Reflections: Mirror --> --- Mirror Mystery Cache
Reflections: Mirror --> --- Mirror
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(small)
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The cache is NOT at the posted location, and you will need to solve the puzzle below to find the actual cache coordinates. The cache is a small container at the final location, and was inspired by a cache I found recently in Michigan. Look down and you may see your...
Light travels in a straight line. When light hits a reflective surface, its angle of incidence (on the incoming ray) will be equal to the angle of reflection (on the reflected rays). These angles are usually defined from a perpendicular (or normal) to the mirror surface, but the angles between both the rays and the mirror surface are also equal, as shown schematically in the two figures below. This concept is called the Law of Reflection
I have constructed 2 boxes, each containing many flat, smooth mirrors that are reflective on both sides. The first box is named North, and the second box is conveniently named West. If you shine a red laser light into each box, it will hit in order, mirrors labeled with the cache coordinate digits before exiting the box. Your task is to trace the path of the laser light using the Law of Reflection. I have shown where the red laser light enters the boxes. You will need to extend this light all the way to the mirror surface. The other gap in the boxes is where the light exits.
Probably the easiest way to solve the puzzle is to print it out and draw the light paths in by hand. Use of a protractor is recommended. There is an LED flashlight for the FTF. (Congratulations to Woodlandnomad on his FTF!)
The Geocache Notification Form has been submitted to Brad Bates, Badger State Trail Manager of the Wisconsin DNR. Geocaches placed on Wisconsin Department of Natural Resource managed lands require permission by means of a notification form. Please print out a paper copy of the notification form, fill in all required information, then submit it to the land manager. The DNR Notification form and land manager information can be obtained at: http://www.wi-geocaching.com/hiding
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
[puzzle] Nyy enlf fubhyq uvg va gur pragre bs gur zveebe fhesnpr (ng gur ahzoref).
[puzzle - second and third numbers - getting started] Trbpnpuvat.pbz erdhverf gur svany gb or jvguva 2 zvyrf bs gur cbfgrq pbbeqvangrf. Gur graf qvtvg bs zvahgrf gura pna'g punatr sebz gur cbfgrq pbbeqvangrf, fb lbhe svefg ersyrpgvba fubhyq or rnfl. Gur barf qvtvg bs zvahgrf (v.r., gur ahzore orsber gur qrpvzny) vf jvguva +/- bar bs gur cbfgrq pbbeqvangrf.
[puzzle - check sum] Gur purpx fhz (fhz bs nyy 7 qvtvgf) va Abegu pbbeqvangr vf 19. Gur Jrfg purpx fhz vf 36.