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Muggle This! Mystery Cache

This cache has been locked, but it is available for viewing.
Hidden : 8/8/2006
Difficulty:
4 out of 5
Terrain:
4 out of 5

Size: Size:   small (small)

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Geocache Description:

The cache is located along the River Wear where the riverside path leads towards Durham. This is NOT suitable for children to do although they are allowed to go along to laugh. Preferably accompanied by a second adult who isn't doing the cache.

The Pros:
  • Despite the ? on the cache page, it’s actually not a puzzle
    • although there are conditions for logging it.
  • It's not a micro.
  • The coordinates are for the cache itself.
  • No multis to get first.
  • And no confusing things to find.
  • Just a straightforward cache
  • with good GPS coverage and accuracy.
  • Parking is easy and about ½ a mile away from the cache.
  • The cache is easily located; about 4 inches away from you at the coordinates.

The Cons:

The cache container is a white length of 50mm tube with lids at either end. Please make sure they are replaced properly and turned to their fully locked position when you’re done. The logbook should be retrievable by taking either lid off and you don’t need to remove both. If you’re not able to reach the container easily, you may find that the contents tip out into the river when you take off a lid. Again. Get comfortable before you do it.

The container itself is clamped to a length of wood using three strong plastic clamps. Remove the tube from the clamps before unscrewing a lid. The clips are attached so the pipe pulls out sideways and all 3 retaining clips should be used to clamp the pipe back in position.

Even though you might be able to see it, you CAN’T* get to it from here so don’t go pushing it around or improvising pokey sticks or hanging upside down as it’ll end up dangling from its short anchoring nylon tether – and you’ll still not be able to get it. Or you’ll break your nails. You may even descend headfirst into the murk and drown. The stream is about 3 feet deep with an additional 2 feet of mud. I know. I was in it recently.

This is the ideal place to put those “racing bugs” that need to be nobbled. When the next person finds it, the bug’ll probably fall into the glop several metres below. Not that I'm advising anyone to try to find the cache of course: I’ve checked the “dangerous area” icon and this is a warning to be careful out there. You may need to return with specialised equipment to get the cache, which is harder than it looks. If you can't put it back, don't try to get it, please. To claim the cache the logbook MUST be signed.

*I REPEAT. THIS COULD BE DANGEROUS IF YOU DON’T DO IT PROPERLY AND USING SUITABLE EQUIPMENT.

I now also need you to post a photo of the equipment you used (in situ) to get the cache. This is to ensure that you don’t do anything silly to get it. If anyone wants a hand, let me know and I’m sure we can arrange something.

Any logs without such a photo – or at my discretion – will be deleted, thus meaning that there is no point in trying to get it without the proper equipment.

Speaking of dangling, this is what you can see while your hanging around a waitin’ for the muggles to pass - over. And if you look down you can see where you’re going if you make a cock up.

Just to prove it’s there, here it is.

Any find that involves damage to the cache or the structure it’s on will be permanently deleted.

One of the reasons for taking it out of the river was that, when I was in it in February, I think I contracted a case of Giardiasis. This is more entertainingly known in the USA as Beaver Fever and, while it’s not life-threatening, it gives you an upset tum for a bit. About six months, actually. It’s more prevalent in cooler waters so, unless you’re an eejit and take the plunge in February like wot I done, when the water’s a balmy 6°C, the Wear should be ok. Notwithstanding that, no-one’s gone for it for over a year so I had to do something.

Crash cache well.

If you want to find this location then that’s up to you but you assume all risks arising in connection with seeking any cache or any other related activity. In the same way that reading a book about Everest isn’t telling you to go there, this page merely gives information about a place to which I’ve been and to where you can go of your own volition. It’s entirely your choice and I will not be held liable for any claim whatsoever.

PLEASE READ MY LAST LOG ENTRY FOR UP TO DATE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS CACHE.

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Evtug va gur zvqqyr. Abg gung gung'yy uryc. Bar jnl gb qb guvf pbhyq or hfvat ynqqre(f) (zber guna 5 zrgerf ybat, V’q fnl). Jnqr/fjvz gb gur evtug nern jvgu fnvq ynqqre naq njnl lbh tb. GUR ZHQ VF DHVGR QRRC GURER: LBH'YY TRG SVYGUL

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)