Things to pack/bring...here are some ideas for a newbie:

• GPSr
• Batteries
• Pens
• Pencil
• More batteries
• More pens
• Bug spray
• Flashlight
• Hat
• Alcohol pads/wipes
• Basic first aid
• Poison ivy block
• Poison ivy cleaner
• Spare pair of footwear for the car
• Tweezers

I know this is not a complete list. Someone else will thing of something simple I missed.

Cache suggestions for a newbie? That's a tough one. My main suggestion to a B'ville cacher is to try and get about 25 finds before you attempt caches on W Entry Rd or Hencle Blvd

A Compass??! What the hecks a GPS for? The most important thing is to bring some nice swag. I go to the dollar store to get mine. I also keep a large pack of double A's in my car. Definatly bring more than 1 pen. You'd be suprised how often you leave your only pen in the last cache you visited, only to find no pens in the cache your going to. I have a fanny pack where I keep all my stuff, but don't actually wear it, that's so 80's, and this hobby is nerdy enough. As for bug spray, posion ivy block and first aid, I don't bring that stuff, but since I got 6 cases of posion Ivy last year, I think I'll revise that plan. I am actually the poster boy for the worst case scenario as far as geocaching goes, so nevermind this, just listen to Novac and you'll be fine.
Welcome to the hunt.
-Dr. Witty

I reviewed Novac's list (THANK YOU) and went out and purchased everything I didn't already have.  I was unable to find any poison ivy stuff and was about to give up on it, but after reading Dr. Witty's tales I think I'll find some before I head out.

And a big thanks to dnnsgps!  I don't know if I would've thought to mark my car prior to heading out, but I'll be sure to do that now.  :-)

Now all that's left is buying the GPS.  :-)  I'm waiting for a few more Xmas sales to explode before I jump on it.  I'm still undecided between the Garmin Oregon 400t versus the DeLorme PN-40.   I'll ping my soon to be geocaching buddy (since this is partially his Xmas present) before I buy it.

Thanks again everybody!

-seraph618

You should also know that drwitty is the sort of person who rides his bike to a cache, enters a wooded area wearing low-cut biking shoes and short socks along with biking shorts and then sits on the ground while he takes his own picture. Don't believe me? Take a look! :O

Yikes....

The Garmin Oregon 400t arrives on Monday!  I can't wait to go and find my first cache.  I wonder how successful I'll be with 2.5' of snow on the ground.  :-)   (P.S.   www.thegpsstore.com has great prices!).

Excellent. It's all going according to plan!

Now update us once you have your first case of geocaching poison ivy!