Who plays geocaching. Geocaching: the big game of hide and seek

Geocaching appeared just 14 years ago, on May 2, 2000. After the lifting of restrictions on the accuracy of the GPS signal for civilian navigators, the first Stash game ("Hide and Seek") was held in the United States. The meaning of the game is simple: someone hides a cache, leaves the coordinates of the cache on the Internet, and other participants are looking for this cache.

International geocacher logo

Secrets are different. A traditional hiding place is a small container containing a "treasure" (discs, cassettes, toys, books). An important part of such a cache is a notebook (something like a guest book). The finder of the cache is marked in the notebook and can take any item from the container, but instead put something of their own.

The cache is carefully disguised, and each time after discovery. It is recommended to put a bag of red pepper inside - this will protect the caches from animals.

An example of a traditional stash container

In Russia, the most common type of hiding places have become "virtual". Once in the place, the seeker must contact the organizers of the game and give the correct answer related to the specific place. Since most of the "virtual treasures" are hidden in historically significant locations, the issue is usually related to local attractions.

Finding caches can be tricky!

Geocaching participants argued for a long time about the admissibility of the game within the city. The controversy, however, came to an end - "Citycaching" has already gained enough fans.

The practical significance of geocaching in Russia is due to the rules of the geocaching.su community: “It is recommended to create a cache only in a place that is of natural, historical, cultural, geographical interest. Therefore, each point marked with coordinates has a special attraction not only for GPS owners, but also for people interested in history native land, geography".

Geocaching is available to everyone

It is practically impossible to play geocaching without a satellite navigator. You can choose any model, but Garmin has been in a hurry and has been releasing GPS navigators aimed at cache seekers for more than a year. For example, in device data, you can mark discovered and undetected caches with different points on the map.

After the launch of the domestic navigation system, modules with simultaneous support for GLONASS and GPS became in demand - such devices provide better accuracy.

However, paper maps should not be forgotten. Even in remote areas latest models electronic cards may not be aware of the country road.

So, where to start searching for treasures using a GPS navigator. First of all, you need to go to the site of the organizers of the game. There are several of them in Russia now. However, you can try yourself in international geocaching. In any case, the game will begin with registration on the site.

Caches are divided by geographic location and difficulty levels. It is better to start with those that are closer and easier. All coordinates and hints given by the author must be recorded. After following the instructions and successfully finding the cache, you need to check in on the site. That's probably the whole theory. Only for a treasure hunt you need to prepare in the same way as for a small trip over rough terrain: comfortable shoes and clothes, a supply of water and provisions, etc.

Cunningly hidden container in the hollow of a tree

There are no age restrictions in geocaching. Teenagers, youth, mature people and pensioners play. In fact, geocaching in Russia is an ordinary trip to interesting places with a bit of excitement.

Those who categorically do not want to leave the city should look for communities of "urban treasure hunters". Cityking (from somewhat wrong geocaching and City- city) is no different from the traditional game, it's just that the caches are located inside urban objects (on the sites they must be marked "cache in the city"). By the way, this is a fascinating way to get acquainted with the history of your own city.

It can be played with family, company or alone. The main idea is that some players hide caches using geographic coordinates and report them on the Internet. Other players use these coordinates and their GPS receivers to find caches. You can use "bundles" with connection to a PDA or laptop.

In some versions of the game, it is recommended to create a cache only in places that are of natural, historical, cultural, and geographical interest. Therefore, the creation and search for caches turn into an active cognitive process. Players get a lot of interesting information about places of interest. Caches are welcome, where an original and difficult search task is realized.

At first glance, it seems that finding a cache using a GPS receiver is simple. However, the accuracy with which a civilian GPS receiver determines the position is several tens of meters. A civilian GPS-receiver can only "outline" a small area of ​​the location of the cache. For a more accurate search, you need to use the hints from its description.

Secrets are the most different types. The most common (traditional) cache is a container with a lid, which contains "treasures" - small items (discs, cassettes, toys, books, etc.), a notebook for those who found the cache and a pencil. The player has the right to check in the notebook, take any item from the container, but in return is obliged to leave an item of equal or more valuable value. Notepad is a mandatory attribute of the cache and contains information about the cache and its visitors. After visiting the cache, the player must close the container and place it in its original place. The cache must be carefully disguised so that the next participants in the game make no less effort to find the cache, and also so that it is not accidentally found and ruined. It remains only to write about your visit in the Internet guestbook of the cache. If the container is not completely airtight, which is most often, it is recommended to put a water absorber in it - a bag of silica gel, and next to it - a punched bag of red pepper, which will protect it from being ruined by animals that detect even buried caches by smell.

