Geocaching

[cooneyr]

Ever need an excuse to ride or stop somewhere different, want a reason to travel to areas you never been to before? Have a go at Geocashing - see this site (http://www.geocaching.com/) for details. Basically people stash small contains with a logbook and maybe some small trinkets at a location then publish the coordinates and a hint on the site. All you have to do is upload the coords to a GPS unit then go hunting, write your details in the log book, and if you take something then put something back.

Did a search and there is 430 caches of them withing 100kms of home. Also check some of the adv ride routes like Lees Valley and Rainbow road and there are a few along these routes. I'm getting a GPS in a couple of months for using on the bike and this looks like another good use for it/reason to get one.

Cheers R

[deanohit]

Its a good idea, think it would be alot of fun.

Now wheres that old etrex of mine?

[Blackbird]

Did a search and there is 430 caches of them withing 100kms of home. Also check some of the adv ride routes like Lees Valley and Rainbow road and there are a few along these routes. I'm getting a GPS in a couple of months for using on the bike and this looks like another good use for it/reason to get one.

Cheers R

Thanks for that:Punk:I bought a Garmin 76 CX recently and I noticed that it has a Geocaching function but hadn't looked at it yet. Sounds like good fun and worth following up!

[Trudes]

Sounds awesome fun!! And a good excuse to get a GPS!!

[James Deuce]

Are you guys geeks or nerds? Remember geeks KNOW they are geeks, where nerds are without clue, so to speak.

[warewolf]

Yeah it's a good excuse to get out there. The new interface with Google maps(?) helps to find where there are caches along your route.

There are several on the Maungatapu, a couple on the Porika. changing_man took his SV650S most of the way in to the Sabine cache on the Porika, chickened out at the ford, so I doubled him on the Adventure for the last couple of km. On the way out we literally got run off the road (each and separately) by another 'cacher in a 4wd; it's by far the worst run-in with a 4wd I've had. We got our revenge; it had taken us something like 6 weeks to get the First-To-Find... mere minutes before he got there. :first:

[upshift]

Ah yes, that is how it all starts, buying a GPSr for the bike. Exactly what I did, brought a GPSr for the bike, tried my hand at geo-caching and 6 months later totally hooked!

It is an excellent addition to biking whether on or off road and quite a few bikers doing this already, including a few of the KiwiBiker regulars.There are just over 3000 caches in NZ now and they are everywhere.
http://www.gps.org.nz/nzcachestk/index.html

[warewolf]

Are you guys geeks or nerds?Geeks know what girls are (from actual experience); nerds live with their mother.

[James Deuce]

There are just over 3000 caches in NZ now and they are everywhere.
http://www.gps.org.nz/nzcachestk/index.html

As I suspected - littering with a fancy name and a map.

[cooneyr]

Are you guys geeks or nerds? Remember geeks KNOW they are geeks, where nerds are without clue, so to speak.


I'm a map geek and proud of it. I started tramping and orienteering with Christ Forne when we went flatting together at Uni (look him up on the web - NZ Rogaine and NZ orienteering champ - he is now involved with a American Adv Racing Team Nike - move over Gurney) and he got me totally hooked on maps and pretty fit (not fit anymore though).


Ah yes, that is how it all starts, buying a GPSr for the bike. Exactly what I did, brought a GPSr for the bike, tried my hand at geo-caching and 6 months later totally hooked!

It is an excellent addition to biking whether on or off road and quite a few bikers doing this already, including a few of the KiwiBiker regulars.There are just over 3000 caches in NZ now and they are everywhere.
http://www.gps.org.nz/nzcachestk/index.html

Umm I should stop now shouldn't I - problem is I think this would be so much fun cause I love getting out into the NZ country side by and for any means necessary.

If there are KB's doing it why has nobody else spoken up before - I did a search and it came up completely blank?!

Cheers R

[NordieBoy]

The bugger with geocaching from a bike is you've usually got to walk a bit to get to the cache.
Leaving your bike all alone with the gear you don't want to be walking in for 5-10min.

