By Brian Sniatkowski, aka briansnat
The holiday season is here. If you’re reading this you probably know a geocacher and are trying to think of some geocaching related gifts for your brother, sister, friend or significant other. Here are some gift ideas that will delight any geocacher on Christmas morning.
Big ticket gifts
Lowrance iFinder H20 Plus package ($229) -- A GPS with great reception, mapping software and expandable memory is probably on most geocacher’s wish list. The iFinder H20 delivers. It’s a serious GPS unit that will satisfy any serious geocacher. Available at Amazon.com.
LL Bean Cresta Hikers ($169) -- Not every hiking boot is for everyone, but because they come in several widths, LL Bean’s Cresta Hikers can fit a wide range of feet. The Gore-Tex liner makes them waterproof and their durability and out of the box comfort is legendary among hikers and backpackers. Available at LLbean.com.
Mountainsmith Approach II daypack ($69) -- This load monster will carry enough for nearly any geocaching trip imaginable. It’s hydration system compatible and that, along with its water bottle pockets allows it to carry enough H20 for a summer caching trek in the Sonoran Desert. Northern geocachers will appreciate the extra room for bulky clothing for their winter trips. Best of all, the pack can expand to carry an ammo box into the wilderness. Available at Campmor.com.
Budget gifts
REI Flash UL pack/stuff sack ($25) -- Is it a bag or a backpack? Its both. This might be the perfect accessory for your geocacher. It’s a generously sized bag, large enough to carry your cache swag and lunch on your suburban cache hunts. But wait! Is the trip going to be longer than you planned? Turn in it inside out and you have a hydration compatible day pack. Available at Rei.com.
Lock 'n Lock 23-pc. Storage Container Set ($19.99) -- If ammo boxes rule, Lock ‘n Locks are the crown prince. Lock ‘n Locks are durable, watertight containers and the O ring helps keep your cache contents dry. This set consists of 11 containers of various sizes that will accommodate cache hides ranging from small to large. You might even decide to save a few to store leftovers in your freezer. Available at Target.com
A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson ($10 paperback) -- Many geocachers are hikers at heart. Even if you aren’t hiker you will find Bryson’s account of his trip along the Appalachian Trail to be hilarious. Actually, couch potatoes might appreciate it even more than hikers. A genuine classic and a must read for anybody who appreciates the outdoors and for those who don’t (I think that means everyone). Available at Amazon.com.
Stocking stuffers
Plastic Match Box ($1.25) -- Other than the fact that its bright orange, this might be the perfect micro container. The O ring makes it waterproof and it can fit a rolled up log book and a pencil stub. Camo tape or spraypaint will solve the color problem. Available at Wal-mart.
Carabiner Compass ($1.99) -- This compass is cheap enough to use as swag, but useful enough to find your way home if your GPS dies. Available at Rei.com.
Space Blanket ($3.99) -- A great cache swag item. Keep one in your pack too. It doesn’t take up much room and could save your life if you’re caught outdoors when the weather takes an unexpected bad turn.