The Ghost of the Would-Be Geocacher Mystery Cache

This cache has been archived.

Hope2findit: time to archive this one, and open up the area for new caches.

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A cache by Hop Message this owner
Hidden : 7/12/2007
Difficulty:
3 out of 5
Terrain:
3 out of 5

Size: Size: regular (regular)

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Geocache Description:


This is a multi-stage puzzle cache. At each stage, you will be asked to decypher a simple code to find the waypoints of the next waypoint. There is one virtual waypoint, 5 other waypoints and a final, for a total of seven stops. In all, it will probably take about an hour.

This cache is in a fee area. The Geocache Notification Form has been submitted to Ed Muzik of the Wisconsin DNR. The given coordinates are for parking - the cache is not located at those coordinates. You must follow the directions below to find the coordinates for the cache. After finding, please rehide the cache and the waypoints so that they are not visible to mortals - I mean, muggles.

Hello.

My name is Walter, and this is my cache page. Most of my friends call me “Hop”. You can too if you feel like it.

I am a permanent resident at Lapham Peak State Park. You see, I passed away a few years back, and this was the last place I came to enjoy the wonderful outdoors. It’s also close to where most of my kids live, and they come and visit me from time to time. It’s a nice place, and there are nice people around, so it’s a good place to be. I would have really enjoyed geocaching when I was around, and I’d still like to participate, so that’s why I set this cache up.

This park is my favorite park in the Wisconsin State Park system. When I was still alive, I would come here to hike and cross country ski as often as possible. Each spring, I would host an Easter Egg hunt down by the Homestead Hollow for my kids and grandkids and great grandkids – there were usually 50 or so of us, hunting about 2000 eggs. I don’t think we ever left any behind, but there might be one or two still out there. We all had a wonderful time. Later in the summer, I would come here with my grandkids and catch frogs by the pond. In fall, we would all get together and get spooked on the Fright Hike. Now, when my family comes here for Fright Hike, I hang around them and spook the kids dressed up like ghosts. I like causing a little mischief every once in awhile.

If you decide to do this cache, I would appreciate it if you stay to the paths as much as possible. The guys that work here do their best to keep the park clean and enjoyable to all visitors. There is a little bit of bushwacking at WP2 especially. The rest are either relatively close to the path, or areas relatively clean of a lot of undergrowth. However, the path I chose to use for this cache is rather strenuous, so don’t expect just a casual “Walk in the Park”.

In order to find the coordinates for the first waypoint, listen to the recording on the attached link. I was in the audience of the Michael Feldman radio show a few years back, and Michael asked about an exceptionally bright sweater I was wearing. Answer the following questions from that recording, and maybe from a little research of your own, and fill in the blanks.
(visit link)

A = Number of daughters I had.
B = Number of sons I had.
C = Number of letters in my favorite daughters’ name.
DE = Number of tickets I was going to ask for from Michael Feldman.
FG = Number of grandkids I had at the time of the recording (I hesitate. Use the second number I say).
H = Number of years we were in the “new” house before the last child showed up.

Coordinates for Waypoint 1: North DH EF.FFC West GG FH.HGD

I’ll be waiting for you at Waypoint 1. From that point on, I’ll probably follow along with you. You’ll know I’m around if your GPS jumps around a bit, or if you find a frog “hopping” on the path, or if you hear a lot of creaking in the trees, or if your GPS doesn’t take you RIGHT to the waypoints.

Waypoint 1 is a virtual point. There is a plaque there. To get the coordinates of the next point, take the ten names that are listed on the plaque and in order, assign them numbers from one to ten. Use a zero instead of the ten.

Coordinates for Waypoint 2:

North

Jaclyn
Judy
Julie
John
John
Jaclyn
Joanne

West
Jill
Jill
John
Judy
Judy
Julie
Jeanne

To get to Waypoint 2, continue down the paved path about 150 feet or so to the Butterfly Garden. This will actually take you AWAY from Waypoint 2, but it will keep you on the paths. Once you get to the Butterfly Garden, you can take the path to the left. You will probably want to keep your list of the names and numbers with you. And make sure you read the notes at each waypoint!

Please bring along a piece of paper and a pencil, and please do not write on any of the cache pieces. Remember – I’ll be watching!!!

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

JC1 - ab uvag JC2 - unatvat JC3 - snyyra qbja gerr JC4 - oebxra gerr JC5 - fghzcf JC6 - fghzc JC7 - zhygv-yvzorq gerr

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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