If you are enjoy the outdoors, treasure hunting and a little technology then Geocaching is the sport for you!  All you need is a sense of adventure and a GPS system to get started seeking these global treasures.  This guide is for those that are in the market for a GPS, starting out as a Geocacher, or a seasoned Geocacher looking for tips on how to better their game.

What is Geocaching?
Geocaching is a global treasure hunt that involves using a GPS to find small containers (caches) or locations and logging your visit.  As of 18 April 2006 there are 255,056 caches in more than 221 countries!  So it is more than likely there IS a cache near you!  For more information, rules, and locations of caches, visit the Geocaching website.

For the Novice:

GPS
If you are in the market for a GPS there’s no better place to begin your search than Ebay.  GPS systems, new, begin at around $80.00 in US retail stores, but can often be found much cheaper in an auction. These systems can be as complex or as simple as you want.  The cheaper versions offer the basic features every Geocacher needs to begin.  You can use the electronic compass, you can set coordinates to go to, you can save coordinates you’ve been to (waypoints) and even create a trail of various waypoints. Most of the units are water resistant. Many of the less expensive models also allow the user connect to the computer as well.  These log distances traveled, distances left to travel to a set coordinate, and in many cases even your speed. (I don’t recommend taking one on a roller coaster, you’ll be disappointed at how slow you really are going). 
    If you are a boater or enjoy road trips, a more expensive model may be what you want.  These have features like color screens, detailed road maps and even voice guided directions! But these features come at a price, many of the more advanced models retail for more than 300.00 USD!!  Used ones can often be found on eBay at better prices.
There are GPS programs for your PDA and Laptops also.
    Handheld user-friendly GPS units are the way to go for Geocachers, Hikers, and even runners. Some models offer bike mounts, wrist straps and user interface programs that allow you to do far more than just geocache.  Runners and bikers can track progress as they train on their computers. These training models, similar to the one I own, retail for around 150.00 USD.  But remember, they are out there on eBay!
**A word of warning when buying a USED GPS unit.  Some of the older, less sophisticated models no longer work with the satellites that send signals to the GPS unit.  Some can be upgraded, others cannot.  Try to avoid units made prior to 2001, especially if they have no computer hookup cables or software.  A quick Internet search will assist you in determining if that model can be upgraded.

Equipment for the trail
    What on earth will you need when you go out in search of your first cache?  You should have gotten the coordinates from the geocaching web site and have them programmed into your GPS unit.  If you know a little about the area you will be searching in you can determine what to bring.  At a minimum, I would bring some small trinkets to trade, a pen, some paper, and what ever hydration you may need.  Wear clothes that are suitable for the area you’ll be in, and layered.  Remember, you can always put on more clothes but you can only take off so much!  Keep your ID handy and your car keys.  Backpacks are a great way to keep all of your geocaching supplies in one place for the trail.  In my pack, I have small toys to trade, Ziploc bags for waterproofing, pens and pencils, a digital camera, a first aid kit, a flashlight, whistle, bottle of water, extra log book, paper, cell phone, granola bar, nylon cord, multi tool, and a few guide books about the wildlife in the area.  Seems like a lot?  It isn’t, actually my pack weighs less than 15 lbs.  All of this equipment, even the small toys, can be found on eBay.  And bring in a small bag to collect the trash other hikers leave behind.  The Cache In, Trash Out, (CITO) program allows Geocachers to make a positive impact on the environment they visit.

Trinkets for trading
   Ok, you’ve found the cache, now what? What you need to bring will depend on the type of cache you have found. There are several different types of caches.  The following are the most common:
Virtual
Micro
Small
Medium
Large

Virtual caches do not involve a container.  They are a location that you must visit and answer a series of questions about to receive credit for the find.
Micro caches are small and often only contain a logbook.  These are generally the size of a 35mm film container, though some are much smaller.  You’ll have to have your own pen to log your visit in the cache.  Some of the more creative versions (also available on eBay) are disguised as rocks, electrical panels, flowers, and I have even seen a butterfly. These caches are the hardest to find and are often located in urban areas where a larger cache would be impractical.
Small caches are about the size of a sandwich container and contain a logbook and small trinkets (lapel pens. Geocoins, currency, gum ball machine toys, etc). 
Medium caches are about the size of an ammo can or a shoebox and are very common.  They will contain a logbook, a pen (but not always), larger trinkets (like happy meal prizes, GI Joes, and the like) and should be waterproof.
Large caches are about the size of a five-gallon bucket and you will find larger prizes in these along with other trinkets, the logbook and pen.  You’ll most likely find these in rural areas.

    The trinkets you trade can be as valuable as you wish.  Its not the value of the items it’s the sport in finding them.  Happy Meal toys, lapel pins, key chains, party favors, and the like are acceptable things to trade.  Never leave food, ammunition, weapons, adult material, or anything that could be seen as inappropriate or dangerous.  A good rule of thumb is if you wouldn’t let your six year old or your grandmother have it, you shouldn’t leave it!  There are some people that leave very valuable items, and there are even contests that are geocache based.  ***JUST REMEMBER if you take something, you must leave something!

For the Seasoned Geocacher

Buying a cache to hide
    On eBay there are a lot of ready made caches to buy and use.  When buying a cache to place, remember these can never be buried and should blend in with the surroundings.  You wouldn’t want a large cache in a city park anymore than you’d want a cache disguised as a bolt in the middle of the woods.  Microcaches that resemble plants should be native to the area that you are hiding them in and in season.  The caches that look like flowers are perfect for warm climates, but you might find a better option for an area that is covered in snow 80% of the year.  A good generic cache would be an ammo box, Rubbermaid container, or even a pill bottle sized metal tube.  All of these are listed online in various styles at any given time.  (Hide-a-keys are fantastic micro caches too)

Making a cache
    The limits to your imagination are the only limits you have in designing a cache.  You might opt to create a cache from a silk plant and a microcache container.  The supplies are available on eBay.  Look for a weather resistant silk plant that might actually be found in your area.  I live in the foothills, so I wouldn’t want a saw palmetto like my friends near the coast might.  My likely choice would be a fern. Using the fern, I would attach my cache container to the bottom using a strong adhesive.  My cache would be placed in an appropriate location as per the Geocaching rules.  I might use leaves or a few stones from the area to anchor and camouflage the container at the bottom.  Of course, I’d be sure to check my cache every few weeks to ensure it is still in good working order.  It’s quite convenient that I can find almost everything I need on eBay.

Geocoins, Travel bugs, and other items for the seasoned cacher
Although it is very bad edict and quite possibly against the rules to sell an active travel bug on line, you can find inactivated travel bugs and Geocoins on eBay.  These items have unique tracking numbers that allow that item to be followed as it goes from cache to cache. 

    Geocaching is a fun and exciting family sport that blends the outdoors, technology and treasure hunting into one fantastic adventure.  Whether you are a long time Geocacher or a geo-muggle (Geocache for a person that isn’t a Geocacher) just starting out,    everything you need to find your next Geocache adventure is available on eBay.  So go ahead, search Geocaching and see what’s available for you today.  I’ll see ya on the trail!