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Hard Rock Mystery Cache

This cache has been archived.

greenwoodturner: Hate to do it, but we've decided to archive this one, since the homeless camps which periodically pop up here make it too difficult to search for this one.

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Hidden : 9/1/2008
Difficulty:
2 out of 5
Terrain:
1.5 out of 5

Size: Size:   micro (micro)

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Geocache Description:

The cache is not at the indicated coordinates! To determine the real cache coordinates, you must first solve a puzzle.

In order to determine the real cache coordinates, you will need to bone up on your geology knowledge. In 1812, Friedrich Mohs devised a hardness scale, which is now the widely accepted standard for determining a rock's hardness.

The scale has ten hardness ratings; each hardness value has a mineral associated with it, called the standard mineral.

By determining whether an unknown rock can scratch the standard mineral, or the standard mineral can scratch the unknown rock, or they both can scratch each other, you can determine the relative hardness of an unknown rock.

To determine the final coordinates for this cache, you must find the missing values in the following coordinates:

N 44 3A.BCD W123 1E.FGH

To solve the missing coordinate pieces, you need to determine the hardness values for the following rocks (if multiple rock names have been specified, then you need to determine the hardness value for each rock, and then perform the indicated mathematical operation):

A = Howlite

B = Moonstone - Howlite

C = Rutile - Howlite

D = Spinel

E = Obsidian

F = Ruby

G = Citrine - Amethyst

H = Amber

Once you think that you have correctly solved the puzzle, you can check your answer here.

You are looking for a green bison tube. The bison tube has some tape on the threads, due to it being slightly defective; please be careful to make sure that the tape is in place when you close the cache. Also, the cache container is wired into its hiding place; when you find it, you simply need to unscrew the body of the bison tube. Please do not unwire the bison tube!

This is a log-only cache, so be sure to bring your own pen or pencil. There is no room for trading items.

You may find it useful to bring some tweezers, so that you can easily extract the log!

To access this cache, you do not need to walk across any major roads! There is a side street you can park on, which provides access to a nice path to the cache. To determine the best parking, simply take the final cache coordinates, and add the following deltas: N: -.086 W: +0.050

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Nobhg gjb srrg bss gur tebhaq, va fbzr Bertba Tencr. Jvgu lbhe onpx gb gur evire (naq fgnaqvat ng gur fznyy gerr), vg vf nobhg 10 srrg njnl; ybbx gb yrsg.

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)