GC22Z29 33 days - The Trifecta Challenge (Unknown Cache) in Arizona, United States created by sundevil1994

This cache has been archived.

sundevil1994: Unfortunately I am being put under pressure to change my verbiage on this page and put a container out or archive it. Since it is probably true that all those who would do it, have already I think its time to retire this cache. Thank you to all who followed me into this foolish challenge!

GC22Z29 ▼

A cache by sundevil1994 Message this owner

Hidden : 1/13/2010

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Size: Size: not chosen (not chosen)

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Geocache Description:

"Oh I ain't seen my baby since I don't know when..."

FAIR WARNING: This is one of the top 5 dumbest challenges I've seen out there. However I was too far into the idea when I figured that out to just stop. Since I completed it I might as well put it out there for others.

If you choose to follow me in this foolish challenge and claim a find you must for 33 consecutive days log at a minimum one Benchmark loaded into the database here at geocaching.com PLUS find one geocache PLUS post or visit one Waymark each day.

33 straight days of The Holy Trifecta of Groundspeak.

Easy enough right?

You do NOT need to live in Arizona to complete this and all cachers are welcome to find the cache and Waymark (WM828E - S.R.V.W.U.A. bench mark - Warner & Lakeshore) at the location.

So what are the rules you ask?

- Fail to successfully cache PLUS waymark PLUS recover a system loaded benchmark each day and you will have to start again. This challenge is for 33 consecutive days.

- No picture, no visit, no recover, no exceptions. Waymarks require visual proof of visit in the log and Benchmarks require a picture with your GPSr with the coordinates clearly seen. (Proper benchmarking etiquette also suggests a picture in a direction for reference.) If you don't own a camera and can upload pictures you cannot complete this challenge. Most cell phones now have a high resolution camera on it and I completed much of this challenge with mine.

- One visit per location on waymarks. If a location has multiple marks you can't go back again to the location to claim credit for something in the area in a different category on a different day. If the area has multiple waymarks (such as a park with a train and art) or qualifies in multiple categories (such as a national monument) all marks in that location can only be counted for one day of the challenge. The other marks are highly encouraged to do while you are there though.

-Per AZcachemeister's GC1M6CH - Arizona Benchmark Challenge-Casual rules: Intersection stations (water tanks, radio and TV antennae, etc.) are not allowed. We'll follow his rules so that by definition if you complete this challenge you meet the minimum requirements for that one as well.

- No double dipping on benchmarks

-Placing a new cache for others to find fulfills your geocache requirements for the day but it must follow all applicable guidelines and eventually be published. (Sometimes there is a lag and that is understood.)

-Finds only count for the day you find it. No 'rollovers.'

EXCEPTION to 33 consecutive days: If you observe a full weekly day of worship you can still complete this challenge. Please just add those days that fall into the period to the end of the challenge.

Other than that you've got a lot of freedom on how to complete this. Push yourself and see new things.

Although not required here are some suggested additions that I completed to make this challenge a bit more interesting:

- Hide at least one new Geocache
- Get at least one FTF
- Find and place (combined) more than 66 geocaches (averaging two a day)
- Log waymarks in more than 33 distinct categories (averaging something new every day)
- Create more than 5 new Waymarks in at least 5 different categories
- Recover a loaded geocaching.com benchmark that AZCachemeister hasn't recovered yet for whatever reason.
- Geocache, Benchmark and Waymark in at least 5 different cities

So how did ol' sundevil1994 do?

From November 22nd, 2009 through Christmas Eve 2009 I had the following stats:

-2 new Geocaches placed and 65 found
-1 FTF
-73 waymarks visited in 50 different categories
-21 new waymarks created in 13 different categories
-40 benchmarks (loaded into geocaching.com's database) successfully recovered with one DNF.
-Finds/Visits/Recoveries in 7 cities in 2 different states
-3 days of torrential downpours
- 1 broken toe on day 16 (see gallery pictures) jumping over a fence to retrieve a bench mark

And too many cuts, scratches and bruises to count.

