GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. — Two men looking for geocaches ended up also finding two women trapped in sand and debris. Roy Joseph and Paul Fox went geocaching last week in what’s called the Delores Triangle area, south of Grand Junction on the Colorado-Utah border.
Geocaching is a high-tech version of hide-and-seek where people use GPS devices to find some “caches” of treasures hidden outdoors.
Joseph said they found the first geocache, then a second.
The area was muddy because of heavy rain, and Joseph said he and Fox even talked about not wanting to get stuck in the mud.
“We were going to turn around to look for a third geocache when we decided to drive on down to the river,” said Joseph.
“As we came over a hill, here’s this Dodge van,” said Joseph. “It had towels covering the windshield.”
“I’m telling Paul, ‘This doesn’t look right, but we’ve got to check it out,’” said Joseph.
Joseph said when he and Fox drove up to the van, a woman got out, said “Thank God,” and starting crying.
The woman and her elderly mother got stuck on a drive last Sunday afternoon. They both had health problems and couldn’t push the van out of the sand and debris. Joseph and Fox found them two days later.
“You could tell the mother was dehydrated, and they didn’t have any water or food, ” said Joseph.
Joseph gave the women water and Fox gave the women lunch. Then the men used a tow strap to get the women out of the ravine.
Joseph said there was a lot of debris around the van’s front tires from the recent rain.
“If there had been more rain and runoff, it would have been more serious,” said Joseph. “Just down ravine, the creek dropped down into a bigger canyon.”
Joseph and Fox followed the women back to a main intersection and made sure the women could get back to town.
“They were nice ladies and really appreciative of us helping them,” said Joseph.
Joseph is a long-time off-road driver and spoke from experience when he warned casual drivers to take precautions.
“While it was great that they were out exploring the great outdoors and the beautiful areas we have in Western Colorado, there are things to do to be safe and lower the risk of something serious happening,” he said.
“Know your limits and your vehicle’s limits and don’t go beyond them,” said Joseph. “Go prepared, take extra water, food and blankets. Tell someone where you are going or at least the general direction and when you should be back. It would be best to go with someone else in another vehicle.
Games in the past have focused on world exploration. Some managed to make it an entertaining experience.
While a noble and workable endeavor, something always seems to get lost when developers try to cram a big, beautiful world into an electronic device. It’s similar to how playing Madden or Rock Band isn’t quite the same as playing real football or playing with a real band. While not everyone wants to get tackled by a 250-pound linebacker, and even fewer would admit to actually wanting to be in Nickleback, going outside to see the planet is considered a consistently wholesome and enjoyable experience.
With the evolution of GPS technology, there is now a way to flip the original concept and take a game of exploration, out into the world. Geocaching, simply put, is an activity where players search for hidden containers through the use of coordinates. A logbook inside the cache is then signed — and perhaps some light trading of trinkets goes on — before seekers report back to the Geocaching website with their finds.
More than a million geocaches currently exist across the globe, and the growing number of GPS-enabled devices makes it easier than ever to participate. Oh, yes, there are apps for that.
But could this be a “game” that gamers would actually enjoy? Sure, gadgets are involved, but the majority of action is organically powered. Does enough appeal exist within geocaching to attract an ilk stereotypically known for shunning the sun and any tree not named Yggdrasil? That, of course, relies solely upon one’s own temperament, but it’s worth noting where games culture and cache culture can collide.
A Real-life HUD
If you’ve ever used a map in an FPS, tried the treasure-hunting aspects of games like Wind Waker and Dragon Quest 9 or simply pointed Pac-Man toward the nearest power pellet, then you already know how to find a geocache with a GPS device. Even with the most rudimentary units, entering coordinates will place an X on your screen that you must reach; and as in many games, the straightest route may not be the easiest. A keen eye for one’s surroundings is essential to the experience; not only to keep you from being killed, but many times the hider wants you to check out some awesome or unique spots, as well. However, once you reach the site of a cache, you still have to actually locate it — this is sometimes easier said than done.
Stealth Required
Geocaching has steadily grown in popularity since its humble beginnings in 2000, but that doesn’t mean everyone is privy to the quest. Geocachers dub those not in the know “Muggles” (although they’d probably prefer to go by “non-dorks”). Since Muggles have been known to take caches or, in some “Whoopsie-doodle!” cases, mistake them for bombs, an inconspicuous touch is often urged with caches in more populated areas. This means occasionally pretending your GPS receiver is a cell phone, or acting like a photo-taking tourist, but gamers are free to employ whatever methods feel most comfortable to them.
