Cache in Trash out
Geocaching is like a real-world treasure hunt, and you can participate all over North Carolina. Playing is simple: Use the geocaching app or a GPS device to navigate your way to containers, called caches, that are hidden on publicly-accessible land. Caches can turn up near roadside oddities, small town museums and unique outdoor landmarks showcasing the kind of offbeat charm that makes NC worth wandering. So, wherever you’re exploring, there’s likely a hidden gem nearby waiting to be found.
These hidden gem destinations only remain worth visiting if we look after them. That’s where the Outdoor NC Leave No Trace Principle Trash Your Trash comes in, keeping NC’s outdoor spaces clean for the next adventurer. The world-wide Geocaching community has joined forces to create Cache In Trash Out, a series of events that blend the fun of Geocaching with the purpose-driven act of organized cleanups.
Joining a Cache In Trash Out event is a natural way to put the Outdoor NC Leave No Trace principle of Trash Your Trash into practice. At these events, Geocachers team up to clean trails, waterways and wild spaces they explore. You can join one of these organized events, or simply bring a trash bag and remove any litter you find while hunting for the hidden treasure on your own.
And taking part in a Cache In Trash Out event isn’t the only way you can use Geocaching as a way to preserve your favorite NC destinations. Following Outdoor NC Leave No Trace principles while you hunt for hidden treasure will help preserve the very landscapes that you’re exploring.
3 Outdoor NC Leave No Trace Tips for geocaching
Follow these three Outdoor NC Leave No Trace tips the next time you go treasure hunting, and you’ll leave NC better than you found it.
Plan Ahead and Prepare
Before you start searching for that cache, learn the rules and regulations of the land you’ll be exploring. Prepare for a Geocache as if it were a hike by carrying food, water and extra layers in case the weather turns. Consider visiting the destination during off-peak days and hours to help minimize the impact around trailheads and along trails. And if you’re hiding a cache, make sure the land manager allows Geocaching.
Stick to Trails
t might be tempting to go off-trail to create a short cut to a cache, but staying on established trails is a great way to preserve the health of the landscape you’re exploring. When you stay on durable surfaces, you’re allowing the plants that grow in the understory of the forest to thrive. Hiking in single file is another great way to keep the trail from “growing” wider, limiting the impact of foot traffic on fragile species surrounding the path.
share the outdoors
You’re at the destination to Geocache, but others might be using the park or forest to run, bike or fish. Being considerate of these other visitors and sharing the space will help ensure all adventurers enjoy their time in the outdoors, which will in turn make them more likely to act as stewards for the landscape too. Be mindful of your noise level as you hunt for the cache so everyone can enjoy the sounds of nature, and give others space if you pass them on the trail. A friendly “hello” never hurts, either.
Want to learn more ways to explore North Carolina’s natural world, from the High Country to the coast, while being a good steward of it?
Inside our Evergreen E-Newsletter you’ll find useful tips on how to responsibly enjoy all kinds of outdoor adventures, highlights from local guides, and recommendations on destinations to explore throughout North Carolina for adventurers of all abilities.
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