GPS for Dummies.pdf - Engineering Surveyor

Chapter 7: Geocaching141In addition to geocaching, a number of otherGPS-related activities have sprung up on theInternet. A few that you might be interested ininclude Geodashing: This is a contest in whichrandom points are selected and players needto get within 100 meters of the location.There are no caches, hints, or terrain difficultyratings, and the points can be anywhereon Earth. In fact, some locations canbe impossible to reach. A new contest takesplace roughly every month. The goal of thegame is for teams to collect all the pointsfirst or to get as many as they can beforethe contest ends. For more details, check outwww.geodashing.org. The Degree Confluence Project: This is aninteresting project in which people use theirGPS receivers to visit places where latitudeand longitude lines converge. They take adigital picture, which is then published on aOther caching pursuitsWeb site. The goal is to map all the majorlatitude/longitude intersections for the entireEarth. For more information, go to www.confluence.org. Benchmark hunting: Benchmarks are permanentmarkers installed by the governmentfor survey purposes. Over one-half millionbenchmarks have been installed in theUnited States. The most familiar type is asmall, brass disk embedded into rock or concrete.The National Geodetic Survey (www.ngs.noaa.gov) maintains a list of thebenchmarks and their locations. The Geocaching.comsite also provides benchmarklocations and lets you log a benchmark whenyou find one. GPS Drawing: This is an interesting form ofart based on using your GPS receiver torecord where you’ve been. For some amazingexamples, check out the gallery at www.gpsdrawing.com.