When the Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) signal block called Select Availability (SA) was removed by the Clinton Administration May 1st, 2000, people all over the world gained access to the nation’s global positioning satellite with GPS units - handheld electronic devices that can determine a location on the planet.

On May 3rd, 2000, a container of goodies was hidden by someone outside of Portland, Oregon in celebration of the removal of Selective Availability. In July of that year, Jeremy Irish found his first hidden container, and using the name Geocaching, developed a web site, www.geocaching.com,  which lists the location of these hidden caches.

Geocaching is now an entertaining adventure game played in 50 states and over 100 countries. Individuals hide caches (typically containers with small “treasures”) and share the locations of these caches on the internet. GPS users then use the coordinates to find the caches.

In the past six years, the Geocaching sport has grown to more than 240,000 caches in 250 countries of the world. More than 700 geocaches are hidden in the state of West Virginia, and seven are right here, within Calhoun County.

1. N 38° 52.734 W 081° 02.501 – White Wash
Whitewash was placed in July, 2002 by ‘riddle1t.’ You can begin your search for this cache along Russet Road. White Wash is appreciated for rock formations and a water fall.

2. N 38° 41.874 W 081° 05.596 – The Ramp Cache
The Ramp Cache was placed May 18, 2005 by ‘GeoMinney.’ An easy hike and easy find, this cache includes great coupons from stores in the area and recipe cards for Ramp entrées.

3. N 38° 54.703 W 081° 04.550 – The Wind Caves
The Wind Caves Cache was placed June 16, 2005 by ‘Hillbilly85.’ The hike is worth the rocky reward at the end, where the effects of wind on sandstone are pleasantly apparent.

4. N 38° 52.316 W 081° 05.559 – Calhoun County Park Cache
The Calhoun County Park Cache was placed June 18, 2005 by KC8QFI - listing maintained by ‘GeoMinney.’ The hike is easily manageable, along park trails through the shaded hills of Calhoun County.

5. N 38° 42.809 W 081° 07.357 – Mike Fink & the Unknown Indian
Mike Fink and the Unknown Indian Cache was placed June 18, 2005 by our WVU Extension Service - listing maintained by ‘GeoMinney.’ The unique history of Fink and the Indian can be found on the cache listing and within this publication.

6. N 38° 55.454 W 081° 05.701 – The Stump Hotel Cache The Stump Hotel Cache was placed July 8, 2005 by ‘GeoMinney.’ Tucked in the shadows along Main Street Grantsville, the cache is hidden near the historic Stump Hotel, which is being refurbished by the Calhoun County Historical Society.

7. N 38° 55.821 W 081° 06.580 – Cabot Station Cache
The Cabot Station Cache was placed October 2, 2005 by ‘GeoMinney.’ Once the location of the world's largest carbon black plant (1903), this spot is now home to Cabot Recycling Center. Your "contact" on this mission has the code name "Battery Man," who can be found waiting for you just inside the open double doors. Feel free to bring recyclables with you!

Calhoun County is also home to some great benchmarks and waymarks, geocaches that ask for coordinates for a specific structure type, natural landmark, or unique feature. To add waymarks to your Calhoun County visit, check www.waymarking.com.

Plans to establish more geocaches in Calhoun County are underway, so check www.geocaching.com with the zip code 26141, or visit www.calhouncaches.com for new listings!