Geocaching day at North Carolina Arboretum set for Nov. 5

Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

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Press release here:

The high-tech treasure hunt activity known as geocaching is gaining popularity in the mountains of Western North Carolina and around the world. On Saturday, November 5, The North Carolina Arboretum will host its second annual Geocaching Day, offering families, individuals, and groups an opportunity to take part in an outdoor adventure.   

By using a handheld GPS unit, along with coordinates downloaded from www.geocaching.com, geocaching enthusiasts can solve clues to find one of 1,215,555 geocaches located around the world. These geocaches contain a log book and pencil for recording the find, and often include trinkets that can be traded out as a memento of the experience. 

The Arboretum owns and maintains nine active geocaches located within the borders of the Arboretum by special use permit from the United States Forest Service. The first geocaches on property were placed in the summer of 2009, and have received more than 400 visits from guests of the Arboretum. In honor of Geocaching Day, a special “series” cache will engage participants in a trek around the Arboretum on a search for clues to its location. The new cache, titled “Arboretum Adventure,” will have starting coordinates available at www.geocaching.com just prior to the event.