The time has come to issue a warning: this entire series of caches will be archived between May 1st and October 31st, 2022.
Introduction to the Series
Colossus is the third in a series created for those interested in some degree in cryptology. It is recommended that one do these in alphabetical order, the entire series being Alberti (GC3TAT5), Babbage (GC3V0GV), Colossus (GC3VAFW), Doyle (GC3WTWC), Enigma (GC3X6T8), Flowers (GC41DHR), Gifford (GC6B6HE), Hammer (GC6BR6X), Information (GC6CAXY), Jabberwocky (GC6CY2J), Koblitz (GC6DFP0), Lewis (GC6DMYB), Michie (GC6E4GP), Newman (GC6ENZC), Oded (GC6FNDV), Painvin (GC6G245) and Quits (GC6GN8R). Some can be done independent of the others but, in general, information given and skills acquired in one cache will not be repeated in subsequent caches. We hasten to add that there is not necessarily any connection between the name of the cache and the type of cipher used therein.
Something about "Colossus" - the Machine
Colossus was a device invented by the British during World War II intended to enable the Allies to break the German "Lorenz" cipher. According to Simon Singh, author of The Code Book, "it was Colossus that would determine the development of cryptography during the latter half of the twentieth century." That says a lot!
Specifics of “Colossus” - the Cryptogram
You will recall - or go back to GC3VOGV and re-read - the encryption details of the cryptogram there. The Colossus cryptogram is processed as was the third sentence of that cipher with a minor change which we expect you to detect as you work. Good luck!
Other Relevant Information
The cache container is a camouflaged bison tube.
The degrees for north and west are understood to be 44 and 078 respectively; you are looking for minutes only.
Be prepared in your attire for some minor bushwacking - hence the terrain rating.
Please provide your own pen or pencil.
The Cryptogram
SLOIA LXWIT XEE AYTSC JPAPM MLXJHRM VSQNSRW JMRHI YGDMJ LXREILXXP MZIQVTI GWSYS LXRMFILGE VIVWI XWBIM EGGIL PMAZILG YSJFIFP SRXCEHR SLHXV MINIR MSTYXLK MWKXR XSVPIDB REIRIVL JXWLIAH XIXZM RMSMTSA IIRUMRX M SAXTXLK
The Co-ordinates
The Co-ordinates are: N 44° __ __ . __ __ __’ and W 078° __ __ . __ __ __’
Check Your Answer!
You can check your answers for this puzzle on GeoChecker.com.