During the early days of GPS, Dave Ulmer, a computer consultant, wanted to test its accuracy by hiding a navigational target in the woods. He called the idea the “Great American GPS Stash Hunt” and posted it in an internet GPS users’ group. On May 3, 2000, the first set of objects was hidden by Ulmer, only for other people to find it days after. Thus, Geocaching was born, though the word would not be coined until later that month by Matt Stum.
Soon, more people flocked to the new adventure which led to Jeremy Irish, Elias Alvord, and Bryan Roth creating the company Groundspeak to operate the outdoor recreation activity full-time. For techy travelers who like to try treasure hunting, Geocaching may be just for you. The official website and the app, which is available to download on both iOS and Android, take treasure hunting to a digital platform.
Geocaching for treasure
The rules of Geocaching are simple. The treasure hunt starts after you download the app and create an account. You can choose a geocache to look for with your GPS. Once you’ve located the hidden item, the treasure is yours, but you’ll have to exchange it for a new item. That way, treasure hunters can always find something in the same spot. There’s also a logbook you can sign in before leaving, and you can also opt to comment on the app or website. People may opt not to leave comments, but where’s the fun in not sharing your experience, right?
The geocache itself must always remain in the location they were found for others to find. As for hiding a geocache, the geocacher will leave the location coordinates on the app or website. They can also opt to provide tips and clues about the location for others. And on and on it goes.
Is it safe?
Similar to traditional treasure hunting, interested Geocaching participants must do proper precautions and safety measures. It goes without saying that players should always be wary of their environment and watch out for any potential danger lurking around. If a geocache location is known to be an unsafe area, it is best not to venture out there. No treasure should be worth anyone’s safety and life.
For travelers and mystery lovers like me, Geocaching may be a fun way to explore the world. Currently, there are more than 3 million active geocaches worldwide, it would be a unique experience to find even just one.
Adventure awaits.
Youtube: What is Geocaching?
Photo credits: The images used are owned by Groundspeak and have been provided for press usage.
