What do you need?
In order to be a successful geocacher, you need the right tools. Since I'm still kind of learning, I'm not 100% sure what all of those tools are, but I've got a good start.
First of all, you should have a GPS unit. As I said before, I tried without one, and I just couldn't find what I was looking for. I looked in the tree that the cache was hidden in, but without the GPS to tell me that this indeed was the correct spot, I didn't keep looking until I found it. I use a Magellan eXplorist 210, though you can see that there are many higher end models out there as well. Sometimes mine has a little trouble refreshing, but I think many models have that issue when you're in close to the posted coordinates. You just have to look and see what GPS is right for you.
I like to take print outs of the caches that I am planning on looking for, so that I have all of the information on them. Some GPS units, like mine, can't hold that much information, just the coordinates, name, and maybe a hint. There is a lot of information in descriptions that is lost without the printout. If you have a GPS with a web browser (I don't know if they exist or not), or a palm/phone with a web browser in it, then you're set, but print outs are still nice to have, because you can take notes on them. I have a folder that I just keep all of my print outs in, and I pull out the ones that I plan on looking for and put them in the front. I tend to print off a lot of caches and then not go looking for them, because I get over excited and I plan on getting more than I do, so they sit in my folder until the next time I plan to go to that area. Then I make notes on whether I found it, what order I found them in so that I can log them in that order, anything that I think I might need later.
You should probably have a way to carry all of your tools, especially if you want to carry around a lot of goodies to trade. I have a big backpack that has enough pockets that I can keep my stuff organized as well as keep my GPS in there when I don't need it.
Miscelaneous tools to keep in your pack
- Flashlight
- Spare batteries for flashlight and GPS
- Pens/Pencils
- Notebook to keep track of travelbugs geocoins that you don't actually take with you
- Goodies to trade
As I learn of new tools to keep with me, I'll add them to this list.