Duct Trails Multi-Cache

This cache has been archived.

ChannelFadge: Ive looked and looked for another hiding place where it wont get stolen but I cant find anywhere secure enough. i feel bad if someone goes through the whole process to find it missing so Im going to archive this.

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Hidden : 12/14/2009
Difficulty:
3 out of 5
Terrain:
3 out of 5

Size: Size: regular (regular)

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Geocache Description:



This multi cache will take you on a tour of Clifton Viaduct and Clifton Aqueduct. You will need to print out this page and use it to find the clues that will get you to the final cache. There is often more than one clue to gather at each waypoint so the coordinates will only get you in the general area. From there you will need to use the photographs to find your way. Completing cache this should take less than an hour and involves a walk of about half a mile. Of course this will vary depending on route taken, walking speed, and how long it takes to locate each clue. Some areas can be very muddy/slippy at certain times of year and it will involve a little bit of steep climbing, but nothing too difficult. Have fun!


WAYPOINT 1
The coordinates for this waypoint are the listed coordinates at the top of the page



The first stop on your journey is beneath one of the arches of Clifton Viaduct. The viaduct was built in 1846 to carry trains from Manchester across the river Irwell.
Very close to this post is an old Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway signpost. You can look at it if you're interested in that kind of thing.

A: What number has been hidden in the picture?















Take a look at the top of the Viaduct...
There are strange metal shapes at the top of each arch. I guess they add vital structure support but I'm not sure. If anyone has any more information please let me know!

B: The metal shape in the picture has 5 sides. How many sides does it have in real life?













This clue is found under the arch, facing the river. The walls are covered with grafitti and if you look closer you will also notice some much older markings in the form of triangles and other symbols chiselled into the stone.
These are masons marks. Scholars have spent a lot of time dicussing the significance of masons marks. It was thought that they were in some way connected with the mysteries of Freemasonry. They are in fact a way for masons to add a 'signature' to their work and each mason had their own unique symbol. The mason who put his mark on a stone admitted or claimed that he had worked the stone.
By studying these shapes it is possible to track the work of individual masons around the country as they moved from place to place woking on different structures.
The area you are looking for in the picture is on the arch wall near the river.

C: How many triangles make up the masons mark hidden in the picture?








WAYPOINT 2




Walk further up among the arches. Until recently this area was very overgrown but now most of the undergrowth has be cut down and paths added.
Masons weren't the only people to make their mark on the Viaduct. Many people have felt the urge to leave their 'tag' in the years since it was built.
Nearby you should find a charming bit of vandalism by someone called Dave. I have no idea who Dave is, but his handiwork has been there for quite a long time.

D: What year did Dave write his name here? Just the last two numbers please!

(For clarity, neither of these numbers is a 3 or a 2!)














WAYPOINT 3
From Waypoint 2 to Waypoint 3 you need to make a steep climb up the bank to the top of the viaduct. If you don't want to climb up there you can take the steps on the other side, but that isn't nearly as much fun :)




You're standing where the old railway used to be . If you follow the path North you can cross the motorway and follow the route of the old Clifton to Radcliffe line. The view from up here is beatuiful but nothing compared to the view over the Irwell from the top of the viaduct. Unfortunately it has been closed off to public for safety reasons so this is as close as you can get.
As you can see from the bent railings, kids still play up here and if you look down the viaduct you will see how it has its own mini-forest growing along it.

E: The view in the picture is looking South West however the image has been edited. How many extra-tall poles are on the railing in real life?












Still looking South West, take a look at the industrial buildings in the distance. There is an unusual mix of old and new buildings here. It's like looking at a timeline of Cliftons industrial heritage. The building in the picture is part of the Pilkington Tiles complex which was established in 1892 after a pair of unsuccessful coal pits were put to the better use of providing red clay and marl for the production of ceramic tiles.

F:There are a number of outlet blocks on the roof of the building in the center. I have edited them out of the photgraph.
Count the blocks!













WAYPOINT 4
Back down to ground-level now. You should be able to find some easy steps down to this waypoint.



A troll lives in this tunnel...probably. Lets hope it isn't home today.
I haven't really got much to say about this tunnel, I just brought you here because it looks a bit spooky and has a good echo.
The clue you are looking for is somewhere inside the tunnel.

G: Which of these pictures is correct?

















WAYPOINT 5
To get to this waypoint you need to find the narrow path to the left of the aqueduct which leads steeply down the riverbank. Be careful!



Wow! It's nice down here... at least I think so... You are under Clifton Aqueduct. It was built in 1796 to carry the Manchester, Bolton and Bury canal over the Irwell.
I was going to be really cruel and ask you to count the stalactites because I find them pretty amazing. Stalactites grow about 1mm a year but are thought to grow more quickly on man-made structures. I wonder how long it took these ones to form...
There is grafitti on the far wall of the arch over the water. I'm not sure how or why someone decided to write it there in such a remote place.

H: What word is hidden in the picture?

1-M.U.F.C.
2-UNITED
3-CELTIC
4-DAVE















There is a real mix of different masonry down here. It looks like parts of the aqueduct have been built and rebuilt over the years. It's a good place to look for more mason's marks.
If you have any trouble locating the area in the picture, look for the tree branch sticking out of the bricks with a pipe behind it. (Since this picture was taken the branch has been broken but its stump and the pipe are still there so you can find the clue)

J:How many lines make the Masons Mark hidden in the picture?


















WAYPOINT 6
Now you need to get back up and walk over the top of Clifton Aqueduct



From up here you can really picture the old canal as it passed over the aqueduct. At the far end you can see the remains of the old footbridge that let pedestrians over the canal. After passing under the footbridge the canal took a sharp right turn and headed down through Salford into Manchester.

K: How many bolts around the rim?















WAYPOINT 7




I know this isn't the most scenic location on the tour but it's the only place where you can see what remains of the canal in this area. Its blocked off by some rather ugly fencing with some even uglier industrial works on the other side. You will have to use your imagination to get an idea what the canal looked like when it was in use. The clue you are looking for is in the fenced-off pumping works opposite the canal.

L: What number is hidden by the question mark?(This clue is no longer there! The answer is 6)

 

 

 





This is where the viaduct crosses the canal and its the last clue location. Just a bit further up the path is Hoggs Bridge. The canal from Hoggs Bridge to Agecroft was drained in case it was breached in an air raid.

M: What number has been removed from the sign in the picture?


















THE FINAL CACHE
Now that you have collected all the clues, complete the puzzle to get the coordintes for the final cache location! Each formula will get you the last three digits of the N and W coords.

N 53° 31.(FxG) x (M+A) + (LxJ)
W 002° 18.(DxF) + (BxK) + E - H - C

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Snyyra Fyno

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)


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