Benchmarking Intro Mystery Cache
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(small)
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Following the geocaching.com decision in 2023 to eliminate benchmark hunting, this cache has been remade to experience benchmarks with no need to use outside references.
Benchmarks are objects placed to mark a position in the United States very accurately, or at least as accurately as the technology allowed when the benchmark was placed. Usually, an additional text description is needed and often things change and the description is no longer accurate. This has the effect of making some benchmarks more difficult to find than geocaches. Additionally, many benchmarks have been removed or have deteriorated and cannot be found. These difficulties make benchmarking a real challenge. For this cache, the coordinates take you directly to the benchmarks.
You'll find two benchmarks and use the nearby references to get a latitude and longitude. These coordinates will lead you to the final container.
Step 1 - The cache coordinates take you to the first benchmark marked A183 RESET 1955. Once you find the benchmark, go east approximately 25 ft to a sign making assertions about Gaines County. Sum the numbers on this sign. If the sum is 4, then the longitude you need is W102 39.4460 If the sum is 5, then the longitude you need is W102 39.5530 If the sum is 6, then the longitude you need is W102 39.6670. Note the longitude for stage 2.
Step 2 - The second benchmark is at N32 43.0827, W102 38.7878. The benchmark is labeled SEMINOLE Z 1975. Once you find the benchmark, go west approximately 85 ft to a placard that has information about the building construction. The year on this placard is what you need for the latitude. If the year is 1950, then the latitude you need is N32 42.5730. If the year is 1955, then the latitude you need is N32 42.9510 If the year is 1975, then the latitude you need is N32 42.9833. Note the latitude for stage 2.
Stage 2 - Enter your latitude and longitude from steps 1 and 2 above into your GPS and go to the coordinates. You will find a sign prohibiting a certain kind of travel. From this sign, follow the trail south approximately 0.25 mile to the cache location.
Additional Hints
(No hints available.)
Treasures
You'll collect a digital Treasure from one of these collections when you find and log this geocache:
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