Geocaching In Maple Ridge
Did you ever play ‘hunt-the-flag’ when you were younger? Interested in both the outdoors and technology? Have you ever thought about giving geocaching a try?
What the heck is ‘geocaching’? Essentially, it’s a game of hide and seek with worldwide participants. Using a handheld GPS receiver, participants try to locate a ‘cache’ which at the minimum usually contains a logbook that those who find the cache are able to sign, although it may contain a few small trinkets that can be traded for something that the person finding the cache has brought with them. But the whole point of the game is the thrill of the hunt.
What does a cache look like? It depends on the person who hid it. A cache can range in size from the size of your little finger (known as a nanocache), although it could be as large as a 5 gallon plastic bucket. The typical cache, though is a small waterproof container (ie, Tupperware) or an ammunition box that has been placed somewhere for others to find.
“But wouldn’t someone just take the cache or vandalize it?”, you might be asking. Perhaps. But some caches have been hidden and available for a fairly long period of time. Most people would be quite surprised to learn that there is a cache hidden in a parking lot somewhere in Maple Ridge that has been there since May of 2006! It’s been found 10 times since the end of August, and five times in October alone.
In fact, checking Geocaching.com, a site which lists the co-ordinates to caches in a given area, I was able to find 140 caches listed in a 10km circle around Lougheed Highway and 216th Street. Some of those are across the river in Langley, and some may be as far east as Poco, but you could spend a lot enjoyable time hunting for caches just in the Maple Ridge area.
So what do you need to participate? A handheld GPS receiver for one thing. The versions used by hikers for example, work better than those used simply for assisting you with driving. Although I do know of someone who uses the ‘driving GPS’ for geocaching because it also shows the latitude and longitude co-ordinates in real time, which can provide an extra bit of a challenge when trying to find a cache.
Now, you may be reading this and thinking, “I don’t know about this,” and it goes without saying that having people poking around looking for hidden treasure could draw the attention of the local gendarmes. Most geocaching websites and organizations encourage those who hide caches to exercise a little common sense when placing their caches. Placing them near schools and playgrounds is frowned upon for obvious reasons, as well as placing them on private property that isn’t your own. Hides near courthouses, banks, government offices, etc., are also discouraged. Caches have been detonated by bomb squads simply due to the location they were hidden in.
All of that goes without saying, though, that for everyone who chooses to participate, it’s a very enjoyable hobby – certainly better than sitting in front of a computer all summer.
Why not pick up a handheld GPS, sign up on Geocaching.com, punch your postal code in and see how many caches are hidden around your place? Trust me – you’ll be surprised at just how many there are.
Andrew Douglas (ad@ridgemeadowspost.com)
(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)
Loading ...
Nice writeup, Andrew! My partner and I first heard about geocaching from a TV news segment a year or so ago. Since then we’ve spent many enjoyable hours hunting down caches near our home. In the process we’ve met other geocachers in person, discovered many beautiful hidden spots and trails and even found cache items that have travelled hundreds of miles. Most hides are kid-friendly or even kid-oriented, and it’s a real treat to watch a six-year-old mastering a GPS!
Happy caching
“T-Granny”
Since writing this post, I’ve found a few caches, hidden a few of my own, and joined the BC Geocaching Association. I’m really enjoying it, especially the people that I’ve met so far.
Thanks very much for the feedback, Stephanie. It’s very much appreciated.
My sweetheart and I started geocaching this past June. To date we have found 160 caches and hidden four! It is SOOOO much fun – great excersize – whole family experience! I encourage everyone to at least check it out – see if it is for them…..
HAPPY CACHING!!!!!!
It’s nice to see articles about geocaching in the news! Happy caching! “Misty’s Shadow”
Hi Andrew,
Nice to see the sport getting attention locally and good to see so many new people joining the game.
Now to go find your caches!
“Cache On”!
@Pez and @Misty: Thanks very much for your comments. I couldn’t agree more about caching being a great family activity.
@TJGuy: By all means, have at them. One is the newest cache in Maple Ridge, one is currently active in Langley, and I’ve got another one going live in Langley hopefully this week. It’s been submitted, just waiting for approval.
Like the others said, this is a wonderful article. Good to get more people involved in this sport.
Hope you enjoys this sport as much as we do!
Like others say ” A cache a day keeps the doctor away!”
@Mr. Wilson – Thanks for the kind words. And I’m going to be hunting another cache today as well. Hopefully have one more to add to the growing list.
Hi Andrew,
If you are wanting to publish a followup article to the original geocaching one, you may want to look at how other cachers report on their adventures through their blogs. As you may have noticed, I have an active blog where I create frequent write ups on the day’s caching, whether locally or as part of a road trip. One of my articles was published in the Fraser Canyon Express; others have been successfull in other publications as well.
Here’s a link to the write up that was published:
http://tjguy98.blogspot.com/2009/07/crazy-canyon-caching.html
Have a look at the Blogs link on the BCGA web site for other blogs as well.
Thought this might be an idea for you as the geocaching article seems to be the most popular one on your site, wouldn’t hurt to repeat the subject.
Leave your response!
Follow Us On Twitter
Archives
Categories
Blogroll
Advertise
Featured Links
CanuckNation.caYour link goes here
Your link goes here
Your link goes here
Recent Posts
Most Commented
Most Viewed