A True WV Geocacher 4 ....
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(regular)
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knows the power of FIRE!!
Since Earth, Water, Wind and Fire were the initial “elements,” this series explores each in detail from a Geocaching viewpoint. In “A True W.V. Geocacher 1 ….” (GC2BK2V) we explored the Earth in all its steepness and rockiness. In “A True W.V. Geocacher 2 ….” (GC2G7HA) the seeker of the cache became one with the second element. In “A True WV Geocacher 3 ….”we discovered how powerful the Wind could be. Now “A True W.V. Geocacher 4 ….” let’s us play with Fire – and find a Geocache in the process!
The cache is NOT at the specified location – this is the recommended parking area. There are 3 stages to this cache. This cache is located in Snake Hill Wildlife Management Area - please take care during hunting seasons.
First – This cache is rated 5 / 5. NO NIGHT CACHING! (This is for … you know who you are ;-) Seriously, this is a potentially dangerous cache – snakes, cliffs, spiders, unstable rocks, bears, slippery leaves, bobcats and *&^%$ Rhodo, etc.
Second – Leave at least most of a morning or an afternoon for this cache. I have made the trip 4 times – and even knowing where I am going it takes me 2-3 hours.
Third – My old motto: “Hard way in, easy way out.” My new motto: “Hard way in, harder way out.” If you found a passable way in – that is probably the best way out. REMEMBER – turn on “tracks” (if you have it) to help find your way out – seriously! All coordinates have been averaged over 100 times on different days – this is as good as it gets in this area – most are within 16 feet.
Fourth – I rated this 5 / 5 to replace the local Beast on Briery Mountain cache that has been removed. The first two times I hiked to this cache I wished I had brought specialized gear. This cache can be obtained without specialized gear (as could The Beast) although, in my humble opinion, if you try to go for this cache without at least a good hiking stick you are asking for an injury. Remember, there is more than one approach to a location! (If anyone feels that this cache should be re-rated please contact me.)
Fifth – Rock climbing, bush-wacking to the nth degree, exploring areas that bears and snakes enjoy, and becoming one with the forth element … FIRE … all mean that this is NOT a “Park and Grab.”
Sixth – You may already “know” what you need for this cache – and you may be correct .. partially. However, you will HAVE to solve the puzzle to go for this cache – or just search all of Snake Hill blindly – NOT RECOMMENDED.
Seventh – Earth, Water, Wind and now Fire – consider this a hint – Where could I trust a gaggle of geocachers to play with fire and not create a risk to the immediate environment?? It took me over a year to find this location. Please, please, please be careful with fire. Please read all instructions at the local site and treat Fire with the respect it deserves,
Eighth – Take extra water with you – you may need it. Double tie the laces to your hiking boots. You may want to undress outside your house when you return – you will bring a lot of Snake Hill back with you in your pockets! Oh, and please re-read One through Seven!
Ninth – This is the end of this series. I truly hope that you have enjoyed becoming “A True WV Geocacher ….”
Tenth –Thank you for going after these caches!!!!
Remember, you HAVE to solve the puzzle to find this cache!!!
Puzzle:
DWLQZAKFWQEKFXISUIEIYWIGMEZXMGFYUTVEXMLWJWEPDIGVTXRRJBFVHPPSZICWTVVIIBFOSWNXMMKIRXVVFBLVJIKAMQTLQMRHUJDIQBJM
SLVKWMVWKIYVJVYINBOBC.FRRIJIMSOKLNANMYPPSZIJAJTCWYIXITVVMXTFGFBVHFBESWBYXMQIXDVZRJLVKWMVWYPZVYGJMCXFMSBEMSMW
SZZVMLPKESLNIXBJIAMEXDVZRJLVKWMVWKWIXDVZRJXFMSBFRJWEIKWLV
Please read the local instructions at each stage!!
Good luck!!
Congratulations to Aquacache, Little Wooden Boy and SSPG for First To Find Honors!!
I would also like to recognize all those who have found all 4 in this series. They are certainly True WV Geocachers!!
Aquacache, SSPG, Cteam, jbgrug, dukemartin, quadguy47, Paintedwarrior, 89SC, WVHiker222, CacheDetectives, Big Cat, smithdk, wvcachers3, Little Wooden Boy, DiceADozen, arealwhit, Tall Couple, lnewcome, WVLinJim. (Please e-mail me if I've missed anyone else who should be mentioned here.)
Congratulations!!
Are you Geocacher enough to be listed here next??
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Uvagf:
Chmmyr – “Vg vf Ryrzragny Zbafvrhe Jngfba”
Fgntr 1 – Fheebhaqrq ol n zntvpny orrpu sybngvat rvtug srrg bss gur tebhaq, ohg ab bprna va fvtug.
Fgntr 2 – Vg’f ynetr naq va cynva ivrj!
Svany – Nzzb Pna.