Tracking Dragons 9 - Dragon's Gold (Bonus Cache) Mystery Cache

This cache has been archived.

Jennyrebel: The Dragon has found a new hiding place for his Golden Hoard.

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Hidden : 7/4/2011
Difficulty:
3 out of 5
Terrain:
3.5 out of 5

Size: Size: regular (regular)

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Geocache Description:


This is the Bonus Cache in a series of 9 caches based round Glen Howe Park at Wharncliffe Side. The co-ordinates given above are for the Packhorse Bridge The majority of caches are large enough to take swaps, TBs and Geocoins, although there are smaller ones with just logs, so please bring a pen - YOU MUST SIGN THE LOG TO CLAIM A FIND. Please replace all caches as found, thank you.

You must visit all 8 dragon caches to gain the co-ordinates for the bonus cache - Dragon's Gold. Each cache has a letter and number on the log book.

TO FIND THE BONUS CACHE, substitute the numbers into the formula N53 2A.(Y-Z)BC, W001 3W.XDC [formula changed October 2015].

There is a free car park at N53 26.668, W001 33.321, with a couple of picnic benches, a small children's adventure playground and a wide grassy area for ball games where you can burn off surplus energy - if you have any left. The lane down to the car park (Storth Lane) is single track and uneven and could be a problem in wintry conditions.

If you use public transport, take the Supertram shuttle bus to Green Lane (see Dragon Claws for details).

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The Dragon of Wantley is a well known story in the Upper Don Valley from Oughtibridge to Stocksbridge. It relates to a dispute between the Wortley family, lords of the manor, and the villagers of Wharncliffe Side. One version says the lord wanted to evict the villagers to enclose the area as a hunting park (there are still wild deer in Wharncliffe Woods), another that he wanted to increase the tithe rents. Moore of More Hall represented the villagers in the courts and won the case. A poem was written to satirise the dispute, depicting the lord of the manor as the dragon and Moore as the knight.

It must have been a famous event as the story is even mentioned by Sir Walter Scott in "Ivanhoe" - "Here haunted of yore the fabulous Dragon of Wantley." Also, there is a large carved dragon's head at the end of a stone wall in Bitholmes Wood above More Hall and a representation of the event in the entrance hall of Sheffield Town Hall.

The poem itself can be found at: (visit link) (polite version) or (visit link) (original poem - warts and all!)

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Remember, you are dealing with a dragon, a cunning, fearsome opponent. Stealth should be employed at all times if you don't want to be eaten.

The Dragon lives across the valley in Wharncliffe Crags, but often visits this area and his muggle body guards are trained to ambush the unwary cacher. His claws and scales are sharp (brambles and holly) and his tail, which he flails from side to side, has a sting (nettles), so you may wish to bring specialist equipment to ensure legs, arms and hands are well protected, although I don't think you need to go to the extremes used by Mr Moore in the poem!

You may also meet evidence of his usual food, cows, so keep dogs and children under close control. Speaking of children, special care should be taken of them - they are the Dragon's favourite food.

Be alert or you could become susceptible to his dragon magic, particularly within the wooded paths of the park where you may find yourself walking on his soft, spongy belly. A waypoint is included for the Packhorse Bridge where the footpaths meet, in case the magic disorientates you. Be aware that some of the paths follow the steep valley sides, so watch your step, and the children's.

Please note, this Dragon is not house-trained, as you will find as you track him (boggy areas with standing water).

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Well done, cacher, you have proved you are not faint-hearted. You should now have the co-ordinates to find the Dragon's gold.

Remember his magic is all around, confusing you. The obvious path may not be the right one. If your path disappears, go back to the Packhorse Bridge and start again.

When you do find the Gold cache (and I hope you feel the effort has been worth it), make sure you replace the cache as found and cover your tracks round the cache site to confuse the Dragon. The Gold cache includes many fine items and an unactivated Dragon Coin Trackable for the First to Find. If you take anything, do leave something in return. This will placate the Dragon and give you a better chance of leaving here alive and intact.

Congratulations on surviving this far. All that remains now is for you to return home safely with your treasure. This may not be as easy as you think if the Dragon is close by (I forgot to tell you that he is a master of disguise - large birds and old trees are his favourite forms). And you may still feel the effects of his magic until you leave the park.

If you do not return within three hours, we will assume you have been eaten!

Congratulations to Birdwatchdave for avoiding being eaten by the Dragon and returning safely with FTF.

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Haqre zbffl fgbarf ng onfr bs n ynetr gerr. Ybbx sbe gur raq bs gur jbbqra envyvatf. Pnhgvba: gur tebhaq znl or fyvccrel, lbh nggrzcg guvf ng lbhe bja evfx.

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)


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