How to Play the Game: Geocaching Guidelines

In part one we went over the guidelines on preparing for a Geocaching adventure. In part two we will go over the guidelines on how to find the treasure.

How To Play The Game

Once you have properly prepared and have reached your beginning destination, it is a wise idea to enter the location of your parked vehicle as a waypoint into your GPS devise so you can find your way back to your car.

Now you may begin your search. Some caches may be very close to the road so take the proper precautions when parking as not to cause an accident. Other caches may be well off the road so again take the proper precautions while leaving your vehicle unattended.

When you get approximately 300 feet from the Geocache, check the GPS signal. Sometimes your GPS will have an error between 25-200 feet. Concentrate on the distance and not the error.

For the last 30 feet use your compass for directions to the cache.

The final 30-100 feet will be the hardest. It is at this point that you need to review the clues you obtained. Look for areas that you think would be a good hiding place. Look in tall standing grass, clumps of grass, tree stumps, or piles of rocks.

It may take a bit of searching but don't give up. You know you are in the right area just keep looking. Remember also that the container containing the cache could be a variety of things. Some owners use a large plastic waterproof bucket or an army ammo box. Some owners of the cache even make their own containers. We found one that the owner had actually built a box and placed it on the side of a bridge. The box was made out of the same material as the bridge and therefore blended very well. It truly was by accident that we found that treasure, and were very impressed with the owner's creativity.

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! You've done it. You found the treasure box. Now what are you supposed to do?

Carefully open the container. Inside the box you should find a piece of paper or a