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Pi in the Sky Mystery Cache

This cache is temporarily unavailable.

GeoRatz: Taking this offline until I can investigate/fix the container....

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Hidden : 4/3/2016
Difficulty:
3.5 out of 5
Terrain:
4 out of 5

Size: Size:   small (small)

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Geocache Description:

The coordinates above are not for the cache location. The cache is within 2 miles of posted location.

This puzzle was inspired by jdevor's wonderful AlfaBet Soup cache. AlfaBet Soup provides a very satisfying main course -- but if you are hungry for more, may I suggest some pi for dessert?

This cache follows the same puzzle design as AlfaBet Soup, but instead of using the letters of the alphabet, it uses the digits of pi. Here's how it works:

  • Start with the first digit of pi, "3", and place it at the end of this URL: "http://heilmanart.com/pi/", producing http://heilmanart.com/pi/3.html.
  • Go to this URL -- the puzzle page for the digit 3 will be shown which, in this case, displays the clue “March”.
  • To solve that puzzle page, determine the relationship of "March" to the digit 3 (in this case, "March" is the third month), then apply this pattern to the next digit in pi (in this case, the next digit is "1", so applying the pattern will produce the answer "January").
  • Then, substitute your answer at the end of the URL (in lowercase), producing http://heilmanart.com/pi/january.html.
  • Going to this URL will show the puzzle page for the digit 1. And, so on...

A few notes on constructing the URL to go to the next puzzle page:

  • It should be entirely lower case, ending with ".html"
  • If your answer consists of multiple words, separate them by underscores, e.g. "Fred Flintstone" becomes http://heilmanart.com/pi/fred_flintstone.html
  • If your answer includes punctuation, leave it out, e.g. "Fred's car" becomes http://heilmanart.com/pi/freds_car.html

Note: I used Wikipedia as the reference for most questions, if you find conflicting answers elsewhere (this should be rare), go with Wikipedia’s answer.

The puzzles do get harder as you go along, so at some point you may get stuck. Each page contains a hint which can be decrypted using ROT13 (expect that some pages will likely be difficult to solve without using the hint). As you progress further, pages will start to include an additional "Super-Duper" hint (these hints need to be decrypted using ROT14 -- this is sort of like having your amplifier knobs go to 11). "Super-Duper" hints are close to give-aways, so save them for when you are still really stuck after using the regular hint.

In terms of the cache, there is a trail that can take you within 60-80 feet of the cache, with light bushwacking after that. Parking and trail access is 1700 feet NE of the cache coordinates. Be aware that, while the cache is not in the sky itself, as the title might imply, it is located somewhat, ummm... "skywards" (about 12-14 feet). Note the Tree climbing required attribute!

The cache is a tupperware container with a standard top-fitting lid (remove the lid to open it, you don't have to do anything with the apparatus on the bottom that attaches it to its perch). When replacing lid, please make sure it snaps tight on all four sides, thanks!

Congrats to TheVictors for FTF!

Additional Hints (No hints available.)