A beautiful view for an EarthCache at Colca Canyon in Peru
What is an EarthCache?
In a previous post, we gave a brief introduction to geocaching, an international game of hide and seek using a GPS. Following clues posted online, you make your way to all sorts of places. Our favorites involve hiking and getting out into nature, though there are all kinds of caches to choose from. An EarthCache is a special type of geocache. Its goal is to educate the seeker on some aspect of our natural world. Like other “virtual” caches, they have no physical container or log book. The treasure you’re seeking is knowledge! EarthCaches are special in that they “present some lesson on how a place formed, about why that place is important scientifically or what that site can tell us about our planet.” (Source: EarthCache.org) In order to log an EarthCache as “found” you have to submit the answer to a question or two, showing that you’ve learned something in the process of your visit. EarthCache as a program is supported by the Geological Association of America and the National Park Service, among other national and international organizations.
Why We Love EarthCaches
Since we started geocaching, about 7 years ago, we’ve found many EarthCaches. Most had beautiful views, and many were in remote or unusual locations. All taught us something about an area or about the earth in general that we didn’t know before. At Casibari-Hooiberg in Aruba we learned about diorite boulder formations. We got all the details of Colca Canyon in Peru, while the Dunes near Pushkar, India taught us about how sand dunes move with time and wind. We’ve also found EarthCaches closer to home in Washington, Kansas, Connecticut, California and Oregon.
Mineral Springs EarthCache
EarthCaching’s 10th Birthday
To celebrate the 10th Birthday of Earthcaching, we did an EarthCache in Williamston, SC. The cache can be found at a park in Williamston. Mineral Springs was discovered in the 1840s and found to have medicinal properties. People came from miles around to drink the water here. The spring still bubbles up from deep underground, passing through layers of rock that impart it with different minerals. When it was last tested it was found to contain carbonate of iron, carbonic acid, sulphate of magnesia, a trace of iodine, and a trace of sulphur. This indicates that the spring runs through limestone. I took a good, long drink, so we’ll soon see if I develop any super powers!
Here’s a link to the cache page, for any cachers interested in checking it out! For more information on Geocaching, check out their website.
