Hume & Hovell Mystery Cache
Ngaambul: No response from the owner within the time requested and as per the original note this cache has been archived. If you wish to replace it please submit a new cache via this link.
Ministro - Matt
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(regular)
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Hume & Hovell were two of Australia's greatest explorers—but you know that. However do you know how much of the history is accessible and referred to in and around the Capital Country. Also, do you know the controversies surrounding their trip.
This is a complex cache: it will take dedicated time and travel. It can be completed in a day if you like (a round trip of under 300km or 3 hours by car within Capital Country) and don't forget to leave time for refreshments (I could recommend cafes along the way but that would be commercial content), other caches and exploring.
It might be possible to find some of the answers without visiting, but didn't you want to visit the places?
Please read everything carefully and do your research before you set out.
I have done all I can to ensure a good experience but if you have problems please don't be shy, let me know; I wouldn't expect that you would want to go back to some of the more remote locations a 2nd time.
Your own expedition to discover more about Hume and Hovell, within Capital Country
Obviously there are caches at or near several of the locations described. I would be surprised if you didn't do these or more on your travels.
The questions are in the order I suggest you do them but of course it's up to you if you want to collect the answers in a different order.
Before you leave home you will need to gather information on a and b as well as the locations and sites you will be visiting for d, e, f, g, h, i and j.
Before you leave home (visit not required for this cache but recommended at another time):
a = How far from Fitzpatrick Trackhead to the Snowy Mountains Highway? = AA kilometres
b = What is the number in the postal address of Cooma cottage? = BBB Yass Valley Way
And I expect you will have to do more research for some of these other locations prior to your journey so that you know where you are going and what you are looking for.
Around inner South Canberra:
c = At the listed co-ordinates: how many spokes in one wheel? = CC
d = It can be a short walk to the entrance of Hume Place at the intersection of Jerrabomberra Avenue and Hume Place in the ACT (unless you are lucky enough to find an unlocked gate). Once there, how many rungs in the cattle grate?= DD
e = In Hovell Street, ACT: What is the number of the house that has a red fire hydrant in front? = EE
f = On page 13 of "A brief statement of facts in connextion with an overland expedition from Lake George to Port Phillip, in 1824, third edition, by Hamilton Hume, " another famous Australian is quoted as saying "The public ought to esteem you as much as I do. The career of discovery and the path of truth all lead in one direction, as you have always shown your fellow-colonists, and your old fellow traveller, and my familiar friend." How many letters in the writers family name? = F
f Note 1: You need to be a member. To save time I recommend you join (it takes 2 minutes) and make the reservation at least 45 minutes ahead of your visit, or research other caches or have a coffee while you wait.
f Note 2: My intention is to get you to experience use of this national institution in the Parliamentary Triangle and see what a great resource it is and how easy it is to access. However, research reveals you can also view a microfiche copy at the ANU, if you prefer.
f Note 3: Not required, but keep a look out nearby for an artefact belonging to this admirer of Hume.
You'll probably have a long ride/drive (or more than one if you choose) (staying within Capital Country) for these:
(I realise it may be possible—but probably not —to find some of these answers without going there, but didn't you want to see these places?)
g. What are the last two digits of the altitude reported on the Hume and Hovell monument outside the Garrooriang historic home? GG feet
g Note 1: Do not stop on the Melbourne - Sydney highway; the monument is not accessible from there.
g Note 2: The small plaque with the altitude is the least visible and can be as hard to find as a Nano in a tree.
h. Standing on the East side of Hovell's grave looking South towards the well-known memorial on the hill, you will see a tall white marble grave statue with two flaming torches crossed at the bottom and a garland of flowers around a cross at the top. It is the grave of Sophia (same name as Hovell's wife). How old was she when she died? = HH
i. At the Hume Grant centenary of the expedition start monument at Fish Creek, near Gunning, at the corner of Walmsley Road and the Old Hume Highway, how far to the suggested parking? = II metres (ii metres not eleven metres)
i Note 1: It's not the one in Appin or Gunning.
i Note 2: Careful because there were 33 Hume and Hovell centenary of expedition monuments but this one commemorates the starting point from Hume's land grant.
j. = While you are reading the headstone of Hume's grave, behind you is a grave of another Hamilton Hume, a young son of J.K Hume. How old was this young Hamilton Hume when he died? = JJ months
The calculation
Step 1: Calculate STotal and ETotal
AA + BBB + CC + DD + EE = STotal
F + GG + HH + II (not eleven) + JJ = ETotal
Step 2: Calculate the numbers that represent the GZ coordinates.
Do you see that the listed coordinates can be represented by the numbers:
3,523,494 and 14,909,999?
Given these numbers, perform the following calculations:
3,523,494 + STotal - 540 =
GZ South coordinate represented by a number.
14,909,999 + ETotal - 190 =
GZ East coordinate represented by a number.
If you convert your solutions back to coordinates you have the South and East coordinates of GZ.
Thanks to Goodbeard, Don (the not really very muggly), csfamily, Mr&MrsFish and WoodvaleWarriors for review and testing.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
t — Pna or pbirerq ol fbvy naq tenff.
TM — Geniryvat Jvyohelf; 1988.