In addition to the traditional ones, there are also step-by-step caches. To find the container, the geocacher needs to complete the task set by the author of the cache. Sometimes this task consists of answering questions related to the point of interest, sometimes it requires the seeker to use the skills of orienteering, and in some cases it forces the player to show his erudition.

In the Russian version of the game, the so-called "virtual" caches have become widespread. In cases where there is no place for laying the container, or the territory is crowded (that is, there is a high risk of finding and destroying the container by random people), the seeker, in order to receive a credit for visiting the cache, must send the correct answer to the e-mail address of the game administration Security Question. This question is determined by the author and is usually associated with the landmark to which the cache is dedicated.

see also

Links

• Garmin on geocaching

Wikimedia Foundation. 2010 .

See what "Geocaching" is in other dictionaries:

M. The search for a hidden treasure. Explanatory Dictionary of Ephraim. T. F. Efremova. 2000... Modern dictionary Russian language Efremova

Treasure hunting game (caching) is a type of entertainment that consists in searching for pre-created caches and extracting hidden objects from there. The simplest caching option is the children's game "hot cold". In modern versions ... ... Wikipedia

Autoquest (eng. autoquest, from eng. automobile automobile and eng. quest search) is a type of intellectually mobile games related to urban orientation. The goal of the game is to decipher the place on ... ... Wikipedia

Typical contents of the "cache" Geocaching (geocaching from the Greek γεο Earth and English ... Wikipedia

Cache: Cache (English cache) in computer science intermediate buffer with quick access. Cash, Patrick Hart (born Patrick Hart "Pat" Cash) is an Australian professional tennis player. Caché (DBMS) industrial post-relational DBMS, integrated ... Wikipedia

Krasnoselsko Ropshinsky Great Patriotic War Date January 14 - January 30, 1944 Place Leningrad Region, USSR Result Victory of the Red Army ... Wikipedia

WikiHow is a wiki, which means that many of our articles are written by multiple authors. When creating this article, 62 people worked on editing and improving it, including anonymously.

Geocaching is an increasingly inclusive, fun and active pastime for people of all ages. It is also suitable as a group activity for families, friends, school classes and youth groups. This game combines the use of technology with adventure, a combination that some might not think was possible. The main idea of ​​the game is to use a portable GPS receiver to find the location of a hidden container or cache. Having found the cache, you mark yourself in the notebook attached to it and, if you wish, exchange any one little thing from its contents for your own. This article will walk you through the basics of the game.

Steps

Get yourself a GPS receiver (smartphone Android based, iPhone or tablet with GPS navigation) by buying, renting or borrowing it from someone. Some Garmin models have a paperless geocaching feature, which is described in more detail in the Tips section below.

Create an account on the cache site. Some sites provide free access to the list of caches and all sections of the site, while others give the right to access individual sections of the site only if you have a premium account. Hidden lists can be found on various sites, so search and decide which ones you like best.

Use the "Search" on the site to find hiding places near you. They are hidden everywhere, so no matter where you are, there is bound to be a cache nearby that you could go looking for.

Find a secret that interests you. Write down any details and clues about him in a notepad or print them out. Be sure to check the difficulty level. It is unlikely that for the first time you will want to go for a cache that is very difficult to find.

Mark the location of the cache in the GRP Navigator, using the latitude and longitude coordinates found on the site on the cache page. You can also transfer the coordinates of the cache from a computer to a GPS navigator using a connecting cable if you have the program installed.

Take a small item with you to share in a hiding place. You should not be sorry to give it away, at the same time it should be of some interest and value to others. Some stashes are themed, so make sure you bring something in exchange for something appropriate.

Turn on the navigation function on your GPS receiver(or similar to it). The arrow that appears on the screen will point you to the cache location you specified.

Using the arrow as a guide, work your way to the hiding place.

