Located in Pasadena, a tiny geocache was expected to be hidden discreetly among the branches of a hedge, positioned between a nondescript pole and a parking meter.
Despite being classified as an easy find by the geocaching community in the app, I still found myself searching in vain for several minutes, sifting through leaves and branches in hopes of uncovering the hidden treasure.
The reality of geocaching, however, can be quite elusive, yet the excitement it brings has been echoed by thousands of enthusiasts worldwide.
Chris Ronan, a senior public relations manager at Geocaching HQ, explained to LAist that geocaching is fundamentally a global game of hide-and-seek.
“It takes you places and maybe introduces you to people that you never would’ve known about otherwise,” Ronan noted.
“It tends to take you out of that routine, introducing you to unique parts of your neighborhood or city.”
Southern California boasts a vibrant geocaching community, a sentiment echoed by Ronan.
With its consistently pleasant climate and diverse landscapes nearby, it’s no surprise that the region attracts many adventure seekers.
Sharon Carlson, a passionate geocacher from Simi Valley, has made geocaching an integral part of her life.
Using the geocaching handle ShareBear64, she has discovered over 8,000 caches across numerous states and countries.
Her journey began as a New Year’s resolution in 2016 to become more active, evolving into a bonding experience with her soon-to-be son-in-law, who introduced her to what she initially deemed a “weird hobby.”
Carlson recalls, “On January 1st, 2016, I turned on my app and found some geocaches within a mile of me near a park.
I took my dog, went for a walk, and found my first geocache that day.
And I’ve been caching ever since.”
In her immediate vicinity, there are over 2,000 geocaches, whereas her son-in-law in Richmond, Virginia, faces about 700 active caches to explore.
The geocaching community is sustained by its members, with some enthusiasts choosing to hide the caches while others prefer to seek them out.
Carlson believes this dynamic is what enhances the thrill of exploration—encouraging participants to experience varied terrains and the inventive spirit of other geocachers.
She shared an extraordinary example, “I had friends who just took a cruise to Antarctica, and there’s a geocache on Antarctica.
It’s truly a worldwide adventure.”
At its core, a geocache is a container cleverly concealed in the real world for treasure hunters to discover.
Players can locate postings with coordinates and crucial details regarding difficulty level, terrain, size, and hints to assist them, either through an official app or online resources.
With that information, players embark on missions to find these hidden containers in diverse environments—including urban settings, deserts, waterways, and hiking trails.
Successful seekers will find a log sheet or book inside the cache to sign, sharing their experience and registering their find through the app or website before carefully returning the cache to its original hiding spot.
Currently, there are over 3.3 million active geocaches scattered globally, which vary in type and complexity.
These include traditional geocaches, multi-caches, mystery caches, and earth caches, each offering unique challenges and experiences.
Ronan recounted one of his most meaningful finds, which took him to the summit of Mauna Kea, a dormant volcano in Hawaii.
He reflected, “My memory is not just of being on top of this beautiful mountain with stunning views but also being with a friend I hadn’t seen in 20 years.
That was one of those experiences that geocaching gave to me that I’m pretty sure I never would’ve had.”
For those interested in getting involved, the Spring Fling Block Party geocaching event is scheduled to take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 3, at the Bishop Canyon Picnic Area in Elysian Park.
Though registration has closed, all are welcome to come and participate.
Carlson emphasizes the communal spirit, stating, “It’s this wonderful social community of just people from all walks of life who share this one bizarre common interest.”
Whether seeking treasures in local neighborhoods or across continents, geocaching offers a sense of adventure, connection, and exploration.
image source from：https://laist.com/news/los-angeles-activities/elysian-park-to-host-a-geocaching-block-party-celebrating-25-years-of-hide-and-seek
