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MMM (MDC Multi Madness)! Multi-Cache

Hidden : 3/30/2011
Difficulty:
3 out of 5
Terrain:
3 out of 5

Size: Size:   regular (regular)

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Geocache Description:


NOTE 1: This cache was updated on March 1, 2019. If you have an old write-up, make sure to update your notes before embarking on this cache adventure!

***NOTE 2: Please don't seek this cache after dark or when the campus is closed...security isn't happy with geocachers on campus after-hours and we don't want to risk the revocation of the permission granted to this cache. ***

So I've lived by Miami-Dade College (formerly known as Miami-Dade Community College) for over 20 years...worked there for a few semesters, no less...and felt it desperately needs at least ONE geocache. So here, then, is the MMM -- the MDC Multi Madness geocache! Hidden with permission by the Office of Student Life, it will take you to multiple spots on the campus, where you'll have to answer questions or find information that will lead you to the next leg in your journey.

I believe this is a genuinely fun geocache adventure, particularly if you do it with friends. It's not difficult, just a bit time-consuming (expect it to take 45 minutes to 3 hours to complete all 14 stages on foot). I intentionally made each stage pretty straightforward...most stages will take 1 - 5 minutes to complete.

Final is an ammo box with some cool swag and, of course, the log. All coordinates can be assumed to be in the format of "25 degrees 40.???" for the North set and "80 degrees 22.???" for the West set. None of the stages will use the degrees or the numbers to the left of the decimals in the coordinate sets...you will ONLY be working with the numbers to the right of the decimals in your North and West coordinates. For example, if you are at "N 25 40.000" and are instructed to add 23 to the North coordinates, the new location would have North coordinates of "N 25 40.023".

Before you begin your quest, you may need to get a visitor's pass. At the South entrance (coordinates are 40.361 N and 22.370 W), there's a visitor's gate. Pull over to the left and request a visitor's pass. The pass costs nothing but allows you to park in any of the regular commuter lots. Make sure to display the visitor's pass on your dashboard.  When I last visited on 3/1/19, however, there was nobody in the visitor's "hut" and security told me I could park in any of the commuter lots without a pass.IMPORTANT NOTE: If/when you get your Visitor's Pass...or just when you pass through the main entrance...make sure to look to the East at the sign located at 40.356 and 22.353. You will need to know EXACTLY what is written on that sign in order to finish this geocache. 

The stages are being listed in the order in which I traversed them when making this cache (with a few stages deleted in order to make it more manageable...there were originally four or five more!). Most of the time, I walked the distance...but there were a couple of instances (especially between Stages 1 and 2 and between Stage 13 and 14) when some might choose to drive or bike. Choose your mode of travel according to your preferences! Math will also be involved...a calculator or calculator app would certainly greatly simplify your tasks.

The starting point is the posted coordinates. No geochecker for this one, as it has to be solved on site.

Bring water, bring friends, bring a sense of fun and adventure, and cache on!

STAGE 1 (the posted coordinates):
When you arrive at this stage (which is a tricky one), you'll need to find a number written in black in an unusual place. Once you've found that number, do the following to determine the coordinates for Stage 2:
........a. Add the number directly to the Stage 1 North coordinates.
........b. Multiply the number by 8.277, then subtract that from the Stage 1 West coordinates. Note: Knees WILL get dirty at this stage!

STAGE 2:
When you arrive at this location, you will be facing a sign that tells you the name of the building. Work with the standard letter/number code...i.e., A = 1, B = 2, and so forth, through to Z = 26. Working with JUST THE NAME of the building (i.e. the first word in the building's title), do the following to determine the coordinates for Stage 3:
........a. Add the summed values of the first 3 letters to the Stage 2 North coordinates.
........b. Add the summed values of the first 3 letters PLUS the last letter to the Stage 2 West coordinates.

STAGE 3:
When you arrive at this location, you will see an area where students can be protected from the rain. How many large metal supports extend from the ground up to the protective covering? Once you've answered this question, do the following to determine the coordinates for Stage 4:
........a. Multiply your "supports" answer by 4, then add the result to the Stage 3 North coordinates.
........b. Add 2 to your "supports" answer, then add that new sum to the Stage 3 West coordinates.

STAGE 4:
Determine the name of the building at this location. What does the last name of the person for whom this building was named conjure up in your mind? Make the adjustments to your Stage 4 coordinates that are indicated in the parentheses next to your chosen answer.
........1. A programmer for Nintendo (+20 N, - 132 W)
........2. A San Francisco ride (+21 N, + 13 W)
........3. This country's name (-85 N, +89 W)
........4. Mikey's favorite cereal (-64 N, -32 W)
........5. Anti-communism (-51 N, +103 W)
........6. A crazy movie cop (+10 N, +66 W)
........7. Half the surnames in Miami (+09 N, +107 W)
........8. Bagels (-60 N, +242 W)
........9. Fish (+51 N, +136 W)
........10. Environmentalism (-155 N, +76 W)
........11. Overdue parking tickets (-40 N, -17 W)

STAGE 5:
When you arrive at this location, you will be standing near a sign. To determine the coordinates for Stage 6, make the following adjustments to your Stage 5 coordinates.
........a. Find the largest green circle with a number in it. Subtract that number from the North coordinates.
........b. Looking ONLY at the pictures on BOTH sides of the sign/billboard and NOT at the legend beneath those pictures, subtract the number of bus stop symbols you see from the sum of the numbers within the red circles you see. Add your answer to the West coordinates.

