I've divided the process of your first geocache hunt into seven steps. It may be that some of these steps are more basic than you need. If so, feel free to move on to the next page using the links provided at the top of each section.

Step 1: Setting Up Your Geocaching.com Account

While anyone can view a cache page simply by going to Geocaching.com, you cannot view the actual coordinates for the cache without signing up for an account with the website. This is a precaution to help prevent cache theft and other malicious intent. Basic accounts are free, so this won't cost you anything. You may wish to become a Premium Member, which comes with a few extra perks, but for now a basic membership is all you will need.

On the left side of any page on Geocaching.com you'll find a link named "My Account." Click here and then click the "Create a new account" link.

The first page you encounter is for your basic account information. You will need to fill in the following boxes:

First name and last name: Again, this information is all secure and will not be sold to anyone.

Email address: Every week a new cache notification is emailed out showing new caches within your home area. On top of this, as you continue caching you'll likely want to put some caches on your watch list and will receive an email every time someone logs them. Your email address will also enable other cachers to get in touch with you.

How do you want to receive emails? The choice is yours, basic text or html formatted. Html will usually contain pictures and be more colorful but basic text is easier to download. Honestly, I've never known Geocaching.com to send out an html-based email (yet).

Pick a username to use with this account: This is an extremely personal step. Your username is what other cachers will come to know you by. You might choose a nickname you've had for some years or a screen name you've used online before. If you're planning on caching as a family or group, you might want to come up with a team name. This is your opportunity to be creative and make yourself memorable to others.

Enter a password and re-enter your password: As with your username, your password needs to be personal. Make sure it's something you can remember easily.

The last step on this page is a checkbox for whether or not you want to be notified of news relating to Geocaching.com. Thankfully, Geocaching.com does not inundate you with a lot of email. Feel free to check this one if you wish.

Click "Create my account" and move on to the second page.

Where in the world are you?

The second page in the account setup process is appropriately named "Where in the world are you?" Keep in mind the words in bold at the top of the page, "Everything on this page is optional." After the first page is completed your account complete enough for you to go find a cache. However, information provided on this page will make caching easier for you.

Geocaching is a location-based game and as essential as it is for you to know the location of the geocaches you hunt, it's also important for Geocaching.com to know where you are. Providing accurate information on your location will enable the website to provide you with accurate information about the caches that are around you. Also, when the time comes for you to hide your first cache, the cache Reviewer will be able to tell whether or not you're from the same area in which you're placing the cache. This speeds up the review process.

The top box is already checked for you, "Send me a weekly emailer listing new caches in my area." Of course, you may uncheck this if you wish, but it's a very handy email to receive.

Your Country/State?/ Address and Address (continued)/ City/ Postal Code: These are self-explanatory

Default Timezone: If you're unsure about this and are using a Windows based PC, double click on the clock in the lower right corner of your screen and then choose the "Time Zone" tab. If your clock is correct it should show you what time zone you live in.

Preferred Units: The choice is Imperial (miles, feet, inches, etc.) or Metric (kilometers, meters, etc.). This will affect the way distances are expressed on the cache pages you see.

Home Coordinates: You might not have figured out how to discover these on your GPS yet, but if you have it's a good idea to enter them here. The first box contains a dropdown arrow to choose different coordinate formats, though the most common is already chosen for you. If you know the coordinates for your home enter them in the boxes provided.

Click "Update my location info" and move on to the final page in the account setup.

Who are you?

The third and final page is titled, "Who are you." Again, this is optional information, but unlike the other pages the information you provide here will be available to all other members of Geocaching.com. This is the information that will make up your personalized profile page. When someone wants to know more about you they will click on the link to your profile and learn all you want to tell them.

The first item on the page is a checkbox to indicate whether or not you want your email address to show on your profile page. This is a matter of your own choice, but even if you choose to keep your email hidden, people can still email you through a link on your profile. Your email address will remain hidden from them, though.

Occupation: If you've got one, great.

Location: Be as specific or vague as you like here. Anything works.

Home Page: If you have one and would like to share it enter the web address here. It will serve as a link on your profile page.

Title: If you participate in the Geocaching Forums this is what will appear under your username. A lot of people have fun with this.

Instant Messenger/Instant Messenger ID: If you use one and want to share it with others in the Geocaching community feel free to enter it here.

Clicking the checkbox marked "Show my Instant Messenger address in my profile" does just that. Don't be surprised when people message you.

Your Bio/Your Hobbies/Recent News: These three textboxes enable you to do a lot of personalization to your profile page. As indicated by the checkbox at the top, you can enter this information in html code if you wish. This will format the text with different fonts, bold, italics, and even pictures if you wish. You don't have to be too proficient at html to put together a nice profile page and there are plenty of tutorials available on the web if you're interested.

Forum Signature: If you choose to participate in the Geocaching.com forums (an online community of geocachers who share ideas and a lot of silliness) what you place in this box will appear at the bottom of your posts. You can include a quote that means something to you, some short biographical information, a web link or other text information. Images are not allowed in signatures. Also, this text isn't html, but can instead be formatted in BBCode, which is similar. Tutorials for BBCode can be found all around the Internet.

Click the "Save my Profile Details" button and go check your email. It's time to look for your first ever email from Geocaching.com.

The email is titled "Validation Instructions" and contains a link and validation code that you will need to enter to complete your registration. Simply follow the instructions in the email and your account setup is complete.