Satellite signals for GPS units used to be disrupted by the United States Air Force, for security purposes. However, in early 2000, the signals were allowed for civilian use. Two days later, Dave Ulmer, a computer consultant in Oregon,”hid a navigational target in the woods to test the new GPS accuracy.” (Briney 2009). He posted the coordinates of his target online, and within two days, his target was found. Behold the birth of geocaching, a popular outdoor activity in which participants try to find hidden containers filled with trinkets, using GPS technology. Since its start in 2000, over 860,000 caches have been hidden in over 100 countries around the world.
In that same year, a man named Jeremy Irish quit his job at an online clothing store to start the website Geocaching.com. For $30 a year, he provides participants with detailed maps of rough terrain. His website helped the activity go mainstream. By 2004, ”U.S sales of the GPS units were $42.3 million [in 2004] compared with $16.7 million in 2002.” (Gunsalus 2006) …show more content…
Caches may be placed on private property or on historical sites, disrupting the owners or the land. Others say that, “satellites and computer screens interfere with the outdoors experience.” (Gunsalus 2006). They argue that one cannot enjoy nature as much when they are in a rush to find the caches. The Three Sisters Wilderness Area in Oregon banned geocaching in 2002, and a fine of $100 for placing caches on historic sites has been proposed by South
In that same year, a man named Jeremy Irish quit his job at an online clothing store to start the website Geocaching.com. For $30 a year, he provides participants with detailed maps of rough terrain. His website helped the activity go mainstream. By 2004, ”U.S sales of the GPS units were $42.3 million [in 2004] compared with $16.7 million in 2002.” (Gunsalus 2006) …show more content…
Caches may be placed on private property or on historical sites, disrupting the owners or the land. Others say that, “satellites and computer screens interfere with the outdoors experience.” (Gunsalus 2006). They argue that one cannot enjoy nature as much when they are in a rush to find the caches. The Three Sisters Wilderness Area in Oregon banned geocaching in 2002, and a fine of $100 for placing caches on historic sites has been proposed by South