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How to Find Micro Caches

Geocaching is a high-tech outdoor treasure-hunting sport using Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers. Clues are posted at a variety of online sites. Most geocache hunts lead the you through a succession of locations where hidden GPS coordinates must be discovered to navigate to the next site. The trail culminates in discovery of a hidden cache, usually a weatherproof container holding toys, trinkets, trading items and keepsakes. Traditionally, the finder takes an item from the cache and leaves an item for the next finder. There's almost always a logbook for finders to sign, too. Most standard geocaches are hidden in plastic storage containers or surplus ammunition boxes.

One of the variants of geocaches, however, are micro caches. These caches are small and typically contain nothing more than a single sheet of paper as a log book. Micro caches may be hidden in many inconspicuous places and can be difficult to find even with the exact GPS coordinates.

Instructions

- 1
  Acquaint yourself with the shape and appearance of small items such as 35 mm film canisters, metal cough drop tins, plastic pill tubes and magnetic key holders so you'll know what you're looking for. Micro caches are often enclosed in these containers. Also be aware of commercially available concealment devices such as hide-a-key containers made to look like garden rocks.
- 2
  Look closely at tree branches within arm's reach for any strings that might be suspending micro caches. Micro caches also may be duct taped to tree trunks or tucked into a hollow in tree bark. Abandoned bird's nests have been known to conceal a micro cache. Any bush near the GPS coordinates with thick, concealing growth should be checked out. Pine cones may be hollowed out to conceal a micro cache or rocks split and then rejoined with a cache inside.
- 3
  Be suspicious of metallic structures in the vicinity of the coordinates, particularly those with lots of angles, nooks and crannies. Micro caches hidden in urban areas often have magnets to attach to convenient metal surfaces. The underside of railings, the bottom skirts of metal light poles and the backside of metallic signs are popular magnetic sites. Fire hydrants with many fittings, bolts and protrusions provide an excellent magnetic base for a hidden cache, too.

Geocaching