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### Comprehensive Guide to Pocket Queries for Geocaching Enthusiasts ###

Unlock the full potential of geocaching with this detailed guide on Pocket Queries (PQs). Discover how to create personalized searches to find, hide, and explore caches tailored to your preferences. Whether you're a standard or premium member, learn to build queries based on type, size, difficulty, and location. Maximize your caching experience with efficient strategies for finding active and unfound caches, and gain insights on using Google Earth to create routes. Join the geocaching adventure today! ###

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### Comprehensive Guide to Pocket Queries for Geocaching Enthusiasts ###

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  1. Queries! Carl Schmertmann (Urubu) With a heavy debt to Richard Thompson (Glonch’sPride) of New Hampshire, whose presentation I borrowed and adapted

  2. Types of Queries • ALL MEMBERS Finds by…, Hides by…, Caches near..., Unfound caches near…, My Friends… • PREMIUM MEMBERS • Standard Pocket Queries (PQs) • ‘Along a Route’ PQs • ‘All Finds’ PQs

  3. ALL MEMBERS • From your account page QueryLinks

  4. ALL MEMBERS • From any cache page… QueryLinks

  5. ALL MEMBERS • Geocaching Quick Linkswww.geocachingadmin.com/search.pl • Store links as Browser Bookmarks • finds by Flipsicanwww.geocaching.com/seek/nearest.aspx?ul=Flipsican • hides by Ubertracker22www.geocaching.com/seek/nearest.aspx?u=ubertracker22 • etc

  6. PREMIUM MEMBERS: Pocket Queries • PQ = search GC database for caches matching user’s specifications • PQ results arrive as either • GPX file email attachment  Google Earth (Open file, or drag & drop)  GSAK • ‘Preview page’ in web browser Save as a bookmark for reuse

  7. Pocket Queries • Limits (as of Feb 2008): • Max 500 Caches per PQ • Max 5 PQs emailed per day • Max 40 PQs per user • (GSAK gets around these limits)

  8. Standard Pocket Queries: Structure User chooses • Name of query • Which days to run & send GPX via email • # of caches to return in query • Type & Size • Active/Inactive • Difficulty & Terrain • State • Center Point & Radius

  9. EXAMPLE Standard PQs • All active caches within 100 miles of 32309 that I haven’t found • All Puzzle caches in Florida that have never been found. • All traditional, non-micro caches within 10 miles of my hotel in Orlando • All Tallahassee caches that are marked ‘no snowmobiles’ • Etc.

  10. Standard Pocket Queries: Starting Out • Get to your account screen • On the right hand side, half way down, click Build Pocket Queries

  11. Standard Pocket Queries: Starting Out Select [Create a new query]

  12. Standard Pocket Queries: Part 1 • Query Name • Pick something useful • Days… • Can leave blank until needed • Choose… • Leave on “Uncheck..” until needed • Show me ### caches (max=500)

  13. Standard Pocket Queries: Part 2 • Select Type(s) • Select container size(s)

  14. Standard Pocket Queries: Part 3 • Status • I check: • I haven’t found • I don’t own • Is Active • Terrain/Difficulty

  15. Standard Pocket Queries: Part 4 • Within • This will depend on the application

  16. Standard Pocket Queries: Part 5 • Origin= Center Point • Radius

  17. Standard Pocket Queries: Part 6 Placed during… • This can be VERY valuable in an area with >500 caches (like Tallahassee!), because you can break up the search into 2 perfectly non-overlapping parts (before 2008, after 2008)

  18. Standard Pocket Queries: Part 7 • Attributes to Include • Attributes to Exclude

  19. Standard Pocket Queries: Part 8 • Output to • Usually leave this as default, change if needed in your situation • In the format • Always - GPS Exchange Format (*.gpx) • Always check – Compress files into *.zip format

  20. Caches Along A Route 2nd Major Type of PQ: ALONG A ROUTE • Create a route in Google EARTH • Save it as a KML file on your computer • Start Building a PQ • Select [Find Caches Along a Route] option • Upload KML file to the GC.com site and name it • Choose other PQ criteria (type, size, active, …) normally

  21. Creating a Route in Google Earth http://www.geocaching.com/my/userroutes.aspx Says…

  22. Creating a Route in Google Earth • Open Google Earth and click the [Directions] tab • Enter startand end pointsof route

  23. Creating a Route in Google Earth • Find the top of the route • RIGHT clickand SAVE PLACE AS…

  24. Creating a Route in Google Earth • Name the file • Save as Type KML

  25. Caches Along A Route: Starting Out Build a New PQSelect [Find Caches Along a Route]

  26. Caches Along A Route Select [Upload GPX/KML] tab

  27. Caches Along A Route Select [Browse], pick file, then [Upload]

  28. Caches Along A Route Click [Preview], then [Select], then [Save Selected Routes] 2 1 3

  29. Caches Along A Route Find the new route on the list of “Your Existing Routes”, and start a PQ …the rest is normal PQ stuff

  30. Let’s Try Some! Thanks…

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