While adding sites to the Geocaching Online Resource Directory we frequently come across some that we want to bring special attention to but up until now we couldn’t figure out how. We thought of special icons or a top list but this didn’t do it for us. So what we have decided to do is to add a new category to the blog section of Geocaching Online called ‘Featured’ where we will feature these sites we come across.

The first Geocacher’s website we will feature in this new category is ‘Geocaching with EMC of Northridge, CA’.

The ‘EMC’ in the site title is the initials for Geocacher Elin Carlson. Elin began Geocaching on Memorial Day weekend, 2004 (though she joined GC in 2003), and has found over 3,000 caches each year since. At the time of writing she has logged 14623 Geocaches found! Yes, you read that right. She is currently ranked #3 in the world! Her cache finds run the full gamut of traditional, multi, virtual, etc. caches. She is also a Platinum EarthCache Master with 33 EarthCache finds.

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A Global Positioning System Receiver (GPSr), commonly referred to, though a misnomer, as a “GPS”, is an electronic device that receives signals from the Global Positioning System and translates them into a position, or coordinate, in the form of longitude and latitude. It can determine your location, usually within 3-20 feet (1-7 meters). In Geocaching you use the GPS to navigate from your present location to a Geocache.

Choosing a GPS for use with Geocaching can be a daunting experience for the first-time buyer simply because there are so many options available. However, the best ‘rule of thumb’ when guying a GPS receiver is to buy within your budget! Geocaching is about having fun so the cheaper you can get involved the better.

The more a unit costs does not necessarily translate into a more accurate reading since there are too many variables involved like cloud and tree cover, as well as inaccurate readings when a Geocache is placed. For example, you may have the most expensive GPS on the planet but it will still be dependant on coordinates that may have been set by a much cheaper unit on a cloudy day under heavy tree cover.

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GSAK, the Geocaching Swiss Army Knife, has recently released Version 7.2.0

This new version includes quite a few changes including general, form, language and design changes as well as numerous fixes.

GSAK claims to be the ‘all in one’ Geocaching and waypoint management tool. Major features include: Multiple databases, sending/receiving waypoints to GPSr, Google maps, conversion to many mapping formats, PDA output (including CacheMate support), HTML output, extensive searching, macro support, backup and restore, distance/direction from other waypoints (including caches, locations, post codes) and much more. GSAK only runs on Windows operating systems (98, ME, NT, 2000, XP, Vista)

To upgrade, or to try it, go to GSAK

For a full list of changes and fixes go here

Keep on cachin’!

You all know how much we like the old Virtual Caches, simply because we also like to travel and the Virtuals have taken us to places we normally would not have gone. However, today, while reviewing some old GC forum posts we came across what is being termed as ‘Armchair Caching’ or ‘Coach Caching’. Yes, really, caching from the comfort of your coach!

It seems that there are quite a few of these types of caches, caches that do not require you to actually visit a place or to find something. They more or less just ask questions that can be answered by doing Internet searches.

To see what the process was we posted a find for the ‘Four Windows’ cache which was really just answering an old riddle. A quick search on the Internet answered the coordinate question that was asked. An email was sent to the cache owner with the answer and coordinates and within a few hours we were allowed to post our find - and it was added to our Virtual Cache stats. Seemed all very strange…

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Thanks to a blog post from Eco Florida regarding tourism sites promoting Geocaching in their local area we were able to add a new “Tourism” category to the Geocaching Resource Directory.

This seems to be a growing trend, with some localities creating special caches to show off their area’s features, like trails and beautiful views. Some are also holding contests with cache’s that contain prizes and coupons for use at local businesses. While these prize offerings may not sit well with some members of the ‘true blue’ Geocaching community the fact remains that they may be an incentive for some.

For us, we enjoy both Geocaching and travel so the more tourism sites that add this information just makes it easier for us, not only on planning our activities when we go somewhere but quite possibly in our destination decisions as well. Although we get caught in the big cities more often than we like our preferred travel is ‘off the beaten path’ so knowing about the ‘hidden gems’ of an area is a real bonus.

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Groundspeak launched “Whereigo” today and it looks to be another great addition to their lineup of GPS based, fun products.

From the website:

“Whereigo is a toolset for creating and playing GPS-enabled adventures in the real world. Use GPS technology to guide you to physical locations and interact with virtual objects and characters.

In late 2001, after running Geocaching.com for over a year, Jeremy Irish and Elias Alvord came up with an interesting challenge: How could they take their favorite adventure games and bring them outdoors with GPS technology?

The idea is that you can move around in the real world using GPS and a handheld device to experience media-rich content relating to your location. The experience can be a tour guide, an adventure game or anything dreamed up by an author.

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