Final
Cache
in Stegan's
2010 Earthcache
Masters Series
A year
of new Earthcaches and finally, after 14 caches, the 15th and final
cache. This cache will draw on some of the rock identification
skills that you will have gained over the year. At the dummy
waypoint there is a container with eight different rocks in it.
Unless you are rock savvy you will need: a reasonably good rock
identification guide and a reasonable amount of spare time. It
should be noted that students in a certain cacher's level one NCEA
class are expected to be able to name these rocks AND state their
formation, pH and silica content - now that's throwing down the
gauntlet!
Triple points for FTF and bonus of two points
each for first to pick the reasons for the slightly punny locations
(message me the answers - spoilers in logs will be fervently sought
out and deleted).
Final
co-ordinates: S45 ab.cde E170 vw.xyz
Name
each rock. Translate the letter in the rock name to a number in the
format a=0, b=1, c=2 and so on. If result is a double digit add the
two numbers together, until you get a single digit. EG if clue is
-----a and rock is jasper then "a" gives "r" which equals 17, a
double digit so add 1 and 7 to get a equalling
8.
Rock
A: y----
Rock
B: ----c-
Rock
C: -d----
Rock
D: -e-------z--
Rock
E: -----x---
Rock
F: --v---
Rock
G: -----w (red paint spot on the rock)
Rock
H: -ab- (the remaining rock with no
label)
Free
hints below (no other hints at this
stage)
Waypoint: Northwest edge. Behind ivy, touching concrete
pier/abutment. True right bank. Enter downstream, true right bank
funnily enough by Entry Only sign. Or enter elsewhere and walk
along the streambed. (accuracy 5m). Terrain
4.
Final:
Think. Magnetic - that may not help much (please only pick up
the cache not the entire container, think carefully as to how
you will extract it). Accuracy 9m (co-ords averaged).Terrain 1.5.
Not on private property.
If all
goes well there will be a casual catch up event in late January to
award certificates and reminisce on another year on
caching.
2010
Stegan’s EarthCache Masters
Programme
Since
it is not very feasible for many NZers to easily get more than two
states for the earthcache.org masters programme and therefore not
get past Bronze I’m running my own one on a number of
Earthcaches that I plan to release this year (all things being
equal) with the following points system:
5
points: First to find
3
points: 2nd to find
1
point: Logging a find
1-5
points: Special bonus questions.
Shared
points for joint finds.
At the
end of 2010, I’ll issue certificates for 1st, 2nd and 3rd and
the first place getter will be awarded a geocoin. If I feel richer
and/or it looks like this is popular I’ll upgrade the
prizes.
Updated
information and Leaderboard at: Stegan’s
Earthcache Programme