When you find the secret pay attention to how exactly it was hidden. You will need to put it back in the same way.

open the stash and explore its content. Decide if you want to take something from it with you in exchange for the item you brought. In exchange, to keep the game fair, you must always place an item of equal or greater value. You don't have to exchange things if you don't want to. Alternatively, you can replenish the meager stash with your item without taking anything in return.

Find a notebook in the cache. Enter the date and your name on the site.

Seal the stash carefully and hide it in the same place the same way you found it.

1. Return home and go to the cache site of your choice. Find the cache of your choice and, using the "Check in" function or similar, mark the visit to the cache. Write in the same details that you wrote in the cache notebook.

   Necessary things

   • GPS receiver
   • Data about the cache from the site
   • Small items to exchange
   • A pen or pencil for scribbling notes in the stash's notebook, or for solving riddles in case there aren't any in the stash
   • Weather appropriate clothing
   • insect repellant
   • Sunscreen
   • Walking or hiking shoes
   • Flashlight
   • When shopping for items to exchange, remember that marbles, balls, keychains, and batteries are especially popular. You can also find an excellent trinket in a fixed price store. In addition, items of material culture that are difficult to buy, such as commemorative badges, stripes, crafts, can make the game more fun, and finding caches more interesting.
   • Don't count too much on the first-generation iPhone's positioning system: it doesn't have GPS accuracy. The new 3G iPhone has a full-fledged GPS navigator built into it, so it will perform as well as any other device.
   • To locate a cache, you can triangulate its location. To do this, mark your position 30 meters before the cache location and continue moving in its direction. Follow the same path on the other two sides of the cache. Where the three paths intersect best case at one point, there should be a cache. With this technique, you can narrow down the probability of a cache location to one or two steps, so if the cache is well hidden, it will be easier for you to find it. If you want to lay the cache yourself, use this method to determine its coordinates more accurately.
   • When you return the cache to its place, remember that it must withstand wind, rain, fluctuations in temperature and humidity, and in some areas, ice, snow, freezing and thawing. Make sure it is well sealed and properly hidden. Check the container for damage (whether it gets wet, leaks, or does not close well) so that you can report them to the owner of the cache.
   • Be sure to mark your visit to the cache on the site. It may seem like an optional checkbox, but this information helps the owner of the cache to keep track of its status, not to mention that it recognizes your merits.
   • When you feel like you're close to finding a stash, make sure you're looking for a non-hidden mailbox nearby. AT mailboxes a cut-out rubber seal is placed, which must never be removed, and a notepad. Small items for exchange are never put in the mailbox.
   • When the location of the cache is about 10 meters away, you will have to start relying more on your notes and deduction skills than on a GPS navigator. Look around and ask yourself: "Where would I hide the cache?" Inspect everything above and below: caches can lie on the ground or hang at an accessible level on trees.
   • In case you are not sure whether you have found a cache or just some box forgotten in the forest, remember that most of the caches have their official names written on them.
   • The arrow on your GPS can be confusing and frustrating for several reasons:
     • The navigator needs some time to calculate your location and direction of movement. As soon as you stop moving, he stops doing it. Therefore, please note that while you are standing, the arrow in most cases shows the direction incorrectly. Take half a dozen steps to adjust the arrow in the right direction.
     • Your current position is not calculated by the navigator with absolute accuracy. In short, anything that obscures your view of the sky prevents you from accurately calculating your position. Learn how to correctly evaluate the accuracy of your navigator in order to take into account the error in the search. The accuracy of our location may vary and depend on several factors, including:
       • forest cover
       • Power lines
       • Other people
       • Satellites currently above the horizon in your part of the world. Trimble offers free app, which will allow you to plan a day when most satellites are in the sky in your part of the world.
       • Large, flat objects that can bounce off the satellite signal, such as large buildings.
   • Check out various types caches. Each of them involves a different approach, so you can find the one that suits your mood:
     • Multi-Step Caches send you in several directions at once, allowing you to find the final location of the cache yourself.
     • Nanocaches contain smaller containers that can only fit a paper tape to mark the visit (don't forget to bring a pencil with you). They are usually located in places where the placement of a large container is not practical.
     • Mystery caches require you to solve some kind of puzzle to get the coordinates of the cache.
     • Virtual caches do not have a container. This cache is information that must be found at a given point or photographed as evidence. Such caches are popular in ecologically vulnerable places.
     • Caches without a given location, more like a "scavenger hunt", give you the opportunity to try your hand at finding an object or point on the ground that can be located anywhere. Photographs are required as evidence.
     • Moving caches are set by the owner of the cache in a specific location, but when found by another player, they move. The new coordinates are sent to the owner of the cache, and the corresponding location changes are made to the site.
   • Consider using programs specifically designed for geocaching. They will help you maintain a list of found and not found caches, show the location of the cache with street view and topographic maps, satellite view of given point the location of the cache, and will also allow you to enter data on the terrain and marks for subsequent inclusion on the site of caches. Most GPS navigators allow geocachers to upload a list of caches to them using a data cable and a specially installed program.
   • You can buy a GPS navigator at your local outdoor supply store, hardware store, electronics store, and general store. Used navigators can be bought on eBay or cache site forums. Price per device good quality ranges from $100 to $150. Navigator with improved location accuracy, simplified controls, large screen, various map viewing options and more additional features will cost more. The most popular models are Garmin and Magellan. There is also a new Geomate GPS receiver built specifically for geocaching. It is very easy to use, perfect for kids and less expensive than most GPS receivers. You can easily play this fun game with it.

