N 39 47.457 W - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

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What is Geocaching? • Treasure Hunting for GPS Users • Cache (The Hidden Treasure) • The Players (Geocachers) • Hiding Caches • Finding Caches • The Tools of the Sport • GPS, Maps, Compass • Access to the Web • Stash Items

Cache Types • Traditional Cache • Sizes • Themes • Traveling Caches • Multi-Cache (Caches multiple stages) • Virtual Cache (Required by NPS) • Event Cache (Geocaching Meetings) • Webcam • Locationless Caches (Mason/Dixon) • Active vs.. Archived

What’s In the Cache? • Geocaching Stash Note • Log Book • Pen/Pencil • Possible Prizes • Cash, Toys, Tools, Outdoors Equipment, Batteries, Compasses, Whistles, Flashlights, Geocacher’s Card • Disposable Camera • Travel Bugs • Coordinates to the next cache segment.

Stash Note GEOCACHE SITE - PLEASE READ Congratulations, you've found it! Intentionally or not! What is this hidden container sitting here for? What the heck is this thing doing here with all these things in it? It is part of a worldwide game dedicated to GPS (Global Positioning System) users, called Geocaching. The game basically involves a GPS user hiding "treasure" (this container and its contents), and publishing the exact coordinates so other GPS users can come on a "treasure hunt" to find it. The only rules are: if you take something from the cache, you must leave something for the cache, and you must write about your visit in the logbook. Hopefully, the person that hid this container found a good spot that is not easily found by uninterested parties. Sometimes, a good spot turns out to be a bad spot, though.

How Many Caches Exist? As January 5, 2003 38,084 active caches in 156 countries

Where Are They Located?

Caches in the United States

Density of Caches per State

Caches in Pennsylvania

South Central PA

How to Find a Cache? • Look up cache locations on Web http://www.geocaching.com • Search by Zip Code area, • Cache Name, • Waypoint, • Nearby caches • Read and Print out Cache Sheet • Mark the cache Waypoint in the GPS

Sample Cache List

What to Take? • Take GPS, Laptop, Maps, Pen, Camera • Bring proper Clothing, Footwear • Bring Something to place in Cache • Safety Items • First Aid Kit, • Whistle, • Compass, • Batteries, • Flashlight, • Orange Vest/Hat during hunting Season

The GPS Receiver (Garmin eTrex Vista) • Global Positioning System • Satellite Reception • Navigation/ Compass • Maps • Trip Computer • Altimeter • Mark or Find Waypoints • Tracks and Routes • Sight & Go Feature • Accessories

The GPS Satellite System • First Satellite in 1978 • 24 Satellites by 1994 • Travel at 7000 mph • 10 Year Life Span • 2000 pounds • 17 feet wide • Solar Powered • At least 5 are Visible

GPS Accuracy Summary • Prior to May 2000 - with SA (Selective Availability) 300 feet • May 2000 No SA - 45 feet • GPS with differential (DGPS) - 9 to 15 feet • GPS with WAAS - 5 to 8 feet

Satellite Screen • Accuracy (8 to 26 Feet) • WAAS • Signals Received • Current Location

Find Screen • Find • Waypoints • Favorites • Cities • Exits • Points of Interest

Find Nearest Waypoints • Waypoints are listed • Distance & Bearing

Waypoint Info • Icon • Name • Location Coordinates • Elevation • Distance • Bearing

Map - 0.3 mile • Map Types • Base Map (Major Roads) • Topo Maps (Software req.)

Map - 500 ft. • Zoom Feature

Map - Topo • Download • Map Segments • 24 MB Memory • Elevation Contours • 20 Ft intervals

Trip Computer • Trip Odometer • Speed • Average Speed • Max Speed. • Configurable

Trip Computer • Distance • Trip Odometer • Elevation • Speed • Average / Max Speed • Time / Arrival Time • Configurable

Altimeter Screen • Current Elevation • Elevation Graph • Total Ascent • Barometer • Configurable

Accessories • Sun & Moon Info • Calendar • Hunt & Fish info • Area Calculator • Calculator

Find that Cache! • Mark the Parking area in the GPS • Set Tracking On • Find> Waypoint> Goto • Use GPS screens • Navigation Screen - Head toward Arrow • Map Screen - Follow Pointers

Navigation Screen • Follow Pointer •Use available trail maps? • Waypoint Name • Waypoint Distance • ETA to Waypoint • Speed • Direction/Heading

Map Screen • Types of Maps • Waypoint Name • Distance to Waypoint • ETA to Waypoint • Zoom and Pan Map • Line to Waypoint • Accuracy • Pointer to Waypoint

Your Getting Close! • As you get within a 100 feet, walk slow! • Find Ground Zero • Focus on Accuracy • Watch the Location Arrow Drift • Search for obvious places • Can’t Find it? • Use Hints from Cache Sheet • Log your finds in Log Book and Web

Top Cachers There are Over 7200 Geocachers in the World. As of 1/6/2003 (www.insidecorner.com)

History of Geocaching • May 1, 2000 - GPS signal degradation called Select Availability (SA) was removed. • May 3, 2000 - A container of goodies was hidden by a someone outside of Portland, Oregon • May 6, 2000 - Two people found the cache • Mike Teague was the first to find the container, and built the first web site to document these containers and their locations

Where to Hide a Cache? • Not on Private Property • Place with a great view or location • Steeple Chase (Pole Steeple Overlook) • Trivia Trek II, Music Lovers (Scenic Area) • Educational or Significant Location • Wildasin Meeting House (Codorus SP) • Halfway AT Heaven (Center point on the A.T.) • Norwich & Betula (Historic Logging Town) • First Killed at Gettysburg • Mountain Laurel/ Collier Site

GEOCACHING ���������������� N 39° 47.457 W 076° 59.677 (WGS84)

Informational Web Sites • Geocaching: • Caches: http://www.geocaching.com • Buxley’s Waypoint • Maps/Stats: http://www.brillig.com/geocaching/ • Inside Corner • Stats: http://www.insidecorner.com/geocaching/stats/ • How a GPS works • http://www.trimble.com/gps/ • GPS Manufactures • Garmin: http://www.garmin.com • Magellen: http://www.magellangps.com

How a Position is Determined • GPS Receivers measure travel time of radio signals from Satellites. • Radio Signals travel at the speed of light.

How a Position is Determined • Timing the radio signal for the first satellite signal it is determined that we are 11,000 miles from that satellite. • We do not know which direction.

How a Position is Determined • For the Second satellite signal it is determined that we are 12,000 miles from that satellite. • The spheres of both satellites intersect. The area is narrowed.

How a Position is Determined • The third satellite signal is 13,000 mile away. • The spheres of all satellites intersect at 2 points in space.

How a Position is Determined • Four Satellites are needed for a accurate position using Triangulation • Exact Position of Satellites must be determined • Correct Signal Errors and Delays.

Signals Errors and Accuracy • Satellite Position Geometry • Orbital Errors • Atmospheric Delays • Intentional Degradation • Signal Multipath (bounce) • GPS Receiver Clock Errors

WAAS Wide Area Augmentation System • A system of satellites and ground stations that provide GPS signal corrections, giving you even better position accuracy (5 to 8 Feet 95% of the time). 1 - Two Positional Satellites 2 - 25 Ground Ref. Stations 3 - Two Master Stations 4 - Best for Open Land