Newbie Guide

The first time you want to go out and find a cache, it can be a bit intimidating. However, we have provided a quick list of things for you to do/review when you want to go out and find a cache.

• Search on geocaching.com for a cache near your home which has a difficulty and terrain rating of less than 2.0. This insures you pick an easy cache as your first outing.
• Try to seek out a “regular” sized container for your first cache as they can be easier to find for folks new to the sport
• Remember that the GPS only leads you to the general area and not the exact spot a cache is hidden. You need to get within 5-10M of the cache, then start looking around. Try and think of where YOU would hide it.
• Many caches in NB are hidden above ground so they are available in the winter but not all caches are hidden this way
• Be sure to decode the hint before going to find the cache. Hints are often very helpful
• If typing the coordinates into your GPS by hand, be sure you have the right coordinates before going anywhere. You’d hate to not find a cache because you typed in the wrong number into your GPS.
• Read the logs of the cache before going out to find it. Make sure it has been found recently to help increase the odds of you finding it.

Many folks that are new to the world of geocaching don’t realize that the process of logging your caches is in some ways as important as going out to find them. Here are some very basic guidelines for logging your caches:

• Logs are meant to share your experience of finding a cache with the owner. Remember that there is an actual person out there that hid that cache for you to find. It’s considered good caching etiquette to thank the owner and share your finding experience
• It’s considered bad etiquette to log a cache with a single word or acronym. Once again, remember that someone on the other end will read these logs. You may not have something spectacular to say for every cache you f ind, but it’s better to put even just a sentence instead of just TFTC!
• Using field notes (available on some GPS models) allow you to upload all of your finds from your GPS to geocaching.com. This can help you track your logs if you have a lot of them in a day.
• Copying and pasting the same log for multiple finds will yield you mixed results from cache owners. Some owners don’t care, and others are annoyed with it. If you are going to C&P, you may want to tack on something unique to the end of each log to make them different.
• Logging is part of the game of geocaching so try your best to log your caches shortly after finding them.

You’ve found some caches and now you want to go hide some. It seems simple but there are a few little guidelines that can help you.

• Although there is no rule for it, it is recommended that you not hide a cache until you have found at least 50-100 of your own caches. There’s a multitude of reasons for this, but the biggest one has to do with experience. Once you have some finds under your belt, you’ll know what makes a good hide vs a bad one.
• All physical caches must be no closer than 161M away from another cache. That is a geocaching.com rule. This applies to ALL cache types including ones you can’t see the finals for on the website.
• Unknown/Puzzle caches, multi’s, and Wherigo’s all have seed/starter coordinates but the physical location is not given on the website. Be aware of where these types of caches might be when choosing to hide a cache
• If unsure, ask a local reviewer (they can be found as the first log on any cache in your area)
• NB  gets a lot of snow. Whenever possible, hide your cache above ground so that it can be found in winter.
• If your GPS supports waypoint averaging, use it when marking the coordinates as it helps to insure accuracy.
• Always make sure your container has a log, and if possible, and label or sticker that says it is a geocache
• NEVER place food in a cache. Animals will find it and destroy it in no time flat

Caches come in a variety of shapes and sizes, but here’s a breakdown of the sizes, and the most typical types of containers for that size:

• Micro – This is the smallest sized cache currently available. They typically only have a log inside and can be hidden just about anywhere. Micros include 35mm canisters, magnetic key holders, small plastic water samplers, and any other sort of small container that would fit in the palm of your hand. Nanos are also considered a micro.
• Small – A small container is usually just a bit larger than a micro. It usually holds a log sheet and is sometimes large enough to hold small traders. Small lock-n-locks, Altoids tins, and other similar sized containers would be considered small.
• Regular – A regular sized container is a normal sized cache which can hold many traders/trackables, as well as a full log book and typical a pen or pencil. Peanut butter jars, tobacco cans, lock-n-locks, and ammo cans are typical regular containers.
• Large – Any container that is larger than a 50cal ammo can is usually considered a large in size. 18L buckets and other larger containers would fall under this category
• Unspecified – As the name implies, the owner does not want you to know the size of the container so this type is chosen. Some owners will use this size for nanos as they feel nanos are smaller than micros.

Trackable items are sometimes found in a cache. They are not swag items and are meant to move from cache to cache. Here’s a few things to know about trackables:

• Trackables are not meant to be kept. They belong to someone else and are meant to travel from cache to cache. If you pick one up, you need to log it online much the same way you log a cache
• From here you can enter the trackables tracking code and then log the trackable. In most cases you select “Retrieve” if you obtained it from a cache, otherwise you can use the Grab option
• You can “discover” trackables which is basically a way of saying you have seen a particular trackable but didn’t take it
• When you place a trackable in a cache, be sure to “drop it” in the cache when you log your find. You will see a list of all the trackables in your inventory at the bottom of the logging page on a cache.
• Many trackables have specific missions so if you can help move a trackable along on it’s mission, please do.
• Trackables want to move, not stay in one place. If you can’t help a trackable’s mission, drop it in a cache anyway and someone else can pick it up and move it. Trackables would rather move in any direction vs staying in one place too long.
• It’s considered bad form to place a trackable into a cache that rarely gets found. The trackable then becomes “stranded” until someone else finds it. Try to drop them in caches that get finds often.

Geocaching also has it’s own little world of caching software. Here’s a list of software applications used for geocaching:

• GSAK (Geocaching Swiss Army Knife) – Considered the end-all be-all of software for geocaching. An extremely powerful Windows based application which does anything and everything geocaching related. Not a good starter app for new users.
• EasyGPS – A simple application for Windows that allows you to do basic geocaching tasks
• Mapsource / Basecamp – Garmin specific tools used for manipulating maps and cache data on your Garmin GPS
• c:Geo – Considered to be the best geocaching app for Android devices
• Geosphere – An iPhone app used for geocaching on the iPhone
• There is also an official geocaching.com app for the iPhone and Android

An aspect of geocaching that gets overlooked by many new users is the fact that geocaching events are being held all the time.

Geocachers may love to find caches, but they also like to get together and talk about geocaching. Many local events are held on a regular basis to get cachers together to just sit back and socialize.

In NB alone, there are typically monthly breakfasts held in Moncton, Fredericton, and Saint John. Along with those breakfasts, there are many other types of events that pop up from time to time. Here’s a list of some of the more notable events in NB:

• The Ice Walk – A yearly event held in Grand Digue where cachers cross the Shediac Bay to Shediac Island. There are many caches on the island and this is a yearly event which has many cachers coming together to hike the island or just sit back and enjoy the conversation at Ma & Pa’s home.
• Bye Bye Winter Bash – Held in Fredericton every year, this event kicks off the spring season. It’s also where the winners of the NB winter contest is typically announced.
• Fundy – In cooperation with Parks Canada, a yearly hike for new caches is organized in the national park once a year. Those who find all of the caches hidden are able to obtain a free Fundy geocoin.
• Moncton’s Race For Cache – Moncton’s largest event occurs every August. Based on the TV show “The Amazing Race”, cachers are put into teams and race around the city finding clues and scoring points trying to win the race every year. The finish line consists of a big potluck BBQ for everyone to enjoy.

All events in the province that are official geocaching events are always listed on our calendar. The calendar is also viewable along the right hand side of any page when on Cache Up NB. You can also see events at the top of the “Newest In NB” listing on geocaching.com.