BC Spirit Quest #27 - Mount Elphinstone Cemetary Mystery Cache
Bedunga: Although the cache was in good shape, I've moved off the Coast and can't take care of this one. Also, the access is not very well marked.
I've collected the cache container. Hopefully someone else will bring geocachers here.
BC Spirit Quest #27 - Mount Elphinstone Cemetary
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This Cache is the 27th in the BC Spirit Quest - a series of caches dedicated to the Pioneers of BC. Each cache is hidden NEAR BUT NEVER IN a cemetery of historical significance. Much can be learned from visiting and showing respect to our predecessors. Feel free to post information found or photos (but not spoilers) of interesting stones or other features in the cemetery.
THE CEMETERY:
Frank Wyngaert, in The West Howe Sound Story, writes that “It became obvious from continuous growth within the community that an official cemetery be [sic] established…Until legal burial grounds could be established, [name omitted in original text] of North Road made available a small portion of his pre-emption property at the bend in the road at the intersection of Cemetery Road. All told five bodies were interred at that site, one being an adult, Mrs. Henry Blake, wife of the pre-emptor.
It followed later that, at a meeting of the Howe Sound Farmer’s Institute, members in attendance agreed to nominate five men to function as a cemetery board and endeavor to locate land for burial purposes. But even prior to achieving their initial goal, a name at least was agreed upon - Mount Elphinstone Cemetery.
A letter forwarded to the Department of Lands, Victoria, proved very satisfactory. The department made an outright donation of ten acres at the end of what later became known as Cemetery Road. At that particular time, W.W. Winn was nominated secretary-treasurer. Rules and regulations respecting said cemetery were officially recorded at a meeting held April 12, 1917, with the price of grave plots being set at $2.00.”
THE CACHE:
The Cache is not difficult to find. Look around at the posted coordinates. The cache is at N49 25.ABC W123 31.DDB
A = add the last 2 digits of "Collector of Friends and Music's" birth
B = add the last 2 digits of "Completely's" birth
C = add the last 2 digits of the Memorial Bench's birth
D = add all the digits of "dances with the daffodils'" passing
THE RULES: If you do not follow the rules your log will be deleted without notice:
1. NO NIGHT CACHING – cemetery is open from 9am to Dusk.
2. RESPECT the location and other visitors. Do not cache if there are other visitors around or if a funeral is in progress. Don’t make offensive comments (jokes) in the logs.
3. If you visit the cemetery as well as seeking the cache outside the cemetery, leave the cemetery better than you found it. CITO and tidy up fallen flowers.
4. Don’t post written or photo spoilers
5. Help create a good reputation for Geocaching so that we can continue to use these interesting locations.
THE SERIES:
Special thanks to LegacyPac for their encouragement to set this cache.
Their guidelines: "Please do not use the BC Spirit Quest name without coordinating with us first to prevent confusion. Thank-you and enjoy the history. We did not invent the Spirit Quest idea, just brought it to BC."
CARRYING ON?
At the Cemetery, look for the signs marking the Mt. Elphinstone Trail (aka Tramway Trail). It's marked with red-tape.
This is actually quite the historical hike. It’s called “The Tramway” due to its history as a part of BC’s famous forest industry. In the 1920s there were two tramways taking supplies to shake cutters working high up in the forest. (Hence, First Camp and Second Camp).
First Camp, at the top where the bridge crosses over Chaster Creek, is where all the action was back in the early 1900s. From here workers moved along to the Japanese Camp, Chinese Camp and Second Camp.
Chaster Creek tumbles down the mountain, and there is a beautiful little waterfall accessible by a short trail following the creek which will take you to a viewpoint looking back up the hill and creek bed.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Ghea yrsg qbja gur fvqr ebnq whfg orsber Obbguvyy Enapu
Treasures
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