Wherigo caches are interactive GPS-device based games which are quite a lot of fun. As long as you have a GPS-enabled device, like a smartphone (Apple and Android), a few models of Garmin GPSr or Pocket PC, you will be able to run the catridge. The following is a step-by-step guide on what to do:
- If you have an Apple device, such as an iPad or an iPhone, you can download this free Wherigo app. Android phone users will have to download this (also) free app, called Whereyougo, for their devices. Garmin GPSr should already have the application pre-installed
- Ensure that the Location Services in your device is enabled. This can usually be found in the "Settings > Privacy > Location Services" for Apple devices. Be sure to set it to "On".
- Once the application has been installed, be sure to give it authorisation to log onto your Geocaching Account. This is found somewhere in the app (under "Search" for Wherigo and "Settings > Global" in Whereyougo)
- Download the game catridge from the Wherigo website. It's all completely free, too. You can download it directly into your device, or through an external computer and transfer it later. Once the cartidge is downloaded into your device, just pick "Run with Wherigo/Whereyougo" if prompted, and the cartidge name should appear in the application immediately.
I don't want to spoil the details of quest you will be undertaking, so I can't say very much other than the fact that you ought to turn up at the published coordinates. Once you reach the coords, the WIG should activate and provide you your tasks. Be mindful of the muggles around you, of course, but you should be able to blend it quite naturally. After all, the National Library area is a much visited place by those who seek the treasures of knowledge and you won't be doing anything that looks out of place.
Have fun exploring the areas in and around the wonderful National Library building. If you have any issues, you may read the notes in my other WIG: Poirot meets his Waterloo. If there are any issues with the cartridge, please contact me via the geocaching website, and I will be more than happy to help!
A couple more technical notes related to the WIG:
On the Wherigo download page, you will see an "Unlock" button. The "unlocking" is just the WIG term for completing the cartridge. At the end of the game, you will receive a password from the cartridge and when you input that in the "Unlock" option, you will be able to mark the cartridge as "Completed"on the WIG site.
The game will end (and provide you with the unlock code) once you reach the GZ, at which point you are allowed to log it as found on the WIG site. However, you need to find the physical cache to log it here on the Geocaching site. You need not have to log the cache on both sites, especially if you forgot to take down the unlock code.
The answers to the puzzles are not case-sensitive, and you have unlimited attempts at the answers, but as I have pointed out, you will not be able to see all the text that has appeared before the puzzle.
You can leave the game and close the app at any time, and your progress will be saved. So, if you need to come back another day, you can without having to start the WIG all over at the start. However, I have found that the WIG occasionally crashes on my iPad due to insufficient memory, so if that happens, I advise shutting down any other apps you have running at that time.