GPS, UTM, OMG!

I spent the better part of the day attempting to learn about GPS coordinates and UTM numbers and OMG was it frustrating!  I placed some geocaches several years ago and it was time to update containers and permits from the USFS.

The USFS of course wants to know the exact location of the caches so I gave them the GPS coordinates.  When the GPS coordinates were made into UTM numbers the site location on the map where the cache is supposed to be isn’t the site on the map where the UTM points to.  There are way too many numbers and little symbols for me to deal with and I can barely keep latitude and longitude straight in my brain and while some people know degrees and seconds I’m not one of those people.

I have however found a number of websites with helpful information and converters if you are interested in learning more about it.  I have quit trying to figure it out and am hoping a friend in GIS can explain this to me.

On a fun note, check out this widget someone emailed me about, isn’t it cool? TFTF(that’s Thanks for the Find in Geocache speak) If you have a website or a blog and want one for yourself then check out Willy Weather Widget.