Old Slope Coal Mine Mystery Cache
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(regular)
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The final coords are at N49 12.254 W124 02.174 for this cache and is given temporarily until the first two stages can be relocated.
The area of the first two stages is undergoing construction and the first stage is completely removed. The second is still intact but may also be removed. The final is a 8X6 Lok n Lok which is still intact and in good shape. Caution is needed during working hours as there is another construction project in progress but is not right at the GZ of this cache. Approach it from Jingle Pot Road to avoid the equipment. So this has become a regular cache temporarily.
Please do not use the following instructions until the first two stages can be replaced:
The purpose of this cache is to provide a teaser to the history of the North Wellington Coal Mine in the area and to show some old, large fir trees growing on the top of coal mining tailings (slack or slag pile). Many of the trees have had tags on them for many years which is not unique or to just this area.
The first tag (Fir Tree 1) is at: N49 12.A W124 01.B
Where A = 2190 - Date coal discovered by white settlers in the Nanaimo Area = (3 digit number)
Where B = 2871 - Date when the last coal mine in Nanaimo was closed = (3 digit number)
To ensure consistant results, use (visit link) but check out other sites for more historical information.
This tree has an orange tag with a 3 digit number stamped on it. Use this number to solve another puzzle to find the final. This large fir tree is at the top of the tailings pile and is a bit of a climb for some - hence the higher terrain rating. You could avoid this climb if you bring binoculars. Isn't it amazing how well this and other trees have done growing in this medium?
The second tag (Fir Tree 2) is at N49 12.C W124 01.D
Where C = 2182 - Year Old Slope (Wellington) Mine started operations = (3 digit number)
Where D = 2725 - Year Old Slope (Wellington) Mine stopped operations = (3 digit number)
Note: Do not confuse this mine with the Douglas Old Slope Mine
This tree has a silver tag with a 4 digit number on it and is near the other end of the tailings pile (not on it).
There were miners cottages in this area with piles of coal ash still visible 50 years after the mine was shut down .
The final is at N49 12.E W124 02.F
Where E = 570 - 3 digit orange tag number from Tree 1
Where F = 5437 - 4 digit silver tag number from Tree 2.
The Old Slope Mine shaft was located in the Jingle Pot Campsite and the North Wellington Mine shaft was located at the junction of Jingle Pot Road and the Parkway. They are between the final and the tailings pile.
Although this is not a requirement to log, it would be much appreciated by future cachers if your log contains more than a "TFTC SL" note. Please include a brief fact or another coal mining story in your log. One way to do this is by noting a fact or story while searching for the clues required to solve the puzzles. Why are the tags put on the trees? Did you find the old railroad bed? How old are the big fir trees? How can they grow in coal? Alternatively, if you know something about this area or anything coal related, please include it. This description is already too long!
Congratulations likky on FTF and a big thank you for starting the log entries with an interesting historical fact.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Svany: neohghf, haqre onex