The Observer, August 29, 2008
Volume XLI, Issue 1
A mix of nature, technology, and treasure hunts
Three friends venture into an uninhabited area of Robert E. Lee Park in Riderwood, Md. on a mission. They have the coordinates of their destination but it is far out of the way from any man-made path, seemingly dropped in from above, or placed there years ago, leaving everything surrounding it to become dense and overgrown.
These three friends had to cross rivers, trudge through mud, plow down 8- foot-tall reeds and brave through thick thorn bushes. Their efforts were soon rewarded, however, and after much time struggling through some of nature's more inconvenient elements, they found what they were looking for: a small cache resting beside a tree. Their mission was completed when one of the trio placed a small coin inside the cache and the small group of explorers went on their way home.
What could possibly inspire such extreme measures taken to complete such a simple task? One of the aforementioned three friends, Brian Penza, a mechanical engineering major at Case Western Reserve University, explains that geocaching, a recent global internet phenomenon, is responsible for such madness.
"It was an amazing experience," said Penza in reference to his adventures in Robert E. Lee Park. "Possibly the highlight of my summer."
Geocaching is an international game in which anybody with Internet access and a GPS tracking device can find and locate hundreds of thousands of caches across the globe. Many caches contain scrolls of paper in which those who find it can leave proof of their discovery. Others contain coins or small items that are free to travel from cache to cache, often with some sort of eventual designated destination specific to the item.
"I thought it was a pretty silly idea at first, like most peoples' initial reaction," said Penza, "But after doing one geocaching hunt, I was hooked."
Geocaching began in 2000 when GPS systems came equipped with more accurate technology, allowing people to track down very small items, and to provide a 15-foot ratio for coordinates. Eventually, the idea of seeking out small containers for fun caught on, and websites began to develop that hosted locations for caches around the world. The game has become so widespread that caches can be found in both Antarctica and the Arctic Circle.
So far Penza has found 22 caches. "This number is pretty low for many geocachers out there," said Penza, "But I just started hunting in March."
One feature that the interactive nature of geocaching lends itself to is its ability for anybody to create their own geocache hunts. "I hid one on campus last semester called 'In Case You Didn't Know,'" said Penza. "That might be a good place for people to start."
Penza had a wealth of advice to give to those looking to join in on the adventure. "I almost always use a GPS," he said. "If you need one, the Freedman Center in Kelvin Smith Library has GPS units you can borrow."
Most importantly, Penza advises, is that prospective hunters enjoy the game. "Go out with friends and make a day of it!" he says. "Sometimes geocaching is about the location, the view and the trip to the cache, but sometimes it's about a great hiding spot which may require stealth… It's a wonderful mixing of nature and technology."
For more information on geocaching itself, visit www.geocaching.com for listings of geocaches in the Cleveland area and elsewhere, along with tips on getting started, hints for finding caches, and instructions on hiding your own cache.
