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Another foray into the worlds of A.S. - definitely not for the faint of heart or casual cacher. Please be advised you are attempting this cache of your own free will and neither the cache owner or Geocaching.com will be held liable for your injuries or loss of sanity.
I discovered the old book some months back on a disused shelf of a hole in the wall bookstore nearby and was distinctly surprised to read an account of Arne Saknusemm swearing that he had discovered traces of an ancient subterranean civilization far beneath the earth. He further claimed to have emerged from the tunnels near Raleigh. I was skeptical, but searched for his signs, and found them in the area. I have been surprised to find the three Notches of Arne Saknusemm in my area before, and have begun to question the old man’s sanity. I have allowed fellow cachers to follow our footsteps before, into the shallow tunnel south of Raleigh known simply as GC12143, but deciding to let people I care about to go on this dark and dangerous journey was a hard decision.
The discovery of his marks this second time and the journey they took me on confirm that his mind had well and truly cracked by the time he was crawling and clambering through these subterranean gulfs. I was tested mentally and physically on my journey to add my footsteps next to his illustrious ones. I am no longer sure I am any saner than old A.S. but I am a better man for the trip. I hope that if you follow the path laid down by him - and with my coordinates to get you started - that you, too, will come away with an experience you shall never forget.
The above coordinates will take you to a metal structure upon which is hidden a clue to get you started on your journey. I found it and followed the clues, eventually finding the first set of the marks of A.S. Three notches carved in the stoney side of a tunnel. This first time I saw them was the last time they meant only that the tunnel was the right one. From hereon in they signified the locations of hidden clues. Each and every time after the first wherever there were the marks there also was a hidden clue of some kind. (Please rehide these clues in the same locations and as safely dry as possible.)
When first I followed the steps of A.S. I took with me only a set of kneepads, a headlamp, a metal folding chair, and three loyal young men. On completion of the journey I have compiled a list of recommended equipment.
Headlamp with extra batteries
Good kneepads
Good gloves
A 10 to 15 foot ladder
Water
Lunch and or dinner
Elbow pads
Sturdy shoes
Waterproof paper and pens
At least ten hours to spend on this trip
And a friend (never ever attempt this alone)
I would like to personally thank KidsforCthulhu who helped me make the trip, who shed blood and tears with me, and without whom this would never have been possible. They are my loyal young men and women and they helped in the creation, placing and building of this cache. They are my friends and without them I might never have made it out of this one alive. I want to thank my daughter who made several of the trips, bravely pushing on though her wrists were injured, and stoically shaking off the muddy water from a severe dunking in a very smelly creek. I would also like to thank my loving and patient wife for putting up with all the mess, frustration, and smells resulting from this one. I love you Hippopotamama and I really am eternally sorry for the red paint on the new car and the dank and soured wet socks left in the very-warm car for you to find.
I also want to thank Team WWFlover_13, the victi-… er, play testers of this cache. They managed the whole thing in 9 hours. They put up with me tagging along and watching their progress, and helped to catch some of the glitches that always slip into an endeavor of this magnitude. Thanks guys, not only for the time and energy, not only for the blood and sweat you put into this one, but for everything. Not the least of which is finding the final stage even though nature had moved it far from coords and into a much more aquatic setting.
Now a serious word of warning: You are attempting this bit of madness all on your own, of your own free will and with no compulsion from the cache owner, the cache testers, the cache helpers, Geocaching.com, or anyone else. None of the above parties will be held liable for your bruises, your bumps, your gashes, cuts, lacerations, broken bones, scars, wounded pride or sanity loss. If you suffer from a fear of the dark, fear of enclosed spaces, fears of water, depth, or frogs, a fear of mosquitoes, fear of scratches, a fear of blistered knees or hands, a low tolerance for puzzles or riddles or care more about the number of smileys than the journey this cache may not be for you. The placing and testing of this cache resulted in a few injuries including: many scratches, two cuts that were serious but did not require stitches, one broken bone, and several sprains and stresses. You really should budget at least 10 hours to do this cache. The owner asks that no phone a friends be used on this one (and notes that for the majority of the trip phones will not have service so, again, DO NOT GO ALONE), that each cacher or team of cachers should try it without getting hints from those that have finished it. Please do not post logs or pictures with spoilers as these will not only ruin the experience but will also be deleted. Please DO post pictures that do not include spoilers! Enjoy this experience and if you feel miserable by the end remember that the owner and helpers made this trip over half a dozen times, spending no less than eight and sometimes as much as fourteen hours at a time clambering through the darkness with naught but your satisfaction at EARNING this smiley to keep them pushing on.
NOTE: The best day to attempt is Sunday as it begins near businesses that are open M-F and sometimes Sat.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Vs fnavgl vf ba gur oevax naq gur jnirf bs znqarff yvpx ng lbhe urryf, pnyy bhg gb bar jub zvtug nvqr lbh naq chyy lbh onpx gb gur ernyzf bs fbhaq gubhtug naq ernfba, Ibegrkrpub