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Grave Calculations Multi-cache

Hidden : 7/5/2001
Difficulty:
3 out of 5
Terrain:
1 out of 5

Size: Size:   regular (regular)

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Geocache Description:

This is a four-part mathematical cache search (the math is simple addition and subtraction). Clues for solving the location of the cache are located on headstones in the Glenwood Cemetery in Maynard, MA. This is a short walk and a fun exercise.

GRAVE CALCULATIONS

This is a four-part cemetery math puzzler. The coordinates given here will start you off at the Joseph ADAMS headstone (he was a veteran of the Civil War). Be sure to print out and bring along this worksheet and a pencil. You will use dates from each headstone to solve four math equations that take you through the cemetery and ultimately lead to the actual cache. Careful calculations at each headstone will lead you to the next successive clue in the puzzle.

1. Beginning Coordinates: N 42.25.481 W 71.26.890 Start your navigation at the ADAMS headstone. Look at the headstone for clues to solve the following equation:

42.25.481 - [Jessie's age at death - 44] = 42.25. ____

71.26.890 - [James' age plus Jessie's age] = 71.26. ____

When you fill in the blanks, you'll have the coordinates to lead you to the MANTY headstone, where more clues await. Enter your answers in the spaces above. Also, use the same answers in the first part of the equation below.

2. Read the MANTY headstone to solve this equation:

42.25. ___ - [second digit of William's death year] = 42.25. ____

71.26. ___ - [Samuel's age at death - 2] = 71.26. ____

Again, enter your answers both in the answer space above, plus in the first part of the equation below.

3. Your answer to the above equation should have brought you to the CARRUTH headstone. If your navigation is a bit off, just look around the general area until you find the correct headstone. There is only one with this family name! Now solve the equation:

42.25. ___ + [Earl's age in the year 2005] = 42.25. ____

71.26. ___ - [Patricia's age at death - 2] = 71.26. ____

4. Your answers, entered above and below, should lead you to the last headstone of CROWLEY. Last equation is:

42.25. ___ + [Francis's age at death - 6] = 42.25. ____

71.26. ___ - [Robert's birth year - 1905] = 71.26. ____

These are the final coordinates indicating the cache location. The trailhead entrance to the cache is across from the CROWLEY headstone at a bearing of 340 degrees.

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Uvag: Ybbx sbe gur cvax evooba nebhaq n gerr nybat gur genvy gb gur pnpur. Vg unf gur npghny pnpur pbbeqvangrf va pnfr lbhe zngu pnyphyngvbaf be lbhe TCF ernqvatf inel n ovg sebz bhe ahzoref.

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)