GC23C4V The Tree of Life (Unknown Cache) in Ontario, Canada created by Canadianzombie

GC23C4V ▼

A cache by Canadianzombie Message this owner

Hidden : 1/26/2010

Difficulty:

Terrain:

Size: Size: micro (micro)

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Geocache Description:

The Tree of Life:
As I sit under this old tree, I reflect on my own life. I remember my childhood, the dreams I had, oh those dreams that had no limits, in those dreams I could fly, just by flailing my arms. I could take on an army by myself and in the end would always be the hero. In my teens I remember music, love, angst and freedom. As I got older, I experienced the grief of loss, the joy and sorrow of love, the ecstasy of new life and the plethora of challenges that face me currently and that surely lie ahead. I reflect on how my life meandered its way to this current juncture and the grace and kindness that surely lead me on this wonderous path. I know now that I can no longer fly by flapping my arms and my life's battles, though still great, no longer require a sword and shield.
I look up and see the weathered scars on this old tree and glance down at my hands and understand that we are not that we are not so dissimilar. We have both weathered many storms, enjoyed the beauty of warmth and the sting of the cold and now we sit side by side, one offering the gift of clarity and reflection to the other. I look out over the vastness of the perfect view, then close my eyes and I'm flying out over it, my mind starts to wander and again I'm fighting those battles and I'm once again the hero. I open my eyes to a tear and realize that my journey has taken me to places that I'd never known existed, to challenges I never knew I could overcome and to a future full of opportunities that even the most adventurous of children couldn't comprehend. I stand up and lean up against the tree, thanking it in a modest reverence for the gift of reflection that it has given me, it has opened my heart and eyes to my endless possibilities and taken away any fears. As I walk away from this new friend I turn around for one last glance and smile as I realize the precious gift that has just been bestowed upon me.

The View From Up Here

The Cache:

I would like to preface this cache description by saying that this cache is not for everyone, in fact it may be for only a very few that are up for the challenge. The cache is located high up in a tree and a fall would most certainly injure you and perhaps even be fatal. I was able to climb this tree myself without special equipment and was absolutely taken by the view, but also wary of the dangers as I looked down at the base of the cliff about 130 feet below. No this cache is by no means a liars cache, the dangers are real and I certainly don't want anyone to over estimate their abilities and be hurt or worse. I do, however, want to offer a challenge to those who seek a physical and cerebral one. There is one request that I'd like to make before I go on any further:

I would ask that there be no mob signings, the true uniqueness of this cache lies in it's cerebral and physical challenge. I'm sure you could get the most agile member of a group go to the top and retrieve the cache for the others to sign, but that would make this cache a difficulty 5 and terrain 3. Due to Groudspeak's rule of "Additional Logging Requirements", I can't insist on this, but if I feel that there are any dubious cache logs, I'll change the D/T to a 5/3. Again, as I have mentioned before, this cache isn't for everybody, so please be sure of your ability and don't rob someone else of a unique cache experience as well as a difficult D/T cache for an easy log.

This cache is not located at the posted coords and you'll have to solve a puzzle that will give you the true coordinates to this cache. Again, I've tried to make a challenging puzzle (reflective of a 5 difficulty), but not unfair and indeed, when you get past the first few challenges, you'll fly to the solution. I will not put up a coordinate checker, but if you'd like to verify the coordinates prior to heading out, just send me an e-mail. I check it daily and will get back to you asap. This cache difficulty/terrain rating is perhaps one of the most difficult to find for those filling out your Matrix and you'll find that the next closest one is over 300 kilometers away. You'll be looking for a small cylindrical container in a spot that will become fairly evident as you make your ascent up the tree.

The Puzzle:

Assume that N 44 and W 075 are given

N 44 AB.CDE
W 075 FG.HIJ

A: Lbhe nafjre jvyy or sbhaq hfvat B: bar, bar, guvegrra

B: Lbhe nafjre jvyy or sbhaq hfvat A: Gjragl frira, fvk, avar

C: - .... .. ... / --- -. . / .. ... / . .- ... -.-- --..-- / .. - .----. ... / --.. . .-. ---

D: Gsvhv mfnyvih nzb svok L: lmv, lmv, urev

E: Gsvhv mfnyvih droo ivzoob svok M: lmv, gdvmgb vrtsg, mrmvgvvm

F: Questi numeri vi aiuterà O: Uno, Uno, diciannove

G: Deze nummers zullen O helpen: vier, zeven en twintig vier

HIJ: T nnr uy:ydga sha'dehm rensthedt eebfFtetdehosd s leoihd viue fihpruvr tderl toxu sreeaoontdnhrtnO ,,e

Finally, I'd like to say that I don't want anybody staying up for hours trying to figure this one out, I don't want to make anyone's life miserable by not getting this, nor do I wish to instill animosity with my single ground rule request. As with all my caches, the idea is to have fun and if you can be challenged, hey that's even better.

I'd like to dedicate this cache to the teens in my Sunday night Youth Group "The Venue", they continue to challenge me to reflect upon myself on a daily basis and I'm a better person for it.

Cheers
CZ

Congrats to Coman123 and AaronHaynes on a well deserved FTF!!!

The FTF pair in the glory of victory

The FTF pair in the agony of defeat (told you to be careful)!!!