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Quicklime EarthCache

Hidden : 8/26/2012
Difficulty:
1.5 out of 5
Terrain:
1.5 out of 5

Size: Size:   other (other)

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Geocache Description:

The surrounding area was once dotted with lime kilns which converted the raw stone into quicklime under a process known as calcination. This is an Earth Cache and there is no physical container to seek. Visit beautiful Rockport Harbor to obtain the information necessary to fulfill the requirements for logging the cache.


Lime rock CaCO3(calcium carbonate) + heat --> CaCO (quicklime) + CO2

Compared to mining which was extremely dangerous and cost many a miner their limbs or even their lives, manning the kilns was relatively safe. The major mishap occurred when the kilns set fire to the wood which surrounded them.

At the published coordinates you will find some restored lime kilns. To log this cache e-mail the date the kilns were restored and also a description of the veins of lime which are present in the rocks used to build the kilns. If you have a hard time recognizing lime in its native state I recommend you do the nearby Lime Rock EarthCache.

An added note: When quicklime is heated to 2400 degrees Celsius it emits a bright glow. This limelight was used in theatrical productions before the advent of electricity.

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

fgrivrwpfp unf rnearq n tbyq fgne sbe abgvpvat fbzrguvat nobhg gur xvyaf naq ubj guvf pnpur vf yvaxrq gb gur bgure Yvzr pnpur va gur nern.

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)