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Look for the Unnatural
This is a common cache giveaway that most geocachers (both cache placers and finders) don’t spot. When they hide a cache, most geocachers disturb the area around the cache, but this isn’t all. Geocachers will use materials they find to cover the cache; rocks or tree bark are common. The thing to notice is materials that are out of place — for example, bark from a different tree (this is most noticeable when the wrong bark is used to cover a cache hidden at the base of a tree) or a rock that’s different from the other rocks in the area. Of course, this advice is not going to be of much use to you if the hider is devious and has camouflaged the cache well.
Learn to spot things that are “out of place” and recognize signs of disturbance.
Geocaching Hacks
Now it’s time to look at geocaching GPS hacks. These hacks are designed to get you to the cache quicker and let you spend more time geocaching and less time messing around.
The following sections outline my recommendations, in no particular order.
Go Paper-free
Nothing beats paper-free geocaching. Running around with a GPS in one hand and a sheaf of papers in the other hand not only really slows you down but is totally inefficient. In effect, you are taking data that is in digital format (on the PC) and converting that into an analog format (paper). This means that everything you do from that point on (taking waypoints and loading them onto your PC, decrypting the cache clue, copying waypoints to your GPS, etc.) involves reconverting the data into a digital format (by manually reentering it). This is time-consuming, boring, and prone to human error. Remaining digital is therefore far better.
Here’s how you can do that . . .
First, you need a portable computer. There are numerous kinds incorporating all sorts of features, but they fall into two camps based on operating system:
Microsoft Pocket PC (Windows-based)
Palm
Which is best? Well, that’s a matter of choice, but I have found that I get greater functionality and flexibility with the Pocket PC–driven devices. In addition, they accommodate a greater range of software while I’m on the move.
Once you are paper-free, you will need software to help you geocache. Several programs are available that can help you.
GPXSonar
License: Free
Operating system: Microsoft Pocket PC 2002 and later
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GPXSonar is software written by a geocacher to help other geocachers. It goes well beyond being purely software that enables you to view static cache details (on your Pocket PC 2002 and later). Figure 11-7 shows the interface.
FIGURE 11-7: GPXSonar
GPXSonar is available for free download from http://gpxsonar.homeip.net.
GPXSonar is very useful in the field because it enables you to do so much. Here are just a few of the amazing features of this tool:
It is compatible with files available for download from www.geocaching.com, which means that there is no need to print out web pages before going geocaching!
The application generates dynamic HTML pages containing cache details.
GPXSonar enables you to carry out text searches and apply custom filters (for example, cache type, difficulty, and terrain) to find only the caches in which you are interested.
Hints and clues can be decrypted automatically. This single feature alone is a savior when it’s cold and wet and you are not in the mood to manually decrypt the clue.
It contains a built-in field logbook, so you can electronically log your find for later transcription onto the listing site (the author of the application is currently working on a version that will log the cache automatically when the device is connected).
GPXView
License: Donateware (if you like it, make a donation!)
Operating system: Microsoft Pocket PC 2002 and later
GPXView is a lightweight software application that does a good job of replacing paper when geocaching. The interface is shown in Figure 11-8.
This product is available for download from http://strandberg.org/gpxview.
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FIGURE 11-8: GPXView in action
GPXView enables you to take a listing of geocaches in your area and sorts them based on a variety of parameters (such as difficulty or distance from your current location) and displays the cache that you want (see Figure 11-9).
FIGURE 11-9: You can sort caches based on a number of parameters, such as distance or degree of difficulty.
iSolo
License: Shareware (trial available) and limited-function free version
Operating system: Palm OS and Microsoft Windows, Pocket PC, and Windows CE
iSolo is a document reader that enables you to read files that you create on your PC while on the move. You can’t view geocaching files directly, so you have to use another application to create these files, which makes this system more complicated. If you want to use iSolo, you will also need GPXSpinner to create the appropriate files.
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GPXSpinner is available from www.gpxspinner.com.
You can download a trial version of iSolo from www.isilo.com.
Plan Before You Leave
Being paper-free while on the move is a real bonus, but don’t let that fool you into thinking that you don’t need to plan before you leave. There are tools that can help you do just that.
One really handy tool is the Geocaching Swiss Army Knife (GSAK), shown in Figure 11-10. This application is available as a free download (although there are benefits to registering) from http://gsak.net.
FIGURE 11-10: GSAK in action
GSAK is an amazing program that automates and simplifies a lot of the administrative tasks associated with geocaching:
Work with and combine multiple cache databases.
Import/export data to and from your GPS.
Advanced sorting of geocache lists (see Figure 11-11).
Incorporates the capability to convert geocache locations into data that can be sent to various mapping applications.
Batch processing of important tasks.
Another stage of preparation is planning your geocaching journey, both on and off road. By using an application such as GASK, you can also plot your data using mapping software (such as Microsoft Autoroute, Garmin Mapsource, or many other mapping applications available).
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FIGURE 11-11: GSAK advanced sorting — in this case, alphabetically by geocache name
Figure 11-12 shows one of the most popular mapping tools available, Microsoft AutoRoute.
FIGURE 11-12: Microsoft AutoRoute
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Of course, the GPS makers don’t want to be left out. Figure 11-13 shows MapSource, the software that Garmin recommends.
FIGURE 11-13: Garmin MapSource
With these applications, you can take the data from the geocache listing sites and load them into the mapping application, planning the best route to get from your starting location, and going from geocache to geocache until you are finished.
If you have the right kit, you can plan not only while behind your PC, but also while on the move. Figure 11-14 shows TomTom Navigator, an application well suited for this purpose.
FIGURE 11-14: TomTom Navigator on a Pocket PC