This puzzle will lead you to an ammo box
containing a log book and (initially) some swag. The ammo box is
camoed but should be pretty easy for you to spot ... if you're
looking in the right place, that is.
Your starting point -- in keeping with the title
-- is at the Washington Monument in Washington, DC.
Where exactly?
Ah, there's the rub. The starting point that you're looking for
is the tip of the Washington Monument. [Previously, the
reference was the tip of the shadow of the monument on March 4th,
2008 (rev up your time machines) and the time was (roughly) 9:20 AM
(EST).]
Now, while I was tempted to give you a bearing
(300.5 degrees, a bit north of west) and distance (approximately
2,340.07 miles) from this point, that would run into some
questionable math and, as I promised, I'm going to try to make it
easy for you.
Therefore, given the tip of the shadow, your
destination lies 45º 40.855' west and 8º 59.478' north ... and,
once you get there, guess where you'll be?
Next, since your answer might still be rather
inaccurate (I admit, there is a challenge involved and something of
a fuzzy element), I've set the geochecker to accept any answer
within a 100' radius. And, if you can get that close, to help you
zero in, I've also arranged a second monument. Granted this
monument is not as large as the one where you're starting but it is
a generous piece of stone.
Finally, this is a lot easier than you may
initially presume. Two reasons: first, I've given you more
information than you actually need so if you're able to see through
the excess, you'll have a very good starting point (pun
intentional) and, second, I've already done all of the math (which,
for me, is fun) and you don't really need to do much more than
simple addition to solve this puzzle.
Oh, yeah, you'll need some deductive reasoning
... or should that be inductive?
Happy caching ...
Note: Since the target coordinates have been confirmed
with more than a dozen satellites providing clear signals and
averaged for two minutes, we hope this location shouldn't be a
problem. However, you can check your answers for this puzzle at
Geochecker.com.
For a complete list of puzzle caches which have GeoChecker
confirmation and to see the hit/miss result counts for each,
go
here.
Remember, pay attention to the terrain rating. However, if
you're really stumped, here's a clue: Google offers a really nice line of time
machines.
Revision Notes
I did not intend this puzzle to be impossible ... but it appears
to be very nearly so. After hearing from several individuals (each
of whom has used a different approach .... including doing some
very hairy math), I have come to the conclusion that a revision is
needed.
Therefore -- following the method of Poe's Gold Bug (which I
have always found fault with ... but that's a different story),
if you will begin at the south-west corner of the obelisk and
proceed 0.28 seconds north, 0.28 seconds east and up 555 feet,
5.125 inches, you should find yourself at the tip of the
obelisk.
Good luck, good hunting ... (sighs)
You can check the corner location here (25 ft accuracy) on
Geochecker.com.
Final Offer
If you still find yourself stumped after all of this, post a DNF
and then drop me a note and I'll provide further information. In
all fairness, however, I must warn you that it might make you feel
... well, no need for details.
Congratulations to Bigawop and Woppawife for a very fast FTF.
Obviously, no embarrassment here.