   Entering coordinates

   • Check the correctness of the coordinates you enter into the navigator. The slightest mistake can send you in the wrong direction. Many navigators come with a connection cable with which you can download the coordinates of the cache from your computer.
   • The same point on Earth can be designated differently. Two things affect this:
     • Coordinate system: Different geological surveys, map systems, and mathematical relationships for the shape of the Earth represent the same coordinates in different ways. Geocachers use popular system WGS 84 coordinates, so make sure your navigator uses it too. As a comparison, the following coordinates refer to the same place on Earth, but are written in three different (out of many other possible) coordinate systems:
       • WGS84: Used by NAVSTAR GPS
       • NAD83: Virtually identical to the WGS84 coordinate system, used on new topographic maps
       • NAD27, or NAD27CONUS for the continental United States, used on old USGS topographic maps
     • Coordinate format: For the WGS84 system, the same coordinates can be displayed in different formats. Make sure your browser is using the same format as the geocaching site. For clarity, imagine that you are counting the change in your pocket. You can say that you have $1 and 35 cents in your pocket, or that you have $1, three 10 cents and one 5 cent. The coordinates of the same point on Earth will be expressed in different ways:
       • N 44.659234?, W 63.326711? - here the coordinates are indicated in degrees (?) in the format YY.YYYYYY, where G is an indicator of the degree of longitude and latitude
       • N 44? 39.55404", W 63? 19.60266" - degrees and minutes are indicated here in the format YY MM.MMMMMM, where G is degrees and M is minutes
       • N 44? 39" 33", W 63? 19 "36" - degrees, minutes and seconds are indicated here in the format YY MM SS, where G is degrees, M is minutes, S is seconds

   Tracked things

   Words and expressions

   • Abbreviations used in cache notebooks and websites:
     • BTWC - As It Was, So It Left
     • SPSSPR - Thank you for the walk
     • SPST - Thank You for the Stash
     • PB - Signed Notebook
   • A Muggle is a person who is not involved in the game and who potentially poses a danger to the safety of the cache if it is discovered. Make sure no one sees you open the stash, and at the end, hide it in the same place. The destroyed caches are usually referred to as "plundered by Muggles".
   • Robbery - Looted caches are similar to caches "plundered by Muggles", with the only difference being that if the cache is "plundered", then it is completely taken by the robber.