When I started there were about 5 caches in Nelson.
Now there's 392 from my home coords.

[Kaituna]

Ill admit to it. Good way to see places you would normally never see. Went to Viet nam a couple of years back and toured around on a bike and also Geocached. Found thinks the locals didn't even know existed. Heaps of caches within falling off range so bike is still usually safe.

[warewolf]

I'm a map geek and proud of it. I started tramping and orienteering with Christ Forne when we went flatting together at Uni (look him up on the web - NZ Rogaine and NZ orienteering champGeez I resemble that remark! I competed on the national 'O' circuit in Aus through most of my school years or so; it's my Dad's only sport, he's still the club quartermaster after all these years with all the stuff kept at home, made a few maps himself - discovered a few marijuana plantations while doing the fieldwork, too!

This is one reason I'm not into GPS in a big way; I enjoy map & compass navigation, you have to look at your surroundings and 'map' the terrain you see to the map and vice-versa. With a (non-mapping) GPS you look at some digital data and the interpretation takes your point-of-view away from the field. It's kinda like a pin-prick of information on the GPS, but the map shows you the big picture. A hi-res mapping GPS would likely be quite good.


If there are KB's doing it why has nobody else spoken up before - I did a search and it came up completely blank?!Search the geocache site for 'muggles.'

[upshift]

I'm a map geek and proud of it. I started tramping and orienteering with Christ Forne when we went flatting together at Uni (look him up on the web - NZ Rogaine and NZ orienteering champ - he is now involved with a American Adv Racing Team Nike - move over Gurney) and he got me totally hooked on maps and pretty fit (not fit anymore though).



Umm I should stop now shouldn't I - problem is I think this would be so much fun cause I love getting out into the NZ country side by and for any means necessary.

If there are KB's doing it why has nobody else spoken up before - I did a
Cheers R

Well, here's at least one reference (last post on page)
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=53177

Must admit part of the appeal is not just the bike part of it but it has also got me back to a long neglected interest of getting out in the hills etc. and basically a challenge of finding a route and making your way to a point by whatever means it takes. Something very much in common with motorcycling is that it is often more about the journey rather than the actual destination (though they are usually pretty interesting places)

As a geek with orienteering, tramping, and motorcycling interests you will love geocaching, no doubt about it!

[cooneyr]

Geez I resemble that remark! I competed on the national 'O' circuit in Aus through most of my school years or so; it's my Dad's only sport, he's still the club quartermaster after all these years with all the stuff kept at home, made a few maps himself - discovered a few marijuana plantations while doing the fieldwork, too!

I never got competitively into the 'O' circuit but used map reading skills for mountain climbing, tramping etc.


This is one reason I'm not into GPS in a big way; I enjoy map & compass navigation, you have to look at your surroundings and 'map' the terrain you see to the map and vice-versa. With a (non-mapping) GPS you look at some digital data and the interpretation takes your point-of-view away from the field. It's kinda like a pin-prick of information on the GPS, but the map shows you the big picture. A hi-res mapping GPS would likely be quite good.

I hear you - the reason that I've not bought a GPSr before is that they only tell you where you are - big deal - when Ive been around GPSr's I can usually locate myself on a topo better than they can given their errors. I want to know where I am relative to my surroundings and where I can or cant go. Goto topomap V2.0 on the PC - it is my "other other" friend.

I find it kinda hard reading a map when traveling at speed on a bike though so I'm going to bite the bullet and get a Garmin eTrex Legend HCx with either Freshmap or GTmaps topomaps in a couple of months


Search the geocache site for 'muggles.'

I've done it now then haven't I!

Cheers R

[Jantar]

If there are KB's doing it why has nobody else spoken up before - I did a search and it came up completely blank?!


You are right. A search doesn't show up anything, yet this topic has come up before.

There are a few of us on here who do it as a wasy of getting to some out of the way places. Here's a couple in Central Otago placed by KBers for next time you are down this way.

