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Canberra Karst Mystery Cache

This cache has been archived.

Ngaambul: Unfortunately there was no response (or regular update) from the owner within the time requested and as per the original note this cache has been archived. If you wish to replace it please submit a new cache via this link.

Ngaambul - Matt

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Hidden : 11/28/2008
Difficulty:
2.5 out of 5
Terrain:
2.5 out of 5

Size: Size:   small (small)

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Geocache Description:

Our first attempt at a Puzzle, we hope you like it! The cache is not at the above coordinates but this is a convenient parking location for your short walk to GZ.

**Extra special thanks to SS-BJC for freeing up this area for our first Puzzle Cache.**

One of my other favourite pastimes (besides Caching) is Caving and the area around the Canberra region has some extensive cave systems that I have spent many hours exploring. Canberra itself is built on the Limestone Plains, so called because of the extensive limestone throughout the area although not much of it is evident today. Geologically a limestone environment is referred to as a Karst.

The Canberra Karsts are very cavernous although only one is known to have a surface entrance, the Limestone Plains (or Lennox House) Cave which is noted to contain a lake, although this is something of an understatement, as it now lies submerged under Lake Burley Griffin. When you have the cache in hand you will be standing right on top of this cave.

Foundation excavations and geological investigations for major buildings and structures from the 1950s to the 1970s confirmed the presence of cavernous limestone’s beneath central Canberra. The proposed weir at Acton - one of the possible sites for a dam to impound Canberra’s proposed lake - was abandoned due to fears of excessive water leakage through the cavernous limestone's encountered there. When construction began on the Treasury Building in the 1960s, extensive caves were uncovered below the site. These extend from eight to thirty-six metres below the surface through a richly fossiliferous limestone layer that is over fifty metres deep in places.

A friend of mine who worked on the construction of the Kings Avenue Bridge tells me that when drilling for the piers they would often encounter caverns of 60’ in height.

All caves have a unique identification number constructed according to their geographical location in the format number, letter/s, and number. In order to find this cache you will need to discover the references of some of my favourite caves in southern NSW.

Some of my favourite caves, by location are:

Wee Jasper
• Scouts Hole - 2WJ ? = A
• Signature - 2WJ ? = B
• Series 4 Extension - 2WJ ? = C

Bungonia
• Drum - 2B ? = D
• Fossil - 2B ? = E
• Grill - 2B ? = F

Cache is located at S 35 17.A+C+F+327 E 149 07.B+D+E+112

Checksum S = 25 E = 31

Cache is a 500ml container so suitable for smallish swaps.

**FTF Honors to winglen & wink.inc**

HINT: CAUTION – Only decrypt if absolutely necessary as the hint is fairly descriptive.

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

[Puzzle] – Xnefg Vaqrk [Cache] – Pnir sbe Vg!

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)