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CIRCLE OF DEATH Multi-Cache

This cache has been archived.

Geocaching HQ: Archiving. This cache is on Arizona State Trust Land. The Natural Resource Manager of the Environmental Resources & Trespass Section (ERT) have requested that this cache listing be archived and the geocache containers removed from their locations.

This is a decision made by land managers from the State of Arizona, NOT Geocaching.com or the reviewers.

If you have any questions regarding this action contact the ERT section. Contact information can be found at their website link below.
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[url=http://www.azland.gov/support/contact.htm]How to Contact the State Land Department[/url]
[url=http://www.azland.gov/webapps/parcel]Parcel Viewer Interactive Maps[/url]
[url=http://www.azland.gov]Arizona State Land Department[/url]
[url=http://www.azland.gov/programs/natural/env_res_trespass.htm]Environmental Resources & Trespass Section[/url]
[url=http://www.azland.gov/programs/natural/rec_permitFaqs.htm#Q2]Recreational Use Permits - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)[/url]
[url=http://www.geocaching.com/about/guidelines.aspx#permission]Guidelines[/url]
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Hidden : 7/24/2010
Difficulty:
3.5 out of 5
Terrain:
3.5 out of 5

Size: Size:   small (small)

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Geocache Description:

A multi-part, 5-mile, 3-hour trek through the desert. Math required (basic algebra - simultaneous linear systems of equations). Arizona state trust land use permit required.

Why is it called Circle of Death? I don't know.

Tired of drive-up snatch & grab caches? This one will offer no such experience. Be sure to allocate about 3 hours or the better part of an afternoon to this adventure. Not only that, but brush up on that old high school algebra.

Parking is available nearby, along Pistol Hill Road. Most of the hiking during this trek will be along doubletrack dirt roads which you could mountain bike or even drive if you wanted to; using 4x4 vehicles, dirt bikes or ATVs. However, you will need to do a fair bit of tromping through the desert on foot as well. Standard desert hiking precautions apply, especially during the summer. Bring sunscreen and plenty of water!

Additional precautions: Like much of Arizona, this is open range. You therefore have a high likelihood of encountering cattle - avoid bothering them, lest you incur the wrath of Rancher Bob upon thyself. Also, there is evidence of smuggling and other illegal activity in this area, as is unfortunately true of much of southern Arizona. Be vigilant and be prepared.

Enough admin - on to the puzzle! Proceed to the listed coordinates. Look high and low for a small, brass colored metal placard about 2 inches by 4 inches. On it are inscribed the coordinates of three (3) additional fixes.

Proceed to each of these new fixes, in whatever order you want. At each location, search for a very small, round, black metal tag, about 1cm in radius. On it is inscribed the range, from that fix, in meters to the final cache site. You would be well advised to write down this information!

After you find all three tags, you will have sufficient information to calculate the precise location of the final cache site. The calculations will be tremendously easier if you convert all coordinates to UTM instead of lat/long.

Should push come to shove, you can plot each subsidiary fix on a map (once again, UTM is your friend here), then use a compass (the kind that draws circles, not the kind that points north) to plot the appropriate ranges from each fix. The three circles will all intersect at your destination.

I don't care how you do the math, but once you have gonked-out the position of the final cache, proceed thereto and look for a green plastic decon container! Inside it will be the treasure you seek.

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Nyy bs gur gntf (naq gur svany qrpba pbagnvare) ner unatvat sebz gerr oenapurf.

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)