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Emmett's Wild Adventure X - The Final Conquest Mystery Cache

This cache has been archived.

emmett: It is time to finish with archiving my caches. I understand some may be interested in completing this series. The containers are still out there as far as I know so you can still log finds but I will not be doing any maintenance. I don’t want them listed on GC.com any longer and will not be working on any of them unless and until I have the time to modify and publish these as new caches on another site.

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Hidden : 1/6/2007
Difficulty:
4 out of 5
Terrain:
3 out of 5

Size: Size:   regular (regular)

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Geocache Description:


About the EWA series

The EWA series is comprised of nine basic caches, plus a bonus cache, and an Epilogue cache that was published last to offer additional help and tips for those interested in completing the series.

All of the EWA caches have been set up uniquely to allow for some extra fun and/or something different at the beginning. In general, there are two ways to complete each cache and you get to choose which option you think you will enjoy the most.

Those who complete the series will have visited a wide assortment of trails and terrain while finding micros and containers of all different types. It is hoped that the series will serve as a fine introduction for newcomers yet still hold the interest of veteran cachers with some twists and turns not commonly found in more traditional hunts.

For maximum enjoyment, it is strongly advised you consider the impact seasonal changes will have on some hunts. All of the EWA locales are spots that are very nice at certain times of the year, but not necessarily all year round. Make the best of the EWA collection by planning your visits at the optimal times. This is explained in more detail with the “Owners Tips” provided in the Epilogue cache.


About EWA-10: The Final Conquest

The Final Conquest is a multi-stage hunt that can be found in one of two ways. You choose which adventure suits you most. There is room for a few cars on the side of the road less than 1,000 feet, roughly west of stage one.

Option One: Solve the toughest Emmett puzzle ever published. You must identify each of the mystery waypoints below, then follow the instructions to determine the stage one coordiantes.

Option Two: Utilize clues placed in the other nine EWA caches to determine the stage one location. This is the easier path to the cache but will be time-consuming in a different way as it requires completing nine EWA caches first.

There are nine clue sheets (one sheet each in EWA-1 thru EWA-9) with one letter and a corresponding value on each sheet. Add all the numbers from the clue sheets and divide the sum by 1,000 and call the result “Z.” Stage One coordinates may then be calculated by using the values of B, G and Z as follows.

North = (B x Z) + 1.865
West = (G x Z) + 1.611

Since the stage one hide is quite difficult, a riddle has been provided below to offer some assistance for those unable to find it without the benefit of aid.

The EWA-10 puzzle

To solve the puzzle, you must identify the six mystery locations described below, then complete a calculation to create a waypoint called "X." There is a general description to describe each mystery waypoint along with three clues to help you complete your task.

Waypoint X will be calculated by averaging the coordinates of the six mystery waypoints, then subtracting 1.205 from the resulting north coordinate and adding 1.558 to the resulting west coordinate. The “averaging” will be done by separately adding the six north and west coords for the six mystery locations and dividing those numbers by six and rounding to the nearest hundredth (ie. 42 23.5228 = 42 23.523).

EWA-10 stage one is located at a bearing of 85.857 degrees from Waypoint X.

To refine your search, you must now determine Waypoint “Y,” the closest waypoint of any cache placed prior to December 31, 2006. Note: There are several possible cache stages that meet some of the following criteria for Waypoint Y, but only one cache/stage meets all the criteria.

Waypoint Y is .141 miles away from EWA-10 Stage One at a bearing of 180 degrees or less. Waypoint “Y” lies at a bearing of ab.cab degrees from Waypoint “X.”

a + b + c + a + b = 25

The posted coords mark a spot in Marlborough that is no more than two miles from EWA-10 Stage One. Waypoints One thru Six are located either in Marlborough or in one of the several nearby bordering towns: Northboro, Berlin, Hudson, Sudbury, Framingham, Southboro, or Westboro.

The puzzle information should allow for precise calculation of all mystery waypoints, so you should be able to achieve certainty of your results without my help. Nevertheless, clarification of the instructions or clues will be provided if needed.

Those seeking clarification of Stage One coordinates must provide me all of the following:

The names and coordinates of all Mystery Waypoints.
The coordinates of Waypoints X and Y.
The EWA-10 Stage One coordinates.

Mystery Waypoint One:

This bowl, colored predominantly red and green (from your best vantage point), is not meant to be used for soup but it has been known to serve a crowd on Turkey Day. Mark its midpoint and call it Waypoint One. The closest stage of any cache published prior to December 31, 2006 measures .257 miles away at a bearing of 23.285 degrees from the bowl’s midpoint.

