So Many Ones & Zeros Mystery Cache

The cache is not at the actual coords listed. I have rated the difficulty at 3.5 in part because this cache requires you to figure out the actual coords, and in part of the muggle factor. People shorter than 101 feet tall may have difficulty reaching the cache.

Being that I am a bit of a computer geek....OK...very much a computer geek, and an Information Technology Instructor, I thought I'd let my true colors show in this cache.

A computer breaks everything it does down to two possible values, or states: On (electical current present) or Off (electrical current not present). We humans represent this with 1s and 0s, with a 1 representing "on" and a 0 representing "off".

This is known as the binary number system because it uses only two possible values for each digit. By combining the word "binary" and "digit" we get another common term to computer geeks: >Bit
, which means Binary Digit

Usually, when one first learns about binary it seems difficult, but after working with it for awhile it really isn't all that bad. If it was, computers couldn't handle it!

This cache will require you to use binary to convert the coords to the base-10 numbering system that we've all used since we first started counting.

OK, so how does one count in binary then? How can we convert from binary to base-10 and vice-versa?
With binary, every bit value is double the bit value on its immediate right. This is just another way of saying that every bit is a factor of 2, with the right-most digit representing 2⁰, the next representing 2¹, then 2², and so on.

So the first bit has a value of 1, the next bit to the right has a value of 2, then 4, and so on. In base 10 we have ones, tens, hundreds, thousands, etc. In Binary we have ones, twos, fours, eights, sixteens, etc. With binary all you have to do is add. By adding the bit values that are set to "1" together you get your base-10 equivalent!

Sometimes it helps to build a chart when you first start using binary so you don’t have to remember all the powers of two and try to do math in your head. Besides, that’s what computers are for anyway, right?

The top row in the chart represents the placeholder values for 8 bits. Every web site on the internet boils down to a series of numbers, known as an IP address, which follows the same format as the chart above.

To convert binary to base-10, all you do is add the decimal equivalents wherever there is a “1” in the chart. Let’s work through some examples: The next four rows in the table represent binary numbers.

The second row (the first row in green text) is binary 00000001, or 1 in the base-ten numbering system. We don’t have to use preceding zeros in binary, but it is sometimes easier to understand and learn if you do so.

The third row, 00001100 is equal to 12 (8+4) in base 10. So 1100 in binary is equal to 12 in base-10. Looking at the chart above, you see that the bits under 8 and 4 are both set to 1. You add the value of the bits, 8+4 and come up with 12. That’s all there is to it.

Next line: 10000011, or 131 (128+2+1)

The next line is even easier. It is set to all 1s, or 11111111. Whenever a binary number is set to all ones, the base-10 equivalent is always equal to one less than the next bit value to the left. In this case the next bit value to the left is 256. 256-1=255, so 11111111 in binary = 255 in base-10.

Hopefully that's enough to get you started. If not, or if you are just itching to learn more, then there is a wealth of information here and here as well as many other places on the internet.

The coords in the listing will take you to a parking spot that is very close to the location of the cache. You are searching for a waterproof match container containing only a log and pencil. Please ensure that you replace the container in the exact same spot and that it is pushed down snug so as not to be easily visible, as this cache is in an area of extremely high muggle activity. Also, the lid on this particular container seems to cross-thread easier than most, so please use care when screwing the lid back on to ensure a good seal. Best hunting times in warmer months will be early morning and night time. During cooler months, muggle activity is not too bad. On a 40 degree day, I encountered no muggles while at the park for about 45 minutes finding a hiding spot and getting the coords.
BTW, our house is directly accross the street to the North and my kids play at this park quite frequently.
While the cache itself may not be all that exciting for kids (no trade items), kids will surely enjoy the park.
Now for the actual coords:

N 101010 degrees 101011.11011110
W 1011100 degrees 11100.1000111111