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For the new geocacher

1. Start here

1.1. The history of Geocaching HQ

With the flip of a switch...

On May 2, 2000, at approximately midnight Greenwich Mean Time, the great blue switch* controlling selective availability was flipped. Twenty-four satellites around the globe processed their new orders, and the accuracy of GPS technology improved tenfold. 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.

London, Paris, New York, Beavercreek?

For GPS enthusiasts, this was cause for celebration. Internet newsgroups suddenly teemed with ideas about how the technology could be used.

One such enthusiast, computer consultant Dave Ulmer, 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 in the woods and note the coordinates with a GPS unit. The finder would then have to locate the container using only their GPS receiver. The rules for the finder were simple: "Take some stuff, leave some stuff."

On May 3, 2000, Ulmer placed a black bucket in the woods of 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:

N 45° 17.460 W 122° 24.800

Within three days, two different readers learned of the stash via the Internet, used their own GPS receivers to find the container, and shared their experiences online. Throughout the next week, others began hiding their own containers worldwide and posting the coordinates. Like many new and innovative ideas on the Internet, the concept spread quickly - but this one required leaving your computer to participate.

Within the first month, Mike Teague, the first person to find Ulmer's stash, began gathering the online posts of coordinates around the world and documenting them on his personal home page. The "GPS Stash Hunt" mailing list was created to discuss the emerging activity. Names were even tossed about to replace the name "stash" due to the negative connotations of that name. One such name was "geocaching."

The origins of geocaching

Geocaching, a term first coined by Matt Stum on the "GPS Stash Hunt" mailing list on May 30, 2000, was the joining of two familiar words. The prefix geo, for Earth, was used to describe the global nature of the activity, but also for its use in familiar topics in GPS such as geography.

Caching, from the word cache, has two different meanings appropriate for the activity. A French word invented in 1797, the original definition referred to a hiding place someone would use to temporarily store items. The word cache stirs up visions of pioneers, gold miners, and even pirates. Today the word is still used by news media to describe hidden weapons locations.

The second use of cache has more recently been used in technology. Memory cache is computer storage that is used to quickly retrieve frequently used information. Your web browser, for example, stores images so you don't have to retrieve the same image every time you visit similar pages.

The combination of Earth, hiding, and technology made geocaching an excellent term for the activity. However, the "GPS Stash Hunt" was the original and most widely used term until Mike Teague passed the torch to Jeremy Irish in September 2000.

The birth of Geocaching.com

For the first few months of its existence, geocaching was confined to experienced GPS users who already used the technology for outdoor activities such as backpacking and boating. Most users knew about GPS and had a firm grasp of obscure lingo such as datums and WGS84. New players faced a steep learning curve before going out on their first cache hunt. Tools were scarce for determining whether a cache was nearby, if one existed at all.

Jeremy Irish, a web developer for a Seattle company, stumbled upon Mike Teague's website while researching GPS technology in July 2000. The idea of using tech gadgets to hunt treasure treasure married two of his greatest interests. Discovering that a geocache was hidden nearby, Jeremy purchased a GPS unit and went on his first hunt the following weekend.

After experiencing the thrill of finding his first cache, Irish decided to start a hobby site for the activity. Adopting the term geocaching, he created Geocaching.com and applied his professional web skills to create tools to improve the cache-hunting experience. The cache listings were still added by hand, but a database helped standardize the listings. Additional features, such as searching for caches around zip codes, made it easier for new players to find listings for nearby caches.

With Mike Teague's valuable input, the new site was completed and announced to the stash-hunting community on September 2, 2000. At the time of the site’s launch, there were 75 known caches in the world.

If you hide it, they will come

Slashdot, a popular online magazine for techies, reported the new activity on September 25, 2000. This introduced a larger group of technology professionals to the activity. The New York Times picked up the story a month later and featured it in its "Circuits" section on October 26, starting a domino effect of articles written in magazines, newspapers, and other media outlets around the world. CNN featured geocaching in a December 2000 segment.

However, because there were so few caches in the world, many would-be participants discovered they couldn’t find a cache listed nearby. Many wondered whether anyone would bother looking for a cache if they hid one in their area. The growing community chanted the mantra "If you hide it, they will come.”. After some reassurances, pioneers of the hobby started placing caches just to see whether people would find them. They did.

Through word of mouth, press articles, and even accidental cache discoveries, more and more people have become involved in geocaching. First started by technology and GPS enthusiasts, the ranks of geocachers now include couples, families, and groups from all walks of life. The excitement of the hunt appeals to both the inner (and outer) child. Today you can go just about anywhere in the world and be able to walk, bike, or drive to a nearby hidden cache.

