Geocachers seek fun outdoors

Posted: November 16, 2007

Paisley. 
GPS search for hidden items brings dozens out to first event at the Brant Tract.

Hide it and they will come. It may not be too many more years before handheld global positioning system (GPS) devices become standard equipment for outdoors activity. Judging by the success of the first Bruce-Grey Trails Network geocaching event last weekend, it's only a matter of time before technologically savvy youngsters won't leave home without it.

About 45 people turned out in the driving rain at the 781-acre Brant Tract Saturday to take part in the hunt for 16 caches.

To those in the know, geocaching is a fast-growing sport that could best be described as a technologically driven scavenger hunt with a dash of electronic orienteering mixed in to the recipe. Participants use their GPS units and provided coordinates to track down caches provided by other geocachers. It's more challenging than it sounds, enthusiasts say, but the most important thing is that it provides an excuse to get outside and get moving, particularly for youngsters.

"You could never go out on a trail system or forest tract like and find a camouflaged box," network executive director Ray Gilbert explained as he huddled under cover from the sheets of water streaming from the sky.

Every cache contains trinkets of some kind, with no particular value, and participants are expected to leave items of their own. It's a way of saying "I was there."

"It's kind of a hide-and-seek with hi-tech," Gilbert said. "The event today is youth-oriented. The network started a new initiative to get youth off the couch and onto the trails, get them outside and get them some exercise. One of the lures, we thought, was the hi-tech aspect of GPS systems."

The network is working on a program that will see GPS units available on loan. Gilbert said the details are still being worked out, but might include leaving units at local library branches or recreation offices for the public to sign out.

"We hope to have them available next year," he said.

Other participants in the program are local scouting and Girl Guides groups, as well as the Grey-Bruce Partners in Health, which helped provide funding, Gilbert said.

The sport has enjoyed a phenomenal growth since its introduction a few years ago.

"There's something like 450,000 geocaches in the world now and it only started in 2000," Gilbert said.

Gilbert said the devices are very reliable and becoming more affordable. A basic GPS unit can now be purchased for about $100, he said.

Alan Ripley of Port Elgin was an enthusiastic participant with his daughter Sarah, who's a member of a local Brownie troop. He's a competent orienteering buff who was testing out the GPS units.

"It's actually pretty good," he said. "It tells you how many feet you are away from the location, so it's a little more helpful than just a compass. It's also probably a little bit easier than using a compass. It's probably something I'll look at investing in with my family."

"Sometimes they're hard to use," Sarah chipped in. "But I like it."

Andrew Beumer is the trails director for Bruce County. He said he was pleased to see this kind of event happening at the Brant Tract, which is one of the premier destinations for outdoorsy types, particularly mountain bikers.

"Its great exposure but it's also a great way to encourage youth to get out on the trails. They can get out for a nice walk and learn something about geocaching at the same time," he said. "It's fabulous and we're happy to host it. I hope they continue this every year."

Beumer said the sport is attracting more and more participants to the county.

"I think what's happened is that people are putting geocaches out there. Generally it's with permission, so we can tell them the areas we want them to stay out of. If they're trampling on sensitive vegetation we don't want them in that area. If people ask for permission we'll certainly put them out."

He stressed that anyone wanting to put a cache out should first find out who owns the property and ask for permission.

Gilbert said there are more than 300 caches in Grey-Bruce that he knows of. Many are on land owned by conservation authorities.

The network is planning to hold an event every year. It will likely rotate throughout locations in both Grey and Bruce counties.

By: Shawn Giilck.

© 2007 Owen Sound Sun Times (ON). All rights reserved.

Owen Sound Sun Times (ON)
Outdoors, Saturday, November 3, 2007, p. B1

Previous Page