One of the things that I appreciate about geocaching is that I really need is my GPSr and a pen or a pencil (and of course my geocaching.com account). There are many things that these are the only two things I take with me, but I often take a little more which I carry in a small pocket-size bag. It has mostly everything I need for any geocaching adventure, whether it is a walk through a local park or up a mountain trail.
My Geocaching Bag -
This is the most current update to my "take to every cache" geocaching bag. It really hasn't changed much in over a decade, and its nothing special, nothing fancy; just a plain canvas zipper bag with a geocaching.com patch sewn to its front.
There are two things that I really like about this bag:
1) It is small enough to fit into a pocket.
2) It has everything I need to go geocaching.
The Inside Goods
- Garmin Foretrex 101 - A super-basic GPSr. It does exactly what I need of it - marks the location of my vehicle or trailhead and tells me which direction and distance I have to go to find GZ of any geocache. It has been with me since I began geocaching and has led me to every geocache I have ever found.
- Ball-point Pen and Pencil - I strictly adhere to the tenant of geocaching that a Traditional, Mystery/Puzzle, Event, or Multi-cache is not officially "Found" unless I sign the logbook. Therefore, I always make certain I have at least two ways to scratch my mark. Ball-points tend to write on all types of paper, even when wet, and pencils work well even in the coldest weather.
- Extra Log-Sheets - Again, unless the logbook is signed, I don't consider finding a geocache legitimate as a "Found it" cache, so I bring along a few extra logsheets in common sizes just in case I run into one that is just too full (or soggy) to fit my signature or needs to be replaced.
- Signature Items - I used to leave my personal pathtags in geocaches but found that practice to be pretty expensive after awhile, and now instead leave personalized half-size business cards with my geocaching name, coordinates of my hometown, and special trackable code.
- Extra Batteries (not shown) - The Foretrex101 and flashlight must be fed every once in awhile. I use rechargable batteries because I love our planet and hate unnecessary waste.
- Mini FTF Geocoin - I like to snap a photo of the geocache along with this mini geocoin when I am fortunate enough to claim a First-to-Find.
- Metal Pencil Sharpener (not shown) - Sometimes I come across geocaches that need their resident writing utensil sharpened in order to actually function, and metal is much more durable than plastic. This item was originally a trade item that I happened to just keep in my bag.
- Pocket Flashlight - This flashlight helps to see into dark places while searching for geocache containers and also serves to provide light when it is dark outside. Although small, it is fairly mighty and has served to follow the reflector-tacks on night cache trails.
- "Hooked" Safety Pin - Most of my items are self-explanatory -- except the safety pin. I heard about these neat little tools from Sonny on the PodCacher podcast. It is simply a basic safety pin with its tip bent slightly inward with a pair of needle-nose pliers. Closed, it just hangs out attached to the side of my bag, but when I come across a very snug micro- or nano-cache, the pin can be opened, inserted through the center of the rolled-up logsheet, "hook" the bottom edge, and pulled up with the whole piece of paper to sign.
- Notebooks & Virtual Patch - I use these small pocket notebooks to write down answers to questions often required to log Virtual and EarthCaches, as well as to take other useful notes, solve puzzles, or sometimes even replace a soggy, missing, or full logsheet. I had the patch made for including in pictures of myself at Virtual geocaches since I commonly see that the posted picture must be ab "original" - this definetly ensures that I was at the location specifically to find it as a Virtual geocache (and I like the original ghost icon).
Tools of the Trade (TOTT)
As a fairly experienced geocacher, I have learned to read through geocache descriptions thoroughly, look through previous find entries, and make educated guesses as to whether or not a TOTT may be necessary to retrieve a geocache. As such, I have collected a few items I have found to be very handy for this particular job.
- A dental mirror helps to see into areas I would otherwise be unable to (such as under a bench, or other object).
- An extenable magnet helps to reach those smaller geocaches that have been placed inside tubes or just out of reach.
- An ultraviolet (UV) light is used to read "hidden" messages written with a special UV marker.
For Longer Adventures
For longer adventures, I take a regular daypack with all the typical items required for a safe and comfortable hike (including my trusty bear spray).
1) Cell-Phone - I don't often have service, but it's good to have along anyway.
2) Water Bottle - Although the best place to carry your water is in your belly!
3) Bandana - There are dozens of uses for this, it would seem impractical not to carry it.
4) Leatherman - This item is rarely used, but there are lots of tools available just in case.
5) Lighter - One of the few "survival" items that I always carry.
6) Notebook - I like to write and make sketches of my adventures, plus I always have an extra logsheet.
7) Rain Poncho & Emergency Blanket - Again, "survival" items, but they make getting caught in the rain a little less miserable.
8) 120-Decibel Whistle - Because I often geocache by myself, I carry this item just in case I fall and need to signal for help. (Fortunately, this item has never needed to be used!)
9) Sunscreen & Lip Balm - The sun and wind are harsh in Montana - it pays to use preventative medicine rather than reactionary.
10) First-Aid Kit - Very simple. I cannot perform surgery with it, but I can clean a wound (alcohol wipes), keep the wound from getting infected (antibiotic cream), cover it (super-tough cloth band-aids), and help alleviate the pain (ibuprofen). I also have tweezers for removing pesky thorns, ticks and splinters.
11) Compass & Map - "Never rely on technology!" That was my mantra while in Army basic training, so it is habit that I always carry a compass. I also make a basic topo map of the area I am going to be in using google maps and Window's paint program.
12) Tissue Paper & Zip-lock Baggie - For if nature calls.
13) Hard Candy & Trail Snack - I find that hiking always makes my blood-sugar level drop so sucking on a piece of hard candy helps. And who doesn't enjoy a little trail-mix or granola bar after a successful cache find?
14) Geocaching Bag - As stated, this has everything else essential to my geocaching adventures (see above).
And that's about all I carry. Sometimes, I will carry a walking stick, and if the situation demands it, I will bring other necessary items, such as cross-country skis, snowshoes, my inflatable kayak, or even a ladder!