The creation of Geocaching HQ

After the increased traffic resulting from the Slashdot story, Irish realized that the ongoing management of the website would quickly outgrow his home computer and DSL line. So in late 2000, he partnered with Elias Alvord and Bryan Roth, two co-workers at Sunrise Identity, to start a new company called Groundspeak Inc. (originally "Grounded Inc."). With the proceeds from sales of 144 geocaching t-shirts, they moved the machines into a hosted environment in downtown Seattle. The founders continued to work for Sunrise Identity while managing the new company and website in their off hours.

The trio eventually raised enough through Premium Memberships for Jeremy and Elias to make Groundspeak a full-time job. In late 2005, Bryan also became a full-time employee at the company.

Today the company, situated in the Fremont neighborhood of Seattle, is known as Geocaching HQ. It remains a strong, independent organization with approximately 90 employees and maintains the global list of geocaches, the primary geocaching mobile applications, and the Geocaching.com website to support the global game. There are no outside investors or influences who would maximize profits at the expense of the game. The founders continue to lead the company with an ongoing mission: Inspire outdoor adventure, exploration, and community. Interested in being part of our company? Check out our careers page.

Jeremy Irish previously worked four years as a Cryptologic Linguist in the U.S. Air Force and over 11 years in web-based app development, including three years as a Webmaster for GE Information Services General Electric.

Bryan Roth graduated from Binghamton University in New York and Emory Law school in Atlanta. Geocaching united his family, literally. Bryan met his wife and adopted son Dylan at a geocaching event in 2001. They've since added to the family with a firecracker of a son named Nicholas.

Elias Alvord attended Northeastern University and has a background in both Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. He has been designing networks and telecommunications systems for over 20 years and has expertise in server hardware technology, database management and scalability, and multiple programming languages. Elias and his wife are passionate supporters of the arts community in Seattle. He currently serves Geocaching HQ as a member of the Board of Directors.

Special thanks...

Special thanks go out to those who were so helpful in the beginning, including Sunrise Identity for their support of the Shop Groundspeak site, and Moun10Bike (Jon Stanley), who donated Microsoft software licenses that helped run the website. Huge thanks also to the more than 400 dedicated volunteers worldwide who give their time and talent to support the geocaching community!

*there is no actual blue switch

1.2. Intro to geocaching

Geocaching is a real-world treasure hunt happening right now, all around you.

There are millions of geocaches worldwide. Geocaches are found in parks, urban areas, forests, deserts, on top of mountains, underwater — pretty much anywhere you can imagine. There are probably a few near you right now…

Navigate to geocaches using:

Geocaching with an app

  1. On your app, select a cache and navigate to it.
  2. Once you've found the cache — sign the logbook.
  3. Return the logbook and cache to their original location.
  4. Share your experience and log your “find”.

Geocaching with a GPS

  1. Search for nearby geocaches on Geocaching.com.
  2. Download coordinates to your GPS device and navigate to a cache.
  3. Once you've found the cache — sign the logbook.
  4. Return the logbook and cache to their original location.
  5. Share your experience and log your “find”.

1.3. Find your first cache

Download the free Geocaching® app. See Geocaching 101 for hints for new geocachers. 

To increase your chances of finding your first cache, look for a regular or large size Traditional Cache with an easy difficulty and terrain rating (D1/T1). 

Find beginner caches in your area, or set up your own search:

  1. Go to the Geocaching.com search page.
  2. In the search box, enter a city, state, coordinates, GC code (geocache code), or geocache name
    OR
    Select Filters.
    • Under Geocache type, select Traditional
    • Under Difficulty and Terrain, select 1.5 or lower
    • Under Size, select Regular or Large

Learn more about:

Find information about the cache

Cache owners will often tell you about the geocache on the cache page. Read the description and cache name before you start your search. Attributes can also give additional context. Premium members can filter for specific attributes to narrow down the specific adventure you are looking for.

If you still can't find the cache, check if there is a hint.

Hints from previous finders

Pictures from the cache owner or other geocachers can help give additional context about the hide. On the website, select View Gallery from the top right of a cache page or select Photos in the Geocaching® app.

Many geocachers share their unique finding experience in their logs. Whether the coordinates are a little off or the hint doesn’t match the hide, you can find valuable info in previous logs.

