1st Stage is at: (summer)
N44.57.023 (these are the coords at the top of this page)
W93.29.819
Leave your car here, you will not need it until the final stage and it will be very difficult to find legal parking along the way.
"Thought I'd do this one by car. 2 hours later and a quarter tank less..." --brjzn
"Yes, this one might be easier if you walk it." --Ko-tis-vey
What single word is on both the facilities here? Add the letters of that word up, using A=1, B=2, C=3, ... Z=26 and subtract 23 and call that number "SUM1".
Word ______ - 23 = SUM1 ______
The last three digits of the 2nd stage latitide are SUM1 + 620 (add). The last three digits of the 2nd stage longitude are SUM1 x 7 (multiply). Write those coords in the blanks below.
ALT. 1st Stage is at: (winter)
N44.57.126
W93.29.921
How close to the "shorezone" must motorized vehicle travel be? Now subtract the daytime speed limit for boats. Call that number SUM1.
Shorezone ______ - MPH ______ - 10 = SUM1 ______
The last three digits of the 2nd stage latitude are SUM1 + 620 (add). The last three digits of the 2nd stage longitude are SUM1 x 7 (multiply). Write those coords in the blanks below.
2nd Stage is at:
N44.56. __ __ __ (SUM1 + 620)
W93.29. __ __ __ (SUM1 x 7)
What is the last word on this sign? Add the letters of that word up, using A=1, B=2, C=3, ... Z=26 and call that number "SUM2".
SUM2 ______
The last three digits of the 3rd stage latitide are SUM2 + 700 (add). The last three digits of the 3rd stage longitude are SUM2 + 442 (add). Write those coords in the blanks below.
3rd Stage is at:
N44.56. __ __ __ (SUM2 + 700)
W93.29. __ __ __ (SUM2 + 442)
Count the number of slides here, subtract 1, and call that number SUM3. A double slide counts as two slides.
SUM3 ______
The last three digits of the 4th stage latitide are SUM3 x 167 (multiply). The last three digits of the 4th stage longitude are SUM3 x 68 (multiply). Write those coords in the blanks below.
4th Stage is at:
N44.56. __ __ __ (SUM3 x 167)
W93.29. __ __ __ (SUM3 x 68)
What are the two words on this sign? Used to be "No Outlet" = 122 subtract 85, and call that number "SUM4".
SUM4 = 37
The last three digits of the 5th stage latitide are SUM4 + 480 (add). The last three digits of the 5th stage longitude are SUM4 + 110 (add). Write those coords in the blanks below.
5th Stage is at:
N44.56. __ __ __ (SUM4 + 480)
W93.29. __ __ __ (SUM4 + 110)
What is the speed limit here? Multiply the speed limit by 10 and call that number PROD5.
PROD5 ______
The last three digits of the 6th stage latitide are PROD5 + 712 (add). The last three digits of the 6th stage longitude are PROD5 + 18 (add). Write those coords in the blanks below.
6th Stage is at:
N44.56. __ __ __ (PROD5 + 712)
W93.29. __ __ __ (PROD5 + 18)
How many ORIGINAL red reflectors are here? Count the ones that are missing, partial, and whole. Subtract 1. Multiply the number by 40 and call that number PROD6.
PROD6=320 FREEBIE because they removed the reflectors!
The last three digits of the 7th stage latitide are PROD6 + 557 (add). The last three digits of the 7th stage longitude are PROD6 + 10 (add). Write those coords in the blanks below.
7th Stage is at:
N44.56. __ __ __ (PROD6 + 557)
W93.29. __ __ __ (PROD6 + 10)
What is the letter on this sign? Translate the letter using A=1, B=2, C=3, ... Z=26, and add 60 and call that number "SUM7".
SUM7 ______
The last three digits of the 8th stage latitide are SUM7 + 104 (add). The last three digits of the 8th stage longitude are SUM7 + 205 (add). Write those coords in the blanks below.
8th Stage is at:
N44.57. __ __ __ (SUM7 + 104)
W93.29. __ __ __ (SUM7 + 205)
There is a sign here that is red and white. What is the word on it? Add the letters of that word up, using A=1, B=2, C=3, ... Z=26 and call that number "SUM8".
SUM8 ______
The last three digits of the 9th stage latitide are SUM8 + 909 (add). The last three digits of the 9th stage longitude are SUM8 + 375 (add). Write those coords in the blanks below.
9th Stage is at:
N44.56. __ __ __ (SUM8 + 909)
W93.29. __ __ __ (SUM8 + 375)
The word is "bump", the bump was taken out in 2016. So this is a freebee!
There are three signs here. What does the top sign say? It is only one word! Add the letters of that word up, using A=1, B=2, C=3, ... Z=26 and call that number "SUM9".
SUM9 = 52
Add all of the SUM and PROD numbers above and call that number "FINAL".
FINAL = SUM1+SUM2+SUM3+SUM4+PROD5+PROD6+SUM7+SUM8+SUM9
FINAL ______
The last three digits of the Final stage latitide are FINAL + 22 (add). The last three digits of the Final stage longitude are FINAL + 182 (add). If you get more than 3 digits for the latitide or the longitude then just use the last three digits of the sum. Write those coords in the blanks below.
FINAL Stage is at:
N44.53. __ __ __ (FINAL + 22) (modulo 1000)
W93.30. __ __ __ (FINAL + 182) (modulo 1000)
The final stage is an AMMO BOX located somewhere in Purgatory Park. If you compute coordinates that are not in this park, then check your math or email me for help. Return to your vehicle and drive to Purgatory Park. Parking for Purgatory Park is at N44.54.300 W93.29.950. The cache is in a winter friendly location.
The cache was originally stocked with the following contents:
- Three Rivers Park District Annual Pass
(First To Find Prize, no need to trade up)
- Combination screwdriver
- Magnetic Tape
- Calculator
- Storage organizer
- Small hammer