GCRRMV: Stumped in Central (Central Otago)

GC10YTH: Reposted (Central Otago)

[warewolf]

I find it kinda hard reading a map when traveling at speed on a bike thoughThat's where the GPS shines, if you have your route plotted it will show you which direction to turn as you approach an intersection.

The downside is that you don't stop on the corner and take in your surroundings, or discover really neat places 'by accident'.

The other reasons I'm not a big fan is that they don't work in caves or very well to find cave entrances. They don't work very well against rock walls such as in a gorge, sinkhole or creek bed (when a large portion of the sky is blocked), don't work very well under dense tree cover (like in a sinkhole or creek on an otherwise cleared farm) and they don't have the resolution to reliably take you to a 30cm diameter hole - particularly given all the aforementioned complications - or a particular hole of many within say a 10-15m radius. People do use them to map cave locations, but it's quite hit-and-miss. Grid reference and description are just as good.

[mbazza]

:done:I've been doing 'it' for about four years, on and off the bike. Gives a good reason to get into some interesting country. Cheers.:Punk:

[NighthawkNZ]

Ever need an excuse to ride or stop somewhere different, want a reason to travel to areas you never been to before? Have a go at Geocashing - see this site (http://www.geocaching.com/) for details. Basically people stash small contains with a logbook and maybe some small trinkets at a location then publish the coordinates and a hint on the site. All you have to do is upload the coords to a GPS unit then go hunting, write your details in the log book, and if you take something then put something back.

My better half does this and enjoys it... I have done a couple as well... :D

[NighthawkNZ]

GCRRMV: Stumped in Central (Central Otago)

GC10YTH: Reposted (Central Otago)

I believe we will be looking for these on the weekend of the 11th august 07 :D

[Zukin]

Me too :yes:

Although I haven't done any for a few months, we enjoy getting to out of the way places.

Cheers Scott

[cooneyr]

Got my first cache yesterday (GCH7F4). Dont have a GPSr yet but put the coords into Topomap and took a punt. Found it first attempt. Did it as part of the Pommie Git ride.

Looking forward to getting the GPSr and getting into it proper.

Cheers R

[Steam]

Thread dredge!

I want to do some Geocaching as I am tramping heaps this year, and as I tramp up a valley I just know there are caches in them thar hills.

So what's the minimum in bargain basement second-hand GPS units that have the accuracy to start out as my first geocaching GPS?

There's heaps of old Garmin GPS-12's and GPS-38's floating around on trademe for about $80, will they do the trick? Or are they too old, should I spend a little more to get something newer, say, $160 or so?


I don't


need an excuse to go


geocaching from a bike


and enjoy it

[cooneyr]

Thread dredge!

I want to do some Geocaching as I am tramping heaps this year, and as I tramp up a valley I just know there are caches in them thar hills.

So what's the minimum in bargain basement second-hand GPS units that have the accuracy to start out as my first geocaching GPS?

There's heaps of old Garmin GPS-12's and GPS-38's floating around on trademe for about $80, will they do the trick? Or are they too old, should I spend a little more to get something newer, say, $160 or so?

As long as you can enter a coordinate (waypoint) you can use it for geocaching. It would be very nice to have usb PC connection and it would be pretty much esential to have a high sensitivity reciever if you are going to be in the bush (you are tramping in the NI right?)

The cheapest unit I'd recommended is the garmin etrex H (https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=144&pID=8705) because of the high sensitivity receiver (H stands for high sensitivity). You would have to get a serial to USB converter if you dont have a serial port and want to connect to a PC though.

Other than H reciever that from what I remember of the old GPS 12 my last work has (about 5 years ago) there is not a huge difference between it and the eTrex.

Cheers R

[Finn]

I was at a function about a month ago and joined in on a conversation with about 8 people talking about Geocaching. Once this guy explained it, there was a moment of silence and I said "What a complete waste of time" and walked off.

[scumdog]

I was at a function about a month ago and joined in on a conversation with about 8 people talking about Geocaching. Once this guy explained it, there was a moment of silence and I said "What a complete waste of time" and walked off.

