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I Spent 30 Days In The Badlands Mystery Cache

Hidden : 6/4/2015
Difficulty:
3 out of 5
Terrain:
1.5 out of 5

Size: Size:   other (other)

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Geocache Description:

Recently, I found at least one cache hidden by Badlands for 30 consecutive days. Fourteen puzzles, seven multiples, ten traditionals, and one event. The variety is superb.


I would recommend trying it out if you haven't found all of Badlands' caches. There are well over 700 to choose from, from far western Dekalb to suburban Westchester and several points in between. They are all well crafted, accurately placed, and above all, constantly maintained. Any Badlands cache that you choose will usually contain a recent maintenance log, which is quite often just a wellness check.

Over those 30 days I have been up a tree in a 40 mile per hour wind storm, ankle deep in swamp water, and frequently mystified by the assorted puzzles, several of which are right under the posted coordinates of this cache.

So why was the name Badlands chosen? From the famous South Dakota park? From the famous song? I was channel surfing the other day and I came across a Bruce Springsteen concert from way back in 2000. I'm not much of a fan, but then the song Badlands came on, and since he kind of mumbles and I couldn't understand the lyrics, I Googled them. What an interesting chorus:

Badlands, you gotta live it every day
Let the broken hearts stand
As the price you've gotta pay
We'll keep pushin' till it's understood
And these badlands start treating us good

Reading those lyrics while attempting to locate a Badlands cache several days in a row makes them seem kind of appropriate.

So here's to you, Howard. Keep them coming.

Now just a quick puzzle to be able to locate this cache: (Howard, if you see a tree near ground zero, go ahead and climb it)

The cache is not at the posted coordinates

Get the zip code of the Visitor's Center: (ABCDE)

Get the year of release: (FGHI)

The cache can be found at

N41 (A-F) (G/3) . D (B-A) (C-D)

W088 (F*2) (I/2) . ((G+E)/3) G D

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

CHMMYR: Hfr VAGREVBE FQ. Tbg n snibevgr Onqynaqf pnpur? Yrg'f urne nobhg vg. PNPUR: Ybbx sbe fvta.

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)