GC585C5 Benchmarks by Elevation Challenge (Unknown Cache) in Colorado, United States created by Tom.dog

This cache has been archived.

Tom.dog: Archiving.

While I strongly disagree with Groundspeak's decision to remove the benchmarking aspect of geocaching.com, it seems that they are unwilling to make any concessions (based on their responses in the forum thread to people’s concerns about this abrupt announcement). It is unfortunate that we are going to lose a major piece of U.S. survey marker documentation through these actions.

That being said, I will be increasing my efforts to post various benchmarks to their respective Waymarking categories to counteract this setback in some small way. Thankfully, I still have the majority of my benchmark photographs from over the years which will provide a decent starting point. I know that a minority of cachers actively search for benchmarks, and that Waymarking and Geocaching do not often cross paths. Nevertheless, if you have found joy in finding and logging benchmarks as a part of this game like I have, I'd recommend you take a look at the U.S. Benchmarks or Azimuth Benchmarks categories over at Waymarking.com.

While it can be a little difficult to get the hang of at first, please take a chance to check out the National Geodetic Survey database for benchmark data sheets (this is where geocaching originally pulled their benchmark records from). There’s a lot of great history that can be found in the benchmark descriptions here. There is also a more user-friendly map-based website called "NGS Benchmark Viewer" by ScaredyCatFilms that I use often to locate survey markers. I have not provided the link here as I believe that individuals should use their own discretion when visiting outside websites, but it should be easily found with a simple browser search.

It’s unfortunate to see this cache have to go, as this was probably my favorite challenge cache that I placed. As I'd rather not give some office worker in Seattle the chance to archive it, I am doing so myself now.

GC585C5 ▼

A cache by Tom.dog Message this owner

Hidden : 7/2/2014

Difficulty:

Terrain:

Size: Size: small (small)

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Geocache Description:

Challenge cache! The cache IS at the posted coordinates - please read the description below before setting out to log a find.

The challenge: Log a total of 15 benchmarks, each one within a different elevation range going in increments of 1000-feet.

This means that you will need to find a mark at the 0-999 foot range, the 1000-1999 foot range, etc., all of the way to the 14000+ foot range. That's a total of 15 marks that you will need to find at different elevation ranges.

The rules:

-All past benchmark finds count.

-Any benchmark type is acceptable.

-The benchmark's elevation can be gathered from either the mark's stamping, the benchmark page on the NGS website or on geocaching.com, by use of Google Earth, or any other means that you see fit to provide an accurate elevation reading.

-Only benchmarks listed on geocaching.com can qualify for this challenge.

-Only benchmarks found within the limits of the United States qualify.

-Photo evidence is not required, but I would be glad to see pictures posted on the pages of the benchmarks that you use for qualifiers.

-If your qualifying benchmarks do not satisfy these requirements, your log is subject to deletion.

-Please format your finds in "Elevation Range: Designation / Benchmark ID / Elevation of Benchmark / Date Found" format, as I have done below.

Here are my qualifiers:

0000-0999: 123 ERS / AG1233 / 4 ft. / Found 6-10-13
1000-1999: RUTH / HF0661 / 1,237 ft. / Found 6-24-13
2000-2999: WAKEENY MUNICIPAL TANK / KG0782 / 2,468 ft. / Found 5-26-12
3000-3999: KANORADO MUNICIPAL TANK / KJ0411 / 3,917 ft. / Found 5-30-12
4000-4999: SEIBERT EQUITY CO-OP ASSN ELEV / KJ0455 / 4,717 ft. / Found 5-20-11
5000-5999: ARRIBA SNELL GRAIN CO ELEV / KJ0501 / 5,244 ft. / Found 5-20-11
6000-6999: U 52 / KK0147 / 6,295 ft. / Found 9-9-12
7000-7999: LS 70 / MO0965 / 7,468 / Found 12-29-12
8000-8999: P 294 / KK0263 / 8,163 ft. / Found 7-23-11
9000-9999: TOOTH / GM0786 / 9,003 ft. / Found 3-22-11
10000-10999: Z 291 / JK0416 / 10,017 ft. / Found 8-9-12
11000-11999: CLEAR / GM0792 / 11,736 ft. / Found 7-30-12
12000-12999: MEDICINE BOW / MP0546 / 12,013 ft. / Found 8-7-10
13000-13999: WHEELER / GM0779 / 13,161 ft. / Found 5-28-14
14000+: MT LINCOLN / KL0626 / 14,286 ft. / Found 9-29-13

My thanks to WingsAndTales for the inspiration of this challenge, from the "Well Veritcally Travelled Cacher - 1000' Challenge" (GC3K0T3).

The best approach to this cache is to travel south on Highway 83 and park at the pull-off coordinates that I have listed below.

Good luck and happy cachin'!

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Unatvat va cvar.

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)

This cache has been archived.

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Benchmarks by Elevation Challenge Mystery Cache

This cache has been archived.

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