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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
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Once upon a time, a long time ago, my Father told me that he used to be a Hobo. He “Rode the Rails” looking for work. He also told me that he slept once at a “Hobo Camp” somewhere along the tracks between Weirton and New Cumberland, WV. One day as I was reminiscing about old times I remembered this story and went out on a search for the campsite. Believe it or not, I think I found it. This cache will take you to what I believe is remnants of that very camp.
The story is believable to me because he ended up working for the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), just North of New Cumberland when they built the Tomlinson Run State Park back in 1935. A Hobo is a migratory worker that has very little money, and to get free transportation between low wage jobs, usually jumped on freight trains to travel to wherever work was rumored to be. The Hobo population reached its peak during the Great Depression back in the 1930,s. Please do not confuse a Hobo with a Bum or Tramp. A Tramp only works when they are forced to, and a Bum does not work at all. Hobo’ing was actually looked upon as a profession. Not a very good one, but a way to stay alive in bad times. It was very dangerous at best. Deadly at it’s worse. All the hobos were not trustworthy and the railroad security people were sometimes ruthless. There was even a Hobo Code of conduct established: An ethical code was created by Tourist Union #63 during its 1889 National Hobo Convention in St. Louis Missouri. This code was voted upon as a concrete set of laws to govern the Nation-wide Hobo Body; it reads this way: 1. Decide your own life, don't let another person run or rule you. 2. When in town, always respect the local law and officials, and try to be a gentleman at all times. 3. Don't take advantage of someone who is in a vulnerable situation, locals or other hobos. 4. Always try to find work, even if temporary, and always seek out jobs nobody wants. By doing so you not only help a business along, but ensure employment should you return to that town again. 5. When no employment is available, make your own work by using your added talents at crafts. 6. Do not allow yourself to become a stupid drunk and set a bad example for locals' treatment of other hobos. 7. When jungling in town, respect handouts, do not wear them out, another hobo will be coming along who will need them as bad, if not worse than you. 8. Always respect nature, do not leave garbage where you are jungling. 9. If in a community jungle, always pitch in and help. 10. Try to stay clean, and boil up wherever possible. 11. When traveling, ride your train respectfully, take no personal chances, cause no problems with the operating crew or host railroad, act like an extra crew member. 12. Do not cause problems in a train yard, another hobo will be coming along who will need passage through that yard. 13. Do not allow other hobos to molest children, expose all molesters to authorities, they are the worst garbage to infest any society. 14. Help all runaway children, and try to induce them to return home. 15. Help your fellow hobos whenever and wherever needed, you may need their help someday. 16. If present at a hobo court and you have testimony, give it. Whether for or against the accused, your voice counts! Please try to abide by the code when doing this cache, especially #8. The trek between parking and stage 1 is an easy walk. Please obey any signs you see along the way. From the first stage, climb the hill and follow the pipeline right of way to stage two. There is an interesting rock with some carvings in it along the way at 40 26.037 080 36.211. Might be a good place to stop for a rest on the way back. From stage two to the final is going to be an adventure. I have found no easy way. There are some game trails that might make it a bit easier, but it is going to be mostly a bushwhack. All the accommodations you see at the camp I have gathered from the surrounding area, or picked them up on the hike to the campsite. When you are there, look around and see if you can find some more stuff to add. There is no reason to go anywhere near the railroad tracks to do this cache. Not recommended when wet or snowy as there is some serious hill climbing involved but no special equipment will be needed. Enjoy.Please, Please, Please, as stated in the description, do not go anywhere near the railroad tracks. They sure are nice and level, but there are some very narrow places between the tracks and the rock hillside. Also, the southbound track goes through private property, (Mittal Steel and International Mill Service,) and you would have to commit a tresspass to get back to your vehicle. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE Do not go anywhere near the railroad tracks. They sure are nice and level, but there are some very narrow places between the tracks and the rock hillside. Also, the southbound track goes through private property, (Mittal Steel and International Mill Service,) and you would have to commit a trespass to get back to your vehicle.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Fgntr1. Onfr bs cbyr
Fgntr2. Onfr bs ynetr qrnq gerr fghzc
Svany. Pnpur vf haqre gur yvtug..