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. (The logbook must be signed, of course).
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 1401 from it to get the decimals in your NEXT latitude, i.e. N60 09.XXX. Subtract 984 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 tube hidden at two meters height. There's a logbook and pencil. 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.)