WHAT: A geocaching evening event
WHEN: 05/03/15 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM
WHERE: Mugshot's on Vaughn Road (at Taylor)
Come get together to acknowledge the 15th anniversary of geocaching's beginning.
On May 2, 2000, at approximately midnight, eastern savings time, the great blue switch* controlling selective availability was pressed. Twenty-four satellites around the globe processed their new orders, and instantly the accuracy of GPS technology improved tenfold. Tens of thousands of GPS receivers around the world had an instant upgrade.
The announcement a day before came as a welcome surprise to everyone who worked with GPS technology. The government had planned to remove selective availability - but had until 2006 to do so. Now, said the White House, anyone could "precisely pinpoint their location or the location of items (such as game) left behind for later recovery." How right they were.
For GPS enthusiasts, this was definitely a cause for celebration. Internet newsgroups suddenly teemed with ideas about how the technology could be used.
"On May 3, one such enthusiast, Dave Ulmer, a computer consultant, wanted to test the accuracy by hiding a navigational target in the woods. He called the idea the "Great American GPS Stash Hunt" and posted it in an internet GPS users' group. The idea was simple: Hide a container out in the woods and note the coordinates with a GPS unit.
The finder would then have to locate the container with only the use of his or her GPS receiver. The rules for the finder were simple: "Take some stuff, leave some stuff."
On May 3rd he placed his own container, a black bucket, in the woods near Beavercreek, Oregon, near Portland. Along with a logbook and pencil, he left various prize items including videos, books, software, and a slingshot. He shared the waypoint of his "stash" with the online community on sci.geo.satellite-nav:
http://www.geocaching.com/geocache/GCF_the-original-stash
More available at the source: https://www.geocaching.com/about/history.aspx
Groundspeak wrote, " Celebrate 15 Years of Geocaching on May 2nd and 3rd by finding any geocache or attending any geocaching event. You’ll earn a new 'digital souvenir for your geocaching profile."
Eat if you would like, swap some stories and/or caching tips.
I have a space reserved. Event is open to anyone who would like to attend—cachers, muggles, and enablers.
There are many other events planned for this weekend around the world. Some, including Alabama, will have an exclusive, limited edition 2” event coin with its own color scheme available for purchase. Below is the producer's rendering of Alabama’s geocoin which has a nickel finish and is trackable on this site.
Update regarding the event coins. Due to a problem at the production facility, the coins will not be received in time for the event. Will work out options with anyone who purchases a coin.