The physical cache IS at the posted coordinates, but it is locked. See details below.
The Cache
Purple Martin. Photo by JJ Cadiz
Located near the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary's (IBS) Nature Centre, your goal is a custom-built container. It has two padlocks, one on either side.
The combination for the first padlock is: A-B-C. The second combination is: D-E-F. To learn the numeric values of A, B, C, D, E, and F, you must find six waypoints on a short trail that loops through the sanctuary (see below).
After you visit the waypoints, go to the cache container, remove both padlocks, lift off the top, unhook four hooks, and let the two sides swing open.
Now you're free to trade moderately sized animals – up to 10x15x15 cm (4x6x6 in.) in size.
You cannot record a "Found it" for this cache, however, until you sign the log book. Both the log book and a sandwich-sized Lock & Lock (for regular trade items) are stored inside the "Log Room." All you have to do is open that room's door (using the hint, if necessary).
You can find all parts of this cache any day from sunrise to sunset.
Ms. CanadianRockies conceived, designed, and decorated most of this cache. Mr. CandianRockies handled most of the construction.
Congratulations to the "Cache Burglar Team" (kophykupp, Cdn Kitn, and AKDisneyPirates) for their joint First-to-Find effort. Further kudos to Junior "Shuper Seeker" for being the first child to find this cache.
The Waypoints
Find the six waypoints listed below. At each one, your task is to discover a digit that will replace one of the six letters that form the cache's padlock combinations. Padlock #1: A-B-C. Padlock #2: D-E-F.
You can find all six waypoints without leaving the established trails. Please stay on the paths.
Waypoint 1 (N 51° 01.691 W 114° 00.506). This original “Inglewood” Girl was born in 192x. A = x.
Waypoint 2 (N 51° 01.688 W 114° 00.425). The four-digit identification number for this bridge is 16xy. B = x*y (i.e., x multiplied by y).
Waypoint 3 (N 51° 01.669 W 114° 00.283). How many planks of wood were originally used to build this bench (one plank might be missing)? C = answer.
Waypoint 4 (N 51° 01.528 W 114° 00.440). How many benches are within 20 metres of this waypoint? D = answer / 2 (i.e, number of benches divided by 2).
Waypoint 5 (N 51° 01.524 W 114° 00.581). The railings on this bridge are screwed into several long 4” by 8” planks of wood. How many planks are there? E = answer.
Waypoint 6 (N 51° 01.600 W 114° 00.597). This building has a large porch that wraps most of the way around two of its sides. How many columns support this porch’s roof? F = answer.
Inglewood Bird Sanctuary
Inglewood Bird Sanctuary is 36 hectares (89 acres) of protected forest along the Bow River and includes a tranquil lagoon. There are picnic tables, benches, and trail map signs.
Over three kilometres of trails are open to the public from sunrise to sunset every day of the year. Please stay on the paved and graveled paths, which you can access through the gate just south of the Nature Centre.
Some 270 species of birds and 21 types of mammals have been seen here.
The free Nature Centre has parking, restrooms, a water fountain, exhibits, and helpful staff.
Please follow these rules to preserve the wildlife and habitat (and avoid fines):
• Always stay on the paved and graveled trails.
• Keep the wildlife wild.
- Do not feed or disturb the animals.
- Observe them from a safe distance.
- No pets.
• Leave the plants alone. Birds and other animals depend on vegetation for food and nesting material. This includes flowers, berries, and dead branches.
• Be considerate.
- Don't throw rocks.
- Use the trash and recycling containers.
- No bicycles, roller blades, or skateboards.
• No fishing.
Thanks, Calgary
We created this cache to thank Calgary for the wonderful Parks 100 project, during which we had lots of fun exploring the city's many scenic, interesting, and diverse parks.
In 2010, Calgary Area Cachers teamed up with the city's Parks Department to celebrate Calgary Parks' 100th Anniversary by placing caches in nearly 100 city parks.
Our heartfelt appreciation goes out to the Calgary Parks Department, Calgary Public Library, and Calgary Area Cachers.
Special thanks to the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary for allowing us to place this cache, lending out GPS receivers, and including geocaching in their educational projects.
Purple Martins
Photo by Dendroica cerulea
Purple Martins are North America's largest swallows. They measure about 20 cm (8 in.) from bill tip to tail tip and are fast, agile fliers. Adult males are unmistakable with their uniform, bluish-black sheen.
These colonial birds prefer to live in unpopulated areas of mature woodlands near lakes, marshes, and meadows. Alberta is the northern limit of their breeding range.
More aggressive European Starlings and House Sparrows compete with martins for nest sites. So, east of the Rockies, martins often rely on human-provided birdhouses and artificial gourds.
To the west, these birds like to nest in old tree holes, cliff niches, and other natural cavities. But they, too, face habitat destruction and increased nest competition.
Purple Martins generally are monogamous, and both parents raise their young. They feed on high-flying insects.