Over the past 10 years there is a new game being played in Fayette County and around the world.
It is called Geocaching.
It’s a GPS/Web-based treasure hunt where people hide containers and others look for them via GPS or a smart phone.
Geocachers commonly say they are using multi-million dollar satellites to find Tupperware in the woods.
Currently, there are over 2.5 million geocaches around the world and over six million people looking for them.
As of November, there were roughly 1,000 geocaches in the Fayette County area and over 200 local residents, and frequently visitors, looking for them.
The local residents run the gambit from retired to families, police officers to firefighters. Pilots, runners, cyclists and more also participate.
It’s about being outside and enjoying the “hunt.”
Geocaches are hidden in everyday locations.
Each location is a point of reference for future geocaches.
The downside of the game is that there are a lot of people who do not know how to play properly.
Some often find the cache and steal or vandalize the container.
Geocachers call these people “Muggles,” in reference to Harry Potter.
Participants try to replace an item as quickly as possible because it can be discouraging spending 30 to 40 minutes trying to find a cache that is missing.
Occasionally, people bump into police officers during the game, but most know about the game and many either play or can point participants in the right direction.
To play the game, go to Geocaching.com and sign in as a basic member. There are two ways to play: premium (a $30 annual membership) and basic (free).
An iPhone or Android will get you started.
There is a free app, as well, but it’s well worth the $10 to pay for the official app.
Participants don’t have to have a smart phone or a GPS, just have a desire to try it out. Sometimes it can take over an hour to find the first one, but as they say, the hook was set.
One participant, who goes by the name PTCDOGWALKERS, has over 1,600 finds and over 100 caches hidden.
There are several who have over 10,000 finds both in the U.S. and internationally.
There are hundreds of caches to find in the local area, even as a basic member.
PTCDOGWALKERS went on a cruise in 2013 and found five caches in Cozumel, 10 caches on Grand Cayman and one cache in Falmouth, Jamaica.
Visit geocaching.com for more information.
