GC15R76 Tricachealon (Multi-cache) in Minnesota, United States created by Netinator

This cache has been archived.

Netinator: We are trying to improve the caches in the Bemidji area. In order to do this we are archiving the ones that are not providing a challenge to cachers who visit our community or the ones that require an effort greater than the return. To do this we are making a few minor changes, updating the containers, or changing the type of cache and giving out more smileys for your efforts. Thank you for your understanding and welcome to the upcoming Tricachealon II, the new and improved version.

GC15R76 ▼

A cache by Netinator Message this owner

Hidden : 9/7/2007

Difficulty:

Terrain:

Size: Size: large (large)

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Geocache Description:

The Tricachealon
This is an adventure by bike, boot, and boat, beginning in the First City on the Mississippi, “Bemidji, Minnesota”. Each team completing this challenge will receive an unregistered geocoin as a token of their accomplishment!

Legend has it that when Paul Bunyan perceived his death his only desire was to return Babe the Blue Ox to the wilds of Manitoba. This he did with great sadness in his heart but extreme joy in his mind. The ox lived happily for two years until the drought brought fire to the forests which ravaged the land. Babe was on the front line pulling the harrow which laid down the fire break when the wind switched and took her life. Born in Memphis on the Nile, won in a card game, she came into her own in the forests of North America.

Several years later a group of archeologists researching the legend discovered her remains, interred her ashes in an Egyptian urn, and made ready to ship her home. Because of the war she never crossed the Atlantic and lay lost in the catacombs beneath the pyramid in Memphis, Tennessee. Many years later Dr. Hanson discovered the legend and urn while working on his thesis. The Hanson family being pillars of society funded a project to bring the Babe back to lie next to Paul in the area she grew to call home. A foundation was established for the unification of misplaced legends by these generous benefactors and a twenty year lease was granted so that the urn could be used as a geocache in the north country with the stipulation that four seals be placed upon the urn to guard it’s contents and a test be developed to find the pure in heart. This would allow only the most worthy to gaze upon the ashes of a legend. It was called the Tricachealon or Test of Integrity.

The Tricachealon consists of finding 17 geosigns; some contain numbers which have the power to release the seals. Once at the cache, the four seals can be released that protect the swag, the pure in heart can claim the prize and log a find. Please use care when lifting the cache out of the ashes as they are extremely valuable. We also list other caches along the way in hopes that you have a good experience in the Bemidji area.

First Seal ” The Bike “:After visiting the published coordinates, your test of integrity begins by taking your band of adventurers to the first geosign, which is the parking area of the first stage. Along the way stop and visit Paul’s Sawmill, GC13GWE for a quick find. Once on the bike you will have a little over twelve miles (round trip) on a paved surface. You will be locating three more geosigns and recording the numbers in the exact order they appear. The last disk will also have the coordinates that lead you to the parking area for the beginning of the hiking portion of the challenge. After completing the biking portion you will have enough information to open the red seal. As you are biking you will roll past GCNTCD and GCQ4FP.

Second Seal,” The Boot”: The coordinates on the last biking geosign should bring you to the parking area of the hiking stage. This stage of the multi will take you deep into a forest ‘maze’ of trails. (The parking coordinates will guide you back to civilization if you happen to get ‘temporarily disorientated’.) The hike is around 4 miles on old logging roads with no bushwhacking involved - unless you feel inclined to take a shortcut. The quest gets difficult at this point and my advice to you would be to trust the trails. You will again be locating three geosigns with numbers that have the power to break the green seal. The last geosign will also have the coordinates that lead you to the parking area for the third seal. There are a couple more caches to score if you desire - one on the drive over, GC13N82; two on the hiking trails GC125YQ and GC13GWN.

Third Seal,” The Boat”: The coordinates on the last hiking geosign should bring you to the public access for the boating stage. It is a round trip of about 3 miles which makes for a nice little paddle on one of our natural habitat lakes about 15 miles north of Bemidji. You will be locating three geosigns, with numbers that will release the blue seal. They are located on abandoned beaver structures - the last geosign will also have the parking coordinates to the final cache. After completing the boating stage you will have enough numbers to undo three seals and know the location of the urn. Unfortunately, that still leaves one seal to protect the contents of the cache. Lest I forget, to the south of the landing, you can paddle right up to one of my favorite caches GC10YB7. Our canoe is available for anyone to use by calling (218) 586-2971 to schedule a time.

Fourth Seal, “The Cache”: Even though you have the coordinates for the final cache, you still need the numbers that release the yellow seal. We are only requiring you to visit 3 caches. (There are others in proximity listed below). It would be wise to visit the following caches in the order given (remember order is as important as the numbers): Paul’s Pocket (GC13DW2); Cache-R-Us (GC13V3Y); and Giving Tree (GC13OD3). Once these clues have been gathered, the yellow seal will fall. After visiting the three caches you will have gathered the last pieces of information needed to find the final cache container, open the seals, retrieve the treasure, and complete the multi-cache! In close proximity to these caches are several that we recommend: GC14DNY, GC11OK9, GC13MNR, GC13N82, GC13BKA, GC12RND, GC13RFW, GC134BY and GC111JK. If time permits these would be worth your while as they represent caches placed by some very distinguished cachers in our area. A word of caution at this point, use your time wisely.

During hunting season wear the appropriate safety clothing (blaze orange). If you feel the least bit apprehensive about attempting this cache place a note on the page and we will keep an eye out for you. We are rating the cache with double fives because of the complexity of the tasks involved, but rest assured all who attempt it without giving up and take meticulous notes will find success. Permission has been granted by the landowner to access the final cache.

Congratulations to Team Wee Wind who was first to find. As an added bonus we have created a Tricacheanator Pole to display the names of all teams who complete the Tricachealon. This will stand as a reminder to the brave men and women who come after of those who completed this grueling task!