FAQ

Q: How do I know where to go?

A: Choose one of the Coordinate calculators to find today's coordinates that are most accessible to you and go there.

Q: I have a question relating to <PAGE-I-WAS-JUST-ON> but I don't know where to ask for help?

A: Check out that page's Discussion Tab(right next to the Page tab toward the upper left). There are a lot of topics already on the Discussion sections of the heavier used pages and your question may already be answered. If not, that is a great place to ask. Make sure you select the option to Watch the page before you save your edit so you will be notified when someone replies. If you want a really fast answer, you can always check out the Discord, where there is almost always at least someone hanging out. Or you may get improbably lucky at the geohashing IRC channel.

Q: Are there instructions for writing up my expedition?

A: Check out the Expedition page.

Q: How close to do you need to get for success?

A: This seems to be a grey area. The No Batteries method would allow positional errors dependent on the maps or instruments used. GPS receivers might get you to within 3 or 4 metres. A common method used is "within the error circle of my GPS", so if your GPS accuracy is 3m, having a "distance to point" of 2m would be considered "there". If 50 people turn up, are they all at the hashpoint? As it's called a meetup, perhaps success should be defined in terms of whether you would actually meet someone else at the hashpoint. You'd need to be within hailing distance.

A common answer to this question is "You should be reasonably certain that there are no more significant obstacles between you and the uncertainty bubble of the geohash."

See Success for a bigger discussion of this topic.

Q: In the example comic, what does the "md5" arrow indicate?

A: The MD5 arrow indicates the process of feeding the date and dow jones opening value through the MD5 algorithm to create the hash-string. See The_Algorithm for more descriptive information of the mechanics of the geohashing algorithm.

Q: How do I find the coordinates?

A: You will need a GPS receiver or another way to locate coordinates. iPhone users can download the application from the iTunes store. Android phone users can install Geohash Droid. Also see the expedition page. GPS users should be aware that all coordinates refer to the WGS84 datum

Q: Are there any geohashers in my area?

A: Find the page for your graticule and see if there are other geohashers or recent expeditions listed.

• Even if you're the only one in your area, keep geohashing. Bring your friends. People love to read your adventures and someone may come to visit you.

Q: How do I find out if anyone else is going or let people know I'm planning on attending?

A: See How to arrange meetups.

Q: What should I bring?

A: See What to bring.

Q: I don't have a car, how am I supposed to participate in this sport?

A: Some of the most avid geohashers don't use cars. Geohashing is suitable for bicycles, public transport, cross-country skis or other means.

Q: Is it okay to visit a geohash location in a neighbouring graticule instead of my “own” one?

A: Sure! There’s no rule saying you can't visit other graticules, and in some cases (for example, San Francisco), you would almost have to in order to actually access a hashpoint. Geohashing is about meeting other people, and it doesn't matter whether you do that here or there. In fact, finding a new mix of people might be a good thing. Go ahead and geohash on vacation for all we care!

Q: What do I do when I get there?

A: Poke around, take pictures, talk to people, play games, solve riddles, have a picnic, leave a non-permanent mark of your presence and, in general, have fun! The world is an adventure!

Q: What do I say to puzzled locals?

A: See Cover Stories.

Q: How will Geohashing get me laid?

A: You never know who you might find when you show up next Saturday. Why not show up in your best dress?

Q: I made it! Can I put my picture on the Main Page?

A: Yes, we'd be delighted to have you do that, but please write an expedition report first.

Q: I couldn't reach the point, or if I did, there was no one there.

A You still had an adventure! Please write an expedition report for everyone to read.

Q: Is there a Facebook group for my area?

A: Take a look at the Facebook groups page.

Q: Is there any way to automatically be notified of hashpoints which land in a specific area?

A: Sign up for the e-mail notification service.

Q: How do I answer the people who leave messages on my talk page? On their page or on mine?

A: Reply on the same page where the message was left. When you leave a message on someone else's talk page, select "Watch this page" and you will get e-mail (assuming you told the wiki your e-mail address) when there is a reply. You can always unwatch later.

Q: What do I do if the hash point is in the middle of one of the Great Lakes and I don't own a boat?

A: Bribe someone who has a boat, or buy a boat. Alternatively, arrange an alternate on the shore and meet up with people and have an adventure anyway!

Q: What time is it?

A: On January 1st 2017, GPS time was running 18 seconds fast of UTC. This could be critical if you are attempting to get any time dependent achievement in a fast moving vehicle, boat or aircraft!

Q: How can I delete information from the wiki?

A: Due to how the wiki works, it is difficult to permanently delete information. Keep in mind that if you simply edit something out from a page it can still be recovered from the logs. You can use the {{delete|reason --~~~~}} template to flag pages or files for deletion. If you have posted something personal that you absolutely need removed, as a last resort you can request the page deleted and then re-create it without the sensitive information. It will still remain in the wiki database, but hidden from public view. Remember that deletion is a manual process performed by volunteer admins, at their own discretion, so be gracious for their time.