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Hexahexaflexagon Mystery Cache

Hidden : 5/6/2013
Difficulty:
3 out of 5
Terrain:
2.5 out of 5

Size: Size:   small (small)

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Geocache Description:

The cache is not at the posted coordinates, but within two miles. In order to find the location, you will have to solve the puzzle of the hexahexaflexagon. The cache is a small/medium lock and lock.

Arthur Stone happened upon the first flexagon after folding cut up pieces of notebook paper. Some of Stone's classmates at Princeton became interested in the flexagon and formed the Princeton Flexagon Committee. This committee was initially made up of Arthur Stone, Richard Feynman, John Tukey, and Bryant Tuckerman. Tuckerman was the first to devise a topological method for revealing all the faces of a given flexagon. The most efficient method for traveling across all possible faces of a flexagon became known as the Tuckerman Traverse. It involves flexing at one corner until the flexagon becomes unflexable, shifting to an adjacent corner, flexing from this corner until it becomes unflexable, and repeating until all faces have been visited.

In order to find the coordinates of the cache, you must construct your very own hexahexaflexagon. It is similar to the hexaflexagon, except it has six faces instead of three. A template and instructions are available at this link hexahexaflexagon template. Once you have it constructed, begin flexing!

You will find many sets of North and West coordinates that can be read along the outer edge of your hexahexaflexagon. The correct solution will be comprised of 12 numbers (6 for the north coordinates and 6 for the west coordinates) that add to a total of 146. The correct final coordinates are not necessarily visible at the same time. You must find the set that adds to 146 to be sure you have the right location.



A few tips: You may not fold the hexahexaflexagon correctly the first time. Try to follow the directions and use tape instead of glue if you are unsure. Flexagons flex better with age, feel free to be a little rough with it and make those creases deep. Also, depending on how perfectly you crease, the faces may not align perfectly. This is ok! It just may require a little additional deductive thinking on your part, or you could just deconstruct it and build it again. A little practice may help prepare you for your next challenge...

Congrats to bjm3rd and KATnDOGZ on a completely soaked FTF!

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

onfr bs gerr ng ebpx jnyy

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)