   Cautions

   • Before you go in search of a cache, learn how to properly use all the functions of the navigator. Many navigators have a backtracking feature that will allow you to find your way back if you get lost. Familiarize yourself with this feature before hiking, as it could save your life. In fact, it's best to bring a navigation manual with you in case you get lost and need to learn how to use a particular feature.
   • Don't put food or potentially dangerous items in caches. These can be things that attract the attention of animals (for example, food), and things that should be kept away from the child (for example, knives, alcohol, tobacco, weapons, pornography, drugs, and so on). If you find any of the listed items in the cache, you can remove it and report it to the owner of the cache when you check in on the site when you get home.
   • Don't forget to bring water and something to eat.
   • Before you go looking for a cache, let someone know where you are going and when you plan to return. You can leave information about the cache. If you get lost, the coordinates will help you find you faster.
   • Before departure, check the weather forecast, especially pay attention to the UV index, wind speed and direction, chance of precipitation, and predicted low temperatures. Dress appropriately for the weather and bring sunscreen. The main mistakes made by beginners going camping:
     • Jeans: It is strictly not recommended to wear jeans, as they easily absorb moisture, dry for a long time and do not keep warm.
     • Many people have no idea how dirty (or at least soaked) their feet will get as the game progresses, so it's best to wear hiking boots. Spare socks will not take up much space and will come in handy if you get your feet wet.
     • Preparing for cold and rain: First of all, prepare your limbs for cold weather (put woolen or fleece socks on your feet, gloves or mittens on your hands, a warm knitted hat on your head). Dress in layers so you can better adjust to changes in the weather.
     • Preparing for exposure to the sun and UV rays: Even if it's not very sunny outside, UV rays can burn your skin. Finding hiding places is so exciting that 30 minutes in the sun can feel like five, so put on a hat and put on sunscreen.
   • You must follow local laws. The cache can be approached in various ways. NO stashes site gives you the right to trespass on private property. If you suspect that the intended route will be through someone's backyard, choose a different one.
   • When it's time to leave familiar territory and go into the forest, make a mark on the navigator. If events take an undesirable turn and you lose your way or get lost, you can always come back to the mark.
   • Regardless of what time of day you go for the hiding place, take a flashlight with you. If you get lost in the forest after sunset, it will help you find your way faster or others find you.
   • Pay more attention to the surrounding area than to the navigator. Look at it only when necessary. It's much more important to stay safe and watch where you're going.
   • Always carry a compass with you. It will not only help you find the cache with the help of a magnetic arrow, but also in case of failure of the navigator, it will lead you out of the forest.
   • In this age of increased security, you will have to think about where to place the cache. Do not place containers near areas and buildings that could be targeted by terrorists. If your container is accidentally mistaken for a bomb, you could face fines, criminal charges, or a claim for damages for government spending.
   • Carry a first aid kit and survival kit with you in case of unforeseen circumstances.
   • Take along a lot of spare batteries for your navigator, flashlight and any other device. They are inexpensive, but will not let you get lost. Ni-MH batteries are cost effective and environmentally friendly.
   • Do not go searching until you have read the full description of the cache. They usually contain warnings about the terrain, potential hazards and unsafe areas, and information about private areas to avoid.

Svetlana Blagushina
Geocaching is one of modern technologies preschool education

Everyone understands that the world does not stand still and new technical opportunities open up new forms of human activity. Here is the Internet. For some, this is an opportunity to earn money, for some - immersion in the game, and someone uses it as a book or magazine. And here on the same Internet from several other hobbies was born geocaching, a game that uses the capabilities of GPS and the Internet. What geocaching? Putting together the meaning of its constituent words geo (Earth) and cache(stash, it turns out - "search for a secret in the ground". It really makes sense « geocaching» , a game played by millions of residents different countries peace.

Geocaching is an adventure game with elements of tourism and local history. In addition to local history and sports, geocaching plays an important role in the upbringing of children.

The problem that the players solve in geocaching- this is a search for caches made by other participants in the game. In doing so, they use devices that have a GPS receiver. Such as a laptop, navigator, smartphone or PDA. It is important to find like-minded people, some kind of transport and the same GPS receiver. And a fun time is guaranteed.

For the first time, a site with a description and rules of geohashing appeared in Russia in 2002. In the same place, information was laid out in the places of laying caches. This site attracted a large number of enthusiasts.

Over time, not only adults, but even children joined the game preschool age.

Educational geocaching is another pedagogical tool in the process of education and development of schoolchildren and preschoolers. Modern technologies allow children to learn in the form of a game, make learning interesting, creative and meaningful for participants.

Fantasy is welcome here. For example, caches: this is a small container with some interesting item. Here everything goes in move: toys, stationery, decorations. Geocaches welcome hiding places with creative ones with riddles, drawings, photographs.

The same applies to the location of caches. They may be very close, or they may require overcoming serious obstacles.

The rules of the game are quite simple, but they must be followed.

Rules of the game:

A treasure is an object placed in a container.

Then he is hidden in an interesting place: e.g. in a monument, lake, forest.

