Geohashing
Geohashing /ˈdʒiːoʊˌhæʃɪŋ/ is an outdoor recreational activity inspired by the webcomic xkcd, in which participants have to reach a random location (chosen by a computer algorithm), prove their achievement by taking a picture of a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver or another mobile device and then tell the story of their trip online. Proof based on non-electronic navigation is also acceptable.
A geohashing app, converting the day's date and the Dow Jones Industrial Average into a set of coordinates | |
| Highest governing body | geohashing wiki |
|---|---|
| Nicknames | hashing |
| First played | 2008 |
| Registered players | 800 |
| Characteristics | |
| Contact | no (except where two hashers agree to a local variant) |
| Team members | varies, usually solo |
| Mixed-sex | yes |
| Type | outdoor or indoor, aquatic |
| Equipment | satellite navigation device or map with latitude/longitude or other grid markings and compass; other equipment may be useful |
| Glossary | glossary |
| Presence | |
| Country or region | worldwide |
| Olympic | no |
| World Championships | no |
| Paralympic | no |
| World Games | no |
The geohashing community and culture is extremely tongue-in-cheek, supporting any kind of humorous behavior during the practice of geohashing and resulting in a parody of traditional outdoor activities. Navigating to a random point need not be pointless. Some geohashers document new mapping features they find on the OpenStreetMap project, clean up litter, or create art to commemorate the trip, among other activities.
A variation on geocaching, known as geodashing, features a closely comparable principle, with participants racing between coordinate points.