Felt left out huh??:crybaby:

[NighthawkNZ]

I was at a function about a month ago and joined in on a conversation with about 8 people talking about Geocaching. Once this guy explained it, there was a moment of silence and I said "What a complete waste of time" and walked off.

gotta have a hobby... forums a complete waste of time

[Finn]

forums a complete waste of time

I agree but no one else sees me doing it... apart from you guys and probably my IT department.

[Finn]

Felt left out huh??:crybaby:

Don't tell me Scummy is a Geocachisist!

[NordieBoy]

The cheapest unit I'd recommended is the garmin etrex H (https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=144&pID=8705) because of the high sensitivity receiver (H stands for high sensitivity). You would have to get a serial to USB converter if you dont have a serial port and want to connect to a PC though.

The problem there is that with the high sensitivity reciever you know more accuratly where you are you do not know what error margin the GPSd the person who placed the cache had :D

Just for geocaching an old yellow eTrex is more work but fine and something like the original Legend will let you upload a lot more caches to it and have a bit of mapping for less than $200

[Transalper]

.... talking about Geocaching. Once this guy explained it, there was a moment of silence and I said "What a complete waste of time"....Anything that gets us outside and on our feet has to be good for us.
I agree but no one else sees me doing it.......
Part of the fun is that you are supposed to use a bit of stealth while finding the caches, signing the logbooks and returning the caches to their hiding places.
In other words you try not to let the muggles (that's anyone not playing the game) catch you at it and don't let them see where the caches are hidden.

I for one have recently taken up this hobby and quite enjoy being shown interesting places that I often have been past many times but never taken the time to stop in and look about at.
Another amusing thing for me is that J now tells me off if I go searching without her. :blink:

[Subike]

Ever need an excuse to ride or stop somewhere different, want a reason to travel to areas you never been to before? Have a go at Geocashing - see this site (http://www.geocaching.com/) for details. Basically people stash small contains with a logbook and maybe some small trinkets at a location then publish the coordinates and a hint on the site. All you have to do is upload the coords to a GPS unit then go hunting, write your details in the log book, and if you take something then put something back.

Did a search and there is 430 caches of them withing 100kms of home. Also check some of the adv ride routes like Lees Valley and Rainbow road and there are a few along these routes. I'm getting a GPS in a couple of months for using on the bike and this looks like another good use for it/reason to get one.

Cheers R

over the past thre years I have "found" over 100 of these cashes, It is a very enjoyable past time to say the least, and gets you to go to places you would not evn think of.
The best cashes are the multi cashe, where you have to find up to 8 clue spots before finding the real cashe. Can take hours.
One of the best is in Canturbry University, but Thats for you to find

Road bike riders can find as many as adventure bike riders, not all are miles off the beaten track like the one at lake Sumner :2thumbsup

[cooneyr]

The problem there is that with the high sensitivity reciever you know more accuratly where you are you do not know what error margin the GPSd the person who placed the cache had :D

Definatly noticed this. Can be a little annoying at times - but we just use the criptic clue where there are too many options and in places where reception is limited


over the past thre years I have "found" over 100 of these cashes, It is a very enjoyable past time to say the least, and gets you to go to places you would not evn think of........

Ummm - wifey and I have found 30 in the past 3 weeks :o I defiantly agree that you get to see many places and learn lots of new things - like the resting place of the first NZ Chinese immigrant who became a citizen (he lived to 103!). There are some really interesting places out there.

Cheers R

[NordieBoy]

Ummm - wifey and I have found 30 in the past 3 weeks :o

Found the first of my 27 on July 14, 2003 :sleep:
11 of them don't exist anymore :(

There were 11 caches within 100km of home back then.
Now there are 426 :cool:

I found...
4 in 2003
4 in 2004
12 in 2005 :banana:
1 in 2006
7 in 2008 so far :apint:

[NordieBoy]

There's also "Adventure Caching" where you pick up the whole cache and drop it off somewhere else and update the site with the new coords.

[upshift]

There's also "Adventure Caching" where you pick up the whole cache and drop it off somewhere else and update the site with the new coords.

