Top 10 Reasons To Take Up Geocaching

Can be combined with other activities
The next time you go hiking, camping or boating, check out geocaching.com first. You can look up caches that are hidden along your route or near your campsite. There are even caches that require the use of a watercraft to get to them. Once you've loaded the coordinates into your geocaching gps, grab your gear and go find some geocaches!

Has a great community following.
The feeling of community is very evident even in the log posts for each cache. Geocachers from all different states, countries, and continents can communicate with each other in the forums on geocaching.com. Everyone is united by a common interest in gps and the outdoors.

Is a challenging and rewarding activity.
I speak from personal experience here. One of the caches I recently found certainly fits this description. I had to hike a very strenuous mile through thick brush and up hill. However, the views were spectacular and I got within short range of some cool wildlife.

Lets you get creative!
This applies mostly to those who choose to hide or place caches for others to find. Some cache engineers require you to solve a puzzle in order to get the coordinates. Others design multiple caches where one leads to another. Each leg of the journey takes you to a new cool place and tells a story in the process. You'll see lots of cool variations on the cache container also. There are sneaky ones that blend in, or that can be hidden in plain site.

Is a great form of exercise!
This, of course, depends greatly on the type of cache you are pursuing. Most of the caches listed on geocaching.com require at least a little walking to reach them. There are some, however, that require fairly intense exertion. Wouldn't you prefer a good intense hike to a treadmill or stair climber?

Takes you to unique points of view that you may otherwise miss.
Geocachers use their hides as a way to bring other people to unique landmarks or special viewpoints. In the area where I live we are surrounded by beautiful mountains. Yet somehow during the day-to-day activities of life, I sometimes fail to appreciate or even stop to notice the beauty of my surroundings. Since I began geocaching, I have seen views and found cool artwork or landmarks that I never knew existed.

Gets you out in nature!
There are many lessons that can be learned from interaction with nature - besides the fact that if you brush a bare leg through poison oak you will be a bit miserable for a while. Geocaching gives enthusiasts an opportunity to enjoy the wonders of nature!

Is something that can be enjoyed even with limited physical ability.
The caches listed on geocaching.com are rated by the condition of the surrounding terrain, as well as the level of difficulty. In the description for each cache there is a five - star rating system for each category, with one being easiest and five the hardest. If a cache has a rating of one in both categories, it may even be accessible in a wheelchair. Many one - star caches can be reached using just public sidewalks. Geocaching has something for everyone!

Is a great family activity!
Geocaching is fun for all ages! Even my two - year - old son enjoys our outings. Often the kids are the ones who actually find the cache. We have found this to be a fantastic family bonding activity.

DRUMROLL PLEASE...

IT'S CHEAP!
The most expensive part of geocaching is the intial investment for a gps unit. However, a good device can be had relatively inexpensively. A good starter unit can be found for under $100.00. Check out the Lowrance IFinder Go or the IFinder GO2. You can also check out reviews on the best gps for geocaching at GPS Magazine.com. Check for links on this lens to other gps review sites. As you become more advanced in your geocaching adventures, there are more feature laden units available for up to $600.00 or slightly more. You can spend a fair size chunk of change on one of these units, but after the intial investment, you will never be lost again! Some handheld devices can be used for vehicle navigation as well. The rest of what you will need to go geocaching, you already have in your home: a pen or pencil to sign the logs with. Also, if you happen to already have a handheld gps device, you can begin geocaching with literally zero additional cost. Basic accounts on geocaching.com are free. So log in and...

LET'S GO GEOCACHING!