I decided to convert it to multi-cache with a physical box at the
end. That way it's better in line with Groundspeak's present
preferences but otherwise it has remained pretty much in its
original form.
The objective of the cache is to bring people to scenic spots
that offer splendid views to the archipelago in southern Helsinki.
I hope you enjoy the walk even though the final location is less
spectacular than others. Those who are in this game to quickly find
as many caches as possible are free to use whatever shortcuts they
can. No need to walk all the route.
Mikkozzz
We designed this walk with the incidental traveller in mind. It
will take you through some of the nicest parts of town. If the
weather is good, there will be lots of people around year round.
The length of this tour is about two and a half kilometers.
FIRST STOP
The first stop will offer you a view from south to the classical
center of Helsinki and a monument describing the agony of castaways
at the mercy of sea. The sculptor Stigell was born on the fortress
islands one can see in the south east (check also cache Sveaborg
or Suomenlinna? ).
To find the coordinates for the second stop, you first have to
find out when Stigell made the sculpture. When you have that year,
subtract 1648 from it to get the decimals in your NEXT latitude,
i.e. N60 09.XXX. Subtract 1512 from the year to get the
decimals in your NEXT longitude, i.e. E24 57.XXX.
SECOND STOP
Besides the view to the yacht harbours, the fortress islands and
Gulf of Finland, you will find here a memorial for the first man to
pass the North East Passage. That had been a dream of many a brave
man for centuries. For most the trip north of Siberia over the top
of the whole of Asia proved to be too much.
Nordenskjold was born to a Finnish family of scientists and
statesmen. He worked in Helsinki but got into trouble with the
Russian occupation so he had to move to Germany and later to
Sweden. In Sweden he even became a member of the House of the
Lords.
To find the coordinates for the third stop, you first have to
figure out when the sculptor CREATED the statuette of
Nordenskjold's ship Vega. When you have that year, subtract
1763 from it to get the decimals in your NEXT latitude, i.e. N60
09.XXX. Subtract 1674 from the year to get the decimals in your
NEXT longitude, i.e. E24 56.XXX. YES, the minutes are 56 this
time.
THIRD STOP
The walk here will take you by hundreds of boats of different
size and a couple of cafes (also on the islands) and ice cream
stands. If you are here in the winter and you see people on the
ice, it is perhaps worth trying it. But do this only when you are
sure of the ice! The next stop will take you to a place where there
used to be a swimming club. Nearby is a monument with a fire in the
memory of drowned sailors. To the west you see a large shipyard
producing cruise vessels. It is rare today to see a shipyard in the
center of a city. This yard has worked on their processes so that
there is no emissions.
You should find a plaque commemorating an old Helsinki swimming
club. When this used to be a virtual cache, you were asked to
describe the plaque to get permission to log. Now you need to
extract some information from it and calculate the coordinates for
the cache box. The plaque is in Swedish, but you don't need to be
able to read it. Just browse through the text and seek the
EARLIEST YEAR mentioned there. When you have that year,
subtract 1300 from it to get the decimals in your NEXT latitude,
i.e. N60 09.XXX. Subtract 1060 from the year to get the
decimals in your NEXT longitude E24 55.XXX. YES, the minutes are
55 now..
THE CACHE
You'll be looking for a small plastic box hidden at knee level.
There's a logbook, pencil and some room for geocoins & smallest
travelbugs. No trade items, please.
Other caches on route or nearby:
Tähtitorninmäki
Kaivopuisto
Valkea Rouva
Helsingin
mareografi
Graniitti,
Gneissi, Rapakivi
(We thank
IT-gubben for the way of laying out this cache.)
