"What is a tott?" That is one of the most common questions from new cachers. Totts come in all shapes and sizes. The essential totts are the most basic needed for geocaching. A gps device or smartphone can lead you to a cache and a writing utensil can sign the log. That is the basics, the essence of geocaching in it's most basic form. But what if you need a little something extra to get the log signed? Can't get the log out of the container? Tweezers are a perfect tott for that. You can't quite reach the cache? Try a ladder if you are veritcally challenged. You can't reach the cache without getting wet? Throw on some irrigation boots, hip waders, or better yet get in a kayak. Tools of the trade can be as simple as a stick for poking the cache through a hole or as complex as climbing gear to repel down the side of a cliff.
When my friends and I go on a caching trip we usually have a van foll of totts. Bikes, ladders, boots, poles, magnets, flashlights, and anything else we can think of. We never use everything, but very rarely do we come across a situation we are unprepared for. Don't worry, I hear the grumbling as some of you read this... "I don't want to drag a bunch of stuff around to go caching!" I've heard it all before, and the great news is that there are thousands of caches around you that you don't need any extra tools to sign.
You won't need a lot of extra equipment here, but you will have to have the correct tools. So get after it, a smiley is waiting for you as long as you sign the log!