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Geocaching In Atlantic Canada

Geocaching In Atlantic Canada. Canada’s 1 st ‘Geocache’ GCBBA (GC41) Hwy #103 Exit #7 Placed by: Ken Kane (eastriver). Presented by: Atlantic Canada Geocaching Association. Agenda. What is Geocaching? GPS Technology in General Types of Geocaches How to Get Started Before You Leave

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Geocaching In Atlantic Canada

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  1. Geocaching In Atlantic Canada Canada’s 1st‘Geocache’ GCBBA (GC41) Hwy #103 Exit #7 Placed by: Ken Kane (eastriver) Presented by: Atlantic Canada Geocaching Association

  2. Agenda • What is Geocaching? • GPS Technology in General • Types of Geocaches • How to Get Started • Before You Leave • Etiquette • Cammo Techniques • Trackables • Wrap-up Q&A

  3. What is Geocaching? • Geocaching is an outdoor scavenger hunt using satellites and a handheld GPSr. • The basic idea is to hide caches (small containers of treasures) and share the locations (coordinates) of these caches on Geocaching.com. This game is played in over 220 countries of the world.

  4. What is Geocaching? • GPS users can then use the coordinates to find any cache. • Once found, the visitor may take something from the cache, leave something, and sign the logbook. • The ‘find’ is then logged by the cache’s name on geocaching.com. Here statistics about found and hidden caches are maintained.

  5. How Did It Get Started? • On May 1, 2000, the GPS signal degradation called Select Availability (SA) was removed. • The change allowed GPS units owned by civilians to now be accurate to within as close as 6 feet. • On May 3rd, someone hid a ‘cache’ in Oregon. It was visited twice within 3 days and logged in the log book once.

  6. Global Positioning System • GPS is a system of 27 satellites (24 active, 3 reserve) to calculate your position. • Satellites transmit their current position down to Earth via radio waves.

  7. Global Positioning System

  8. What is a GPS? A GPSr (Global Positioning System receiver) is an electronic device that you use to determine your approximate location (within 6-20 feet) almost anywhere on the planet.

  9. What is a GPS? • The GPSr knows where the satellites are and can geometrically tell you your position. It also tracks time, and can calculate distance, speed, direction, and even elevation. • You can use the unit to navigate from your current location to another location.

  10. What is a GPS? • Some units have their own maps, built-in electronic compasses, altimeters, and even voice navigation. • Don’t worry though, a GPS device doesn’t send signals, it only receives them. So . . . no one can track your location!

  11. GPS options to consider • Cost versus features • Waterproof • Ruggedness • Type of batteries/ how many/operational time • Type of keypad/data entry • Basemap • Optional maps • Memory size/expansion • WAAS/DGPS • Computer interface • Power source options • Color screen • Backlit screen • External antenna jack • Screen size • Electronic compass • Altimeter

  12. Garmin GPSMap 60CSx Screenshots using XImage Satellites Compass Long Lake Sydney Data Find Page Geocache Geocache

  13. Traditional Multicaches Puzzle/Mystery Webcam Event Caches Cache In Trash Out Events Earth Cache Types of Caches

  14. Size of Caches MICRO

  15. Size of Caches SMALL

  16. Size of Caches REGULAR

  17. Size of Caches LARGE

  18. Where do you find a Geocache?Nova Scotia at 70km range

  19. How do you start Geocaching?

  20. Create A New Account

  21. www.geocaching.com Search Types • By Postal Code - Postal Codes are available in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Australia • By Coordinate - Coordinates contain a latitude and longitude to determine a position on the planet • By State/Country - Select a State and/or country to search

  22. www.geocaching.com Search Types • By Username (Found)/(Hidden) - Searches the database for items either found or hidden by a username. • By Keyword - A simple wildcard keyword search on the Item's name. "Iron Horse" will search for "Iron Horse" and not "Iron" and "Horse" • By Waypoint Name - Searches the database for items that match a particular waypoint name. A cache waypoint name starts with "GC" and can be found on every cache listing as a quick reference

  23. Geocaching Glossary • FTF -first to find • Muggle- non-cacher (may destroy cache) • TFTC -Thanks for the cache • TFTH -Thanks for the hunt • TNLN -Took Nothing/ Left Nothing • TNLNSL / TNSL -Took Nothing. Left Nothing. Signed Logbook • Swag – Goodies for the cache

  24. Geocaching Glossary • Waypoint -coordinates representing points on the surface of the Earth. • Waypoint –longitude and latitude of cache • Waypoint – Groundspeak name of cache • i.e. GCXXXX. • Spoiler -gives away details of a cache location and can ruin the experience of the hunt.

  25. Before You Leave • Study Cache sheet • Type • Size • Found recently • Previous cacher’s clues • Download waypoint manual/auto • Research location • Maps • Google earth • Decrypt hint/spoilers • Try Parks or spots you know

  26. Short Hikes • Printout of cache listing • Water • Snack • Extra clothes for Changing Conditions • Swag • GPS distances are direct. Real distances may be far greater • Mark your Vehicle or Entrance Spot • Use Backtrack for Practice

  27. Longer Hikes • Bring • Map • Compass • Buddy • Cell Phone • Emergency Whistle • Travel First Aid Kit • Tell somebody where you are going, when you will be back • Wear Hunter’s Orange • Carry Extra Batteries

  28. Distances are often greater than the GPSr indicates. Line of sight 1.2 km. Walking path 2.5 km

  29. The Hunt • At 20-40 Meters use Distance (not arrow) • Zero out on Coords, Circle Outwards to find cache • Look for Geocache Hotspots • Stumps • Tree Branches • Piles of Rocks • Piles of Branches • Be Aware of Surroundings • Insect Nests • Holes • Railway Tracks • Animals

  30. At the Cache Sign the Log

  31. At the Cache

  32. What Not To Put in a Cache • Food or Dog Treats • Alcohol • Sharp Items (knives, needles) • Liquids (soap, water, hand lotion, shampoo) • Scented Items (candles) • Ballpoint Pens • No Chaulk

  33. At the Cache Re-hide Better Than You Found It

  34. At the Cache Re-hide Better Than You Found It

  35. At the Cache Re-hide Better Than You Found It

  36. At the Cache Re-hide Better Than You Found It

  37. I’m Lost!!! • If you get lost, don’t forget that you marked (or should have marked) your location when you started. • Search for the Waypoint you marked, select GOTO or BACKTRACK and head back to civilization! • Don’t forget to have extra batteries

  38. Break & Stretch

  39. GCJR8H

  40. CachingEtiquette • Never move the cache • Cover it well, e-mail owner, move off-trail slightly • Carry a cache rescue kit • Ziplock bags, pencil, small log book, dry cloth • Take care of the cache • Close all bags, place logbook in bag, close cache properly. Take pictures but not spoilers. • Move travel bugs and coins along promptly • Write appropriate comments when logging

  41. Geocaching and the Environment CITO- Cache in Trash Out When you visit a cache leave only footprints but take out any garbage you find. • Goals • Actively promote the Cache In Trash Out program. • Assist in the maintenance of parks & trail systems. • Increase public awareness of Geocaching.

  42. Cammo Techniques • Universal colour, black non-glare • Cammo material • Duct tape • Paint • Natural material • Hang container up high • Over an embankment • Suspend under a fallen tree

  43. Natural Material

  44. Duct tape suspended

  45. Peanut Butter Jar

  46. Black Duct Tape Up

  47. Novelty

  48. Explore the Outdoors GC575F GCPMQA

  49. Explore the Outdoors GCH2KG GCQ2PM

  50. Explore the Outdoors GC2E80 GCT7H3

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