NOTE: Please do not attempt this cache series during hunting season, except on Sundays (so long as Sundays remain off limits to hunting in North Carolina), and even then, take caution. This is an extremely popular area with hunters.
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Keep it Secret: We charge the Fellowship of the Ring with this mission; do not reveal the hides through spoiler clues.
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Keep it Safe: Completing this series means accepting real risk of life and limb. Please read the disclaimer below.
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Disclaimer: There is no need for anyone to do any of these caches, or to complete them once started. Those who choose to undertake this series do so at their own risk. The terrain in the area of these caches is extremely rocky and steep. Please be careful. But even with care, falling from great heights and other serious, potentially fatal risks remain. Please do not undertake this series if you are not in good physical shape, comfortable with rock climbing, and completely willing to accept the risks associated with this activity.
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Welcome to Rivendell
To begin, the coordinates above are not correct, not at all. This is a secret place, known to but a few, and we hope you'll agree that it is best kept that way. To assure that this place remains known only to those with the wisdom to respect it, we have encrypted the coordinates as follows:
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STAGE 1 - the Parking:
IANBNCNDNN=4=4=4=4UE0E0E0E0T63636363M89898484106560757780608767S05350737:4;2;4;2.
In the spirit of this cache, bear in mind the powers of three. Find the center of the square described by the decrypted code, and you'll have the parking coordinates. Not far from these coordinates you will find this sign:
NOTE: If anyone abuses this invitation by driving down the private drive -- even to do a drop-off -- We will have to archive this cache, and the entire series of caches. You've got to walk, folks. If you're not up to that, you certainly won't be up for what comes after in this series.
We have obscured the part of this sign which includes the name of this place, the place where The Lord of the Rings caches are located, to keep it secret from those who lack the wisdom to find it. You must cross private property to reach the forested realm of the caches, and as the sign indicates, the property owners have graciously granted permission for those visiting this place to cross their property. Please reciprocate their graciousness and cross their land with respect. Come during daytime hours only, be quiet, don't litter, and be kind to the animals. You will pass a "Beware of Bull" sign -- take this seriously. If you encounter the landowners, simply let them know you are headed to visit [PLACENAME].
STAGE 2 -- the Gate:
You will veer right at a fork in the dirt driveway. After the first gate (the one with the "Beware of Bull" sign), you will come to a second gate, marking the end of the pasture and the start of the ATV trail. This second gate can serve as an intermediate waypoint on your journey. To find it:
Subtract 0.018 MINUTES from the parking latitude.
Add 0.532 MINUTES to the parking longitude.
STAGE 3 -- the Cache:
There is actually a "No Trespassing" sign at the final gate leading to the dirt path, but we've been told by some of the numerous visitors we've encountered that this is simply to further discourage cars, not foot traffic. In any event, the invitation to walk to the destination area remains at the road. From here, the trail will lead up to the area where the caches are located. To find "Three Rings for the Elven Kings," you'll need to find the center of another encrypted square -- but, since this is solved in the exact same way as the parking coordinates, this should be easy now:
IANBNCNDNN=4=4=4=4UE0E0E0E0T63636363M79897484196469848756365333S41714373:8;6;8;6.
This is a regular-sized cache, an ammo box in fact, and it should contain a variety of trade items. Initial contents include geocaching Bookcrossing copies of The Fellowship of the Ring, and The Two Towers.
In addition, in the vicinity of this cache, you will find six runes that will guide you to the next cache in The Lord of the Rings Series, "Seven for the Dwarf Lords." See that cache page for more details, and happy hunting!