3013 (Canterbury) Multi-cache
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(regular)
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3013. The world is a very different place to what it was 1000 years ago. The cities have become abandoned, and anyone who is still alive is living up in the mountains and forests. It's a case of each man for himself.
That's until your brother finds you. As you exit your cave home, you see him sitting on the roots of a nearby tree.
"Matt, what are you doing here? I haven't seen you since, well, you know."
"I need help. You're seriously my only hope!"
And that's when you noticed it. His pants are completely blood stained and torn, and his left leg doesn't seem to continue past his knee.
"Matty! What happened?!"
"A wild sheep attacked me. I made it away alive and wrapped it up, but I don't know if I'm going to make it."
"Don't say that! You'll be fine!"
But as you look at his pale face, you can tell that he has lost way too much blood, and he won't survive much longer without some medicines.
"Well, what do you want me to do?"
"Our dad hid some supplies up over through the other side of the hills. He told me before he died, and gave me this piece of paper with the instructions in case we ever needed it."
"Where exactly on the other side of the hills are these supplies meant to be?"
"Near Cave Stream"
Oh no. Not there. Things have been said about that place. You have to pass through a huge cave to get to the other side, and even once you do, well, noone makes it back. But as you look at your little brother sitting there with pleading eyes, you know that without this, he will not make it through.
"Alright Matty. I'll do this. But only since it's you."
"Thanks so much. You have no idea how much I appreciate this. Take the note. He does use some codes and stuff to make it harder to intercept but I'm sure you'll figure it out."
You head off towards Cave Stream.
While walking this way, you remember the story that traveler once told you of his sister deciding to pass through the cave. Getting the thought out of your mind you continue walking.
Looking up at the hills, you see where the tree line ends. Funny to think that there are people living in all those hills up until that point. You wonder what they think about during their days, whether they still know where their brothers are, and whether they too would pass through Cave Stream if they were in the same situation.
You start thinking about your mum. Was it that first or second peak on the left that she had last lived in? Does she worry about you? And then you remember the stories she told you as a child of the old days hundreds of years ago. That must have been such a different world! If you were living in those days, you would probably be attending a school with a couple years to go, and Matty! Well an 11 year old boy would have never been allowed to live by himself! What a strange thought!
You then notice you have arrived at the hill above the start of the cave, instantly spotting the old track people have passed through. Well, here we go. And you open the note from your brother...
Supplies Location:
You will need a torch, some good shoes you don't mind getting wet, and preferably wear a wetsuit.
Go to the given coordinates. Follow the markers from here to the start of the cave. Gain numbers as you cross through the tunnel.
Once you've crossed, go to S 43 11.(D+F)(D)(C-F) E 171 44.(B+D)(E+F)(C-A-E-F).
From there, you need to go on a bearing of AxBxEx12 + 7 degrees true for DxCxF + 6.6m
A = Number of significant waterfalls you have to climb up. So anything more than about 50cm height, which requires holding on, and is at a significant gradient. Only count ones you physically need to climb up. A square number.
B = Number of rocks you have to almost swim under
C = Total number of rungs you have to climb up in the entire cave
D = Number of clips which are attached to the chain
E = Number of other clips near chain but which aren't attached to chain minus one - count both types
F = Right AFTER the third significant turn in the stream - as in you will almost be going back the way you came turn - there is a part where it looks like the path could split in two. Peer into the wrong path. How many sections does that part then split into?
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Disclaimer:
Terrain rating is definitely accurate. Difficulty is due to all the extra equipment and planning, but is open to discussion/editing.
You can pass through this cave on your own, I did, but it is definitely recommended you take someone else. There are signs everywhere that you should take at least one other person with you... Some parts are very dangerous, and in higher water can be even worse.
ALWAYS let someone know where you are going.
Children can pass through the cave too, but DOC recommends a minimum height of about 120cm. For young children you will probably need 2 adults to help the kids up in steep parts.
The cave is accessible in winter too, but there is the risk of hypothermia due to freezing water from snow off the hills. Hence why wetsuits/polyprops are good.
Also, if the water level when you first enter the cave is much higher than adult waist level and discoloured or foaming, then DO NOT PROCEED!
Story is not based on any real characters, and there are not actually any killer sheep in the area.
Due to formatting, entire cache page may not show up on GPS, so it may be a good idea to print this page off.
To avoid checker spam, there is no geochecker for this cache, but if you want to double check your numbers/coords, the checksum is 26. Alternatively, you can txt 021 0222 3363 for a (hopefully) quick reply so you don't have to leave GZ empty handed. Although vodafone has no reception there, and I am not sure about other networks. (So let people know where you are going before you leave cellphone reception!)
Info on the area can be found on the DOC website.
Photos of your adventure would be appreciated! :) But please no spoilers of final location.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Haqre fznyyvfu ebpx ng gbc bs UHTR obhyqre. Nccebnpu sebz gbc bs ynetr obhyqre.