For-The-Nerds Multi-cache
MadMin: archiving after no response/action from cache owner
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For-The-Nerds is another cache in the vicinity of Rattlesnake Gutter in Leverett. This one adds a new element to caching.
For-The-Nerds is a standard 3-part multi-cache with a new twist. This cache may not be for everyone, but as the title suggests, nerds will have no problem with the tech aspects, though there is a bit of hiking involved (out-of shape nerds are hereby forewarned). The new “twist” is that the three sets of coordinates are encoded with barcodes (code 3 of 9). Why? Well, you have to be a nerd to really understand, but you're already using a nerdy GPS receiver, aren't you? This adds another layer of fun nerdness to the hunt. It also adds some backtracking to the effort since you may have to visit the first two caches twice (unless you're a true nerd), as you will see below.
Access is from the Intersection (at 42 29.673N, 072 28.101W) of North Leverett Road and the Eastern end of Rattlesnake Gutter Road, which is now gated near the top and closed (hopefully forever) to through traffic, so you have to start on the Eastern end. All three caches are located in spots oozing with the history of a previous era. Enjoy the remnants of the past while using present day, modern space-age technology. I like the juxtaposition of the historic and modern that are represented by these cache locations. Is that a nerd thing?
The starting coordinates given above are for a small grocery store. Just to the North of the present store is the site of the old Watson's General Store, at one time the largest mercantile in Western Mass. This Valley contained a major cart-way and stage coach route that linked large population centers in Eastern Mass with cities to the west. Just to the south of the store is the mighty Sawmill River. There were once 23 water-powered mills on the aptly named Sawmill River between the Lake Wyola headwaters and the confluence with the Connecticut River 13 miles downstream. The Sawmill River Valley was quite the industrial hot spot. There are still two sawmills and a large woodworking shop in the valley, but they are no longer water-powered.
Now, back to the caches. The present-day store (open 7 AM to 7 PM) just happens to have barcode readers (and flush toilets). While true nerds will bring their own portable barcode scanner (I have two myself!), all others will have to get de-coded at the store (see tech note below). Bring some paper to write down the decoded coordinates. The format is like this:
N42X29.649 and W072X28.184
translates as:
42 29.649N and 072 28.184W simple, eh?
There are two barcodes for each set of location coordinates (one for north and one for west). In order to get the first cache coordinates, you will need to print out the 2 barcodes that I have uploaded to this page as a jpg image -see the link below. Print it out on a good ink jet or laser printer and fold the page vertically down the center so that only one barcode gets scanned at a time. Now, if you're a nerd, you can de-code them at home with your own barcode reader. I use a "CueCat" (keyboard wedge) barcode reader that I got free from RadioShack a couple years ago, in conjunction with an output conversion program called “Catnip” (check out these web sites for more info on the CueCat: www.azalea.com/QTools/ or www.cedmagic.com/cuecat/cuecat.html and/or (visit link) You can also search eBay for "CueCat", they sell for a couple of bucks. In case you don't have a barcode reader at home (shocking!), bring the printed barcodes to the above coordinates and get them decoded for the location of the first cache.
The first cache is an amber prescription container. In it are the barcoded coordinates to the second cache location. The first two caches have several copies of the barcodes on tape-covered slips of paper. You only need to take one slip at a time (it has both coordinates, N on one side and W on the other). Be sure to return the slip to the first cache (for the next person)- before you go to the second cache. You will need to scan both sides of the barcode slip in order to get the N and W coordinates.
The second cache is also an amber plastic prescription bottle containing the barcoded coordinates to the final cache location. Again, you only need one slip of paper, leave the rest in case some other geocacher comes while you are getting de-coded. True nerds will use their portable barcode reader, the rest of you may have to walk (or drive) back to the nearest store. Be sure to replace the slip with the barcodes from cache #2 on your way to the final cache, as you will have to go right by it again. Please don't mix up the barcodes, as they look very similar to our feeble human eyes.
The final cache is a regular dark-green ammo box with “OFFICIAL GEOCACHE” written on one side. Access is via the well-marked M & M Trail. If you drive and park where the trail turns off of Rattlesnake Gutter Road, you will have a moderate uphill hike of about 0.8 miles to the final cache. For a longer hike, park at the store and follow the white blazes, heading westward. On the way to the cache, the M & M Trail will cross over an old rock dam were the early white settlers had a mill operation of some kind. Impressive stone walls in this area must have been built by some crazy folks. My back hurts just looking at all those huge rocks. Imagine, that all this land was once cleared and treeless. The cache is hidden not far off of the trail, near the top of Brushy Mountain at the old Glazier Settlement, circa 1790. About 200 years ago there was a settlement up there that is now long gone except for the telltale signs. Please respect this very historic area.
The hints below are only if your are really desperate, as the first two are truly spoilers and if you use them you almost won't need your GPS unit. The final cache site is not as obvious.
Tech Note: (you may want to print this and bring it with you) At the store, ask the cashier/clerk to scan the barcodes, one at a time. Since they are not in the product database, they will be translated in a product-not-found error message. The cashier can tell you what it reads as. This has been checked and it works, but the store clerk may need to be given these instructions. They are all very nice, I know them all personally, so don't be shy.
Be sure to visit the other nearby caches accessible from Rattlesnake Gutter Road (Mnt. Lion's Pride and Brushy Mnt. Stream). Also nearby is the Peace Cache and is well worth the short drive and walk.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Pnpur 1, byq onea sbhaqngvba gnyy fghzc. Pnpur 2, trggvat fgbarq jvgu gur QRNQ bhgfvqr pbeare bs ebpx jnyy. Svany pnpur, ybj sbhaqngvba oruvaq pryyne ubyr.