Video: Geocaching Challenge Goes Live in Skyline Open Space Preserve

The Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District launched its new geocaching program, the Preserve Circuit Geo-Challenge, Saturday at Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve.

The event brought out experienced geocachers, eager to search the district’s new circuit of 22 caches, when the location points—from Pulgas Ridge, to Rancho San Antonio to Sierra Azul—went live that day.

But it also brought out rank beginners for a clinic in this pastime, which marries Global Positioning System technology with "treasure-hunting"—in most cases, for small caches of trinkets—with the Great Outdoors. Essentially, someone stashes items for others to try to find using GPS, whether secreted in tree hollows or under ledges, or camouflaged out in the open.

Inside a cache, seekers will always find a log-sheet to jot down what has been found; larger caches sometimes contain logbooks. The general rule is that items found are to be replaced with something of equal or greater value. Thus, treasures inside caches will vary, depending upon the taste of the cacher who found it before you. Caches are also rated on a difficulty scale of one to five, one being in plain sight and a five being well hidden, even camouflaged.

In the video above, Steve Wood of REI teaches about geocaching at Skyline Open Space Preserve.

Wood, who like other geocachers, uses a geocaching alias (workerofwood), taught participants how to use a handheld GPS device and plan strategically, and he provided safety tips for seeking in the outdoors. He led the groups through a search for four caches.

Participants in the Los Altos-based open space district's Geo-Challenge get a "preserve passport" to use, because each geocache contains a stamp, and participants can earn collectibles. 

Los Altos Patch Editor L.A. Chung contributed to this report