Being prepared for geocaching and bringing the right supplies goes a long way to making each cache find easier. Having the right tools at your disposable when needed can not only save your life or limb, but save you time searching for a cache or help you find your way back home.
Whether you are in the wilderness or uban areas, unexpected events and situations will occur. Geocachers generally travel a significant distance from home and frequent unfamiliar areas. Each new trail, path, city, and street offers a new set of experiences, both good and potentially bad. Having the right equipment at your disposal and the knowledge on how to use it, can help you respond to unexpected/unplanned events as they occur.
The following is a list of tools that may help you whether you are geocaching in an urban, rural, or wilderness area:
GPS Receiver (GPSr) A GPS receiver helps determine your location via GPS satellite technology. Accuracy of such units may vary depending on GPS signal avaliability, strength, and view of sky. It is important to note, that while almost essential to geocaching, a GPS receiver (GPSr) has its limitations and should not be relied on alone.
Palm Pilottm / Pocket PC A handheld computer can provide essential information on caches in the area. Some even have a built in GPSr. A palm pilot, pocket pc, or smart phone is required for paperless geocaching.
Waterbottle / Camel Pack Geocaching in any environment whether uraban, rural, wilderness, hot, or cold, poses the threat of dehydration. Having waterbottles and/or camel pack helps ensures you will have water avaliable when you need it most. Generally, it is much better to drink small amounts of water throught your cache trip, than it is to drink a bunch at a time.
Cell Phone Generally, most of us have made a cellular phone part of our normal on-person accessories. They can save you a lot of hassle if you run into trouble with your vehicle, bike, or otherwise. Most cellular phones contain an list of contacts which can be helpful to "phone a friend" when you need extra help with a cache. Some cell phones even provide internet access. This could be extremely helpful in the field as it permits you to find geocheats on location.
Compass The old-fashioned magnetic orienteering compass, although essential for finding some caches, can came in handy when you can't get a GPS signal. Rumor has it that there are a handful of geocachers with over 1,000 finds who have never used a GPS receiver. Good knowledge on compass use is also essential as a compass does no good to one who doesn't know how to use it.
Sunglasses Protect your eyes. Use 100% UVA and UVB protection.
Sunblock Protect your skin from burns and melanoma. Its cheap and effective. However, don't store it in your car or it may become useless in the hot sun.
Bugspray Not only as a preventative for the west nile virus, but it can save you a considerable amount of agony.
Geocaching Information Having information about the game can come in handy. Geocacher-U.com provides free downloadable geocaching pamphlets online. These pamplets are wonderful to have when "caught" by a muggle. Also, it is recommended to keep a book about geocaching in the trunk of your car. It's a lot easier to explain to an officer why you're parked on the side of the road, looking around in a ditch with a funny looking cell phone when you've got a published guide to help in your explanation of the game.
Street Map It's a necesary to know where you are, and how to get where you need to be. GPS signals bounce of large buildings and require a view of the sky in order to function properly. Even if your GPS has mapping software, the amount of detail, garunteed avaliability, and typically more detailed information from a street map is essential while geocaching in the urban environment.
Coin Money Parking, snacks, water, soda, and wishes in the fountain are all good reasons to bring coinage on an urban geocaching trip. Nobody wants to pay a $30.00 parking fine just because they didn't have 25cents to put in the meter.
Hiking / Trecking Poles They help you keep balance, save your feet, and give your arms something to do. A set of hiking poles can make the difference between an enjoyable hike and one you spend your entire time trying to get the water or dirt out of your pants and shoes.
Two-Way Radio Let's face it, cell phones don't always work. They need both batteries and a signal. When "out of area" and when they're "searching for signal," they use more batteries than normal. If you're going to be out in the woods for a while (more than an hour), save your cell phone's juice and use a more effecient radio for communication. Also, you'll have another communication device at your disposal in case you need it and don't have reception. Also, most newer radios receive weather information via the airwaves. This feature is a wonderful way to learn about potential weather hazards and forcasts in your area.
Emergency Blanket They're sold for about a dollar at any drug stores and fold up smaller than your GPS receiver and can mean the difference between life and death if the unexpected occurs. They're useful for more than just wamth. Cut head and arm holes in them and you have an instant poncho. Place them on your hiking poles to create a make-shift cover from the sun and/rain. You can even fashion them into a kite using string, adhesive and sticks you find around the area. Use your imagination.
Wilderness First Aid Kit A good first aid kit is small enough to carry around, but large enough to have what you'll need. Kits are relatively cheap but they do vary in included items. Do some research and get a good one. Also, keep it stocked and replace expired items before you realize they don't work out in the field.
Palm and Palm Pilot are registered trademarks of Palm, Inc.