Geocaching
What is Geocaching?
Geocaching is an entertaining form of a treasure hunt, using
satellite navigation. Handheld GPS receivers, generally the
size of a mobile phone, are used to direct you to a specific
location, where you use skill and judgement (and clues) to locate
hidden treasure. This is called the cache and before you get
too excited, the treasure normally comprises items of low
value. There is always a log book in the cache, which you
sign, and you can take an item. But the rule is that if you
take something, you must leave something in return. Caches are
normally placed in interesting locations and sometimes you have to
follow a series of clues which lead you to the 'treasure'.
The Internet is the source of information for locating your
nearest cache. The most popular web site is www.geocaching.com - this
currently has details for over 250,000 active caches in 221
countries. You can get the co-ordinates for any cache, which
you enter into your GPS receiver, and armed with a printed
description of the location, off you go. Once you've located
the cache and signed the log, you also record your find on the same
web site, adding a few notes to describe your experience and
possibly uploading a photograph.
This hobby is great fun for families, giving a new reason for
getting out and enjoying the countryside. And you never know
what you might find hidden in that tree stump.
Where does ACWA fit in?
The original intention was to attract a different cross-section
of people to the countryside around Coventry. By locating
caches on or near to the 21 circular walks, the aim was to encourage
geocachers to try out parts of our walks. In some cases it
should be possible to find more than one cache along a particular
walk.
There are already several geocaches in the local area, set up by other
people. We have added to these with an ACWA series.
You can find the latest full list by searching on www.geocaching.com, selecting caches placed
by username acwa [click "Advanced Search", then select "Username
(Hidden)" =
acwa]. To date there are 14 of our caches,
but this list will be added to over the coming months.
The current ones are:
Ram Hall
Sleepers Walk 2; One For Trev
Walk 3; Unigate Walk
5; Tocil Tuffy
Walk 5; Can You
Afford It Walk 5; Stare View
Walk 6; On Weston
High Walk 7; Cubbington
View Walk 7; Tubular
Belle Walk 7; RollerWay
Walk 11; Broad Ridge
Walk 21 ; Ram Pump
Walk 21; (new 2006) Avonside
Walk 9; & (new
2006) Limestone
Hall View Walk 10.
Beware. Once you've tried it, you may get hooked.
Still, it's better than sitting in front of the box!
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