 Take a geocaching "treasure" hunt in Asheville and the North Carolina Mountains. Geocaching is a high-tech treasure hunting game played throughout the world by adventure seekers equipped with GPS devices. The basic idea is to locate hidden containers, called geocaches, outdoors and then share your experiences online. Geocaching is enjoyed by people from all age groups, with a strong sense of community and support for the environment. Asheville Coordinates are 35°34'48”N, 82°33'21”W
What began in 2000 among a few GPS enthusiasts is now a hands-on adventure for more than 750,000 people around the world. More than a half million active "caches" have been hidden in 250+ countries from Antarctica to Egypt to 19,000 feet high on the peaks of Mount Everest. North Carolina is home to more than 11,500 active caches, 75% of those within 100 miles of downtown Asheville. More than 8,700 active geocaches are hidden in both urban and wilderness areas of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Clues and coordinates can be found at geocaching Web sites, like www.geocaching.com. There are 1800+ caches in Asheville listed (search for 28801).
An excursion can fit any time frame-from a couple of hours to a few days. A successful seeker will locate the hidden "cache," usually a small plastic container or a repurposed ammo box filled with a logbook, pen and small trinket. If you wish, exchange a trinket of their own for one from the cache. Caches can be placed anywhere from urban areas to hiking trails to mountaintops.
Geocaching (pronounced geo-cashing) is a worldwide game of hiding and seeking treasure. A geocacher can place a geocache in the world, pinpoint its location using GPS technology and then share the geocache's existence and location online. Anyone with a GPS unit can then try to locate the geocache.
"There are caches that would require you to go on a 14-mile hike in a national forest, and there are caches you can locate while maneuvering a wheelchair around urban environments” says Graeme McGufficke, an Asheville resident and avid geocacher who has placed the world’s second-highest number of caches. “Whatever you’re excited about, it’s here in this area.”
Tips for Geocaching in the Asheville area:
- Register for a free account at geocaching.com.
- Enter Asheville's main zip code 28801 under "Search for geocaches."
- Choose any geocache from the list and click on its name.
- Enter the coordinates of the geocache into your GPS unit.
- Use your GPS unit to assist you in finding the hidden geocache.
- If you take something from the geocache, leave something of equal or greater value.
- Write about your experience in the geocache logbook.
- Return the geocache to its original location.
- Place your geocaching stories and photos online.
- Download a Geocaching Guide published by the North Carolina Mountain Area Geocachers.
- Find a geocache that will meet your immediate goals. Are you looking for a difficult hike or an easy adventure?
- If you're headed out on the trail, pack any needed supplies such as water, food and extra clothing. Bring both a map and a compass. Check geocache terrain and difficulty ratings.
- For safety, let someone know where you are going.
- Do not forget your GPS unit and extra batteries.
- Mark your car as a waypoint to ensure your safe return.
- Be mindful of the environment, practice Cache In Trash Out.
- Bring friends and family with you; sharing the experience can be very rewarding. Pets are usually welcome!
- Remember that distances can be deceiving. A geocache can take longer to find depending on trails, rivers and other obstacles.
- If you are new to geocaching and would like to try it first before buying a lot of equipment, post a note in the NC Mountain Area Geocachers Forum in the section called "Let's Hit the Trail." Many of their members will be happy to take you geocaching with them so you can see how to play and what equipment is used.
Favorite Asheville Area Geocache Hikes
Here are the favorite caches of
John Lynn, the founder of North Carolina Mountain Area Geocachers. According to John, " I enjoy all types of caches, but my favorites are the outdoor adventure caches. There are several that require you to gather your information from cemeteries to find the final and I absolutely love those! It's an education more than anything, and it brings you a little closer to home." Click the links to get the complete details:
Pot O'Gold, Keg O'Brandy - One of the best multiple stage caches out there. Civil War and Revolutionary War graveyards and a killer hike at the end.
God Kissed The Earth And Called It Asheville - Another great multiple stage cache that takes you on a tour of downtown Asheville.
Devil's Courthouse - A somewhat strenuous hike. It's the one hike where, at the end, I felt like I was sitting in the clouds. Awesome! (Read more about Devil's Courthouse)
World's Edge - The views from here are breathtaking. You can see all through Chimney Rock and Lake Lure.
Midnight Moss - This is a cache to be done only at night because you have to follow reflective markers to get to your destination, which is a huge field of moss grown over the rocks that glows in the moonlight. It's like walking on sponge.
Tube Torcher II - I'd say this is the hardest cache I've done. It's only for the strong-willed and mentally deficient folks out there! Needless to say, I've done it! Words cannot describe this cache, but I'll say that you will see places in Asheville that you didn't even know existed by doing this one.
|
