This cache a follow-up to The NGS Benchmark Recovery Cache set up by Dutchboy in Indiana. After you log one here in Pennsylvania, log another one anywhere in the country on his cache.
This Cache is close to your home, no matter where you live. The object is to look up a National Geodetic Survey Benchmark in your part of Pennsylvania (MUST BE IN PA), and locate it. The first thing you must do, is write down the coordinates of your house in DDMMSS format (not decimal minutes). Then go to the following website:
NGS DATASHEET POINT RADIUS FORM
Plug your coordinates into the form and do a search for all Benchmarks within a few miles of your home. You will get a listing of several Benchmarks to choose from. Pick one and bring up the data sheet on it. You may have to look at several before you find the one you wish to locate. You will find several around railroad tracks and airport runways. These are generally not good ones to locate. You will find some around public landmarks like buildings, or bridges. When you find the one you want to locate, print out the data sheet, plug in the coordinates and away you go.
If you have never seen a NGS Benchmark, below is a picture of what you are looking for. The picture below shows one Dutchboy found. After you find one you can even file a report on the condition of the Benchmark. They will put your initials on the data sheet. The link below is a sample of the form for the Benchmark.
The coordinates of this cache are for the Benchmark I recovered, but you can log this cache by finding any in your area.
http://pages.rtccom.net/kholland/images/ja0839.htm
When you locate the Benchmark, take a picture of it, and post it with your cache log. Some Benchmarks are accurate enough to test your GPS. Any Benchmark that you have not already found will qualify for this cache.