GPS doesn't stand for Geeks Play Scavenger Hunt, but it might as well. GPS, actually an acronym for Global Positioning System, has created a new pastime for the gadget crowd. The Global Positioning System consists of a constellation of 24 satellites which orbit the earth every 12 hours, along with their ground stations. Originally developed by the U.S. military, it is used to accurately pinpoint location anywhere in the world. It is also free to use for anyone with a GPS receiver. Until May 1, 2000, it wasn't particularly accurate for civilians, as the signal was intentionally degraded using a process called Selective Availability (SA). On that date, though, then President Clinton signed a law eliminating SA, allowing accuracy to improve from hundreds of feet to about 25-30 feet. That single event, combined with the dropping costs of handheld GPS receivers, has led to the new "sport" of geocaching.
Geocaching was born on May 3, 2000 when Dave Ulmer, an engineering consultant, buried a tupperware container full of odds and ends and then posted the precise coordinates (latitude and longitude) to a mailing list for GPS enthusiasts. The hunt was on, and within a month, Ulmer knew he couldn't keep track of all the new caches and their seekers. Jeremy Irish stepped up and began the offical web site of the sport, at www.geocaching.com. At last check, the site listed 5,705 caches hidden in 66 countries (including 300 in Canada), and boasted 1,682 registered "geocachers," including me.
It might be difficult to understand the appeal of the sport without actually experiencing the thrill of finding one of these little boxes. My own experience began when I read about the sport in an article by Derek Powazek about offline extensions of online communities, where the site was mentioned. The idea immediately struck a chord with me, and although I resisted the idea of buying a handheld GPS receiver for a few days, I ultimately caved in and bought the basic eTrex (US$120), manufactured by Garmin, while on a trip to San Francisco, where I subsequently found my first two caches. My justifications were, one, that as someone with absolutely no sense of direction, this would help me get around more effectively, and, two, it would encourage me to exercise, since finding most caches involves a fair amount of hiking.
The sport, though still in its infancy, is growing rapidly and issues surrounding land use are beginning to be raised. For now, caches are generally hidden on public land and cachers are advised to disturb as little as possible. In the latest initiative, cachers are being encouraged to remove trash from cache sites they visit, thus leaving the area in better condition than they found it. I suspect as the wrinkles are ironed out, most people will recognize that geocaching is an environmentally friendly pursuit, and one which whole families can enjoy together.
Curious yet? Check out www.geocaching.com. Then, if you haven't already, beg, borrow or buy a GPS unit, and get outside!
Geocaching
How GPS Works
Joe Mehaffey and Jack Yeazel's GPS Information site