ENBU Multi-cache

In order to complete this course of study and become a certified benchmark hunter you will need to find nine benchmarks. At each one except the last you will also need to find a micro cache which will give you instructions for the next assignment. At the last benchmark will be a cache where you will be able to claim your benchmark hunting diploma and trade school supplies.

The coordinates above are not those of the cache but are for another benchmark. Although it is not one of the ones you need to find to complete this course of study, extra credit will be awarded for doing so.

This series will be difficult because as you discover your next benchmark you will need to logon to geocaching.com to obtain coordinates and other information from the benchmark page.  To do this you will need either: mobile internet access or find a nearby public library or a cell phone and a partner at home to pass the information or drive home after each find. 

During the completion of your assignments you will be subjected to many of the typical difficulties and problems of benchmark hunting.  Other than your GPS the only other tool which may prove useful is a compass.  Please take a pencil and paper to copy down your next assignment and be careful to replace the micro caches as you found them for the next person.  Please note that the distances and directions for finding the micro caches are approximate so don’t turn off your brain while searching.

Lesson 1 – As noted on the Geocaching.com benchmark pages, the coordinates of the benchmarks are scaled, not measured.  In other words they are taken off of a map with a ruler, not measured with a GPS.  As a result they are often inaccurate and can only be counted on to get you to the general area.

Lesson 2 – To find a benchmark you need to follow the description on the benchmark page.  However, most of the descriptions were written at least 30 years ago and referenced landmarks may have changed or disappeared entirely.  Also the descriptions have a style and vocabulary all of their own.  You may need to learn the meaning of such terms as abutment, balustrade and wing wall or figure out phrases such as ‘on the wing wall of the northeast end of the southwest side of the bridge over XXXX stream adjacent to the west bound traffic lanes’.

Lesson 3 – Benchmarks are often destroyed by construction activity and covered up naturally by soil movement or by debris over the years.  People steal the disks, deface them or cover them up.  Even if the disk has been removed, you can often determine where a benchmark was by its “shadow”.

Lesson 4 – Not all disks are benchmarks and not all benchmarks are disks.  A good reference document for further information is NOAA Technical Report NOS 88 NGS 19 but is not required reading.  Also, not all disks which may be found are in the NGS database.  Before logging a benchmark find it is important to compare the stamping on the disk with the designation on the benchmark page and the location description to make sure that it is the correct disk.

Lesson 5 – Since benchmarks have no log books, the only way to unambiguously demonstrate that you found it is to post a picture with your log on the Geocaching.com benchmark page.

Lesson 6 – The definitive source for information on a benchmark is not the Geocaching .com benchmark page.  The latest information is found on the datasheet from the official NGS database.  Locating this resource is left as an exercise for the student.

OK, school starts now!.  Assignment number 1 is to find TU0469.  Look in a near by red Ti plant for your next assignment. Note revised assignment # 1.

Less than 500 ft. from car to cache Compass Suggested / Required Beware of Muggles!

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