Asheville Coordinates: 35°34'48”N, 82°33'21”W
Intro to Geocaching
Not all those who wander are lost. And lots of folks have been recently exploring the Blue Ridge Mountains through the popular, high-tech craze of geocaching. What began in 2000 among a few Global Positioning System (GPS) enthusiasts is now a hands-on adventure for more than 750,000 people around the world. In Western North Carolina, travelers are trekking through some of the most beautiful woodlands and even downtown Asheville to discover caches (pronounced like "cash") hidden by other geocachers. Embark on the ultimate geocaching adventure and travel through Asheville to see what lies hidden in these hills.
What is Geocaching?
Geocaching is a modern version of orienteering utilizing handheld GPS units. An excursion can fit any time frame – from a couple of hours to a few days. Caches exist in urban areas and in places that require a bit more work (and a sense of adventure) to find. Coordinates can be found online at geocaching Web sites, such as www.geocaching.com, or are discovered through solving clues after searching throughout an area. If you want more info, check out our Q&A with Asheville area geocacher "OzGuff" - he's hidden the second most caches in the world.
How did this craze begin?
Immediately following the U.S. government's removal of a satellite scramble that limited civilian GPS unit accuracy in 2000, one GPS fanatic began creating quests using longitude and latitude coordinates and caches. Caches are located through many different avenues and can be as small as film canisters or as large as water-proof ammunition boxes. Once a geocacher arrives at a cache, they sign a log, take a ‘prize’ from the cache and then leave one behind. They then place the cache back where it was hidden and venture on to find the next one.
Who can participate?
It’s an activity for all ages and any group size from a few friends to an entire family. Individual cachers compare it to golf as it is a competition with yourself. Families find it to be the perfect opportunity to engage children with challenging obstacles while handling technological devices outdoors. And, as families increasingly desire to stay ‘wired’ on vacation with mp3 players, cell phones and digital cameras, GPS units allows electronic gadgets to reconnect families with nature.
Map It Out
Geocachers may also want to consult a topographic map while on adventures. GPS units will tell you where to go, but they will not tell you what may be in the way of getting there, such as a gorge or river. Topographic maps can help determine the best route to take to reach the cache.
Geocaching in National Parks
Currently it is illegal to place a cache on National Park Service land without obtaining permission. Contact the park first to obtain a special permit or learn about sites designated for geocaching. It’s suggested to follow the basic rules of the park and hide the cache in a manner that causes minimal impact to the land. Geocaching in wilderness areas is discouraged as the landscape is especially fragile and protected to ensure minimal human impact.
How do I get started?
Handheld GPS units can be purchased at just about any store that sells electronics, and can even be found for less than $100. To get going, check out this list of the Top Geocaches in the Asheville Area.
Interactive Asheville |
|
. |
|
. |
|
. |
|
. |
|
