Offset Geocaches and how to do them

This week we are discussing Offset Geocaches

An "OFFSET" or Projection Geocache is where you:

1) go to the posted coordinates on the cache page,

2) get some information either from something at the coordinates

or from information on the cache page,

3) do some MATH {OH NO!, not THAT!!!} and then,

4) determine your next place to search.

Ideally, this "next place to search" would mean going to the new

coordinates and looking for the cache container but...

it could be a multi-staged geocache meaning, you  you start over at step 2 above

and continue until you reach the place where the container is!

Is an offset cache a multi or a puzzle????

There is quite a lot of discussion on this topic.

Here are some exerts from the Geocaching Forums

Offset caches are a variation on multi-caches. They are listed as a multi-cache

when selecting a cache type. They are not found by simply going to some

coordinates and finding a cache there. With the offset cache the published

coordinates could be of an existing historical monument, plaque, or even a

benchmark that you would like to have your cache hunter visit. At this spot,

the hunter looks for numbers or information already appearing on the marker

or on some part of the marker or site (geocachers NEVER deface public or

private property). The geocacher is then able to manipulate these numbers

using instructions posted on the cache page to continue the hunt.

For instance, the official designation of "multi" is actually "multi-cache." In

an offset, there is only one cache with multiple stages. Virt cache stages aside,

if there are multiple stops it's considered a multi. Where's the caches?

Further, if you have an offset where your don't have to visit the anchor coords

it is a puzzle, if you do it's a multi. What if visiting the anchor is optional,

say to get a hint is you're having problems solving the puzzle?

In my humble opinion, if there is such a thing...

If you have to visit the coordinates on the cache page, find some

information there, then do some MATH (Oh No Again!), then go

find the container - it is a Multi - even if there is more than one place to

get information.

Am I correct - I think so!

Now the MATH portion of the geocache!!!

To do an Offset or projection, you need 3 things

1) your starting point - lucky for us - it is usually right where you are!  I have seen

and actually own a couple of geocaches where you go to the coordinates on the page

and then search for something (in my cases, usually a particular sign) and then that

point is your actual starting point.

2) A direction - this is sometimes called a bearing.  Bearings are usually expressed

in degrees but I have seen more than one cache that listed the bearing in an odd

unit of measurement which we then had to convert to degrees.  Just like a circle,

a compass has 360 degrees with 0 degrees being North, 90 degrees East, 180 degrees

South and 270 degrees is West.

3) The last item you need is a distance - or how far you are to travel

in the particular direction you were given in #2 above.  Now some cache

owners make it easy on you and simple tell you to go XX number of feet East.  Then again

you could be told to go YYYYYYYY number of inches West.  Make sure you convert

those inches, feet, centimeters, etc to the correct type before doing your calculations!

No! - you do not need the paper and pencil - APPs are our friend!!!

There are numerous ways of calculating the bearing and distance but

here are 2 easy ways that I know of.  I repeat - there ARE other ways of doing this!

using the c:geo app

from the main menu, look for "Go To"

At the top is Coordinates.  You can either enter your own coords OR

press "My Coordinates" and your current coords will be entered

Below that is "From the position"

Enter the Bearing in DEGREES

Enter the Distance

you have several choices for distance (meters, kilometers, feet, yards, or miles)

Then press the Compass symbol (4th from right at top)

follow the compass all the way to GZ!!!

using my Garmin eTrex Touch

from the main menu, look for and press "Sight 'N Go"

A compass pops up.  Rotate until the correct bearing

is obtained and press LOCK DIRECTION.

Press Project Waypoint.  Select your distance units (Miles, Yards,

Feet, Kilometers, Meters or Nautical Miles) then enter the amount.

Click on the checkmark - press save and your compass will come up!!!

follow the compass all the way to GZ!!!

As I said above - there are numerous tools and

apps out there to do your projection.

You can try the steps above or find another app you like

and search for how to do a projection!!!

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That is all for now

Till next time...

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Stay Safe & Keep Caching!!!

Suffolk Nana & Papa

 - - - or just plain ol' - - -

SNAP!!! 

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