Other caches in this series published to-date:
- GC4C3A0: The Hexagram Part 1 -- The Bicycle
To find this cache, you will require a vehicle. The cache may be attempted by Taxi or public transport, however the idea is really that you finish this one in your own or rented vehicle. You will likely require a whole day to finish the cache, so don't start too late into the day! The path will bring you into some quite remote areas, you will definitely need a proper map of Hong Kong (the Driving map is a pretty good choice) to get your bearings! You will be able to leave your car parked in conveniently placed areas just next to the individual stages. With the exception of the Bonus Stage where you should expect to pay about HK$15 parking fee, all parking areas are free-of-charge.
Notes:
- All coordinates below are in WGS84 format DD° MM.MMMM'. You may have to bring a calculator to convert them to other formats if your GPS unit doesn't take this format directly.
- Throughout this multi-stage cache, you will be guided to places where you will have to find numbers. With these numbers you will have to calculate coordinates to find the next stage. Example: You will be asked to find a telephone number which you discover to be 12345678. Let this telephone number be [a1][b1][c1][d1][e1][f1][g1][h1]. You are then asked to calculate the next coordinate as E114° [a1+4][c1-2].[b1][f1][e1]0'. Hence your next coordinate would be E114° 51.2650'
Stage 1
Go to:
N22° 16.8450'
E114° 11.1850'
Just inside the entrance are 2 lifts which will bring you to the parking lot. In-between the lift doors is a sign telling you to call the 24 hours emergency telephone number [a1]8[c1][d1][e1]8[g1]7 in case of trouble with the lift.
Hint: To get to the next Stage, consider taking the tunnel to your east. Check your map carefully, you can really approach the next stage by car very closely. Leave your car at the point where the paved road ends and easily stroll the last 100m to Stage 2.
Stage 2
Go to:
N22° 1[c1].[d1-a1][a1+2][e1-a1]0'
E114° 1[c1].[a1][a1*2][a1+g1]0'
You should find yourself on an open grass field on top a small hill. Once arrived at the site, you will see two low fences encircling the area. The fence to your left is fixed to the ground with [a2][b2] poles, the one to your right with [c2][d2] poles.
Hint: You can approach the next stage entirely by car, just keep driving until your GPS tells you that you have reached the location. If you stick to the coast as long as possible from Stage 2 to Stage 3., you'll pass some decent outdoor restaurants shortly before reaching Stage 3 -- maybe it's time for lunch either now or right after visiting Stage 2?
Stage 3
Go to:
N22° 2[b2-a2].[a2+1][c2+1][d2+1]0'
E114° 1[b2-3].[c2+3][b2+d2][a2-1]0'
You should see a public washroom building in your proximity. Get off your car and inspect the building from all angles. It has [a3] entrances for the public. On the way to this stage, you will have noticed that you're actually at the "xyz Club". Let the number of characters of "xyz", i.E. the name of the Club, be [b3]. Further, coming to Stage 3, you will have passed something which almost looks like an abandoned toll-gate of a highway, separating lanes. At this "toll-gate", which is actually a decommissioned entrance gate, you will have counted [c3] islands separating the lanes, possibly having some flowers or trees planted inside.
Hint: Again, possibly time for lunch now. The next Stage brings you essentially to the other end of the territory. Again check your map very carefully, it may be a bit tricky to reach that one.
Stage 4
Go to:
N22° 2[b3].[c3-3][b3-1][a3+c3]0'
E114° 0[c3-3].[a3+1][c3][a3]0'
You will have to leave your car at an easily identifyable parking area just at the point of the road where public traffic is restricted from going any further. From there, walk up [a4][b4][c4] steps (don't worry, this is not steep!) and you will see, on top of a hill, a viewing area. In the center of the area is a shelter which has it's roof supported by [d4] pillars. The shelter is also encircled by a stone-fence which has [e4][f4] little cubes on its top.
Hint: In order to get to the next stage, the road leading up into the mountain can legally be navigated by car even though it appears quite narrow. You will eventually hit a barrier where you can park your vehicle. From here, you'll have to walk some 1km on the paved road to reach the cache.
Stage 5 - The Cache
Go to:
N22° 2[f4].[c4][b4-a4][d4]0'
E114° 0[e4+b4].[b4][e4-1][f4+1]0'
Congratulations! You shouldn't have much difficulty finding the cache.Once you found it and logged your visit, look around yourself. About 10m west of the cache is an old man-made structure. Step on it. You will see that the structure consists of [a5] concrete blocks.. Coming to the cache, you will have passed a navigational installation. There are [b5] entrances to this facility where roads are leading in. The installation has [c5] radar "balls" rising into the sky. Now, on the road, walk back from the Cache to the barrier where you had to leave your car. On the way there, you will pass [d5] small signs on posts about 1m high, indicating to hikers where they are on the trail.
Hint: To reach the bonus stage, be prepared to park in a open car park which will charge you some HK$15. But, especially if you've never been in this area, seriously consider going there. Especially after sunset, I believe this is the most beautiful of all the Stages you've been to so far. I bet you will regret if you didn't bring your camera and possibly a tripod.
Stage 6 - The Bonus Stage
Even though you have found the cache already, trust me on this. You DEFINITELY want to go here! You will regret later if you didn't.
So, go to:
N22° 2[b5].[d5-c5][d5+b5][d5-1]0'
E114° [d5-c5].[a5-b5][d5-b5][c5+2]0'
You will find youself on a viewpoint. It is illuminated by [z9] tall light posts (there might also be some very short ones around, do not count these!) and is equipped with [z10] public binoculars. On the way walking to the viewpoint, you will have passed some outdoor exhibits. One of them described the cables and explained that the side span cables (not the main cables!) contain [z11][z12][z13][z14][z15] wires. Write down these values and keep them safe for now. You will later definitely want to remember them!
Good luck & stay tuned for Part 3 of the Hexagram!