Welcome to CarolinaCacher


Welcome to my CarolinaCacher site. I'm Randy Hefner. My caching screen name on GPSgames, Geocaching, and TerraCaching, is RanHefner. I have been caching since June 24, 2005.

You may be asking, "What is caching?" You would probably know it as Geocaching. Geocaching is the combination of technology, outdoor activities, and treasure hunting. You use a GPSr (Global Positioning System receiver) to locate hidden containers of different sizes and shapes. All cache containers will contain a log (piece of paper, notepad, or notebook) to document your finding of the cache. Some containers are large enough to contain trinkets for trading. The rule is that you take somthing and leave something.

There are many handheld GPS receivers on the market ranging from around $75 to over $400! All of them will get you started with geocaching. The more expensive ones are good for geocaching and road navigation. The two most popular companies offering GPS receivers are Garmin and Magellan.

Garmin offers a GPS Guide For Beginners. It is a little "technical", but does offer a lot of great information about how the Global Positioning System works.

The online "How To" manual, wikiHow, offers a very good guide to geocaching. This is a good article for beginners. This article takes you step-by-step from selecting a GPS receiver and how to log your find.

A good place to start is to join a local caching club. There are several in the Carolinas. If you live in North Carolina, you should join the North Carolina Geocachers Organization. This "club" is for everyone in North Carolina or anyone interested in caching in NC.

If you live in the foothills area of North Carolina, there is a group for you! The NC Foothills Geocachers is affiliated with the NCGO above, but is targeted towards the members living in the foothills.

If you live in the Asheville area of North Carolina there is a Yahoo! Group called Western NC Geocaching.

If you live in the upstate of South Carolina, there is an organization for you. The Upstate South Carolina Geocachers Association covers the 10 counties in the northwest portion of South Carolina.

There are two South Carolina state-wide geocaching organizations. South Carolina Geocachers Association and South Carolina Society of Geocaching.

Join the organization that best fits your needs and participate in their events. You will get more out of geocaching by making new geocaching friends!
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Sunday, April 27, 2008

GeoRadio.org

Around three years ago I started listening to a "free internet audio program for the Geocaching Community, by the Geocaching Community." The host, Deltadawg, ended the show around the time of Hurricane Katrina.

The ten shows he posted were very interesting to listen to. They still are!

GeoRadio.org is no more, but I am preserving the shows for future geocachers to enjoy.

Episode 1 - May 1, 2005

Episode 2 - May 8, 2005

Episode 3 - May 15, 2005

Episode 4 - May 28, 2005

Episode 4.5 - May 28, 2005

Episode 5 - July 4, 2005

Episode 6 - July 11, 2005

Episode 7 - July 11, 2005

Episode 8 - July 11, 2005

Episode 9 - July 11, 2005

Episode 10 - July 16, 2005

Enjoy!

Sunday, April 13, 2008

GC18VGQ / TC9FX - NCGO State-wide CITO: NC Foothills

Members of the NC Foothills Geocachers gathered to do a little CITO! We cleaned the park and had a lot of fun.

The ParrotHeads did a great job coordinating this CITO event. Mrs. ParrotHead did a fine job cooking hamburgers and hot dogs. Other members brought the "fixins" and deserts. Take a look at the photo gallery below.

Sunday, April 6, 2008

My favorite caches

I have created a bookmark list of my favorite geocaches. Take a look and see what I enjoy on Groundspeak.

Tuesday, April 1, 2008

NCGO State-wide CITO event

The NC Foothills Geocachers will be hosting a state-wide CITO event sponsored by the North Carolina Geocachers Organization.

You can participate locally by joining us at Gaither Park in Hickory, NC on April 13th at 11:00 AM. You can sign up for this Geocache and Terracache event by clicking on the appropriate link.

The members of NC Foothills Geocachers have adopted city parks in Hickory. We have agreed to walk through and pickup trash several times a year. During this event we usually have a cook out and always enjoy each other's company.

If you are new to geocaching, there is no better way to meet your fellow geocachers and pickup tips and tricks along the way! Come out and join us for a good time.

Oh, yes, there are several geocaches you can grab while grabbing the trash!