Skip to content

A Cherokee's Rite of Passage: Tradition Traditional Cache

Hidden : 7/7/2013
Difficulty:
1.5 out of 5
Terrain:
3 out of 5

Size: Size:   regular (regular)

Join now to view geocache location details. It's free!

Watch

How Geocaching Works

Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions in our disclaimer.

Geocache Description:

Located in the North Lake State Wildlife Area, between Cuchara and Stonewall, CO off of HWY 12 (28 mi S of LaVeta / 35 mi NW of Trinidad). Take the dirt road leading from North Lake to Purgatoire campground. It's a fairly easy 10 minute hike up a small trail leading east just after the cattle guard (park near cattle guard or further up at a fenced parking lot). Shortly after starting the hike, the trail turns up a steep hill to a tall crag.

---------------------------------------------------

Part 2 of "A Cherokee's Rite of Passage" cache series: There are "Four Cycles" of life in every human being: Infant, Youth, Adult and Elder. The coming-of-age ceremony is also called the rite of passage ceremony. When a young boy comes of age, around 12 or 13 years of age, a very special ceremony within the tribe is conducted. The young man would be taken aside by the Father, Grandfathers, Uncles, elder men and, if possible, the main Medicine Man/Holy Man of the tribe. He would be instructed in the ways of being a provider and protector of his immediate family and of all his people. The Elder men would pledge to teach him of the "Ways" of his Ancestors and Fathers that walk before him. Then he would be taken to his first sweat lodge ceremony and presented to the people. He would be given a "New Name" by which all would know him and call him by from that day forward. The Holy Man/Medicine Man would work with the young adult man throughout his entire life, instructing and giving "Spiritual" advice as how to stay on the Red-Road for himself, his family and his people. The young adult man would be given presence at this ceremony to show love and support on his new journey in the "Third Cycle of Life".

Tradition.

---------------------------------------------------------

Valid hunting or fishing license required! This geocache is located on a State Wildlife Area or CPW-leased State Trust Land. A valid hunting or fishing license is required to access and recreate on this property. All other rules and regulations by Colorado Parks & Wildlife apply. Learn more at https://cpw.state.co.us/.

---------------------------------------------------------

Congrats to robear23 on the FTF!

_________________________________________________________

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Jurer gvzore zrrgf fgbar gb sbez n gevnatyr, frnepu gur funqbjf bs gur snyyra gb svaq gur gernfher.

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)