These days many cell phones and pocket PCs include a GPS function. If they also allow internet access via wireless or broadband, you will be able to research caches "on the go". For the majority of us, home research on the internet will be the norm before we hit the trails.
Step 1: Research the Cache
This is the most important step of all! Remember that distances can be deceiving. When you are using a GPS unit to locate a cache, the GPS only determines how close the way point is as the crow flies - in a direct line. You might be only a mile from the cache, but there might be a river, or a canyon, or a mountain in the way. And always remember, on established trails, you must not cut cross country or go off trail to find the cache!
Acquire a map of the area. Topographical maps are best, so you can get a good idea of the terrain you'll be crossing. Most areas are now available on the web. Do a search for a topographical website and enter in the cache waypoints or the name of the basic location. Topographical web site technology gets better every day, so it pays to hunt for and test a new one once in a while. If the park service offers maps of their trail, by all means cabbage onto one. Some of those are also available online these days.
To get yourself and horse and trailer close to the cache, use a web service like Google maps to direct you close to the cache site or trail head. Be sure to zoom in on the location to make sure you can see the roads taking you to the closest trail head or access point.
If you have a good idea of the area, you can navigate with your GPS unit. This is best if the park is small. This is the most challenging, and not recommended for your first hunt. If you can find a cache that located at a trail you ride frequently or are familiar with the trails and terrain, this is the best way to start Equicaching.
You'll most likely need to do three things to prepare for seeking your first cache. Start with one of the online map sites or a road map to get an idea how you will trailer to the area, then decide on whether you need to buy a map or use what you have found on the internet. Find topographic information on the area. Then figure the best route or trails to take to the cache. The newer road ready GPS units can be a wonderful help to get you and your truck and trailer to a starting location.
If there are several possible routes to the cache, plan the route and trails you want to take to get you close to the cache.
Step 2: Preparation
Preparation is key in any kind of outdoor activity. You should never diminish the importance of preparation and safety. Keep these tips in mind when searching:
Buddy up! Never ride off into rough terrain or remote locations without a partner when Equicaching. For easy trails in locations familiar to you, solo riding is acceptable, but not as much fun as taking a friend. Think about planning a trail trip around the hunt with your family, friends or saddle club.
Be aware of your surroundings. If you're concentrating on your GPS unit, look around you occasionally for holes, dead fall, other riders, etc.
Bring and drink plenty of water, and don't drink directly from streams. For some of your longer rides, bring a water filtration system. You can get them at most camping stores.
Always let someone know where you're going and when you expect to return.
Things to have in your saddlebag: a regular compass, extra batteries, a cell phone, a pencil, exchange items for the cache, maps of the area, and your GPS with way points entered.
Step 3: The Hunt
Now you're ready to seek a cache.
If you've done your research, follow your maps more than the GPS unit. You can lose signal from overhanging trees, mountains, etc. If you don't have a map of the trail, start the search with the trail that goes in the general direction your GPS points and when you have forks in the trail, follow the one that points towards the way points.
If you're using USFS roads (US Forestry service), the signs for each road can be pretty small in size. They are brown signs that have white writing running vertically. Usually they're close to the ground. Sometimes you may have to backtrack on the road to locate them.
It's always good to have a compass on hand if your GPS unit doesn't have one.
When you leave your camp or trailer, mark its location as a way point! Sounds silly, but once you get deep into the hunt, it can be easy to become disoriented.
When you get close to the cache (within 300 feet, which is the length of a football field), make sure to check your GPS unit signal. Sometimes the signal will have an error between 25-200 feet. Don't concentrate as much on the arrow as the distance decreasing, as you get closer to the site. If the distance gets greater again, you have probably passed the site and you should backtrack.
The final 30-100 feet can be the hardest. It helps to think like the person who hid the cache. If there are stumps around, investigate around the base. Check for a pile of rocks, or a stack of wood. It helps to know the container the person hiding the cache used. Try not to trample the vegetation with your horses! Get off and search on foot if you need to once you think you are close.
Step 4:The Find
You found the cache! Now what?
Usually you take an item and leave an item, and enter your name and the experience you had into the log book. Some people prefer to just enter their name into the log book. It's accomplishment enough to locate a cache.
Be sure to seal the cache and place it back where you found it. If it had some rocks holding it down, please replace them. It's all straightforward.
Remember that way point we suggested you create where your trailer/trailhead was located? Use that now to get back . You'll be glad you had it. Some GPS units will track your trail as you ride and you can follow the "bread crumb" trail back. When you get home, log onto the Equicaching.com site and report your find and email the person who hid the cache and let them know you found it.
After a few trips to caches in your area, you'll be ready to place your own. Welcome to EQUICACHING!