UA's Campus History Mystery Cache

Welcome to the University of Alabama!

UPDATED (January 10th, 2006)

    You may want to print out this page and use it to keep track of your calculated coordinates from each step.  To make it a little easier, I have provided a chart at the bottom of the page.  Take notes as you go, making sure you don’t have to backtrack to any of the sites.

    This multi will give you a small piece of the University of Alabama’s history.  You can park near the first stage and walk the full track or you can drive to each location.  If you decide to walk, you can park your vehicle near the starting coordinates listed above.  The full walk will take you on a 1.5 mile walk; I would encourage you to walk if the weather permits and classes are not in session.  During the time classes are in session, you will find that parking will be difficult and without proper parking decals you will get ticketed.  To avoid ticketing, you can park in any of three parking decks located on campus for a small fee.

    This is my first puzzle cache and plan on placing more in the Tuscaloosa area incorporating the below techniques. The way I have designed this cache, you should see some historical places and learn something about each of them.

Take your time and enjoy your day on one of Alabama’s beautiful college campuses!

Stage 1:  33°12.589 N               087°32.576 W

a.       Start from the above coordinates, making sure you pay close attention to each stage.  Read, observe and write down any information that you may need for all other stages.  You will need a pencil and paper.  A calculator is also recommended but not required.

b.      Count the number of windows on the front of this building and multiply that number by the number of windowpanes on the front door; find the total and subtract the number of columns found on the structure.  Now subtract that number from the last two digits of the N coordinates.  Make sure you count all columns!  This is your new N coordinate 33°12.7AAN.

c.      Count the letters in the name of the institution that last used this building and multiply by 2, then subtract 2 from that total.  Take the two digit total and subtract from the last two digits of the W coordinates.  This is your new W coordinate 087°32.5BB W.

d.       New Coordinates:  33°12.7_ _ N      087°32.5_ _ W

Stage 2:33°12.7_ _ N            087°32.5_ _ W

a.       Find the death date of the gentleman that was born in Africa.  Now use the death year mentioned above to calculate your new N coordinate.  Take the death year and divide by the day he died, take this total, using the last three digits only for your new N coordinate 33°12.CCC  N.

b.      Using your previous W coordinate, take the last three digits and divide by the number of slaves mentioned on the plaque and add the month (convert to a number) the structure was honored.  Take this total and add the last three digits of the previous coordinate.  This is your new W coordinate 087°32.DDD  W.

c.       New coordinates: 33°12._ _ _ N       087°32._ _ _ W

 Stage 3:  33°12._ _ _ N          087°32._ _ _ W

a.       From here you will need to count the post that circle the perimeter of this structure.  Take the number of post and subtract 40, then subtract the total from your previous N coordinate.  Now you have your new N coordinate 33°12. EEE  N.

b.       Now find the sign date and divide that number by the first number of the century mentioned, take the total and subtract 1.5.  This total is now your new W coordinate 087°32.FFF  W.

c.      New coordinates: 33°12._ _ _ N       087°32._ _ _ W

Stage 4:  33°12._ _ _ N           087°32._ _ _ W

a.       How are you doing?  Your half way there!  From this site multiply the dome height by the refracting telescope size, take this total and multiply by the last digits in the year the building was completed.  Take this total and subtract the number of points found on a star and this is your new N coordinate 33°12.GGG  N.

b.      In order to find the new W coordinate, find the year the large classroom was added and subtract your previous W coordinate (note this total and continue).  Take the century when this building was used for student housing and multiply it times the number of structures that survived the Union troops destruction.  Take the two totals and subtract the two, take the total and subtract the first two digits of the year the Union troops ransacked the area, this is your new W coordinate  087°32.HHH  W.

c.       New coordinates: 33°12._ _ _ N       087°32._ _ _ W

Stage 5:  33°12._ _ _ N          087°32._ _ _ W

a.       If you did your calculations correctly, you should be standing in front of one of campus’ most famous buildings.  Take time to walk around this building and enjoy the beautiful scenery and gardens located around it.

b.      Now that you are here, invert the last two digits of your previous N coordinate.  This is your new N coordinate 33°12.5I I  N (Make sure you look at the letters listed here to insure you have the correct N coordinate).

c.       Find the year the structure assumed its predominant appearance and subtract it from the date located on the university shield.  Now multiply the total times the number of columns found on this building and take the last two digits of the total and use it for your new W coordinate  087°32.7JJ W.

d.      New coordinates: 33°12.5_ _ N       087°32.7_ _ W

        Stage 6:  33°12.5_ _ N          087°32.7 _ _ W

Final stage, I hope you enjoyed your tour around Alabama’s campus!