Hiding a geocache is as much fun as finding one, so here are some tips to help make your first cache hide a good one. We will not repeat the rules and guidelines from the various geocaching web sites, but it is very important that you read that information before hiding your cache.

Cache Placement
First of all, decide what kind of cache you're going to hide. Is it going to be a traditional cache in a waterproof box with goodies and a logbook inside, or one of many other types like a multicache or mystery cache? It's probably best to try your skills at hiding a traditional cache in a park you are familiar with. Consider an area that is safe for cachers hiking alone. Take a friend out for a walk and bring your GPS so that you can take some readings at several spots. Spend some time looking for unusual trees, rocky overhangs, or any other land feature that might be an additional attraction for finders of your cache. You'll need to balance the distance off the trail with the muggle factor. In general, find a place that is at least 50 feet off the beaten path, farther than that if bushwhacking won't cause undue damage to the environmental flora. Once you find a good spot to hide your cache, make sure you are getting good satellite strength on your GPS and that you have WAAS enabled if your GPS has that feature. If there is a lot of tree coverage in the area you have chosen, find a clearing and set your GPS down for a few minutes to establish better satellite reception. Then make a bee line to the cache location. It is a good idea to approach the cache from several different directions and obtain several reading this way. If you're hiding a cache near a creek or water source, determine the flood line by looking for debris caught in the bushes and trees. Sometimes you'll be surprised to find that the debris line is over your head! Never hide a cache below a flood line unless it is completely water proof and anchored so that it doesn't float or get washed away. Once you have 3 to 6 good readings, you're ready to head back home to work on your container. In my humble opinion, I suggest that you never take a container out to hide on your first time out looking for a location. Instead, scout out your location and then come back to that location at least one more time before you hide your container. If the spot you have picked to hide your cache is not worth visiting at least twice, then it's probably not the kind of place other people would enjoy visiting once. Remember, it's not just about finding a box hidden under some rocks in the woods; it's about the experience for you and the people who find your cache.

The Goodies
There are some general rules about what NOT to put in a cache. Never put fireworks, drugs, matches or alcohol in a cache because this is a family sport/hobby. Food or anything scented (soap, candles, incense) is also a bad idea because many animals have a nose that is thousands of times more sensitive than a human nose. You may think that a piece of scented soap would not be very appetizing to an animal, but they don't know soap from food and will attempt to open any container that has a strong smell. Things you should consider putting in a cache are kids’ toys, toys for adults with an inner child, gift certificates, game cards, and other items of some value. Depending on the size of your cache container, try to include at least 5 to 10 items to give your cache a good start. Put all the contents into a big Ziploc bag to prevent them from getting wet.

The Logbook
Most cache web sites require some sort of log book to be included in the cache. If you want to use a spiral bound log book, consider one that has the spiral at the top (as opposed to the side) which makes it easier for people to use a custom stamp to sign your log book. Even the most waterproof cache container can still get damp inside due to humidity and chancing environmental factors, so it is a good idea to put your logbook into a small Ziploc type bag. Also add a writing utensil or two inside of your logbook bag. And finally, put a caching info sheet in so that if a muggle finds your cache, they might respect it and leave it where it is. You can use the geocaching info sheet available here or the Geocacher-U brochure available here.

Other considerations
Don't hide you first cache in an urban area without giving it a lot of thought. Urban caches are much more likely to be found by muggles and there is a much higher risk of a cache finder damaging property in their quest to find the cache. You may find a big pile of rocks in a parking lot, but is that really a special place you want to bring someone? Also, if you get out of geocaching, your cache will more easily be spotted as geo-trash. Leave the urban hides to more experienced cachers for now. After you have found 10 to 20 non-virtual urban caches, you will be better able to determine what makes an urban hide a good one, and what types of urban hides are more likely to endure the test of time.

Don’t place a cache near anything that could even remotely be considered as a terrorist target. As cachers, we need to be conscious that we're living in a post 9/11 world and we don't want to cause any cacher or the authorities any problems because someone is walking in circles and lurking around a bridge or other potential target with a flashlight and a GPS.