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How to Geocache With a Smartphone

Geochaching is treasure hunting by Global Positioning System (GPS), a high-tech game played worldwide. "Caches" are hidden and found by geocachers; some contain treasures and others simply a logbook to sign. With geocaches hidden in space, on mountains and in parks, there are caches to be found by treasure hunters of all abilities---and now anyone with a GPS-enabled smartphone can play.

GPS enabled smartphones have made geocaching more convenient by eliminating the need to carry a separate GPS device in addition to a phone or access a computer.

Things You'll Need

GPS-enabled smartphone
Phone plan with Internet
Geocaching application
Geocaching membership

Instructions

Setup
- 1
  
  A GPS-enabled smartphone is ideal for geocaching.
  
  Click into the settings on your smartphone, locate the GPS or location setting and turn on the GPS feature.
- 2
  Download a geocaching application to your smartphone from your service provider's application market.
  
  There are many different geocaching applications to choose from; read the system requirements and user reviews before downloading an application to your phone.
- 3
  Open the geocaching application when the download is complete ,and follow the setup instructions. You will be prompted to enter your username and password for your existing geocaching account; if you do not have an account, the instructions will specify where to sign up. The setup is complete once you have logged in.
Geocaching
- 4
  Open the geocaching application and select "live map" to locate caches in your immediate area. For a list of caches in your surrounding area, click "nearby."
- 5
  Select a cache to hunt from the nearby list or from the live map. Then click "cache details" for information on the cache's type, distance, difficulty, terrain, attributes and coordinates---all important factors to consider when selecting a cache to find.
- 6
  Click the menu button from the cache details screen and select "Navigate;" here you will be prompted to choose your preferred method of navigation from the standard "compass," "turn by turn," "show on map" and "radar" options.
- 7
  Write down the coordinates of your beginning location from the navigation screen and add them to the cache detail screen under "add waypoint." Your way point will serve as the return directions to your starting place.
- 8
  Follow the application navigator to the cache's hidden location.
  
  Click the menu button from the navigation screen to change your method of navigation at anytime.
- 9
  Log your find by clicking the menu button from the cache details screen and selecting "log visit." Leave a comment to share your experience, report the condition of the cache and confirm its existence.

Geocaching