I Am a Treasure-Hunter - Learning about Geo-Caching

It's never too late to have a happy childhood!  Thousands of adults throughout the world, who either loved treasure hunts as children or never had a chance to go on one, are learning this through the activity of geo-caching.  This week, our Omnilore Hiking/Walking Group had a chance to try it on our monthly walk through the areas of Hermosa Beach and Redondo Beach.  One of the members invited Mike, an active geo-cacher, to join us and introduce us to the finer points of geo-caching. 

A few comments about Geo-Caching.  It is a high-tech treasure hunting game where "adventure seekers" equipped with GPS devices locate hidden containers, called caches, that were placed in various outdoor locations. Once found the cacher logs in their name on a log contained within the container and then replaces the container for someone else to find.  All of this is pulled together by the Official Global GPS Cache Hunt website.  Here, those who have hidden caches, log in its location so that others can know of its existence and try to find it.  Someone wanting to go on the hunt will download the GSP parameters of the location and set off on a hunt.  Once a cache has been located by someone, the person can go back to the website and record their find.  Who would want to do such a thing? Well according to the website, there are 1,319,813 caches hidden throughout the world, so obviously many people do. The website provides a central place for finding caches sites, communicating with other "cachers" via Forums, purchasing special equipment and experiencing a sense of community.

Here is a little account of our experience:

Our group met at Hermosa Valley Park.

Mike explained the activity to us, showed us his special Geo-caching GSP device and explained what we were going to do.

Using clues to figure out the first cache's latitude and longitude (memories of 7th grade geography class) we set out to look for the first cache.  Our route took us south along the wood chip jogging path.

Finally the GPS told us we were within a few feet of the first cache location.

Jay poking his head in the tree!

Trying not to look obvious, we began the hunt and after a few minutes found the tiny container, strategically attached to the end of a stick that was hidden in the hollow of a tree.

Checking the log inside we saw that many had already located the container and logged in, cachers from as far away as Spain.

Mike told us he has found caches in many countries, using the activity to hike while on vacation, and he even found one hidden on the Great Wall of China!

We replaced the container so it could be found by others, and continued on our way to two other caches in the vicinity.

The last one took us down to King's Harbor in Redondo Beach where Cindy's eagle eyes spotted it.

Cindy finding the cache!

Like with most things, there are people who want to spoil the fun. These are non-geocachers called Muggles (after the non-magical persons in Harry Potter!), and they will remove the cache so it cannot be found.  When this happens, the cache is listed on the website as "muggled" so others don't waste time hunting for it.

Since we found ourselves right across the street from a small marine museum, the SeaLAB, we stopped in and paid our respects to the jelly fish, the eels, the rockfish, and even some outdoor sharks.

The return route took us along the Hermosa Strand where we walked past tourists and watched volleyball players enjoying the sand and sun.

A Tsunami warning sign reminded us of the recent tragedy in Japan.

Two miles and two hours later found us back at the Hermosa Valley Park where we enjoyed our picnic lunches and laughed and talked about our escapade.

John, Lynn, Steve, Mike, Dennis, Cindy and Jay

We decided that it was an interesting activity and probably one that would be fun to share with grandchildren or to use when looking for something different to do in a new city. Who says there is nothing to do in retirement?  Want to go on a Treasure Hunt?