Update 1-7-13:Due to unforeseen circumstances, I needed to move this cache a very short distance. I'll be updating the puzzles accordingly. In the meantime, you will need to SUBTRACT .053 from the NORTHERN coordinate of the puzzle SOLUTION. The geocheck has already been changed to reflect this. If there are any questions, I am only an email away.
There was once a Reviewer who was preparing to go on a long trip, but just before leaving on his journey the Reviewer received one last listing for approval. Not able to delay the travel plans but also not wanting the hider to be left waiting, the Reviewer called upon some close friends to assist in checking the listing for accuracy and validity (after confirming that the listing otherwise met placement guidelines, of course). The hider in question had placed a puzzle and had provided several solutions to would be seekers. The Reviewer knew the task was in good hands since each of the Reviewer’s good friends had special skills that seemed well suited for the various solutions offered.
Beaufort was given all of the portions of the puzzle that contained text. After some study and examination, he quickly realized what he needed to do but was at a loss for how to begin the process of untangling the hider’s knotty words. When he asked the reviewer for some insight that might unlock what the hider meant to say the Reviewer answered that the hider mentioned the ‘element common to each,’ but hadn’t clarified any further.
Beaufort's puzzle
| Method |
C.Text |
| B1 |
RAHVLAGLQNNSVFPAOCULYKCVZLLAHRCANDAQJADNCPMY |
| V2 |
IWEVLLIEAXEDVRGMNHRPIJOBUTILOLXWZS |
| PF3(I=J) |
KY PO QP XH IK CO MS WV NC CR RN CD AR UO NC WU YX LY WI KA IK OW HR FY NC IR |
| Bi4(I=J) |
CATVUE BVBVVD HVVNAS ULEHUA VSUAVL EEFXIY TSDEDE ULOYZT CKCADQ CEZIPE ZFST |
| R75 |
LPNOAUPULLPNOAUAOYLLVULZPED |
Turing was given the portions of the puzzle that were not text including a couple of images the hider had included with the listing write up. He too quickly looked over the information and recognized portions but felt that something might be missing, as the information seemed incomplete. When he asked the Review for the hider’s contact information, the Reviewer answered that Turing already had access to the source of the information. Turing was about to rephrase his question to the Reviewer when he got an idea and set to work.
Turing's puzzle
 |
| North+ |
West- |
| North>7 |
4452 6454 |
| West>5 |
34 2333 0231 |
Amerigo was given the numbers from the puzzle. The posted coordinates were easy enough to pick out, but the rest didn’t seem make sense. Amerigo asked the Reviewer for some ideas that might project some light on what the hider intended, but the Reviewer was extremely short on time and politely advised Amerigo that perhaps one of the other two friends might be able to translate the numbers into something more meaningful. Amerigo was doubtful, but then saw a map of the park where the cache was hidden and set to work as well.
Amerigo's puzzle
| N 38 55.800 W 76 36.565 |
.25@63 |
| 18SUJ6085910414 |
18SE360860N4310415 |
| -6091251 2603073 |
FM18QW73IO82 |
| GJPJ23685589 |
38,55,53.88,-076,36,18.96" |
...
Achebe was of the people of the North and lived in a barren part of one of the outlying districts of the State. It was the third of August when Achebe received the information. His village, fifty citizens strong, not to mention the five elders who oversaw the daily life of the people, was to be relocated elsewhere within the district. Being so small there was no way to fight the order of the State and come out alive. Feeling helpless he went to his favorite place while he still could; a park, a place the people of the village called ‘The Haven.’
Achebe had spent so much time at the Haven he knew every tree and plant. In fact, he knew there were exactly one hundred trees as well as twenty-four shrubs plus twenty-six types of flowers. He loved nature and knew when the time came to move, he would surely die of grief.
Fortunately, Achebe and the village had nearly a year to prepare for the move to the West. In the hot July sun on the sixth the move took place without incident but with many tears. The State loaded everyone onto large buses and with a longing glance towards the Haven, Achebe headed off to his new home. As it turned out, his was not the only village to be relocated. There were thirty-two others, survivors of some terrible revolt or calamity who were also added into the newly founded village of loose ends the State saw necessary to move. Achebe was not eager to make friends, however, and spent much of his time wandering, looking for a new ‘Haven.’
He quickly found it not far from the water, which explained why it was known as the ‘Loch.’ There wasn’t much to see and nearly nothing to do since most of the area in this part of the district was wild and untamed, but the abundance of life was reassuring which gave Achebe hope. At the ‘Loch’ there were at least an extra hundred trees in comparison to the ones Achebe had counted in the Haven, but very little else. In fact, Achebe was hard pressed to come up with five plants that were able to grow within the thick patch of forest, but it he found that he did not mind.
Achebe spent most of his days at the ‘Loch’ and over time, became accustomed to his new home. He hadn’t liked how he came to be there, but found hope in the moment, which gave him the strength to face each day.
…
Once the three friends were hard at work, The Reviewer left without another word, confident that the listing would be found sound and intact upon return.
The reviewer also passed along a note from the hider regarding the final in case it helped, "The final is hidden a short distance just out of sight from a paved trail. Some slight bushwhacking and stealth may be required depending on the approach and time of year..."