| There are many uses for GPS, ranging from the | | | | finding the first cache reveals the location of the next, |
| traditional role for hikers who don't want to wander off | | | | until the actual cache with the treasure is found. Some |
| the map to more technical issues like getting a rough | | | | caches require solving a puzzle to determine the |
| location for new construction before the surveyors | | | | actual coordinates. Reverse caching involves seeking |
| show up. | | | | out some type of object or location, such as a |
| A growing use is Geocaching. A box of items is | | | | schoolhouse, and sending back a picture and |
| stowed somewhere and GPS coordinates are placed | | | | coordinates. There are even webcam caches, where |
| on the internet. Others will then seek out the cache | | | | you are required to find webcams in public locations |
| and remove some of the items, replacing them with | | | | and get your picture taken on the cam as proof. |
| their own choices. There are more specialized subsets | | | | There are many websites that provide locations, |
| of the hobby. Items in a cache might include pictures, | | | | advice and rules on geocaching. Geocachers have to |
| toys or trinkets of little actual value. A logbook will be | | | | follow several rules for safety and convenience. For |
| present so the geocacher can record the date and | | | | instance, when geocachers are too obvious in their |
| time the cache is found. | | | | activities, they occasionally get reported to the police. |
| Geocaching builds on traditions for Letterboxing, a 150 | | | | At least once geocache has been blown up by the |
| year old tradition in which the box is hidden with clues | | | | bomb squad since it was in an old ammunition can. It is |
| in a story. These contained a logbook and a stamp, | | | | also common for poorly hidden caches to be found |
| and the Letterboxer would carry a stamp and logbook. | | | | and cleaned out by those not taking part in the sport, a |
| When the letterbox was found, the stamp in the box | | | | process called "muggling" from the Harry Potter books. |
| would be used on the seeker's logbook and the | | | | There are several sites recording geocaching |
| seeker's stamp would be used on the logbook in the | | | | information, and some of those are not fully |
| letterbox. | | | | cooperative with some of the others. The more |
| In 2000 the GPS Stash Hunt was created. The name | | | | specialized types of geocaching are controlled by |
| was quickly changed to GPScaching or geocaching. | | | | bodies such as the Geological Society of America. |
| One variation is the travel bug or Geocoin, which has | | | | There are many options for free access to geocache |
| its own logbook and is moved as people find it and its | | | | sites, but there are others which require paid |
| movement from cache to cache recorded. Some | | | | memberships. These may be because of generally |
| caches are short term, intended only for use during a | | | | higher quality treasures or more interesting locations. |
| specific event. Some caches are sequenced, so that | | | | |