The Devil Mystery Cache

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Hidden : 5/1/2010
Difficulty:
4 out of 5
Terrain:
4 out of 5

Size: Size: small (small)

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Geocache Description:

The listed coordinates are for parking.
This cache began as a regular, good ol’ fashioned Multi around a lovely circular walk. Then, when we realised the terrain rating was going to be high, we decided to increase the difficulty as well, to make it a real challenge and hopefully more satisfaction for your efforts.

Difficulty: First you need to solve the puzzle to obtain the coordinates for the first micro. This contains further waypoints, the coordinates for the next micro and part of the final cache coordinates... then the second micro... so on, so forth. In total there are three well camouflaged micros and the final to find.
A note pad and pen might help.
Terrain: This is a fairly strenuous 6 mile circular walk (can be slightly shortened if you have a map) with a steep decent and ascent of more than 150m. Some paths are uneven and some will be muddy and / or slippery, particularly after rain. Most of the route is exposed to weather extremes, local weather forecasts often don't apply up here...

All that for just one little smiley!?!
Not quite... The little Devil (GCKG0J) and BOB has style (GC5P1T) can both be found en route and with a small diversion you could also include Cache and Splash (GCXR9M), which is a great place to cool your feet.

Hopefully we can convince you that the walk (and the challenge) is rewarding enough.
This really is a wonderful yet often overlooked area, second only to White Horse Hill.



Coordinates for Micro One
N 51° 33.??? + 650
W 001° 29.???

All the elements needed to find the missing digits, to locate the first micro, are within the text below:

Follow the Ridgeway National Trail east for just over 500m, then turn sharp left and head toward the kissing gate into the Devils Punchbowl SSSI. From here we suggest you follow the level(ish) path along the field edge.

To the west of the Punchbowl is a fine example of a Bronze Age bowl barrow and a spectacular view point. The Bronze Age saw important advances for prehistoric societies; smelting copper, first with naturally occurring arsenic, then later with tin resulted in better and more durable tools, artefacts and weapons, which in turn encouraged trade and travel.Spotted Orchid

Once you have admired the view from the barrow, continue along the top of the Punchbowl towards micro one.
http://tinyurl.com/Oh-What-is-this
On the north ridge you will pass a number of chalk pits. The chalk that makes up the Ridgeway escarpment is composed mostly of calcium carbonate formed in the late Cretaceous period. Water erosion has since sculpted it into the dramatic dry valley, or coombe, below you. The wide range of slope-gradients represents one of the best and largest expanses of unimproved chalk grassland in the area, a habitat now sadly uncommon. Flora you can see here is too numerous to list, but includes Orchids, Autumn Gentian and Cowslip. Eleven species of butterfly have been recorded on the site, ranging from the small Chalkhill Blue to the rare Silver-spotted Skipper.Chalkhill Blue

After a steep descent the path follows a hedgerow towards Letcombe Bassett. Be aware of the sheep along this section. This hedgerow, in the shelter of the valley, provides cover for an array of birds; look out for thrushes searching for snails and goldfinch foraging for seeds. Also keep an eye open for Red Kites, often seen soaring overhead.Red Kite

Letcombe Bassett was established in Saxon times. Many of the quaint cottages are timber-framed and thatched. Pass the 12th century church of St Michael and walk the short stretch of lane, following the waypoints you found in the micros. You should soon pass through a small wood; the wildlife here is very different to the open downland, not least the birds you may find.

After a steep ascent you will reach Segsbury Camp, a vast Iron Age fort with tremendous views from the ramparts. Excavations in the 1990s established that it was densely occupied by roundhouses and was largely domestic in function. Interestingly, the circular ditch clearly straightens along the boundary with the Ridgeway, important evidence that the track pre-dates the fort. From here follow the Ridgeway back to the parking spot.

It goes without saying that the usual countryside code applies. Information boards are located at entry points to the Open Access SSSI. Dogs must be kept under close control and on a lead when near to livestock.

Happy Hunting!

Please feel free to check your workings or answers with me via our profile.

Check your solution here.


Congratulations to Lydford Locators and TurnerTribe on being first to
conquer The Devil on 7th May 2010

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

1. Gur Yvaxf ner sbe vasbezngvba naq abg pbaarpgrq gb chmmyr. 2. Gurer ner avar bs 'gurz' gb svaq.

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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