Cache Icons

The Icons section shows you three things.

1. Have you ever found this cache? 
   • If so, a check mark will be displayed in this section and the cache will be highlighted.
2. What type of cache is this? 
3. Are there any special items in this cache?

Cache Types

These are the most common types of caches that you will run across.

  Standard - This is the most common type of cache.  The coordinates provided will take you directly to this cache.

Multi-Cache - This is a series of caches that leads to a final larger cache.  The initial cache (the posted coordinates) is usually a small size cache like a film cannister that contains coordinates to the next in the series.  The series is usually all contained within the same park, but could have a wider area.  These caches are a Treasure Hunt all by themselves.

Mystery - The posted coordinates for this type of cache is usually a parking spot.  When you get to the location, the cache details contains a series of clues that will lead you to a set of coordinates that are the actually location of the cache.  

Letterbox - These are very simplistic caches that usually contain only a logbook.  Most do not have "treasures" contained in them.

 Event - This is the location of an event where geocachers get together to share stories and look for caches in groups.

Special Items

In the geocaching world there a number of items that are "trackable", meaning their movement from cache to cache is logged at geocaching.com.  An upcoming section will talk more about these.  For now you need to know that as you are looking at cache listing, you can see if any of these items are contained in an individual cache.

 Travel Bugs - A "dog tag" with a serial number that can be attached to almost any item for tracking purposes.

 Geocoins - Metal coins that have a serial number for tracking purposes.

Difficulty & Terrain

Difficulty Rating

This rating is always displayed first and represents the level of "brain power" required to find the cache.  The rating scale goes from 1 to 5 in increments of 1/2 points with 5 being the most difficult.

• Level 1 is most likely a straight forward cache.  Get to the locations, search around
• Level 3 probably requires some thought.  The cache might not be in an obvious place and may require more searching. 
• Level 5 could require a lot of "homework" beforehand or solving of puzzles.  It also might require special tools to retrieve. 

Terrain Rating

This rating is displayed second and describes the path that you will be required to take to find the cache.  Again, the rating scales goes from 1 to 5 in increments of 1/2 points with 5 being the most difficulty.

• Level 1 is probably an easy walk that could be done with small children.
• Level 3 is a reasonable hike with some grade to it and may require some thought about how to get to the cache area.
• Level 5 could mean hanging off the side of a cliff, leave the kids at home because they would never make it through the ups/downs of the trail and the thorn bushes.

Reading the cache details will usually provide additional clues about the obstacles that led to the ratings.

Cache Size

It is helpful to understand exactly what it is your are looking for.  The cache size will let you know in general how large the cache container is to be found.  Here are some guidelines for the icons that appear on the search page.

 Micro - This is a very small container you are looking for.  It could be a film cannister or a specially designed key ring cache container.  Either way, you need to stand still and slowly look around for these.  Be aware, they also make hollow rocks now !

 Small - While these containers are larger than the Micro they are still easy to miss.  A good example of this size container is a waterproof match casing or a small tupperware container.

 Regular - These size containers should be easier to see with the naked eye.  Typically they are ammo boxes or "decon" containers.  Given the size of these containers, there is usually some thought as to the placement of the cache.

 Large - These size containers are not that common.  Just think larger than an ammo box.  Maybe an entire tree stump that has been carved out?

 Unknown - This "size" container is usually associated with the Mystery type cache because the owner does not want to give away the size of the final container.

Always read the cache details which will often specify exactly what the container looks like, including its color.

Cache Details

Now lets take a look at one of the cache details pages.  After typing in your zip code into the top right box of www.geocaching.com, click on the names of one the caches.

This is the "home page" for the cache and will provide you will all the information you need to make a decision about the if this is an appropriate cache and how to find it.  The cache "owner", the person that hid it and maintains it, will leave more information about cache. You can usually find the purpose of the cache, the type of container you are looking for,  clues on how to get to it, and maybe even a few pictures.  This page should be printed and brought with you while out looking for the cache.

The cache type icon, cache name, and the owner of the cache  it listed at the top of the page.  Next comes the location of the cache in WGS-84 MinDec format for use with your GPS unit.  Because we have the WGS-84 MinDec format, we can ignore the UTM format listed.  There is also an indication of how far and in what direction this cache is from the search location.

For those that have the ability to download cache information and location coordinates to their GPS units, there are two formats available to download. 

On the right hand side of the screen you may find an Attributes box which will list additional informational icons about the cache that will be useful in your decision making process.  Hold your mouse over one of these icons to interpret its meaning.  From the example on the right we can see that our example cache is not appropriate for strollers or dogs, has parking, is kid friendly, is accessible in the winter, should take less than an hour, and has parking nearby.

Also shown on the right hand side of the screen is the Inventory box.  If there are any trackable special items currently in the cache, they will be listed here.  You can click on the name of the special item to find out more about it, where it came from, and where it has been since. 

Some cache owners will also provide additional hints if you get stuck.  These hints are encrypted using the key on the right side of the page.  If  you bring a printed sheet with you, you can use them in a pinch.  You should always try to find the cache first, before using the hints.

The last section of a cache page logs the visits of others to the cache.  Please be careful in reading this logs as sometimes you will find "spoilers" - details about how to find the cache that you would not have normally had before looking for it.  Part of the adventure of Geocaching is the hunt for the cache.  If you know exactly how to find it before leaving your house, where is the fun in it?

Acronyms

There are a number of acronyms and slang used in the Geocaching world.  Here are some of the more common ones that you will come across.

• Muggles - These are people who do not know what geocaching is and will usually be looking at your funny while you look under bushes for the cache.  Case should be taken not to reveal cache locations to Muggles as they may mistakenly move the cache or throw it away.
• FTF - First Time Find - The person who has the honor of saying they were the first person to find a cache after it was hidden.
• DNF - Did Not Find - You searched for the cache but were unable to find it.
• TFTC - Thank you For The Cache - This acronym is usually used when signing the logbook of the cache, as space inside a cache is limited and logbooks are small.  This is your way of thanking the owner of the cache for taking the time to find a good hiding spot and maintain it.
• TNLN - Took Nothing Left Nothing - You did not "trade" at this cache.  It is proper cache etiquette to document in the cache logs if you traded items or did not.
• TNLNSL - An extension of the above indicating you Signed the Logbook.
• XNSL - A variation on the above.
• CITO - Cache In Trash Out - A geocaching campaign similar to Leave No Trace.
• YAPIDKA - Yet Another Park I Did not Know About.
• BYOP - Bring Your Own Pen - Many caches are not large enough to be able to include a pen for you to sign the logbook with.  These are usually noted with BYOP.
• Swag - Treasure and trinkets found inside a cache.
• TB - Travel Bug - a registered trackable item that moves from cache to cache.