Finally got out caching

Woohoo, finally got out to some caches this past weekend with a friend of mine. We had a little stroll around a park, picking up three traditionals, and then did a short two part multi. My caching urge has been satisfied for a short while. :)

camoed matchstick container

I made this cache a while back. It is a regular matchstick container onto which I glued a lot of dirt, leaves, pine needles and spruce needles. I gathered this stuff from the cache location, and brought it home. To make it, I basically spray painted it brown as a base, and then covered it with glue. I used LePage Stik and Seal waterproof adhesive, (which I found at Canadian Tire), and it seems to be holding up quite well. Then I just grabbed the leaves etc and pushed them into the glue. I did a couple coats of that and poured a bunch of dirt on as well, and I don't think it looks too bad!

Bleh.

*sigh* Its been so long since I've been caching. I don't know what it is or why its been so tough to find the time to get out. Hopefully soon! *crossing fingers*

500th find

I recently found my 500th cache! Unfortunately I haven't found many caches lately, but hopefully I'll be able to get out and do some caching soon.

New ammo can

I finished painting another ammo can today. I'm really happy with how this one turned out.

Remember to vote!

If any of you listen to Podcacher (or even if you don't!) please remember to vote on Podcast Alley. The more votes they get, the more awareness they get. If you've never heard it, check it out, its a great podcast about geocaching.
So remember to vote!

What is geocaching?

Perhaps you have read about geocaching somewhere. Maybe one of your outdoor friends have mentioned it in passing. Or maybe you just found this blog and wondered what the heck geocaching is. Here is the answer.

In short, geocaching is a high tech treasure hunt. It involves a geocacher hiding a container somewhere on public property and marking the exact longitude and latitude using a GPS receiver. After the placer publishes the cache on geocaching.com, other people can go and find it, using their own GPS receivers, (GPSr). At a bare minimum, the cache will contain a logbook and usually a pencil. When found by a geocacher, they will sign the logbook and put the cache back in the same spot for the next finder. You can find more about this great fun activity here.

Cache #400

w00t! I just found my 400th cache. It was a pretty neat cache to hit a milestone on, as it was the first cache in Alberta and the second in Canada. The waypoint number is GCA6 if you want to look it up (you need an account with geocaching.com).

Coming soon...

Coming soon, an entry about essential FREE software for every geocacher. If you are just starting out and need some free programs, or are an experienced cacher already, we'll discuss all the great freeware that is out there!

How to camo ammo cans

Here is how I camouflage ammo cans. It is quite easy and can be done by spending relatively little money. For paints, I use Krylon Camouflage. It is nice and dull and isn't too expensive. It comes in four colours, but we're just going to use brown and black and the ammo cans are already green. Depending on where you live, you might want to use different colours. If you just use regular gloss paint, it is bright and shiny.

It doesn't look too bad, but it doesn't do much if you are actually trying to hide your cache better.

Remember to use spray paint in a well ventilated area!!! This stuff is toxic and doesn't smell very nice!!

Begin by making sure that you have lots of paper underneath and around your can. I suggest spraying outside or in your garage. Make sure to read all the directions on the can.

I cut a basic stencil of leaves out of some cardboard. You could buy one, make one or just use real leaves.

I also suggest wearing gloves of some sort so that your hands don't become camouflaged either.
Hold the stencil (or leaves) against the can and spray, move the stencil to a different spot, use a different colour and repeat! Don't worry about drips, it doesn't have to be pristine.





Thats all there is to it!

What is in my Survival Kit?

Here is what I take as a survival kit. It all fits in a lock&lock container, so it is waterproof and compact.

What do I keep in my Backpack?

Here is what I take geocaching. There is a few things missing from the photo (like my GPSr) but generally this is what I take.

Ammo Cans

I have a bunch of Ammo Cans to camo for an event so I will make a how-to-make-camoflaged-containers tutorial which should be up in the next couple weeks.

W00t! A new blog!

This is my spiffeh new geocaching blog! I will post links to resources, tutorials, GPSr reviews, software reviews, stories, news and neat stuff. I will also post outdoors stuff, so you can expect survival info and equipment reviews as well as other geeky things! Enjoy!