In Memory Of My Father Mystery Cache

The basics:

There is parking for a couple of cars at the posted co-ordinates

The cache is a 15cm tall cannister that contains a log book, pencil, sharpener, some swap items and a small prize for FTF

This cache is placed in loving memory of Patrick Michael Douglas Puryer (1938-2010) who sadly passed away this year.

Our Dad was a great teacher, having degrees in Chemistry and Geology, and was Head of Chemistry at Bath Technical College for many years, as well as being Chief Examiner for Science for the AEB/SEG/AQA. I'm sure that it was Dad's enthusism for Chemistry that made it my favourite subject whilst I was at school. I can still remember stopping off at the Technical College on my way to being taken to primary school in the mornings, and Dad showing me some quick 'experiments' in the laboratory. This made a huge impression on a young 7-year old!

After retiring, Mum and Dad moved to South Devon, where Dad could persue his love of sailing. As well as his love of the sea, Dad loved to travel, both here in the UK and abroad. There is no doubt that France was his favourite country to visit, and I've lost count of the number of times that we travelled there with Mum and Dad when we were children, and also the many times that Mum and Dad returned in their retirement. Dad particularly loved going to Brittany, the Loire Valley and the French Riviera, especially if it meant driving over the new Millau viaduct.

Jenny and I were fortunate to be able to go with Mum and Dad to Chamonix a couple of years ago. Dad loved exploring the mountains and glaciers there, and this photo was taken at the Aiguille du Midi (3,842 m) with Mont Blanc behind them.

Mum and Dad also went with my sister to the South of France in August for one final holiday before he sadly passed away.

In terms of setting a puzzle cache, I think it only fitting that it should be Chemistry based, and not too easy. Dad was always concerned that subjects were being 'dumbed down' over the years, with great chunks of the syllabuses being removed. Dad (and I) both loved inorganic Chemistry, especially the study of the 'transition' elements with their multiple oxidation states and coloured compounds. I hope that he would approve of this puzzle.

Stage 1: Let the values of A and B be the atomic number of the following metals:

A is a metal that disssolves in concentrated hydrochloric acid to give a solution containing a blue species. Dilution of this solution with water gives a solution containing a pink species

B is a metal that dissolves in hydrochloric acid in the presence of air to give a green solution. Treatment of this green solution with aqueous sodium hydroxide gives a green precipitate. This precipitate dissolves in an excess of aqueous sodium hydroxide to form a solution containing a green species.

Stage 2: Balance the following equation, and let C equal the number of water molecules produced

MnO₄^-(aq) + C₂O₄^2-(aq) + H⁺(aq) »» Mn²⁺(aq) + CO₂(g) + H₂O(l)

Stage 3: Let D equal the percentage by mass of copper in copper sulphate

Stage 4: Let E equal the mass (in grams) of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) that is needed to make up 500 cm³ (0.5 dm³) of a 0.5M solution

Stage 5: Let F equal the atomic number of the 3d-block transition metal that has the most number of oxidation states

Stage 6: Let V = A-B, Let W = D/C, Let X = A-F, Let Y = E-C, and let Z = F-B

Stage 7: The final cache can be found at:  N51^o 24.(W+Z)(V+W)(X+Z)  W 002^o 19.(W+X+Y)(Y+Z)(V+X)