I think they were the ones called "movable caches", they don't exist anymore.

cheers,

[NordieBoy]

I think they were the ones called "movable caches", they don't exist anymore.

cheers,

Have a lookie on AdvRider.
They're doing it there and nothing to do with the Geocaching site.
It's just a thread that lists the current coords of the cache and when someone finds it they PM the person who updates the list.
A bit primitive at the moment :D

[Hoon]

I'm really keen on getting into this sport. Keeping fit for the Army requires me to pack march often (hiking with 30kg+) and walking around the neighbourhood gets boring after a while.
Navigation (i.e. map/compass work) is also something I really enjoy and I'd like to do more of.

I'm thinking of getting a Etrex Vista hcx. In the Army we use Garmin 12XL, 72 and 76 models. It was my task to train our deployment to the Solomons last year on how to use the GPS. The 12's should be enough to get you started with minimal expenditure. Their shortcomings are obvious when it starts pissing down or you are in dense bush with lock times but as a recreational user you'll have a lot more control over these elements. With a good lock you can get about 5m accuracy.

But geocaching sounds like a lot of fun. The whole "locate the cache while avoiding the muggles" thing is actually pretty similar to what we do so I could drag along a few of the boys and make a mission of it :)

[upshift]

Have a lookie on AdvRider

Thanks Nordieboy, I was referring to the listings on Geocaching.com as you would of guessed. But interested in the ADVrider thing, do you have a link?



I'm really keen on getting into this sport

Hi Hoon,
First place to look is www.geocaching.com. Click on the "Hide and seek a cache" box and enter your home co-ordinates and you will get a big list of nearby caches, there are roughly 800 within an 80Km radius of Central Auckland. Most are urban or "drive by" ones, or involve the solving of some fairly hard puzzle to obtain the co-ordinates. There are however quite a few physically challenging ones in the Waitakere's, plus further afield such as one requiring a a three day tramp in the Kaimanawa's.

[NordieBoy]

Thanks Nordieboy, I was referring to the listings on Geocaching.com as you would of guessed. But interested in the ADVrider thing, do you have a link?

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=225957&highlight=adventure+caching

[Steam]

I went geocaching for the first time today, with Xaria's GPS unit. I looked for four, only found two, but it was great, I discovered things about Dunedin I hadn't suspected.
I nearly fell to my death, wriggled on my belly 20m into an unexpected sand-choked tunnel, got all my pockets filled with sand, and the GPS recorded a top speed of 75.2 kph going downhill on my pushbike.

This is fun. If I'm still unemployed tomorrow I'll do some more.

[Xaria]

I went geocaching for the first time today, with Xaria's GPS unit. I looked for four, only found two, but it was great, I discovered things about Dunedin I hadn't suspected.
I nearly fell to my death, wriggled on my belly 20m into an unexpected sand-choked tunnel, got all my pockets filled with sand, and the GPS recorded a top speed of 75.2 kph going downhill on my pushbike.

This is fun. If I'm still unemployed tomorrow I'll do some more.

Glad you are enjoying it. Which caches did you do?

[Firefight]

Also check some of the adv ride routes like Lees Valley and Rainbow road and

Cheers R


Sorry Bit off topic, but have many here ridden Lees valley ?, I drove stock truck and trailers over that (for want of a better word. road) many many years ago, always thought it would be fun on an adveture bike.

always a bit hairy, also seem to recall a loacl tried to blow up the narrow bridge in the valley half way between Oxford and Mt Pember , anyone recall the details of that ?


F/F

[cooneyr]

Sorry Bit off topic, but have many here ridden Lees valley ?........

I's kinda our regular day out when we cant travel further or don't have anywhere else to go. :D

Cheers R

[Steam]

Glad you are enjoying it. Which caches did you do?

I did some that I see you'd already done, I saw your log reports.
I did F for Fore, I for Incline, Dad's Army, and Saddles, Sand, and Horses or whatever it's called. I only found Dad's Army and Fore, but I reckon that's okay for a first trip.
Thanks for the use of the unit, it's very useful to try one out before deciding what to buy.