Welcome to the exciting world of Geocaching!

Geocaching is a high-tech treasure hunting game played throughout the world by adventure seekers equipped with GPS devices.The basic idea is to locate hidden containers, called geocaches, outdoors and then share your experiences online. Geocachingis enjoyed by people from all age groups, with a strong sense of community and support for the environment.

Statistics

There are 1,070,222 active caches and an estimated 3-4million geocachers worldwide. In the last 30 days, there have been 4,117,730 new logs submitted. Check out the recent logs or photos.

The History of Geocaching

geocaching was born in the year 2000, for more historical facts plz check the website:

http://www.geocaching.com/about/history.aspx

Getting Started with Geocaching

Geocaching (pronounced geo-cashing) is a worldwide game of hiding and seeking treasure.A geocacher can place a geocache in the world, pinpoint its location using GPS technologyand then share the geocache's existence and location online. Anyone with a GPS devicecan then try to locate the geocache.

Easy Steps to Geocaching

1. Register for a free Basic Membership. at  www.geocaching.com 
2. Click "Hide & Seek a Cache."
3. Enter your postal code and click "search."
4. Choose any geocache from the list and click on its name.
5. Enter the coordinates of the geocache into your GPS Device.
6. Use your GPS device to assist you in finding the hidden geocache.
7. Sign the logbook and return the geocache to its original location.
8. Share your geocaching stories and photos online.

Finding your First Geocache

Step 1 – Research

Your outdoor geocaching adventure starts indoorswith preparation and online research. Search Geocaching.com for a geocache that will meet your immediate goals and interests. Are you looking for an adventure for the entire family? Perhaps an afternoon in adog-friendly park? Make sure that you review the cache attributessince these icons serve as a helpful resource as you select your first geocache to find.

As you select a geocache, keep in mind the following:

1. Have you considered the difficulty and terrain ratings of the cache? We suggest choosing a 1/1 difficulty and terrain rating for your first geocache find so that you can learn how geocaches are placed. Remember, geocaches are hidden but not buried.
2. Consult the surrounding maps of the area. Is this an urban or rural cache and how will this change your preparation? Do you have the right maps to help support you in the cache search? Road maps may be more than adequate within a city but topographical maps, which show land and water features, may be more useful elsewhere. Topographical maps will tell you what terrain you will encounter.
3. Keep in mind that distances can be deceiving. Understand the difference between distances as the crow flies (a direct line) versus true distance of travel. You may be a mile from the cache according to you GPS device, but there may be a river or other obstacles in the way. It is up to you to find the best route to the cache, remembering to respect the environment and practice Cache In Trash Out along the way.
4. Once you are close to the cache location, you can navigate using your GPS device. For instance, if you are in a small park, you can try to simply follow the GPS arrow. In a large park, this method may be challenging so follow the established trails as much as possible while still keeping the GPS arrow heading the general direction of the cache location.

Our experience has shown that preparation and research will vary for each cache. Many people find that they begin with the online maps to get an idea of the area, and then decide to supplement with a detailed paper map. The cache page itself is a rich source of information and may include an encrypted hint. Previous finders may haveuploaded photos, or may have included clues in their online log. Be careful though; too much information may inadvertently ruin the surprisefor you.

Step 2 – Safety Tips

As with any outdoor activity, it is important to be prepared.Here are a few helpful tips:

1. Make sure to tell someone where you are going and when you intend to return. Going into a forest or remote locations without a partner is inherently dangerous. Geocaching is great fun, so think about planning a group hike with your family or friends around the geocache adventure.
2. Pay attention to your surroundings. It is easy to focus on your GPS device and forget to look around you. (Please believe us, there is a reason why this shirt is so successful.) Being conscious as to where you are walking will not only ensure your personal safety but will also respect the environment.
3. Pack your pack. Bring along a compass, map and extra batteries in case your GPS device fails. No matter the terrain or length of time on the trail, it is always a good idea to set out with extra clothing, food and water.
4. Be mindful of the local environment, especially during seasonal changes. Is the area prone to poison ivy or poison oak? What about bugs or dangerous animals? Not sure of the area in which you are heading? Ask a question in the regional geocaching forums. Local geocachers are happy to help support you.

Step 3 – The Hunt

Now you are ready to find your first geocache!

1. As you leave your car or a well-marked trail, make sure to mark its location as a waypoint! It may sound silly, but once you get focused on the cache hunt, it's easy to get disoriented. Use the waypoint to guide you in your safe return.
2. It should be pretty straightforward to get within a mile or so of the cache location. If you have done your research well, you should also feel good about knowing the best method of getting to the cache location. We suggest that you keep your GPS device on the entire time even if you may occasionally lose signal from overhanging trees, mountains, large concrete structures, etc.
3. When you get close to the geocache (within 300 feet, which is the length of a football field), check your GPS device’s signal strength. Sometimes the signal will have an error between 25 - 200 feet. Concentrate more on the overall distance decreasing and less on the arrow as you get closer to the final location.
4. The final 30 - 100 feet can be the most difficult. It helps to think like the person who hid the cache. If there are stumps around, investigate around the base. Check for an unnatural pile of rocks. Some geocaches, especially in highly populated areas, are cleverly hidden with ingenious camouflage, so it helps to know something about the container used. Is it bigger than a shoebox or small like a film canister?

Step 4 – The Actual Find

Hurray! You found your first geocache. Congratulations! Now what?

