Geo-caching around Hook Norton

Geo-caching is a great way to explore the countryside, enjoy the outdoors, visit places you would never normally think to explore.It’s especially good for families as kids love it. Best of all, it’s FREE once you’ve bought a GPS (Global Positioning System) from about 20,and once you start, it’s extremely addictive!

What is geo-caching?

Hidden throughout the countryside all over the world are tens of thousandsof ‘secret treasure boxes’. They are hidden in publicly accessible places by “geo-cachers”who then record the location of their stash using a GPS device (much like a hand held sat-nav), andthen they add these details to a huge website called geocaching.com

‘Geo-caching’ is using your GPS to find these hidden boxes of ‘treasure’. Once you have loaded your GPS with the co-ordinates which you will find on the geocaching.com website,your GPSwill guide you to the exact spot.

Once you are in the right spot (the GPS will guide to you within 10 feet of the cache), you then need to start looking for it! The ‘treasure’ may be hidden inside a tree or abush orunder a rock. It could be buried under a small pile of wood or even inside a post. Sometimes the cache is a tupperware boxwhilst others are much smaller – the size of a pen lid!

All caches are rated according to their difficulty in terms of terrain to get there, size and difficulty to find.

Inside each cache you will find a ‘visitor book’ (could be small roll of paper if the cache is very small) where you can add your name, date and a comment. Some of the larger caches can also containsmall gifts left by previous geo-cachers. The rule is, you can take one of these items as long as you put something in of your own to replace it!

How do I get started?

First of all you need a GPS unit. You can buy one of these for about 20 on ebay or a new one costsfrom 50 on websites likeAmazon. It is also best to have an Ordnance Survey map of the area- your GPS will often point you towards the cache but between you andthe cache could be a valley or a lake!

Click here to find all the Geocaches around Hook Norton

Have fun!