Benchmarking (hobby)

A person taking a photo of a located benchmark on a statue

Benchmarking, also known as benchmark hunting,^[1] is a hobby activity in which participants find benchmarks (also known as survey markers or geodetic control points). The term "benchmark" is used only to refer to survey markers that designate a certain elevation, but hobbyists often use the term benchmarks to include triangulation stations or other reference marks.^[2] Like geocaching, the activity has become popular since 1995, propelled by the availability of online data on the location of survey marks (with directions for finding them) and by the rise of hobbyist-oriented websites.^[3]

^ Garner, John (November 15, 2021). "Benchmark Hunting is the New Geocaching". Millennial Cities. Retrieved December 30, 2023.
^ Leigh, CDR George E., Ret'd. "BOTTLES, POTS, & PANS? – MARKING THE SURVEYS OF THE U.S. COAST & GEODETIC SURVEY AND NOAA" (PDF). NOAA.gov. Retrieved January 19, 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
^ Schlosser, Kurt (August 19, 2022). "No hiding from its popularity: At 20, Geocaching still seeks to turn players on to worldwide game". GeekWire. Retrieved December 30, 2023.

[1] Garner, John (November 15, 2021). "Benchmark Hunting is the New Geocaching". Millennial Cities. Retrieved December 30, 2023.

[2] Leigh, CDR George E., Ret'd. "BOTTLES, POTS, & PANS? – MARKING THE SURVEYS OF THE U.S. COAST & GEODETIC SURVEY AND NOAA" (PDF). NOAA.gov. Retrieved January 19, 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)

[3] Schlosser, Kurt (August 19, 2022). "No hiding from its popularity: At 20, Geocaching still seeks to turn players on to worldwide game". GeekWire. Retrieved December 30, 2023.

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