Confluencing hunting is using a GPS (or detailed map) and attempting
to get to integer intersections of latitude/longitude (e.g. 42N 106W)
and photographing the spot. Why is this cool?
You get outdoors, you get to discover new and possibly interesting
places that don't have tourist trails leading to them, and you can
end up with intriguing route choice, map, or physical challenges. The
idea of going to a totally arbitrary point on the planet also has
intrinsic appeal -- what will be there? -- what will I see and who
will I meet on the way? -- what route choice problems will I face
and will I improve my navigation skills?
There is also a competitive aspect for some -- once someone has
visited a particular point, it is usually not visited again, so it
is nice to get there first. As the easy ones are bagged, that simply
leaves harder, more interesting, and more prestigious ones, hence
leading to more interesting challenges.
Being part of the community effort to bag each such point on the
planet is also cool, as the world map of bagged confluences fills
in. Check out the project website.
How is this different from geocaching? No bucket or other visible
debris, and no guarantee that you will get to the spot. Unlike a
waypoint 400 meters from the road, these things can be a challenge
to get to, and over time, the scarcity of easy ones increases. And
the photography can add an artistic element to the pastime. Also,
since there is usually only one visitor to the point, there is no
worry about unwanted new trails being beat to the place. Admittedly,
some of the points can be pretty lame, whereas with geocaching the
placer usually has an interesting point for you to visit. And of
course with geocaching, there is always that chance you will find
the keys to a Mercedes in the bottom of that bucket ... :-)
(visited July 6th, 2001)
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