GC15GKJ WMD – Weapon of Medieval Destruction (Traditional Cache) in Illinois, United States created by medoug

This cache has been archived.

medoug: Sorry about that TTFN.

I myself discovered that the trebuchet had been removed just a couple of days ago. I suspect it was removed due to people climbing on it and because it was getting pretty weathered. I'm sure the college didn't want the liability of someone getting hurt.

As a result, I am regretfully archiving this geocache. It was fun while it lasted, and I'm glad that I helped a few more people seeing this great machine through geocaching before it was removed.

medoug.

GC15GKJ ▼

A cache by medoug Message this owner

Hidden : 8/29/2007

Difficulty:

Terrain:

Size: Size: micro (micro)

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Geocache Description:

This cache is located on the Highland Community College campus. Its focal point is a functioning trebuchet (pronounced “treb-yoo-shet”) built by the Society of Physics Students and the students of the 2004-2005 Statics & Dynamics Engineering classes. A trebuchet is similar to a catapult, but uses a counterweight instead of flexed members to propel its ammunition. After receiving much publicity, it now stands as a permanent monument emphasizing Highland’s pre-engineering program.

More about the Trebuchet: Throughout time mechanical energy was harnessed to create some very destructive weapons. The trebuchet was one of the most effective before the introduction of the gunpowder-powered canon made it obsolete. Although the physics behind it hadn't changed for hundreds of years, its destroying capability evolved from killing small animals to being able to break through castle walls. In medieval times, large stones, flaming balls of oil, and even diseased animal carcasses were used for projectiles. Today, this trebuchet is more likely to launch bowling balls, cement-filled basketballs, or 80-pound frozen pumpkins nearly 100 meters onto the nearby soccer field for demonstration purposes. Click on gallery links below to see it in action. (Note: The cement-filled basketballs embed themselves so deeply into the ground upon impact that a shovel is required to retrieve them from their crater.)

This trebuchet measures 44 feet in height with its axel 20 feet off of the ground. Attachment of a sling to the swing arm results in objects being released 69 feet overhead. Barn beams were used to construct the base and the largest commercially-available lumber was lapped to form the massive swing arm. Requiring several people to launch, the swing arm noticeably bows when the weight bucket is fully loaded with the rated 3000 pounds of lead ballast.

The cache: Depending on where you park, your walk to the cache could be as little as 200 feet. The cache container is accessible from ground level. Please, DO NOT climb on the structure. Recently a snowfence has been added surrounding the trebuchet. (I suspect that it was added due to meddling people climbing on the trebuchet.) You will have to enter the fenced area to access the cache. (The fence can be fairly easily opened for entrance by slipping a wire loop over one of the slats near the northern-most steel fence post. Please re-close the fence upon leaving.) The cache container contains only a logsheet so bring a pencil to log your find. Please return the container to its original location and state of concealment for others’ enjoyment.

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Jung ubyqf na byq onea gbtrgure? Fbzr qvfnffrzoyl erdhverq.

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)