Bonus clue #1 – Closest stage/cache is listed here (visit link)

Bonus clue #2 – Where Hawks sometimes soar

Bonus clue #3 – Panthers visit on Turkey Day every other year


Mystery Waypoint Two:

This hexagon is both obscure and obvious depending on your perspective. Each side measures about 155 feet. Mark its midpoint and call it Waypoint Two. The closest stage of any cache published prior to December 31, 2006 measures .135 miles away at a bearing of 257.176 degrees from the hexagon’s midpoint.

Bonus clue #1 – Housing for seniors

Bonus clue #2 – Marlborough

Bonus clue #3 – Nearby cache has "troubled" many.

Mystery Waypoint Three:

This ridge runs roughly in a north-south direction at an estimated 400-475 feet above sea level and measures about .115 miles from its northern tip to the nearby summit. Mark the point where the ridge meets the summit and call that Waypoint Three. The closest posted coords for any cache published prior to December 31, 2006 measure .739 miles away at a bearing of 270.183 degrees from Waypoint Three.

Bonus clue #1 – From southern tip of ridge, nearest sizeable body of water is about .60 miles away

Bonus clue #2 – Not every ridge is rocky, nor every summit a peak

Bonus clue #3 – This well traveled ridge is not a place for hiking


Mystery Waypoint Four:

No longer preserved as open space, this “mount” has been developed for housing. It carries the same name as a nearby area that began attracting cachers in early 2006. The mount’s summit sits an estimated 420-460 feet above sea level, 787.864 feet at a bearing of 243.933 degrees from the closest stage of any cache published prior to December 31, 2006. Mark the summit’s midpoint and call it Waypoint Four.

Bonus clue #1 – Mount and nearby park also share name with a school in bordering community.

Bonus clue #2 – Insidious locale nearby

Bonus clue #3 – Mount also shares its name with a river that flows not too far away


Mystery Waypoint Five:

These twin towers measure approximately 93.092 feet from the midpoint of one to the midpoint of the other. The cache with posted coords closest to the midpoint of the eastern most of these two towers measures .170 miles away at a bearing of 83.401 degrees. Call the midpoint of the eastern tower Waypoint Five.

Bonus clue #1 – North plus west coords = 113 54.564

Bonus clue #2 – EWA cachers have hiked nearby

Bonus clue #3 – H2O


Mystery Waypoint Six:

This park abuts water at two ends, thus creating a rectangular area that measures roughly 425 feet on its short side and 675 feet on its long side. Mark the midpoint defined by the park’s perimeter and the water and call it Waypoint Six. The closest posted coords for any cache published prior to December 31, 2006 measure .333 miles away at a bearing of 110.212 degrees from Waypoint Six.

Bonus clue #1 – Sudbury River flows nearby

Bonus clue #2 - Not a playground

Bonus clue #3 - Made for cars, not kids

Puzzle Micro Riddle

For those unable to find the stage one micro without the benefit of help, the riddle below points the way to clues you may find useful.

On the path to EWA glory, lies a tree that blocks the way;
You wonder which I speak of, listen hear me say.

A brother lies beside it, nestled right next to its stump;
Neither is so daunting, there is no need to jump.

A micro has been placed somewhere that clearly marks ground zero;
Should you be first to find it, you may become the hero.

The clues they number four plus one, each of varying aid;
Within forty feet zero, all of them were laid.

The distance may seem lengthy, for these micros somewhat round;
But there's no need to worry, all were hidden above the ground.

Take note of your surroundings, there’s no need to shout or call;
Consider what’s most likely and you should find them all.

One clue in particular, I thought perhaps too kind;
So in my infinite wisdom, I made it harder to find.

The rest are pretty easy, combined they should work well;
But who am I to say for sure, it’s up to you to tell.

Truly I do say to you, there are none I hope you miss;
So before you head on out there, you should consider this.

From road to cache the “brothers” are more than half the way;
And once you think you’ve found them, you should begin to pray.

Dear God I beg for vision to see the clues nearby;
Should I leave from here without them I fear I just might die.

Oh Emmett he is a mean one, my DNF provides him pleasure;
Let’s hasten his retirement, help me find his EWA treasure.


About the EWA-10 locale

The area does seem to be tick friendly when the climate is right. At such times of the year, it would be a good idea to wear light colored clothing and check yourself periodically while hiking.

The EWA Lineup:

EWA-1: Callahan Bypass - (visit link)
EWA-2: Which Way From Here? - (visit link)
EWA-3: Big Rock - (visit link)
EWA-4: The Theft - (visit link)
EWA-5: Micros or Mystery? - (visit link)
EWA-6: Kids Treasure Chest - (visit link)
EWA-7: The Ledges - (visit link)
EWA-8: Points of Interest - (visit link)
EWA-9: Upton Woods - (visit link)
EWA-10: The Final Conquest - (visit link)

EWA-Epilogue: Owner's Tips - (visit link)


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Additional Hints (No hints available.)