Geocaching – The Search for Gold Doubloons

My last couple of blogs have been very walking oriented and this one is probably the same, but I do want to emphasise that walking isn’t just something I do for fun, nor is it something frivolous that I think you should do when you’re bored.  Walking really is beneficial to your health in so many ways.

Being outside exposes us to Vitamin D, and we all know how good that is at the moment, to negative ions that help us to combat the effects of free radicals. It helps to lessen anxiety, helps us get more sleep, improves focus, gives you better immunity, I mean the list is endless really.  Under the current circumstances being outside is almost vital to both our mental and physical wellbeing so why wouldn’t you want to do it?

Walking is boring

I’ve heard people tell me walking is boring, there’s nothing to look at in my city, where’s the point, I just get tired and my mind wanders, and I get it.  Its not always easy to shut off and sometimes being outside on your own, because let’s face it half the time we aren’t allowed near other people at the moment, can cause you more anxiety than being inside, but that daily dose of ourdoorsyness will do wonders in the long run so don’t write it off just yet.  There’s always something to do.

Those of you paying special attention may have noticed I mentioned geocaching in a previous blog, but I didn’t elaborate so I thought now was as a good a time as any to fill you all in if you are one of the uninitiated.  So, what is this geo whatsit you speak of?

What is Geocaching?

Back in May 2000 when the GPS network became freely available a man from Oregon hid a bucket and posted its whereabouts using co-ordinates on a web forum.  Within days it had been found twice and the idea of geocaching took off.  Since then, people have been hiding small containers all over the world and posting the whereabouts on forums and websites sometimes with clues and sometimes just direct co-ordinates, and millions of people have been searching for them.  As technology improved and apps became available sites such as geocaching.com grew and thrived and the hobby of geocaching was born. 

A geocache consists of a watertight container with a logbook inside that once you find it you sign, to prove you were there, and log it in your geocaching app, of which there are now several available.  Often larger caches contain small items or trinkets of no particular value, which you are encouraged to take and to replace with something of your own thus spreading a whole bunch of useless items all over the world.  All you need is a phone with GPS and off you go.

Why is it useful?

Why am I rambling about it now?  Because it takes some of the boredom out of walking.  Going out with the aim of hunting down some hidden treasure, even if it is just a jar with a couple of plastic dinosaurs in it, makes your walk infinitely more interesting.  As a species we humans have been fascinated by buried treasure for centuries.  Whether its hidden pirate treasure chests or the lost gold of the Incas we are obsessed.  Well, you may not find any gold doubloons buried in your neighbourhood but it’s the thrill of the chase that’s important right?

What’s more if you have kids, get them involved too.  Make it a family affair why don’t you.  Its fun for all ages, really its fun, I promise.  Couple your hunt for small plastic toys with your activity tracker and your Strava account and before you know it, you’re hitting 10,000 steps everyday with a thought.  Who doesn’t want that?

Since the birth of the geocache, which really grew from the game of letterboxing (google it, what am I, your PA?)  we have seen a rise in augmented reality games like Pokémon Go, and the Harry Potter one (can’t remember what that’s called, sorry potheads) which are basically a fully digitised version of a geocache although in my honest opinion nowhere near as much fun. 

The point though is that all these activities have the same benefit, they force you outside into the real world where there is fresh air, negative ions, and vitamin D.  So, if you find walking a bit boring and need a challenge hop over to geaocaching.com and see for yourself how you can become a treasure hunter.  However old you are, there’s a child inside you that wants to pretend they are Indiana Jones or Lara Croft in search of something special.  Go forth my friends, be the adventurer you were born to be.

Until next time….

S ?