1. Take note of the style and method of this hide. Where did this geocache bring you? Enjoy the location.
2. Sign the logbook with your name, the date, and a few words about your experience.
3. If you trade for items, remember to trade for something that is of equal or greater value.
4. Make sure to seal the cache and place it back exactly where and how you found it. If it had some rocks covering it, please replace those.
5. Use the waypoint you created as a helpful guide for your return.
6. When you get home, log your experience online by going back to that cache page and using the links provided. The cache owner is automatically notified of your log and is always happy to know about your adventure, the condition of their cache, and any environmental factors. Upload photos to share your experience visually with other geocachers.

Cache Sizes

These sizes apply to all caches that have a physical container.

• Micro (35 mm film canister or smaller – less than approximately 3 ounces or .1 L – typically containing only a logbook or a logsheet)
• Small (sandwich-sized plastic container or similar – less than approximately 1 quart or 1 L – holds trade items as well as a logbook)
• Regular (plastic container or ammo can about the size of a shoebox)
• Large (5 gallon/20 L bucket or larger)

• Cache Types
  • Traditional Caches
  • Multi-Caches
  • Mystery or Puzzle Caches
  • Letterbox Hybrid
  • Wherigo Caches
  • Event Caches
  • Mega-Event Caches
  • CITO Event Caches
  • EarthCaches

Types of Caches we have in Egypt:

 

Traditional Cache

This is the original cache type consisting, at a bareminimum, a container and a log book. Normally you'll find a tupperware container, ammo box, or bucket filled with goodies, or smaller container("micro cache") too small to contain items except for a log book. The coordinates listed on the traditional cache page are the exact location for the cache.

The general rule of thumb is, "If you take an item, leave an item, and write in the logbook." Some caches are themed, so make sure to read the description before going on a hunt.

 

Multi-Cache (Offset Cache)

A multi-cache ("multiple") involves two or more locations, the final location being a physical container. There are manyvariations, but most multi-caches have a hint to find the second cache,and the second cache has hints to the third, and so on. An offset cache(where you go to a location and get hints to the actual cache) is considered a multi-cache.

 

Mystery or Puzzle Caches

The "catch-all" of cache types, this form of cache can involve complicated puzzles you will first need to solve to determine the coordinates. Due to the increasing creativity of geocaching this becomes the staging ground for new and unique challenges.

 

 

EarthCache

An EarthCache is a special place that people can visit to learn about a unique geoscience feature or aspect of our Earth.EarthCaches include a set of educational notes and the details about where to find the location (latitude and longitude). Visitors to EarthCaches can see how our planet has been shaped by geological processes, how we manage the resources and how scientists gather evidence to learn about the Earth. For more information about EarthCaches, visit http://www.earthcache.org/.

Cache Contents

Use your common sense in most cases. Explosives, fireworks, ammo, lighters, knives (including pocket knives and multi-tools), drugs,alcohol or other illicit material shouldn't be placed in a cache. As always respect the local laws. Geocaching is a family activity and cachecontents should be suitable for all ages.

Food items are always a bad idea. Animals have better noses than humans, and in some cases caches have been chewed through and destroyed because food items (or items that smell like food) are in the cache. Even the presence of mint flavored dental floss has led to destruction of one cache.

If the original cache contents list any of the above items orother questionable items, or if a cache is reported to have the questionable items, the cache may be disabled, and the owner of the cache will be contacted and asked to remove the questionable items before the cache is enabled.

Geocaching in Egypt:

there is a growing geocaching activity in egypt, too bad it is MOSTLY done by foreigners, but the purpose of this article is to inform egyptians about it and help them get into the game :)

in egypt there is about 100 regular caches, 10 multi caches, and 10 earth caches + mystery caches, so we are talking over 120 Caches to find :)  once you start the quest, i am sure you will not stop it :)

some GPS devices has the advantage of PAPERLESS GEOCACHING specially GARMIN devices where you go to GARMIN website into "my-extras" section and download 5 geocaches per day as a maximum, those caches go with all their data into ur device, if you download it from geocaching.com you will only get the name and the coordinates of the cache without its enclosed description and visits log and hints. if u go for regular geocaching then make sure you print the cache's page from internet to have all the data helping you find the cache

Caches in Egypt: (a rough estimate)

Cairo and Giza: around 25 Regular + earth + multi cache scattered in the areas of down town, islamic cairo, wadi degla, maadi, azha park, dahshour, sakkara and around

Alexandria: 2 regular caches

Fayoum: Over 25 Regualr Caches scattered in a wide circle the vaste area around karoun and rayan lakes

Western Oases:  6 caches located between bahareya and farafra, 1 in siwa, 1 i kharga and 1 in djarra cave 

Red Sea Coast: 1 multi in sokhna,  8 in mixed in gouna, 6 in hurgada, 3 in safaga, 6 in quoseir, 3 on scattered islands inside red sea, and 6 in marsa alam

Sinai:  4 around serabit el khadem and ras sedr, 4 around dahab and sharm el sheikh, 5 around taba to nuweiba, 5 around saint catherine high mountain area

Luxor and Aswan: 6 regular and 3 multi caches

for more details please check the google maps on geocaching.com

http://www.geocaching.com/map/default.aspx?lat=30.057383&lng=31.2461

you can start by this map of cairo downtown and zoom out of it

you can check out my geocaching history on my account allamahmed   this will give u a clear idea of my found geocaches and my progress since i started playing april 2010