Treasure search methods:

The location map is important to the game. On the map it is necessary to mark where the treasure was hidden.

The way to search for a treasure is to search by riddles, by signs, by a scheme. A treasure may not be an object, but, for example, a word. It is necessary to conceive a certain word, then write it down in letters on the diagram. The appearance of one of the children of the group is described. Participants determine it according to hidden signs. The answer is the first letter of the child's name. (WITH).. Other signs are offered, these are Food, Chair, Hair and Legs, by which children guess the words. It is necessary to read the word that turned out.

So way, geocaching - absolutely a new game , it is played all over the world. There is a method of organizing geocaching with preschool children.

Introduction of new pedagogical technologies is an important efficiency factor education. Technology translated from Greek means knowledge of skill. Pedagogical technology is an economically and pedagogically justified process of achieving potentially reproducible, guaranteed, planned results of pedagogy, which contain the formation of knowledge.

There are several types of caches. The most popular is the container, which contains a pencil, a notebook and a prize. As a prize, there can be any trifle - sweets, toys. In the cache, a pencil and a notebook are needed in order to write down the find. It is necessary to write down your name, what was taken as a prize and what was left in return.

Geocaching- an orienteering game, and everyone finds something of their own in it. Therefore, the rules of the game must be followed by all participants, otherwise the game will not work.

1. Find a cache.

2. Pick up the item you like from the cache.

3. Put an item in the cache instead of the one taken,

4. Write on the site about your find.

The method of organizing age can arouse great interest in children in physical exercises. Children expand their knowledge, their horizons, enjoy the surrounding views in the process of this game.

A distinctive feature of the game in the preschool group or with children preschool age is a lack GPS navigator. It is necessary to use an adapted version of the game - according to maps and schemes.

In order to interest children, sweets can be placed in the first caches. The guys learn to look for a cache according to the indicated marks and instructions that are left to them. Then the task becomes more complicated - to search for hiding places on maps or diagrams. To do this, you need to teach children to read a map, so the next step is to work on preparatory stage The project is to teach children to navigate within the preschool group, site, according to the scheme, according to the map, through the use of diverse game exercises for the development of spatial representations.

Geocaching- this is an opportunity to have fun and experience excitement within your hometown, and also, it can be, a kind of analogue of sports. After all, according to geocaching competitions are organized for the game

parents can be involved and they will play with their children with fun and pleasure. Large or small teams gather, or you can search for caches individually.

So way, a game geocaching is one of the modern technologies of preschool age

A game geocaching- an important means of self-expression, a test of strength. Organization methodology geocaching with preschool kids age can arouse great interest in children in physical exercises. Children expand their knowledge

Related publications:

Short stay group as one of the variant forms of preschool education A short stay group is a form of work with preschoolers based on their short stay in a preschool.

On February 7, 2015, on the basis of MBDOU DS No. 8, another methodological association of preschool workers from the city of o. Kokhma on the topic “Design.

"Introduction of modern educational and rehabilitation technologies in the Orphanage" Early childhood is the foundation general development child, the starting period of all human beginnings. It is in the early years that the foundations are laid.

Short stay group - one of the variant forms of preschool education It is generally recognized that the formation of a person's personality begins at preschool age. At the same time, the foundations are being laid.

Use of modern educational technologies (Report) Report on the use of modern educational technologies educator MBDOU d / s "Ladushki" Kaminova E. S. When organizing educational.

Geocaching (from the English geocaching) is a game that appeared in 2002 in the USA (in Russia since 2002) in which the jury or other players hide “treasures” on the ground and report their coordinates in a legend issued before the start or on the Internet, and motorists with GPS receivers are looking for them. Like orienteering, but on cars and, moreover, with a local history bias, because the treasures are hidden in interesting historical places.

I participated in this game several times, organized by our magazine "Autorun", here are my impressions of the first one. I hope the material will be useful to those who do not yet know what geocaching is and what it is eaten with. At the same time, you will see that tasks can be more creative than just finding the "treasure".

FIRST TIME IN GEOCASHING CLASS

Having received an editorial task to go with one of the crews participating in geocaching competitions, I get into the Nissan Patrol of the Nizhegorodets dealer team. In the back leather seat of the car, I feel like a UN observer: they are also assigned these huge off-road vehicles in the hot spots of the planet, and the crew is of no use to me, as well as from these UN members - I don’t know the route and I can’t suggest anything.

