US Geography Quiz #1 Mystery Cache

Some answers can be found on any US map. Some will probably require a tool like Google Earth that shows latitude and longitude. (Guessing probably won't work because some of the answers might be rather surprising!) The math is all easy addition and subtraction.

Begin with the last five digits of the posted latitude and treat it as a single five digit number. For each question, add or subtract from that number as instructed next to the correct answer. After answering all questions, use the resulting number as the last five digits of the latitude.

1. Mount Mitchell in Yancey County, NC is the highest peak in the eastern US. If you head directly east from the top of Mt. Mitchell, which city will you eventually pass through?
   • Greensboro (add 150)
   • Raleigh (add 400)
   • Fayetteville (subtract 100)
2. Which of these states does NOT share a border with North Dakota?
   • Wyoming (add 200)
   • Minnesota (subtract 50)
   • Montana (add 100)
3. If you head directly north from Jacksonville, FL, which city will you eventually pass through?
   • Washington, DC (add 75)
   • Pittsburgh, PA (add 175)
   • Cleveland, OH (subtract 60)

Now do the same with the last five digits of the longitude by answering these questions:

1. Which is furthest west?
   • The westernmost point in Michigan (add 100)
   • The easternmost point in Iowa (add 200)
   • The westernmost point in Tennessee (subtract 100)
2. Which of these states does NOT share a border with Oklahoma?
   • New Mexico (add 70)
   • Missouri (subtract 90)
   • Louisiana (subtract 30)
3. Which of these is furthest (by air) from El Paso, TX?
   • Galveston, TX (add 50)
   • Cheyenne, WY (add 100)
   • San Diego, CA (subtract 100)

You can check your answers for this puzzle on Geochecker.com.

If you look for the cache in the evening or on a weekend, you likely won't have any muggles to deal with.