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 (March 2010) has details for almost one million active
caches around the world. 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 22 of our
caches, but this list should 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; All
White Now Walk 8*;
City
View Walk 8*; Dunsmore
Heath Walk 9*; More
Dunsmore Walk 9*;
Along
The Line Walk 10*;
Brookside
Walk 10*; Stadium
View Walk 11*; Crossroads,
No Motel Walk 11*;
RollerWay
Walk 11; Broad
Ridge Walk 21 ; Ram
Pump Walk 21; Avonside
Walk 9 and ACWA
Bonus Walk X .
* The caches marked with an asterisk contain a clue required to
work out the location of ACWA Bonus Walk X.
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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