999
999 - That's a strange name for a cache. Let me explain...
The number 999 is what is known as a Palindromic Number i.e. the number remains the same whether read forwards or backwards. Certain dates are also palindromic e.g. 30/11/03.
A date very close to the publication of this listing is nearly palindromic (or could be, depending on how strict you are): 9 September 2009 or 9/9/9. Some might prefer to say this is an example of a Same Number Date i.e. the day, month and year are all represented by the same number: 09/09/09.
No matter how you prefer to describe the date, it just seemed to be the perfect day to place a cache. 
Some really useful information
Although palindromic numbers are most often considered in the decimal system, the concept of palindromicity can be applied to the natural numbers in any numeral system. Consider a number n > 0 in base b = 2, where it is written in standard notation with k+1 digits ai as:
with 0 = ai < b for all i and ak <> 0. Then n is palindromic if and only if ai = ak-i for all i. Zero is written 0 in any base and is also palindromic by definition.
Some even more useful information
The container is a camo 200ml sistema, containing a logbook, gel pen and a couple of trackables. There is no need to go cross country, the cache can be easily reached from the path.
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For more information about geocaching in New Zealand,
visit the New Zealand Recreational GPS Society forums or website. |