Ducks Float...You Don't! Multi-Cache

This cache is part of the Foundation for Water & Energy Education Hydro Cache Challenge. Enter by going to http://fwee.org/nw-hydro-tours/fwee-hydro-cache-challenge/

This cache is available from 9AM to 5PM daily, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's days. The actual cache, accessible only from the Washington side of the Columbia River, is not located at the above waypoint. This cache was placed with the knowledge and approval of the Bonneville Lock and Dam Park Manager. This cache is handicapped accessible, however a wheelchair can not get to the final location (but they can get very close). All the intermediate locations are wheelchair accessible.

Ducks float … you don’t!

There are all types of water recreation in the Columbia River Gorge: swimming, windsurfing, sailing, boating, fishing, Stand up paddle boarding, kite boarding etc. and each one has its own hazards. Come along and join us while we find out a few simple facts that can help you recreate safely on the water.

Step 1

• Beginning location: Fish Viewing Building 2nd Floor Water Safety Table
• Latitude: N 45º 38.954 Longitude: W 121º 56.100
• Please check out our Water Safety Information as you watch the fish go by. This will help you solve the cache.
• Can you find out what some of the local hazards facing windsurfers in the Columbia Gorge are?
• They include _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _(1) of up to 6 mph and irregular _ _ _ _ _ (2) up to 60 mph.
• Did you know that _ _ _ _ _ _ (3) have a blind spot that is up to ½ mile in front of them?

Step 2

• Latitude: N 45º 38.049 Longitude: W 121º 57.936
• “I look best in my _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _” (4). Hint: You can borrow one here.
• Did you know that nation wide more than 700 people lose loose their lives in _ _ _ _ _ _ _ (5) accidents each year? Hint there is a ramp for this activity near you.
• And that nearly 9 out of 10 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ (6) victims were not wearing a life jacket?

Step 3

Now write each word in the blanks below. Add together the value of first and last letters in each word, using a simple substitution of A=1, B=2 … Y=25, Z=26.

Example: PFD 16+4 = 20 = X

1. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ >> _ + _ = _ (A)
2. _ _ _ _ _>> _ + _ = _ (B)
3. _ _ _ _ _ _ >> _ + _ = _ (C)
4. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _>> _ + _ =_ (D)
5. _ _ _ _ _ _ _>> _ + _ = _ (E)
6. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _>> _ + _ = _ (F)

Step 4

Final Location:

• Latitude: N 45° 38.0(E)(B-A-F)7
• Longitude: W 121° 57.88(A-C)6