Find an exciting new hobby in geocaching
Even in Lydenburg various geocaches have been placed at several tourist hot spots. Beware though, it is not easy to spot and does take a bit of searching.
LYDENBURG – Pokemon Go has taken the Internet by storm, but another similar outdoor activity has been around for much longer. Geocaching is a recreational activity in which participants use a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver or mobile device and other navigational techniques to hide and seek containers, called “geocaches” or “caches”, worldwide at specific locations marked by coordinates.
Even in Lydenburg various geocaches have been placed at several tourist hot spots. Beware though, it is not easy to spot and does take a bit of searching.
A typical cache is a small waterproof container containing a logbook (with a pen or pencil). The geocacher enters the date he or she found it and signs it with his established code name. After signing the log, the cache must be placed back exactly where the person found it. Larger containers such as plastic storage containers or ammunition boxes can also contain items for trading, such as toys or trinkets, usually of more sentimental than financial worth. Geocaching has many of the same traits as benchmarking, trig-pointing, orienteering, treasure-hunting, letter-boxing, and waymarking.
In town, there are several geocaches that have been placed at locations such as the Lydenburg Water and Treatment Works, the Lydenburg Fork, the old Duck and Bass, the old NG Voortrekker church, Limonanis House, the old Sybrand Hiemstra house, the Kruithuis, the Lydenburg Viewpoint and at Jesus Hill.
Not only is geocaching a fun outdoor activity, you are also educated on the history of the specific spots were caches have been placed. It is thus both recreational and educational. Those who have found the caches are allowed to take pictures for other participants who need clues as to the location thereof.
Geocaching was originally similar to the 160-year-old game letter-boxing, which uses clues and references to landmarks embedded in stories. Geocaching was conceived shortly after the removal of selective availability from the Global Positioning System on May 2, 2000, because the improved accuracy of the system allowed for a small container to be accurately placed and located. The first documented placement of a GPS-located cache was done on May 3, 2000, by Dave Ulmer of Beavercreek, Oregon.
Anyone can take part in this hide-and-seek outdoor activity. All you have to do is download the Geocaching app on your phone or tablet. Follow the route set out to the various destinations and, find the cache. Young and old can take part in the adventure, no matter where they are.
