Imagine going on a treasure hunt, but instead of a map, you’re armed with GPS coordinates. Welcome to the world of geocaching, a global game of hide-and-seek where the treasures, known as ‘geocaches’, are hidden in plain sight. But there’s a special kind of treasure that adds an extra layer of fun to the game – geocaching trackables.
Geocaching Trackables
In the thrill of geocaching, trackables play a pivotal role, acting as the traveling ambassadors of the game. Every trackable bears a distinct code when initially activated, making its movements traceable. The goal of these movable pieces typically involves racking up travel miles, reaching a specific destination, or visiting particular types of landmarks. They make their way from one geocache to another through the hands of different geocachers, emulating the spirit of exploration and adventure that defines geocaching.
Thus, each trackable item exists as a character within a larger narrative shaped by the geocaching community. Specific examples include tokens, key-chains, and even themed-items, for example, those linked to environmental causes. They exist to enrich the geocaching experience, adding a tangible and personal element to the game.
Geocachers, upon discovering a trackable, log its code onto the official geocaching platform. That action signifies, to themselves and others, that they’ve contributed to the ongoing story of that trackable.
Types of Geocaching Trackables
Geocaching trackables differ in design, purpose, and format. Travel bugs, one type, carry a unique code and hitch rides with geocachers to accumulate miles. They may appear as tokens, coins, and even environmentally-themed items. Geocoins, another type, serve as collectible items for geocachers. These have a well-crafted design and incorporate a geographical theme, making them sought-after souvenirs. Travel tags work similarly to travel bugs, albeit smaller and lightweight, making them ideal for limited-space caches. Vehicles, pets, or event participants can become trackables too, known as Groundspeak Trackables, using a special adhesive tag with a unique code. Lastly, there are Trackable Promotions – these colorful, innovative items created by brands or organizations aim to raise awareness, often for environmentally-related causes.
How to Use Geocaching Trackables
Start your geocaching trackable experience by purchasing a trackable item. It carries a unique alphanumeric code that you’ll register on the official geocaching site. Upon registration, you’ll provide it with a mission, it could be to reach a distant geographical location, visit a landmark, or simply accrue miles.
Ensuring its trackability comes next, accomplished by leaving it in a geocache. The geocaching community, keen on moving these pieces, pick up and travel with them. Do note, the intention isn’t ownership but transportation. They’re moved towards their objective, helping the trackable reach its specified mission.
For up-to-date whereabouts, trackables are logged into the geocache they’re placed in. This is done online and lets the owners track the journey of their travel bug or geocoin. Specific activities such as ‘retrieving from’ and ‘dropping into’ are used to update the position, providing geocachers and owners alike with precise tracking and a shared experience. Avoid the mishap of forgetting to log your trackable, a common rookie faux pas.
Starting Your Journey with a Trackable
Embarking on this journey starts with acquiring a trackable. Buying it typically happens at the official geocaching online store. Registration follows after its purchase, requiring the unique code found on the item. Once registered, setting a goal for it becomes the next step. Goals often revolve around travelling specific miles or reaching particular destinations.
Hand-in-hand with owning a trackable is maintaining a detailed log. It’s done on the geocaching site. Log updates happen whenever a geocacher picks up or drops off the trackable, serving as a vital tool for keeping its story alive. Respect for communal property comes into play—when a geocacher picks up a trackable, he’s expected to help move it towards its set goal. The shared experience, driven by respect and shared objectives, forms the crux of the geocaching community.