STAGE 6:
Look up. How many floors does this structure have? To determine the coordinates for Stage 7, make the following adjustments to your Stage 6 coordinates.
........a. Multiply the number of floors by 10, add 1, then subtract the result from the Stage 6 North coordinates.
........b. Multiply the number of floors by 10, add 70, then divide by 60. Subtract the result from the Stage 6 West coordinates.

STAGE 7:
Hmmm. Where are you standing when you arrive at the coordinates for Stage 7? Make the adjustments to your Stage 6 coordinates that are indicated in the parentheses next to your chosen answer.
........1. A funny-looking man-made structure (+23 N, - 136 W)
........2. A statue of an archer (+45 N, +13 W)
........3. A classroom building (-65 N, +84 W)
........4. An unusual piece of art (-62 N, -32 W)
........5. A bench (take a seat and rest if you'd like!) (-50 N, +101 W)
........6. A treehouse (+60 N, +66 W)
........7. A storage shed (-09 N, +115 W)
........8. A mini nature preserve (-20 N, +47 W)
........9. A parking lot (+01 N, +155 W)
........10. Cleveland (in which case you probably made a wrong turn at Stage 6) (-85 N, +74 W)
........11. The maintenance building (-103 N, -17 W)
........12. A vending machine (want something to eat?) (-12 N, -51 W)

STAGE 8:
When you arrive at Stage 8, you will find a plaque nearby. To determine the coordinates for Stage 9, make the following adjustments to your Stage 8 coordinates.
........a. Divide the year on the plaque by 246.5, then multiply the result by 8. Subtract the result from the Stage 8 North coordinates.
........b. Count how many letters are in the TITLE mentioned on the plaque. Add the result to the Stage 8 West coordinates.

STAGE 9:
This is the "cardio" stage. When you arrive at the Stage 9 coordinates, you will be at the foot of a multi-flight staircase. Climb to the very top, then look at the very last vent/lightshade on the wall. The hidden letters written in BLACK INK upon the vent/shade make you think of what profession? Make the adjustments to your Stage 9 coordinates that are indicated in the parentheses next to your chosen answer.
........a. Physician (+19 N, - 51 W)
........b. Lawyer (-54 N, - 112 W)
........c. Accountant (+70 N, +45 W)
........d. Business owner (+20 N, - 72 W)
........e. Philosopher (-26 N, +58 W)
........f. Hamburger bun manufacturer (+12 N, - 12 W)
........g. Perpetual student (+39 N, +84 W)
........h. Undertaker (-47 N, - 32 W)
........i. Screenwriter (+25 N, +52 W)
........j. Cosmetician (+51 N, - 47 W)
........k. Awards show host (+112 N, -57 W)
........l. Phone salesman (-101 N, + 99 W)
........m. Teacher (+80 N, + 107 W)
........n. Nurse (-12 N, -85 W)

STAGE 10:
At these coordinates, you will see some signs attached to the same pole. To determine the coordinates for Stage 11, make two lists - one with all of the PRIMARY colors represented on AT LEAST one sign, the other with all of the NON-PRIMARY colors represented on AT LEAST one sign...then make the following adjustments to your Stage 10 coordinates.
........a. Using the color/number table below, add up the values (indicated in the table) of the NON-PRIMARY colors represented on at least one sign. Subtract that summed value from the Stage 10 North coordinates.
........b. Using the color/number table below, MULTIPLY the corresponding values of the PRIMARY colors represented on at least one sign. Subtract the result from the Stage 10 West coordinates.
................White = 1
................Red = 2
................Black = 3
................Yellow = 4
................Green = 15
................Orange = 20
................Brown = 8
................Blue = 9

(Note: since there are at least three theories of what constitutes the "primary colors", for our purposes the primary colors are being defined as those on a painter's color wheel)

STAGE 11:
Look West. You should be able to see the building NUMBER for one building and the building LETTER of another. Make a note of BOTH. To determine the coordinates for Stage 12, make the following adjustments to your Stage 11 coordinates.
........a. Multiply the number of that building by 10, then add 1. Subtract the result from the Stage 11 North coordinates.
........b. Multiply the number of that building by 4, then add 1. Subtract the result from the Stage 11 West coordinates.

STAGE 12:
This is the "oasis stage." When you arrive at the Stage 12 coordinates, underneath a tree you will see some boulders arranged in a semi-circle, with a sitting rock inside the arc of that semi-circle. Sit on that "sitting rock," rest, look out at the water. Enjoy this moment of tranquility. Contemplate life, love, and the fact that you are nearing the end of your adventurous quest. When you're ready to move on, consider the following: To determine the coordinates for Stage 13, you should make the following adjustments to your Stage 12 coordinates..
........a. When you were looking out at the water a few moments ago, approximately what direction were you facing? If it's South, add the United States minimum voting age to the Stage 12 North coordinates; if it's East, add the standard age of retirement to the Stage 12 North coordinates; if it's North, add the number of days in a LEAP year to the Stage 12 North coordinates; if it's West, subtract how many people make up a "crowd" from the Stage 12 North coordinates.
........b. How many boulders make up the semi-circle of boulders (not counting your friend, the "sitting rock," of course)? Determine the first prime number whose value is less than thirty times the number of boulders that make up the semi-circle. Subtract the result from the Stage 12 West coordinates.

STAGE 13:
Wow...the end must be near, because, now, you are searching for a far more familiar geocaching item...a 35-mm film container, which is hidden low and within. Answer the questions within the container to determine the location of the final cache. Note that, to prevent muggles or non-muggles from stumbling into this stage and going right to the final, the questions will deal with two earlier stages (one from quite early on) of this multi as well as with the sign near the "Visitor's Pass" booth (mentioned toward the beginning of this cache description).

Additional Hints (No hints available.)