Whether you are heading downtown to snag an Altoids tin Velcro'ed onto a pedestrian bridge or climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro, being prepared for the expedition could make the difference between a great experience and tragedy. Think back. When you went to the store to buy your new GPSr; did you take a camera? Binoculars? Extra socks? Seven pounds of MRE's and a pack of toilet paper? I doubt it. Why then are you lugging all that stuff and more when you go to track down a film can in the Walmart parking lot? Do you expect to get lost? Are you worried about that long trek past the swing-set display?

Geocaching will take you to the extremes of hiking from drive-by convenience to cross-country cardiac crises. Whether you are heading downtown to snag an Altoids tin Velcro'ed onto a pedestrian bridge or climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro, being prepared for the expedition could make the difference between a great experience and tragedy.

If you're a hiker who got into caching, then you know what to bring along for the walk. If, on the other hand, you're a geocacher who is now into hiking you have already learned a few valuable lessons. Flip-flops are not intended for mountain treks. Pringles and Beer Nuts are not enough. Those tight biker shorts don't stop many thorns. Things get dark when the sun goes down. Mosquitoes love you.

But I'm not here to talk about boots and Gore-TeX, any used Cub Scout manual can help you there. No, I want to talk about the STUFF you need to go caching. I want to talk about the lumpy STUFF in that snappy day pack and the dangly STUFF hanging all over you.

I prefer to work by the KISS system. Keep It Simple, Stupid. I try not to carry much more than what I'll need. That doesn't mean it's not back in the cache-mobile but it's not on my back. Here are my suggestions for the cacher's essential sack of STUFF.

1. Your GPSr - Having once driven five miles to grab the newest cache in my area only to realize I left my little yellow eTrex on the kitchen table ... Let's just say you start with this. Mine usually is in my bag or on the dash and then in my hand during the walk.

2. Paper and pencil - Just a notebook and a stubby Number 2. If you're smart, you made a note or two off the webpage for reference. After you find your treasure, you can jot down any notes and delete the entry in your GPSr to make room for more. Mechanical pencils are cool until the lead runs out. Pens are acceptable but freeze up. I've found caches signed with a twig dipped in mud, so a pencil keeps things neat.

3. Insect repellent - Receiving a mosquito bite IN my nose was enough to persuade me to NEVER go out without it. There are lots of good sprays and lotions out there. The wipes are handy, especially for the kids. You can save a lot by stocking up at the fall clearance sales.

4. Emergency cache repair kit - I keep a few extra Ziploc baggies with a small notebook and golf pencil wrapped up with a rubber band. On one occasion my baggie became the cache after the original was stolen.

5. Trade goodies, signature items, calling cards - I like the treat of a neat trade and don't mind helping out a weak cache. Try to keep a bit of variety handy for fair trading. Just packing plastic bugs and Hot Wheels gets tiresome.

6. CITO (Cache In, Trash Out) Bag - Just a small grocery bag or trash bag wrapped up with a rubber band until needed. Also can serve as emergency raingear or hickory nut hauler.

That's a good start and sufficient for 99% of your caching experience. What about the other 1%?

7. Flashlight - If you know it will be dark, pack two, including a big one. Otherwise, I just keep a little one in my bag.

8. First aid kit - Very handy for those caching with children. A few Band-Aids, alcohol wipes (I get mine from the local rib joint), any personal emergency medication, sugary items for you diabetics. Another Ziploc with a rubber band.

9. Water - Unless you're certain it's a short walk, carry water with you. I keep a few store-bought bottles in the cachemobile. Handy for drinking or emergency washing of wounds and boo-boos.

10. Leatherman tool - I swear by mine and have found it useful for repairing ammo box hinges, removing splinters, cutting down paper to restock a micro's logbook and opening adult beverages after a successful hunt.

Everything will fit in a small shoulder bag (my preference), day pack and/or in pockets. If you want a hiking stick, fine. I'll sometimes pick one up on the trail. Otherwise, it's just something else to keep track of. Camera? Okay, if you like. Palm Pilot or other electronic notebook? The paper kind are a lot cheaper and can be used as a firestarter in emergencies. The KISS principle doesn't mean you can't bring your teddy bear or microwave with you if you think you have to have it. Binoculars? Why? If you're into birds or the neighbor's windows, fine. I've never needed them to find a cache or see the view.

The KISS principle doesn't mean you can't bring your teddy bear or microwave with you if you think you have to have it. But, do you REALLY need to carry all the extra stuff? Leave it in your cache-mobile or back at camp where it's less likely to end up falling out of your pocket and into the trailside latrine. Try to remember that what you carry in, you have to carry out. Now, get out there and play.