You can see a record of my adventure in XLS format at: Sundevil1994's Trifecta Challenge Log

I recommend you keep your own record for verification and that each of your finds/recoveries posted logs state something along the lines of "Found for Day X of Trifecta Challenge along with (Cache, Benchmark and/or Waymark")

Some Tips:

PLAN! PLAN! PLAN! PLAN! - Chances are you will not complete this challenge if you just shoot from the hip and wing it. As time goes on, your options on things start to decrease. If you have a full time job (like I do) this challenge is extremely difficult some days.

ALWAYS have a back up - A DNF on a Bench Mark or Geocache will throw you into a spin late at night. I learned that the hard way.

READ the bench mark datasheet. - Why?
1) The last person to log a recovery might not have had a clue what they were looking for or be completely incompetent (- such as this fool -)
2) Different agencies sometimes place marks in the same area and it is easy to mistake them for each other: - DU2339 - and - WM7VY7 - (see picture below)
3) sometimes there are multiple reference points with discs and the actual 'station' be somewhere in between. Such as: - CZ1951 -
and 4) it is not impossible that previous construction in the area move the mark. Such as - DV0630 -

I also suggest carrying some tools while you attempt this. Obviously you need a camera but other suggested items are:

-Industrial Gloves
-Hand shovel (I carry a small spade in my trunk, an army shovel would be ideal but a trowel would do the job) as some benchmarks can be buried with time and may need to be physically dug out if it hasn't been recovered recently.
-Something pointy to open bench mark access covers that could be stuck. I found myself using my pocket knife more than once and regretted it each time that I didn’t bring a screwdriver.
-Some sort of towel or cleaning item. I found spit works pretty good to clean up a bench mark if you don’t mind your fingers being dirty but I also have a toilet brush in my bench marker's bag, murse, manbag or what ever you want to call it.
-Some sort of first aid kit

Misc notes about this challenge and its limitations:

For Benchmarking:
The Geocaching.com database for Bench Marks is less than perfect. Actually it's flawed in many ways and many bench marks exist that are not loaded in the system. In my own city of Tempe only a few of the legitimate City of Tempe marks and S.R.V.W.U.A. are loaded. Groundspeak has specifically added a US Bench Mark category to waymarking.com to capture the information on disc bench marks. Missing database marks for Public Land Surveys, River Gauges, Azimuth and others also have their own categories there.

For Waymarking:
The biggest downfall of Waymarking is that it is relatively in its infancy even though it has been around for some time now. Designed to replace virtual and locationless caches with a more streamlined process its true purpose is to get you to see things you may never knew existed. If you don’t have some waymarkers in your area already there might not be enough to complete this challenge unless you are the pioneer in your area. In my own opinion there are many garbage categories of waymarks and I avoid them as they just don’t interest me. Get out and experience new things and see new sights.

UPDATE 1/31/2011
Since the final container keeps disappearing on me you don't even need to go searching for it. When you've completed the challenge just post your log and claim the smiley.

Good luck and feel free to post logs here letting others know how you are doing.

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Special thanks goes to AZcachemeister for listening to me complain both via email and face to face while I was doing this and RoadRunner for having to listen to others complain about this challenge now.

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2-17-10
Congratulations to -ONE- for being the first to complete this "awful" challenge.
They claim the grand prize of five trackable items and forever will be known as the -ONE- I wouldn't let give up. (Pun is intended.)

3-5-10
Congratulations to dragnwagn8 for being second to complete and claiming the 2FC prize.

3-7-10
Congratulations to cordeous for being the third to complete and claiming the 3TC prize.

4-14-10
Congratulations to adenium for being the fourth to complete and claiming the 4TC prize.

4-15-10
Congratulations to Frank AZ and NJ Girl for being the fifth to complete and claiming the 5TC prize.

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Visit 33 days - The Trifecta Challenge details at the DGP

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Guvf punyyratr vf jung lbh znxr bs vg. Gur 'ehyrf' ner zber thvqryvarf gb fbyvqvsl zl vagrag. Va gur raq gur vqrn vf gb qb bar bs rnpu rirelqnl. Cbyvpr lbhefrys.

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)

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33 days - The Trifecta Challenge Mystery Cache

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