Let's get acquainted. Behind the wheel - Alexander Chirkov, in the navigational chair - Igor Solovyov, behind him - an assistant, son Sergei. All of them are participating in such an event for the first time and therefore, of course, they are nervous before the start: “Where did he go? When will we get the card? Only the Nissan Patrol is unperturbed, its turbodiesel rumbles soothingly, as if to say: “You guys figure out where to go, and I know my business - I will get you there in the best possible way.”

Having received a pile of maps just before the start, the navigator jumps into the cockpit and starts feverishly typing the coordinates of the desired points into the GPS navigator. Alexander rips the jeep right off the bat - we have five hours, and we need to have time to comb the entire Kstovsky district of the Nizhny Novgorod region! - but then he realizes: you can’t drive faster than 90 km / h - the speed readings are recorded by the device, and for exceeding it - a serious fine. Therefore, the additional horsepower awakened by the turbine will have to rest today.

And competitors are scurrying ahead along the course, feverishly thinking - to make their way through the city or go to the Kazan highway?

We also go into a rage, and it soon becomes incomprehensible why people go to play roulette in Monte Carlo, when the same sensations can be obtained in the vicinity of Nizhny ...

We fly into the village. We find a church. We need to quickly find out how many rectangular windows are in the second tier. A few minutes later, in another settlement, we count the columns at the temple. To get the coordinate of an additional point, you need to subtract either the windows from the columns, or the columns from the windows, and divide the result in two. Of course, one cannot be divided into another without a trace, resulting in the well-known one and a half diggers, and ahead of us are more crosses on domes, arches, bells and peaks on fences.

The organizers made it so that all objects are accessible by highway, but in one place, if we drive only on asphalt, we would have to go back and make a detour. "What for?" the driver wonders. Indeed, why? We have a real jeep with “hard” bridges, and not some kind of “parketnik”, and we rush straight ahead, without dismantling the road, past the gardens, and then through the forest and finally, raising the hood high, we get out of the deep ditch onto a normal road , catching the bewildered glances of those traveling in cars. Where are we from and what did we do in those wilds?

And we have such a car, all the time provokes to cut corners along gullies.

And when the next task says: “Leave the car and take a walk to the desired point on foot, you won’t be able to get there,” the crew decides: “What other walks! We'll get there!" But on the upper edge of the unpaved village street, more like a ravine, we run into a parked Volga. The crew is so excited that, if it were permitted by the rules, an unexpected obstacle would be moved by a bumper (this is how a stuck car was pushed off a bridge during the war), but we ourselves have to dive to the bottom of the ravine and knead the wet mud there.

It would seem that one could rely not only on a GPS navigator, but also on the help of local residents. But they are of no use - the men who meet on the roadsides on the occasion of the holiday barely stand on their feet and mumble something inarticulate, and the grandmothers, at the sight of cars scurrying back and forth, only cross themselves, and the ubiquitous boys, perhaps for the first time seeing such a cavalcade of different brands in their area cars - from the little "Micra" to all-wheel drive monsters from the NKVD *, speechless, and only joyful dogs flashing by the wheels are trying to explain something to us in their own language.

Two and a half hundred kilometers flew in one breath, and an additional point has already been found after a short dive between the navigator and the driver: “Do we need it? You need to play - so to the end! The last one remains, with a cunning name that even the locals do not know, and the GPS receiver mockingly shows its location on the other side of the Volga.

But the navigator, gathering his will into a fist, goes to brainstorm, again and again divides the arches into windows, subtracts the columns from the crosses (it's good that only we hear this), and here it is - the desired coordinate! And in confirmation of the correctness of the actions of non-standard arithmetic, an additional finish is shown behind the lake. We've arrived. Is it the end of the game?

And it does not matter that after checking the results, the crew of Nizhegorodets does not get a prize, but only a diploma - the main thing was the will to win, all the points were passed, the hidden finish line was found. And this is enough for the first time. Yes, and enjoy the game. What you can be sure of when you hear Sergey's question: "Dad, when is the next geocaching?"

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© Alexander Elchishchev
Photo by the author and Andrey Chudakov

*Nizhny Novgorod club of off-road equipment