Please solve the following puzzle to determine the coordinates of this cache, as it is not to be found at the coordinates above.
This is one of those wonderful puzzles where you don't have to figure out what to do, but you do still have to do it! In fact, following are precise steps for coming up with a solution:
One: Locate below a list of 26 worldwide locations, one for each letter of the alphabet. Following that is a list of 26 images.
Two: On a piece of paper or word processing document, list the letters "A" through "Z" in a column.
Three: Match each location to one of the images.
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You will need to use Google Earth for this step.
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Click here for some pointers on using Google Earth.
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Expect to use both satellite and Street View features.
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It may be necessary to look around an area, in satellite view as much as several miles.
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Try turning off "Roads" and "Local Place Names" once in an area for a better satellite image match.
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To make the images easier to work with, try copying them and pasting them into a word processor or HTML editor. Then, you can mark off or delete each image as you match it.
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Since this is a process of elimination puzzle, it should get easier as you go (in theory!).
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Stuck? See the Hints section for some of the harder ones. Send me an email if you are really stuck!
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Update: After testing, it was harder than expected! Using the hints highly suggested!
For some fun, you might want to try your hand at guessing the matches without using any tools first. If you do, please let us know how close your guesses were!
Four: As you make each match, find the digit(s) below the image and write them next to the corresponding letter in your list.
Five: You should now have a one- or two-digit number assigned to each letter. This represents the correct order of digits for the next step.
Six: Using the newly-ordered list of numbers, determine two sets of coordinates. The numbers are in the correct order for the coordinates. You will just need to determine how to format them. To make it easier, both sets of coordinates are in the northern and western hemispheres.
Seven: Visit the location of the first set of coordinates. Identify a three-digit number, ABC. Visit the second location, and find DEF.
Eight: The cache is at:
N 40.44.ABC
W 111 50.DEF
Here we go:
Aachen, Germany
Bruges, Belgium
Coos Bay, Oregon
Dubai
Ebenezer Place
Friedrichshafen, Germany
Galaktionova Ulitsa, Kazan, Russia
Helsinki, Finland
Iasi, Romania
Just a few feet from GC2EE3W (as seen from the Promenade)
Kaliska & Kaszarska in Krotoszyn
Los Angeles
Mexico City
Nairobi
Oslo, Norway
Pekwachnamaykoskwaskwaypinwanik Lake, Canada
Qamdo, Tibet
Roughly 88 miles at 333 degrees from Adamstown (of Bounty fame)
Spanish Valley (West of)
Tasmania, Australia (Capital city of)
UMass
Vulcan, Alberta
Whipsnade, England
Xigaze, Xizang, Tibet, China
Yamba, Australia
Zealand (Scania bound)
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Yes, creating this puzzle took a ridiculous amount of time! Enjoy the easy part!