YCH: Scytale - Field Puzzle Mystery Cache
YCH: Scytale - Field Puzzle
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(small)
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Stage 1 is at the posted coordinates. This two stage puzzle is dedicated to a device known as a scytale which allows the quick translation of a cipher by the user. At stage 1 you will need to decode the coordinates for the final stage by using the materials provided. Hint - I bet it involves a scytale. The park is open dawn to dusk and does allow deer hunting in the fall. Enjoy some of the surroundings as you search for this cache.
In cryptography, a scytale (rhymes approximately with Italy) is a tool used to perform a transposition cipher, consisting of a cylinder with a strip of parchment wound around it on which is written a message. The ancient Greeks, and the Spartans in particular, are said to have used this cipher to communicate during military campaigns. The recipient uses a rod of the same diameter on which he wraps the parchment to read the message. It has the advantage of being fast and not prone to mistakes—a necessary property when on the battlefield. It can, however, be easily broken. Since the strip of parchment hints strongly at the method, the cipher would have to be transferred to something less suggestive, somewhat reducing the advantage noted. The method is thought to have been used by the Greek and Spartans in battle around 7 BC. However there is some argument if this technique was ever actually used or if it was just an idea of a Greek general and never actually used.
Note - as signal bounce is a problem in this area - if you have problems subtract 0.001 from the North coords and subtract 0.004 from the West coords from the solved field puzzle coords. The container is an hourglass shaped container hidden where you might think it would be.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Fgntr 1 - ybbx hc va gung gerr