Now that it is two years after our very first hide... Do you still like the Mystery Cache types? Have you found at least 500 of these caches so far in your geocaching history? If so, then read on; this challenge cache is for you!
This is a challenge cache. It is placed at the listed coordinates. To log this cache, you must have previously found at least 500 Mystery Caches in your geocaching profile. These are the caches with the "blue question marks" that show up on the geocaching maps. You can check your profile under the "Geocaches Found" list, which breaks down your finds by cache type. If the list on your account has 500 or more finds of the "Mystery Cache" type, then, "Congratulations! You can log this challenge!"
Just two years ago, this past weekend in 2016, 100 Mystery Cache Challenge (GC6XN0Z) was published, the first Green-Hippo cache to be placed. At the time, mrGreen317 had just over 100 mystery cache finds. Then last year, 2017, with just over 300 mystery caches found and logged, mrGreen317 provided another fun, puzzle-oriented challenge to the area: 250 Mystery Cache Challenge (GC7FPPK). Now for the third year, the (likely) final challenge of this three-level series is released, the quest for 500 mystery caches!
The CO's qualifications are shown on the statistical screen shot below, taken 12/6/2018. To qualify for the 500 for this challenge, any other "?" mystery/unknown caches may be found, including other challenges, geo-art, easy or hard puzzles, just so long as you have found and logged 500 or more of the "Mystery"/"Unknown" kind of geocache. The only 'catch' is that this cache itself does not count toward that 500 goal.
So go out and make some Mystery Cache finds to meet this challenge!
Use the handy challenge checker provided below to easily see if you already qualify or to find out how much further you need to go to meet the challenge.
It is possible to log this cache physically even if you do not meet the challenge, but you are required to meet the challenge before you log the find on-line. The CO reserves the right to enforce the rules of this challenge and may delete on-line logs for users that do not pass the challenge checker.
Feel free to share some of your favorite puzzles/mystery caches that you have found when writing your online log! Good geocaching stories add to the fun, so if you have some memorable puzzles/mystery caches that you have found, feel free to mention those or share some happy puzzle-solving experiences (no spoilers, please). I have compiled a list near the bottom of this description of some of my favorite puzzles along the way to finding 500, if anyone is interested.
Congratulations to ted28285 and r.e.s.t.seekers for a late-night grab of this cache, having qualified with 1090/1150 Mystery cache finds before this one! And a very happy birthday FTF for ted28285!
Have fun and solve those puzzles!
Getting to the cache:
The goal of this cache is meeting the challenge, not in having a difficult time finding and logging it, so some helpful directions are provided here. Parking for the cache is located 400 feet up a state game land road off of PA-350. (If driving from I-99, take exit 52, and follow the signs for PA-350 south). The game land road is gravel and a bit rocky in places. If you are not comfortable with taking your vehicle there, you might consider the alternate parking location along PA-350 which adds a short 500 foot uphill walk to approaching the cache. Pull safely off of the highway and be sure not to block the game lands access road if you choose this option. More spacious parking off PA-350 is just across from the gamelands road (alternate parking coordinates), but please use care if parking here when walking across the state highway to begin your hike up the hill.
From SGL parking, walk up to the game lands gate (about 165 feet) along the access road, and then continue past the gate for about 1400 feet. The container is an ammo can just down the hill into the woods on the right side of the game land road. See the extra hint if needed. Note that you will be passing the original 100 Mystery Challenge cache, GC6XN0Z, that we placed in 2016, just to the right of the gate in the woods. Between the 100 Challenge and this cache, you will also be passing GC7FPPK, which was placed last year, the 250 Mystery Challenge cache. If you are new to the area and qualify for this 500 challenge, then feel free to log the other two as well.
There are rocks in and around GZ. The slope from the SGL road toward GZ is slightly steep. Good footwear is recommended. Also, as this is a wooded area with rocks, be on the lookout for wild animals, including snakes.
This cache is located in state game lands, so PLEASE observe all state game land rules and wear orange during hunting seasons. During the primary hunting season, finding this cache is recommended on Sunday only.
Some notable mrGreen317 puzzle finds (referenced by total overall find number):
#0001: GCXDJ3 - NY Route 912Q My first found cache was a puzzle!
#0017: GC5HXVC - View Finder My first puzzle logged back home in Blair County
#0163: GC6K3TG - 14 Consecutive Days Challenge My first found challenge cache
#0358: GC5KZX6 - Mountains and Hikes An incredible 5.0/5.0 multi-trek adventure, including hikes shared with great geo-friends
#0391: GC1W4Z9 - Arswyda 'r nos First night cache, and an introduction of sorts to the local Lonely Cache Challenge
#0400: GC5YBPX - Trickster Still one of the biggest 'a ha' moments during the solve and one of my local favorites
#0559: GC5ZFGA - Who?: Regeneration (archived) SageHippo is a Dr. Who fan, so this was a fun puzzle and what a cool setup at the final!
#1036: GC70YF9 - Gold (Awarded to mrGreen317, from our accounts) How could I not include this puzzle?
#1650: GC7B0GV - Nebuchadnezzar (archived) The unique placement of the posted coordinates certainly got my attention with this puzzle! (and an FTF!)
#1912: GC709VA - Kryptos A puzzle that challenged me for the better part of a year, then found for the last cache to be signed in 2017
#1925: GC25RZH - Target Fixation A "white whale" puzzle/cache container, finally found January 2018 after it was replaced
#2000: GC2Y2F4 - Just A REGULAR Challenge! A challenge at least 9 months in the making! Found for the big 2k
#2200: GC2153M - Mother Of All Puzzles Cache title says it all; this thing is so 'epic' even non-cachers take up the challenge to solve it
#2669: GC4R20W - 500 days in a row challenge My Mystery/Puzzle #500 was this fun challenge!
The way to 500 Mystery Caches was filled with many memorable solves and adventures; but this list was already getting pretty long. Here's to 500 more! Happy solving to all my fellow geocachers!
This is a Green-Hippo cache
A Green-Hippo Cache
Green-Hippo Cache #18 [R]
Old (not current) hint: Look at the base of a tree on its downhill side at GZ; you should see a pile of rocks hiding the decorated ammo can cache container.
Current TEMPORARY Hint: You are looking for a long, thin, shiny red bison.