many parents say that the virtual caches are a great learning tool to get their kids interested in local geography and history.

Game Rules
Geocaching is a very flexible hobby, but there are a few ground rules to abide by to keep the pursuit enjoyable for everyone.

• Take Something, Leave Something
Once you’ve found a cache, you are encouraged to take something; it could be something you’ll keep as a memento or something you pass on to the next cache you find. You should also leave something to replace what you took. Try to replace what you took with something of equal or greater value. (See list of favorite caching items.)

• Sign The Logbook
Every cache contains a logbook, which you should sign. Include the date, time, name (does not have to be full or proper name; many cachers create name for themselves or their geocaching “team” – the group they geocache with) and anything interesting that occurred during your search. A typical log might read:

“4/23/05, 3:27 pm, the Smith Family finally found the cache after a beautiful hike through the woods. Saw an owl and some gorgeous robins. Great hiding spot. Thanks for a fun cache! Took music cd and left four stickers.”

• Cache In, Trash Out (CITO)
This is a geocaching term to encourage cachers to leave the area a bit cleaner than how they found it. Cachers contribute to the maintenance of outdoor spaces by filling a garbage bag with litter they find during their hunt. Bring a pair of gloves to compensate for the “yuck” factor and you’re doing a wonderful thing for Mother Nature. Every April, geocachers gather for CITO events around the world to clean up their local parks. Cachers say that this is one way they can thank their local land managers for making parks a great place for geocaching.

• Post Your Log Online
After you’ve returned from your latest cache trip (and removed the burrs from your socks) you should return to the website and post a log entry for the cache listing. This is a great way to share feedback with other cachers and with the person who originally placed the cache. Let them know if you think the difficulty or terrain ratings should be changed, if the cache is flooded due to recent rains, vandalized by kids or maybe animals, if the logbook is full, etc. This is a place to share the same information you wrote in the logbook: what you took, what you left, anything remarkable that happened during your search, your appreciation for the cache, etc. And you can upload any digital photos you took during the hunt.

Guide to Geocaching | Cache Variations | What to pack | Best Stash