Many cachers like to increase the chances of keeping their caches safe through clever disguise. Look for fake pine cones, decoy electrical covers, and out-of-place birdhouses, among a myriad of other hiding places. It’s a secret to everyone.
Stats and Collectibles
Geocachers who tell you “It’s not about the numbers,” are soft-spoken, well-meaning, salt-of-the-earth liars. There are state, national, and worldwide rankings based on numbers of finds and hides. Programs can be downloaded to sort your geocaching grandeur by difficulty rating, types discovered, distance traveled, and heights conquered. Some programs even give out their own badges for you to waggle about on your profile just like every other “humble” geocacher.
For Pokemon-crazed completionists who want something more tangible, there’s a whole world of shiny metal “geocoins” that can be discovered, purchased, traded, and collected. A number of local governments and organizations have begun to offer their own geocoins to those who complete certain finds or tasks. Unfortunately for now, the Mario “bling” noise upon nabbing them must be self-supplied.
Conventions
As with any other cult-like group of people who squint intently at screens, geocachers frequently gather in groups ranging from standard “events” where 20 or so may have some pizza, to “mega events” where up to 5,000 cachers storm a farm outside Seattle. Mega events have much of what gaming conventions have, including vendors, swag, activities and panels. The cosplay isn’t so hot, though, as the only real options are to wrap yourself in camo-patterned duct tape or dress like mascot Signal the Frog.
Indie Development
If geocaching shares one undesirable tenet with gaming, it’s that a lot of what amounts to “shovelware” exists in the form of caches mindlessly shoved under lamppost covers or stuck to guardrails. As with video games, geocaches benefit greatest when placed by people with the true vision and knowledge to craft an adventurous and satisfying experience.
It also helps if they’re actual video game designers:
Richard Garriott — Lord British himself — has placed a few geocaches in his time, most notably the lowest (bottom of the ocean) and highest (International Space Station) in the world — er, universe, I suppose. A cache you actually have a chance of finding is “Necropolis of Britannia Manor III,” but you’ll want to reserve a chunk of time for this one. In proper adventuring fashion, Garriott has placed his cache at the end of a long series of puzzles, riddles, and travails across his property. It’s a geeky quest of glory that geocachers eat right up, and may be the closest you’ll ever get to living a point-and-click adventure.
Like any good video game, the journey itself should be more rewarding than the end. There are plenty more geocaches out there with the purpose of challenging one’s intelligence, problem-solving skills, creativity, or pure endurance, and it doesn’t require the budget of Lord British to forge something people will remember. For those who enjoy molding the experiences of other players, gaming and geocaching intersect here.
A General Get Together to Celebrate Bonfire Night.
In 1605, thirteen young men planned to blow up the Houses of Parliament. Among them was Guy Fawkes, Britain’s most notorious traitor. For 405 years, bonfires have burned on November 5th to
mark the failed Gunpowder Plot.
The event will be held at 330 Cormier village rd, at the above coordinates.
Remember, remember, the 5th of November
The Gunpowder Treason and plot ;
I know of no reason why Gunpowder Treason
Should ever be forgot.
This is an event to get together and discuss geocaching, while enjoying the company of cachers and whomever else decides to show up!
Growing up in Newfoundland, Nov 5th was always a big day, we’d haul in wooden boats, trees, tires, basically anything that would burn.
We’d start around September 1st, and go until Nov. 5th, and that night, we’d set it all ablaze with a “Guy” thrown on for good measure and watch it burn!
This event is a strictly BYOB/ETC event. Ie, bring marshmallows for the kiddies, and anything you’d like for yourself
Wieners for SpiderDogs are a good idea.
The Event starts at dusk, once we feel we have enough people we’ll light the bonfire.
Read below (courtesy of bonfirenight.net), for more details about the history and tradition associated with the night.
Location based services like Foursquare and Gowalla are hot because they provide an interesting intersection between geography and online social networking. A far older activity that also blends technology and geography is the sport of geocaching.
