Jim (Yzerman) and I have been discussing going on a geocaching trip. Geocaching is locating hidden stashes (by other geocachers) using a GPS. When found, you take something from it, leave something for it, and note you've been there in it's log book.

I'm thinking about picking 10-12 locations and mapping out a route to search for them. They're all over the state, here's a map of some in the Prescott area just to show a few-

[img]http://www.xterraz.com/geomap.bmp[/img]

Jim and I both have GPS's (Brian too, I think) so you don't need one. There would be some hiway driving, four wheeling, hiking, maybe climbing, and an assortment of other unknown surprises. Almost the same as one of our X'cursions with an added twist, locating a cache. We could make a day of it with lunch somewhere along the route.

Sound intriguing to anyone? Neither of us has ever done it so I have no idea of what the result would be. Could be fun, could be stupid but I'm thinking it would definitely be interesting in seeing if we could find some.

I'll be working on a route and date to get this going. Anyone want to join in? The more the merrier.

I would be in.

Greg and I used to do this once in a while in KS and it was pretty fun. Once you get in the general area you just have to search. I got pretty good at finding them.

If it wasn't obvious, I'd be in...

Cool, someone with some experience at it.

There looks to be some good ones along 89A, the back road to Prescott. Or...if another area peaks someone's interest, speak up. They're everywhere, so we just need to pick an area to go and map it out. Keep in mind the upcoming weather, hot, hot, hot...north would be good.



[img]http://www.xterraz.com/geomap2.bmp[/img]

Obvious is your middle name.

Thanks for noticing

Jim we could check and see if there are any around the Supai falls. If not, we could make one! That's fun too

You know what, I was thinking the same things. I guess it is true that great minds think alike.

Here is what I found

Looks like there is one on the trail, by Mooney Falls and another on the way to Beaver Falls. But they are all Virtual Caches seeing you are not allowed to leave anything.

You beat me to it Jim. I was checking the site and found the same stuff...

You guys are safe though, I wasn't thinking about Supai falls

I wasn't thinking at all, but I'll do it anyways..

I'd be up for some. Let's figure something out.

Great idea! I could use a couple lessons on how to use my GPS. And have fun all at the same time. Count me in. Yzerman, is this something you want to grab by the horns? I have no clue how to set this up. I'd be more than glad to get everyones attention on it though. Let me know what I can do.

I'd be happy to help out where I could. Maybe XterrAZ and I can team up on this one. Seeing I've never planned a run, it might be good to have some experience behind it . Plus this was really XterrAZ's idea he brought up to me on Monday. I just agreed with him that I thought it would be a great idea.

But I'd be happy to help out where I could and even assist XterrAZ in the planning of such an run.

What do you say Mike? Sounds like there is enough interest. How about the June or July run?

What, you don't want to hike 11 miles in both directions? Come on, I still have an extra pass.

Um.....no.

I will however set this up, hopefully with Jim's (and anyone else's) help. We just need to make a list from www.geocaching.com of ones that look likely and that have a route that takes us to some wheeling and sites.

I've found that my new GPS won't hold waypoints, I'll have to get it exchanged tomorrow. I've followed the destructions but they just disappear after a while. Pisses me off too, they're kind of a pain in the ass to manually program in. I had all the spots in Glamis dunes programed so I could find my way from one place to another and back to camp again, looks like I'll be doing it all over again with another one. Oh well.

If you guys are geocaching newbies, I can offer a few suggestions: For the first few, I'd make sure to bring along the hints most people give as to where the cache is. Generally your GPS only gets you so close, and then you have to do some searching.

Also make sure you have more than just one in mind to find, as it sucks if the one you are looking for has been taken and not returned. Nothing worse than searching for 1/2 an hour to never find anything, and then not having anything else to do.

Bring interesting things to leave behind in the cache.

In my experience, whereever you are, you're never more than 100 yards from another cache, so there are lots to find There isn't a place you'll go that someone hasn't left one...

Enjoy all.
Mark

What kind did you get? I have the Etrex and it holds them forever. When I went back to Moab recently, I was out exploring alone and then all of a sudden I started running into waypoints I had set for the previous year. Pretty cool.

Just pick what are you want and then print out the cache's. It's pretty easy after that.

Sportrack Color is what Kerry got me for my birthday. I'm pretty sure there's something wrong with it. Once in awhile it will reboot and go to the screens that come up when you first turn it on and the waypoints are gone. Back to Fry's it goes for an exchange.

I do it sometimes, but so far I've only done it around town. It's fun, and I'd thought about mentioning this but I always forget during meetings/outings. I'm in!

Just something to think about. I think it would better to do it in early June. I think the GOX Xcursion is in July and I'm Xpecting in late June. I know you guys couldn't tell because I was sucking it in. Not that I play any key role in this one but I would like to go, it sounds interesting.

I got the unit exchanged this morning, no problem with the new one yet. Hopefully I'm ready to go now.

Early June is good for me, I'm going to search around for some local caches and get some experience with the GPS and the geocaching game. Some quick close trips should do the trick. We'll have to come up with some good ideas for what to leave in the ones we find, maybe something representing the club.

I tried to find one last night in Anthem after getting home. I found the spot easily with the GPS but it was dark and my eyesight isn't as good as it used to be. I think it's under some rocks but I didn't want to disturb any stinging creatures in hiding so I'll try again in the daylight. Kind of fun seeing if you can find them.

I'm thinking of doing some New River ones on Saturday morning, anyone is welcome to join me that's interested.

With the map software that I have, I can search by cord's and create waypoints to downlowad to my GPS pretty easy (based on my search) . I may even be able to print out the maps so that we can hand them out to anyone not having a GPS.

Oh, the first weekend (5th/6th) would be out for me. I'm going to be in Cancun. I have something on the 12th also, but it still way up in the air right now (I could get out of it pretty easy). So maybe that weekend would work out.

I should have been there, I'm used to finding my way in the dark

I may be up for something on Saturday morning Mike.

Name the meetup spot, I haven't done any in a while!

What about Xterra keyrings? Xterra Cinch? I have one that I'd donate. We can pick up more at a local Dealership.