We have found that geocaching goes well with our outdoor activities. Since we enjoy combining all of these things into our trips, it’s essential to have a good geocaching bag that meets our variety of needs. We have found that our Mountainsmith Tour TLS Lumbar Backpack
is perfect for our adventures! It’s not too big, but it’s big enough to fit everything we need to be prepared for a day hike, or touring a new city. In fact, we enjoy it so much that we refer to it as our “Geocaching Adventure Bag!”
Filling Your Geocaching Adventure Bag
If you are finding yourself really wanting to up your Geocaching game, then you will be finding yourself in some amazing places, but probably off the beaten path. Here are a couple of things you will want to make sure to have in your Geocaching Bag.
GPS or SmartPhone
There are a few things that are a must-have for your Geocaching Adventure Bag, and we always have ours packed and ready to go. The first item you need to even be able to geocache is a GPS Unit and / or a smartphone with the downloaded Geocaching App. However, for more accuracy (and use outside cellphone service areas), we use a Garmin Oregon GPS unit. This model is the newest version of our geocaching bag, and we are still learning about all the features and functionality of this awesome device. We look forward to all the added adventures it will provide us.
Protective Sprays
It is also very important to keep a variety of sprays in your geocaching bag, since this is an outdoor sport. When we were beginner geocachers, many times we found ourselves somewhere without any sunscreen; and the next day really wishing we would have remembered it! So now, a small spray bottle always stays in the bag. Bug spray is also a must-have in the geocaching bag. We always seem to be on some kind of hiking trail in search of a geocache, and Liz seems to attract mosquitos wherever she goes! So keeping the bugs away is important so you can enjoy your hike and the next day.
Don’t Forget Your Water Bottle
While on all these outdoor adventures, it is critical to stay hydrated. Our Geocaching Adventure Bag has two convenient pouches for water while maintaining a functional design. In fact, this is what we love most about the bag. It has an over-the-shoulder strap that secures it to your body while having an additional strap for your waist. The waist strap is an amazing feature because it really takes the pressure off of your back! It also brings you better stability while you are hiking because the bag doesn’t shift around, even with the water in the pouches! So don’t forget the water!
Notebook and Pen
Also, we always have a notebook and pen with us in our bag when we have that awesome idea that we want to write down. And the notebook comes in handy when you are working on a “multi-cache” and need to write down clues during your geocaching hunt which leads you to another location. Other geocaches will require you to answer questions before you move on to the next location. So don’t be stuck without your notebook.
Nice-to-Haves
Lastly, we bring along several odds and ends in the bag. A flashlight is always useful, as well as a small first aid kit (just in case), and some snacks. We also bring along a Bluetooth mini-boombox from time to time. We really enjoy listening to some our of more relaxing music while we hike. As a bonus, the sound warns the wildlife of our approach to keep us from catching them by surprise. Of course, we are sure to be considerate and not have the volume at a level that will disturb our fellow hikers. You might also find a koozie, dice, and cards in our geocaching bag too. We never know when we might want to play a game to kill time or trade some *Geo-Swag.
***Geo-Swag are tradeable that you will find in Geocaches. If you take something out, you have to put something in. Always be good to your fellow Cachers.
Having a great Geocaching Bag is essential. We love that our bag is filled with things that we need on the trail, but also comes useful while exploring around a city. But whatever bag you choose, make sure that you are prepared for the environment and the unexpected.
Oh and don’t forget your camera. Geocaching will take you to some pretty amazing places!
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I been geocaching only for a few months and always looking for hints and tips, especially what to bring with me. I usually keep the main bits and bobs you mention and while I don’t use sprays like you mention, I carry a buff. It can be used as a hat, neck warmer or the main reason I got it … a face mask. I suffer from hay fever and when going in to long grass it can cause problems but the buff usually helps me from getting the worse of it.
I was interested in the bag though lol, I been using a old WWII gas mask bag (Think of myself as a fatter and balder Indy lol) but due to the age the bag isn’t looking its best and my repair jobs are failing quickly. The problem I have with the Mountainsmith waistbag is the stigma which comes in to my mind that its like a hybird bum bag. All those years at school and bum bags still hold a bad rep lol. But I shall look in to one and maybe try and find one in one of the many camping stores around the area and see how they fit.
Cheers for the piece though 😀
Thanks David – we are glad that you enjoyed the information about the bag. Josh had purchased a Mountainsmith bag before we were cachers, but quickly found that it was the perfect companion for the new hobby. Over time, it has become our go-to bag because it is so functional and comfortable to carry. We even purchased a larger version of the bag to hold our camera equipment too. It’s definitely worth looking into.
Thanks!
– Josh & Liz
What about spare logs and containers? Tweezers for extracting log? Spare batteries?
Thanks Dan – great suggestions! Yes, we have run across full logs before, and those darn microcaches can be difficult to remove, so tweezers are a great idea! Spare batteries are also a must.
Thanks for the additional ideas!
– Liz & Josh
Yes, and I have a log roller for those nasty nano logs – faster and easier than using your fingers, and the log is always rolled back the right size to fit back in the container.
Hi,
I also have one of those small mirrors that have the retractable handle, therefore are the size of a pen when retracted, but extend to 600mm — great for looking along edges under shelters etc, or under seats, and when you see the cache in the mirror you know where to grab. saves toughing spiders, dirt, or cutting ones fingers.
I also have a magnet that is on the same type of retractable handle, and it has a mini torch in the center, also great for retrieving caches.
Both these items were purchased at the local car accessory shop
Good suggestion Maureen! We can see how that would be very hand out there – you never know what you may come across, so best to be prepared!
Thanks!
– Josh & liz
Nice set up. I carry the same pack. Along with all of the gear you’re carrying, due to the environment I cache in, I have 2 water bottles, Space Blanket, 50’s of parachute cord, combo survival whistle / match case, green LASER flare, first aid kit, firestarter flint, multi-tool, a few “Shot Blocks” for replenishing electrolytes in the desert, Quark AA2 flashlight/strobe, windbreaker, gloves, compass w/ folding mirror, 4 AA batteries, SPOT tracker attached to the outside and most importantly, a spare small sized cache container and log strips for maintenance and CHOCOLATE bars! Would hate to bivouac without those.
Thanks Keith – wow that sounds like you are doing some SERIOUS geocaching! Are you an avid seeker of the 5/5’s? That’s an impressive assortment of gear, you should be prepared for just about anything!
Cheers!
– Josh & Liz
I always forget to bring something to swap out. Sorry to say, I’ve stashed gum. It was the only thing I had on me. =(
Haha – at first, we had that issue too. But now we always have a few things in the bag just in case.
Always interesting to see what others pack for GC.
Is that a walking stick/probe? Looks interesting – I think it could be a helpful tool. What do you use it for? Thanks
Thanks Andrew. Yes, the walking sticks are helpful when we are hiking on rough terrain. But they also come in handy to poke through leaves or small rocks when looking for the geocache. Sometimes using your hand is difficult or can get a little scary if there are snakes or other sorts of wildlife in the area. We would rather test it out with a stick! 🙂 Really, it is a very handy tool to keep with you!
Cheers!
– Liz & Josh
Instead of tweezers, I keep a small screw in my pocket. Works great for retrieving those tiny logs that don’t want to see the light of day, and can be used as an adhoc pen (with leaf) for those days that you need a writing utensil. Plus it’s small and stays where you put it (unlike tweezers which always seem to wander on me)!
That’s a great idea! Some of those small logs can be very tricky to get out and to put back in. Thanks for the tip!
– Liz & Josh