When describing the humble beginnings of geocaching, Dave Ulmer, the father of geocaching, explained, "I was absolutely convinced - day one - that [geocaching] was going to be a hit." The origins of geocaching and much more are covered in the newly-released DVD, The Complete Guide to Geocaching. Produced by geocacher Seth Leary (aka Seth!) and hosted by Jeff Skora, the DVD is beneficial to both newbie cachers and seasoned cache hunters alike.
In addition to the bonus footage of Mr. Ulmer, interviews with Jeremy Irish, founder of GC.com, and geocaching pioneer Jon Stanley (aka Moun10Bike) are incorporated into the DVD. Also included are tips and tricks to using the features of GC.com, information on the Global Positioning System, and Travel Bugs. This footage alone goes a long way to explain geocaching. However, the additional compendium of caching knowledge included in the DVD, from start to finish, is produced in an informative and often humorous manner.
"Chapters" such as "The Hunt", "Urban Caching", "Hiding a Geocache", and "Cache Variations" are not only excellent resources for beginners, but also invaluable refresher courses for those individuals who may already be experienced cachers. Each chapter offers in-depth information associated with the specific category and offers advice that will ensure a modicum of success in geocaching. Among some of the information offered is how to go about rating the terrain and/or difficulty of hidden caches, basic information on using a GPSr, guidelines on how to remain safe while caching (this may seem remedial at times, but is an often-necessary reminder on the dos and don'ts of caching), recommendations on cache containers and swag contents, and the use of specialized equipment (such as a boat).
The overall running time of the DVD is 87 minutes (44 minutes of main content and 43 minutes of bonus features). The retail price of the DVD, available at the official site of The Complete Guide to Geocaching is available at an introductory price of $16.95 (not including shipping). The video is a valuable asset to every caching library, and would be a welcome gift to any cacher just getting started in what is sure to quickly become an addiction.
