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Geocaching awakens treasure-hunting urge

By JONNA RUBIN (Contact)

Wednesday, January 17, 2007

Bonita Springs resident Kevin Lange is a man of mystery. Lurking among the crowds at Flamingo Island Flea Market, he has the air of a man on a mission, and he is certainly not here to sample vendors' wares. He sidles up to his intended mark, darting sidelong glances in each direction, and quickly grabs his target, barely breaking his stride. He continues to glance around suspiciously, eyeing strangers who walk too closely to him, and holding his prize close to his body. Only when he is convinced the coast is clear does he open his hand.

"Here it is," said Lange, 37. He holds up a tiny film canister, squinting in the sunlight. "Just where I expected it to be." He opens the canister to reveal a miniature pen and a tiny scroll of names.

This isn't a covert spy operation to save the world. Lange is simply playing a game. He is geocaching, a game that uses a small global positioning system (GPS) to find bits of treasure, called caches, hidden in plain sight all over the world. It is deceptively complex: players are given the exact coordinates of the location of the cache online and enter the information into their handheld GPS systems. Basic mapping data within GPS units pinpoints the cache location to a specific area to start from, and geocachers head out on the journey with the device outstretched in front of them. The GPS lights the way, its directional arrow guiding them on their travels.

It all seems so simple — the caches aren't even buried. And that's just where things get complicated. Using satellite data, global positioning devices can only pinpoint a player's location within 30 feet, and with caches hidden in terrain varying from beachfront underbrush to areas tucked within the vast maze of area waterways, the game takes a challenging and sometimes nefarious turn. Lange's first geocache was almost enough to make him reconsider his decision to try it out.

Photo by JONNA RUBIN / Banner

Geocaching enthusiast Kevin Lange of Bonita Springs consults his GPS unit. GPS units cost anywhere from $79 to $1,000 and are essential to the hobby.

"I was right on top of it — I had searched everywhere, and there was no sign of it no matter where I looked," said Lange. "I finally got so agitated that I was ready to walk away."

And that's when he found it. In his search, Lange had loosened a bucket sprayed with foam to resemble a tree stump, which tumbled toward him: he had found the cache.

"I cackled out loud at the discovery, and from that moment on, I was hooked," said Lange.

Although geocaching is filled with many of the trappings of a good old-fashioned treasure hunt, players are rewarded with little more than the thrill of the search. Typical caches are filled with low-cost trinkets such as toys, action figures and area souvenirs such as patches, stickers and the occasional mug. The smallest caches contain only the requisite logbook and pen for the player to log his find for posterity. Cache containers range in size from a medium-sized plastic bucket to film containers to tiny receptacles attached to key fobs. Containers such as army ammunition cans, Tupperware and Lock n' Lock containers are very popular, as they are reasonably airtight and provide a seal against damage from water or animals. Food, blatant advertisements and dangerous or explosive material are forbidden, in accordance with common sense and safety standards, and to ensure geocaching stays free of personal agendas.

Would-be geocachers in Southwest Florida don't have far to look for their own piece of hidden treasure: Using geocaching.com — widely considered to be the definitive resource for the hobby — there are more than 430 caches listed within a 50-mile radius of Bonita Springs, and new caches are added almost daily. Locations vary from remote enclaves deep in Lovers Key to obscure corners within well-traveled shopping plazas. One of the state's oldest caches, located near Dog Beach, turned five years old on Jan. 7.

Photo by JONNA RUBIN / Banner

Along with the requisite logbook for players to log their finds, geocaches are often filled with trinkets and toys. In addition to signing their name and visit, cachers are encouraged to take something from the cache, provided they leave something to replace it.

With more than 10,000 caches in the state of Florida alone, it's surprising that the origins of geocaching began little more than six years ago. Due to security concerns, civilian GPS units were once intentionally built with an error margin of a 300-foot radius – an accuracy rate hardly conducive to finding small boxes among scattered debris. Following an order from President Bill Clinton in 2000, the limitations were eliminated, bringing the margin of error within 30 feet or less. Almost immediately, GPS enthusiasts began posting the location of small bits of treasure online, and a virtual phenomenon was born. Handheld GPS devices run from as low as $79 to upwards of $1000. Lange recommends beginners start with a lower-end device, or better, tag along with a friend who geocaches to try it out before laying out the cash.

Players usually try to keep their intent a secret as they navigate through the location, keeping a close eye out for other geocachers who may be seeking the same cache, and maintaining a level of secrecy from non-geocachers, known as "muggles" to players in the know, a nod to J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter books, where non-wizards are referred to by the same name. For many, the lure of geocaching extends far beyond the thrill of the hunt.

"Geocaching is so much more than finding a little box full of random stuff in the woods," said Lange. "I consider it to be a sport — many caches require a certain level of athleticism — hiking for long distances, navigating rough landscapes, and getting out and getting some exercise."

Photo by JONNA RUBIN / Banner

Caches can be as tiny as this camouflage key fob, held up by avid geocacher Kevin Lange.

Caches are also often hidden in unique places within state and local parks, driving players to explore area attractions they might not have ventured to before. Lange noted that he'd seen more places in his last year in his native Indiana before he moved to Southwest Florida than he had in the previous 10. The culprit: geocaching. To date, Lange, who trains call center employees in South Fort Myers by day, has found more than 700 caches, with no signs of slowing.

"It really gets you out there," said Lange. "And the wildlife can really be unbelievable."

Caches are placed by the same community that seeks them, and are approved by a team of volunteers at geocaching.com to ensure they adhere to a series of guidelines to ensure safety and practical measures are followed. Because the game is largely tracked online, volunteers and players are often reluctant to give out their real names and instead, are recognized by their online handles.

Photo by JONNA RUBIN / Banner

Can you spot the cache? Geocaches are often tucked into the crooks of the banyan trees of Southwest Florida.

Southwest Florida is primarily managed by a volunteer who goes by the name "Palmetto" who approves most geocaches south of Ocala. Palmetto approves approximately 10 caches each day, and notes that Southwest Florida is subject to seasonal shifts due to snowbirds and vacationers, which can make approval a challenge, as caches need a year-round guardian to ensure it stays intact. In some cases, permits may need to be obtained before a cache can be submitted for approval. Lee County Parks requires all geocaches hidden within its jurisdiction be registered with the park, and meet the parks container requirements. Forms to obtain permits can be obtained at www.leeparks.org.

"Businesses usually embrace cachers on their properties," said Palmetto. "Watching the cachers is amusing, and it may get someone to the business."

Bonita's Flamingo Island Flea Market General Manager Gene Vaccaro agrees. When asked about the cache on or near his property, he expressed surprise, but not concern. "I had no idea, but I'm happy to have people here," said Vaccaro. "I think those kinds of things are fun. It's not like we're a funeral home or a church. Things should be colorful and crazy here — they're an asset to our market. We welcome them however they get here."

For more information on how to get started geocaching, visit www.geocaching.com.