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Geocaching & GPS |
Geocaching is a pursuit invented by and for those who own Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) receivers, which can pinpoint geographical position very accurately - manufacturers claim to within 15 metres.
The idea is simple. You hide something and record its position (longitude and latitude) with your GPS. You then publish the longitude and latitude (plus additional clues if necessary) on the main geocaching website, www.geocaching.com, and other people go and find your cache, using their GPS to reach exactly the same position, and hopefully your cache. Ideally the cache will be somewhere worth going for other reasons, such as a view.
What constitutes a cache? A waterproof container is a must. The contents are up to the person who sets it up, though most include a note explaining what it is (in case someone finds it by chance); and a pencil and notebook so that people who find it can record their visits.
Visitors can help themselves to anything in the cache, though the idea is that they leave something in return. They can also report their visit on the relevant page of the geocaching website.
Apart from geocaching.com there are other websites, through which geocachers can exchange notes and information about caches, equipment etc. such as the Welsh site www.aber-cachers.co.uk
As more of our guests are coming armed with GPS, we thought we'd set up a geocache or two to keep them amused whilst they're out walking. If there's a demand, we'll set one up on each of our 40 walks!
Hillscape Geocache 1 - Teifi Pools
 A geocaching Hillscape |
 View SW from the cache |
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Our first geocache is worthy of the Hillscape name, as it is in the midst of a rolling landscape of rock-strewn hills, moorland, and little lakes, with wonderful views. The location is a short detour from two of our walk routes (31 Teifi Pools & 32 Strata Florida), so if you haven't got GPS, don't worry - you'll still be able to enjoy the superb scenery.
Click here to find out more about this geocache
Hillscape Geocache 2 - Plynlimon
 Cader Idris from the cache |
 Llyn Llygad Rheidol & the Arans |
Our second geocache is in an exciting location on Plynlimon mountain (Pumlumon in Welsh) on a craggy hillside high above Llyn Llygad Rheidol, with fantastic views north to the mountains of Snowdonia. It is a short detour from the routes of walks 24 Pumlumon Fawr & 25 Plynlimon & Three Sources.
Click here to find out more about this geocache
Hillscape Geocache 3 - Rheidol Gorge
 Rheidol valley from the cache |
 View NE to Y Garn |
Our third geocache is a little less elevated and more accessible than the first two, but the situation is no less spectacular, high above the Rheidol gorge near Parson's Bridge. It is hidden less than 200 yards from the routes of walks 19 Rheidol Valley & 18 Parson's Bridge.
Click here to find out more about this geocache