1.4. Ten tips when looking for a cache

  1. Use your intuition
    Your GPS or smartphone only gets you within about 30 feet of the cache location. When you’re close, use your geo-senses to locate the cache.
  2. Look for something that seems out of place
    Caches come in all sizes, shapes, colors. Look under rocks, in tree hollows, under park benches and yes, look in that one spot you’re 100% positive is not the hiding place. Chances are, that’s exactly where the cache is.
  3. Geocaches are often disguised
    As rocks, bricks, bird houses, or other everyday objects, so think outside the (ahem), cache-box.
  4. Think like a detective
    Think, “if I were a geocache, where would I hide?”
  5. Geocaches are never buried
    But they won’t always be on the ground. So...
  6. Search high, search low, search around
    Leave no stone unturned nor park bench unscowered. BUT...
  7. ...Respect your surroundings
    NEVER trample on flower beds, scale walls, or damage property trying to find the cache.
  8. Check the hint
    Many cache pages offer hints that may help you figure out where to look.
  9. Check the latest activity
    Recent logs from other geocachers, or logs from friends that may contain valuable information such as, “I had to look really LOW to find this cache!”
  10. Be patient with yourself
    Developing your geo-senses takes time.

One last tip? Always, always, ALWAYS bring a pen.

1.5. Log a geocache

Find a cache and sign the logbook

Respect the environment and keep the cache area intact. Also, make sure to be stealthy when muggles are around.

  1. Find the cache.
  2. Sign the logbook.
  3. Trade SWAG or trackables.
  4. Put the cache back exactly as you found it.

Tip: Find out what a cache may look like.

Log your find online

Make sure to read the cache page before you post your log. Some cache types have special requirements, and your log may be deleted if you don’t fulfill them. Find out here which log type to use.

On Geocaching.com

  1. Select Log geocache from the top right corner of the cache page.
  2. Select your Log Type and write your log.
  3. Select Post.

On the Geocaching® app

  1. From map view, select the cache information at the bottom of the screen.
  2. Select Log cache.
  3. Select from log types: Found it or Didn't find it.
  4. Write your log.
  5. Select Post in the top right.

Tip: Write more than TFTC. A couple of sentences show the cache owner you appreciate the time and effort it takes to create a cache. But don’t spoil the fun for other cachers by revealing the hide in your log or photo!

Screenshots are from the Geocaching® app on iPhone. It will look slightly different on Android devices.

1.6. Geocachers' Creed

Geocachers’ Creed is designed to orient new players to the ethos of geocaching and guide experienced players in questionable situations so everyone can enjoy the game. It is managed by the geocaching community, without direction from Geocaching HQ.

Geocachers’ Creed

When placing or seeking geocaches, I will:

  1. Not endanger myself or others.
  2. Observe all laws & rules of the area.
  3. Respect property rights and seek permission where appropriate.
  4. Avoid causing disruptions or public alarm.
  5. Minimize my and others’ impact on the environment.
  6. Be considerate of others.
  7. Protect the integrity of the game.

1.7. Geocaching etiquette

We like to keep things fun for everyone, so we have a few rules we encourage everyone to follow.

1.8. Well-stocked geocaching bag

You never know when the urge to geocache will hit, so keep your geocaching bag ready. Here is a list of common items you might find in a well-stocked geocaching bag:

Tip: Not sure what some of these mean? Check out our glossary.

1.9. Signal the Frog®

If you spend a bit of time geocaching, chances are you'll see a frog with an antenna attached to his head. This is Signal the Frog®, the official Geocaching mascot who represents a combination of technology and nature.

Signal is a beloved member of the geocaching community and can be found on geocaching gear, SWAG, trackables, and even has a tracking code. Signal is also known to show up at Mega- or Giga-Events. See where Signal has been lately.

If you want Signal the Frog® to appear at your Mega- or Giga-Event, contact us and select category 15. Events.

1.10. GC Code

Each geocache is assigned a number based on the order in which the cache page is created. You will often see it on the geocache container and the logbook.

URL and GC codes

To find GCK25B, you can enter that GC code into the geocaching search, or type one of two URLs in your browser:

https://www.geocaching.com/geocache/GCK25B
http://coord.info/GCK25B

The history of GC codes

Originally, the Geocaching.com database translated the number of each submission into a hexadecimal code (1-9, A-F).

Example: Beverly is the 40th cache page that was created. 40 in hexadecimal is 28, hence the 40th cache has the GC code GC28.

In April 2003, the database reached the number 65535 (GCFFFF in hexadecimal). This is the highest for a four digit hexadecimal number. The base was changed to 31 code (0-9, A-Z). Waypoints were originally limited to six characters because most GPS units only allow six characters per waypoint.

In December 2006, the database hit 512401 geocache records, which meant that they had reached GCZZZZ, the maximum geocache under base 31. The solution was to extend the GC code to seven digits. GC10000 is now a memorial to the rollover.

Age of a geocache

Most of the time, the lower GC code is, the earlier the geocache page was created. However, geocaches placed before September 2000 were listed on other websites and were entered on Geocaching.com manually. Geocaches were not sequentially entered until players started submitting them directly to Geocaching.com.

Example: GC30 Mingo was placed on May 11, 2000 and is #48 in the database. GC28 Beverly was placed three days later, on May 13, 2000, but is #40 in the database.

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