You can volunteer your services via the geocaching website (under the "Community" tab).
The most found Geocache is GC189E5: 'Prague Bridges 1 -Karluv most'. The cache has over 26,000 finds to date, compared to the Geocaching HQ which has under 12,000.
The geocache with the most 'favorites' is currently GC13Y2Y 'Lego - einer ist zuviel' which has over 7,000 favorite points.
A GPS enabled device such as a smart phone or a handheld GPS and a pen to sign the log with.
Most seasoned cachers will also carry a pair of tweezers (for nano caches where the log is difficult to remove) and a torch for looking in hidey holes.
T.F.T.C. means "Thanks for the cache." It's a way for geocachers to thank the person who placed the cache.
A geocache is typically a small box or item hid on public or private land, usually with trinkets and a log book. The geocache is the object of a "treasure hunt" that is found by following clues that include GPS coordinates and landmarks.
Geocaching is a recent sport that can be accomplished with or without a GPS, but usually requires one, or a person very astute at following a terrain map and compass. The object is to gather as many geocaches in your log book as you can, the harder and more remote or specialized the better.
When the Geocache is located, it is logged, sometimes pictures taken of the location and occasionally trinkets are exchanged for other trinkets in the cache location or box.
The best geocache boxes I have found are waterproof containers that have been sufficiently camoflaged or hidden in old logs, under rocks or in high grass and other areas. There are also underwater geocaches and even historical landmark geocaches such as statues, special locations, builings or bridges. However the typcial geocache is the small box as described above. Those hiding geocaches must receive permission from the land owner before placing an object.
There are geocaching clubs and groups. Do a search on Geocache or Geocaching on any of the internet search engines for more information.
Look online for any garmin or magellan. Garmin Oregon is my pick
A 'Trackable' is an item that you can put in a geocache, the item has a unique code that other members can use to log the fact they've found it. As the name suggests, trackables can be tracked and cachers can move them from place to place.
Geocaching is about the environment, with the CITO (Cache In Trash Out) campaign, Earthcaches (to raise awareness of the earth) and an overall attitude of respect for nature, any action that would damage the environment is a huge no-no. Not to mention, most handheld GPS devices are only accurate to 10-30 feet, so you'll end up with cachers digging holes everywhere.
Your geocaching account is the account you create when you register at Geocaching.com (There are other geocaching websites but this is the website that most people use).
There isn't a universally recognised 'Hardest Geocache'. Since the difficulty ratings for caches only go up to 5, there are thousands of caches at this rating.
There are definitely some very difficult geocaches such as GC1C21 which is hidden at an altitude of 1910 meters and requires some serious gear and mountaineering experience to retrieve or GC7584 which has one DNF and NO finds since it was published 13 years ago.
Log in to the Geocaching website and then click your username in the top right hand corner. Then select the 'Your Friends' option from the 'Quick View' menu. From there you will have the option to add friends, manage existing friends and view pending friend requests.
A difficulty rating tells you how hard it is to find a cache. A terrain rating tells you how hard it is to get there. 1 star means easy access. 3 is hard, sometimes dangerous. 5 means you need additional equipment like rope or a boat to reach the cache.
There are plenty of potential geocaching hazards, but which ones are likely depends on the area you are in. Regardless of where you geocache, bring enough water and mark the location of your car, and the location where you leave a trail. The number one hazard is getting lost.
Be careful where you reach with your hands in search of a cache. Always check to see if you're not grabbing at a spider or snake or some other creepy crawly.
If you are in a wooded area or an area with a lot of loose rocks or near deep ravines, watch your steps. You don't want to fall.
Cache with a group or at least tell someone where you're going so if you're in trouble, help will arrive for you.
Most importantly, use common sense. Don't go looking for caches in caves if you have no caving experience, don't go crossing a lake if you don't know how to swim.
SL means 'Signed Log': When a cacher finds a geocache, they sign the paper logbook (if there is one) and writes SL when they log their find on the website.
I think you type in coordinates and its logged thats how I do it.
Probably because there are not enough questions about it, or because nobody has requested the category.
TFTC: Thanks for the cache.
Used by geocachers to thank a cache owner for placing or maintaining the cache.
TNLN: Took nothing, left nothing.
When a geocacher finds a cache but does not take or leave anything.
FTF: First to find.
The first geocacher to find a new (or old and very tricky) cache.
TB: Travelbug
An item that can be tracked from cache to cache using the geocaching website.
CITO: Cache in, Trash out.
Part of an environmental campaign, where cachers litter pick while caching/placing a cache.
When a geocache has a line through it like this: geocache, this means that the cache has been archived or temporarily disabled by the cache owner (CO) or a community reviewer. When a cache has been archived or disabled, it should not be looked for.
Archiving and disabling can happen for a number of reasons, such as:
The purpose of the merit badge is to allow you to explore and understand the subject. In order to complete the merit badge you need to do some research. Resources are:
If the sat nav allows the input of waypoints and has enough battery power to get to the cache locations, you shouldn't have too much trouble. However the accuracy of a sat-nav will not be anywhere near as good as that of a handheld GPS designed for hiking.