Geocaching involves using a GPS device to find hidden containers (called “caches”) that contain items left by other players. You find these caches, sign the logbook inside, and can opt to take something from it as long as you leave something behind. So, think of it as a high tech treasure hunt! Interested? Read on to see how easy it is to get into the sport of geocaching!
What You Need
While you can use old school tools like a map and compass, one of the most accessible ways to get into geocaching is to use a GPS enabled device. These include units made by Garmin, Magellan, or Tom Tom as well as the GPS enabled smartphones that I’m sure many readers already own. The next item you’ll need is a list of caches. You can register for a free Basic Membership at www.geocaching.com which gives you access to listings of caches based on your postal code. It’s also a good idea to buy a few trinkets that you can leave in the caches you find.
How to Do It
After you pick a cache to find, enter its coordinates into your GPS device. This will show you a map with the location of the cache. Make your way to the cache keeping in mind that you probably won’t be able to follow a straight line to it. More than likely there will be obstacles like trees, bodies of water, or other impassable terrain. You’ll have to figure out the best path to successfully find the cache which is part of the fun of geocaching! Once you get to the general area of the cache, find the container, open it, and enter your name and date into the log. If you decide to take something from the cache, make sure you leave something behind in its place. Some people also update their Facebook and Twitter pages with pictures of their find.
Using Apps
There are several apps that can help you find caches. The built in maps that come with most smartphones allow you to input the longitude and latitude coordinates that determine a cache’s position. Geocache.com has an official iPhone app called Geocaching that costs $9.99. You can try a free version called Geocaching Intro that limit you to finding three caches. An Android version is planned for Q3 of 2010. Both apps provide a map that shows your present location and the spot where the cache is hidden. They also provide a compass that points toward the position of the cache and your distance from it.
Why It’s Fun
Geocaching is a sport that challenges you to navigate difficult terrain to find each cache. It’s also great exercise because you often have to hike several hundred meters during your search. You can also find previously unknown parts of your community. For example, while looking for a cache, I found a beautiful lake and picnic area that I didn’t know existed in a state forest that is less than a half mile from my house. There is also a social aspect to the game that grows as you find more caches, read the log books stored inside, and meet other people who are geocaching.
Geocaching is a great way to get some exercise, engage in a mental challenge, and explore different parts of your community. If you already have a GPS enabled device, then the investment is minimal and the rewards are great!
A Calgary man has dibs on one of the most dangerous and interesting geocache finds in the city: a bomb.
Michael Cook, 24, discovered the Second World War military ordnance on Saturday when he was out at the Glenmore Reservoir.
“It was partially under a rock, partially submerged,” said Cook about the half-meter long weapon from the past.
“I pulled it up and held it in my hand before putting it on a rock.”
Cook explained that when geocaching, a treasure-hunting game using a GPS device, you never know what you’re going to find — but he never expected a bomb. However, he knew what he was holding, thanks to his training in identifying military ordnance.
“Some of the guys in my unit think it’s interesting,” said the reservist with the 41st Combat Engineer Regiment out of the Northeast Armoury.
“They never expected to call in or discover a military ordnance this side of Afghanistan.”
Cook noted he was on the south side of the reservoir, about 1.5 kilometres west of the Glenmore Sailing Club. He called 911 immediately and the Calgary Police Service tactical team was soon on the scene.
Police sources said the ordnance didn’t need to be detonated and are thankful Cook told them about the object. Cook noted he did everything matter-of-factly, but after the event he was a little shaken.
“If that (military ordnance) had been unstable or live and active, I could not be here today,” he said. “I got lucky and now it’s a cool story.”
The electrical engineer-in-training added he’ll be back at the reservoir on the weekend to find what he was actually looking for.
As for the bomb, it’s a mystery how it got to the lake. Tom Doucette, executive director with The Military Museums, said there wasn’t any training on the banks of the Glenmore Reservoir during the Second World War.
However, he did note the Weaselhead area, west of the reservoir, was once used for training manoeuvres.
Teachers are using geocaching to take their lesson plans out of the classroom and into the real world. Students learn about GPS technology, navigation, spatial concepts, math and more through geocaching. Watch how one teacher from Texas employees geocaching to educate her students about science. The Lost & Found video takes you along during a typical school day as Mrs. Burford’s elementary school class learns through geocaching.
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