bradrowley.net » Geocaching

"What Is Geocaching?" Video

Brad — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 23:15:12 +0000

I just returned back from a short geocaching run and headed over to geocaching.com to log my finds. The web site finally has a video explaining exactly what geocaching is. Take a look, and if it interest you, head over to geocaching.com to sign up for a free account.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4VFeYZTTYs

Geocaching and WordPress

Brad — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 16:27:06 +0000

For those of you that are in to Geocaching and WordPress, you’ll like the plugin over at Think Press. The Geocache Stat Bar plugin allows you to proudly display your Geocaching stats… after all, it’s all about the numbers baby! Configuration instructions are available at the WordPress plugin directory.

Walk Like A Geocacher

Brad — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 07:34:19 +0000

This is a funny little music video from Australia that all geocachers will identify with… especially at 1:58. I’ve done that before. Just a bit of a warning; nobody can accuse Aussies of being able to carry a tune. Oh, and it seems like they pronounce it geocāche down-under!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6Mp0kLFDjg

Tunes to Geocache By

Brad — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 07:28:56 +0000

The weather here in Alberta is a bit crazy, with -25ºC one day and 2°C the next. While I can always head out and find some winter-friendly caches, I’m still dream of warmer temperatures and weekend long caching trips.

To hold me over until spring, went Googling for geocaching related tunes. (I know, crazy!) Wouldn’t you know it, somebody has already put together a rockin’ list of tunes. Check out this list of the top 50 songs to go Geocaching!

The First Post of 2009!

Brad — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 20:42:39 +0000

Happy New Year everybody!

A new year means the holidays are over… and not a moment too soon. I do enjoy holiday time with friends and family, but I don’t like to overdo it. (Is overdo even a word?!) The holidays seem to have lasted far too long this year, so I’m getting a bit of cabin fever. I would like to get outside and enjoy some geocaching, but it has been far too cold (-25° Celcius). One has to be pretty hardcore to prepare properly for caching in that kind of weather.

Oh… that reminds me of my last geocaching trip. It inadvertently turned into a good lesson on preparation.

I was headed out to look for Stone Builder’s Code #3. I had already found Stone Builder’s Code #1 earlier in the day and thought I could pick up one more before dark. My daughter and I hiked the 500m to the cache area and then spent another five minutes just trying to make the last 6m or so. It was already starting to get a little more grey out, so we stepped up our search, deciding to head back to the truck after a few more minutes of searching.

At this point, you could still see your hand in front of your face fairly well… but in early November it can turn black as coal in a matter of minutes. This is why you always set a waypoint back to your vehicle or staging area. Had I not done that I may have walked around in circles for half the night. Trees and trail tend to look the same at dusk…

To make a long story short, I had not come prepared at all. No flashlight, no means of making a fire, nothing. I likely would have been able to handle a few hours lost in the dark but my daughter would have freaked out. Lesson learned: be prepared!

Here’s what I’ll be caching with in the future:

Solar blanket
Small tarp or maybe even an old SKOP kit
Candles
Matches/lighter & solid firestarter
Extra batteries for GPS (already do this for longer caching trips)
Compass
Crankable flashlight and/or headlamp
Water
High energy/low volume food

It might be overkill, but as I found out, you never can tell. Prepare and be safe!