I have walked through the St. Michael's campus many many times, but most don't have that opportunity and only get to drive by on Route 15. From that vantage point you really can't tell what most of the campus looks like, certainly not from the students' perspective. It is a really lovely campus with a number of picturesque features and some interesting architecture to boot. A geocache needs to be here... one that allows for exploration of a good portion of the campus on foot. A few interesting buildings to look for as you pass by them include the McCarthy Arts Center, the main Chapel of Saint Michael, and the Hoehl Welcome Center.
This was the location of a multicache devised by Catoz years ago, which was the first multi I ever completed. With ten stages, no less! When the original multi got archived due only to the one physical stage going missing, I wanted to bring it back... so with approval from the original CO this cache is now reborn. The stages have been changed and recalculated to eliminate that one weak link and incorporate things added to the campus in recent years. This is a new cache; if you completed the old one years ago, you can come right back and sign this for a new find.
This cache consists of nine stages and a final. At each stage you will need to do some arithmetic to determine the coordinates to the next stage. If you are asked to convert a word to numbers, then use this conversion chart to do so. Add spaces and decimal points where necessary when determining coordinates.
Make sure you read all the instructions for the stages before you arrive. Some items you may need are, but are not limited to, a calculator (capable of displaying 10 digits), a pen, paper to take notes (or to do math on if you don't have a calculator), and a compass.
Although the cache is technically available 24/7 and no part of the cache is in a non-public space, you may want to avoid searching after dark, or you may be explaining yourself to Security! Also, I have provided parking coordinates below for where the public parking is located.
Good luck and have fun!
Stage 1 - At this location, the posted coordinates, look for a date on the bottom line of the granite sign on the building directly in front of you. Multiply that date by 1487116 and then add 728. This will give you your next set of coordinates.
Stage 2 - Here you will find a stone object. Convert the first name of the person inscribed on the object to numbers. Multiply that number by 707, then add 12171198, to get your next coordinates.
Stage 3 - At this location you should find an object with a dedication to someone who worked at the school many years. Convert their first name to numbers. Subtract 85215 from that number. You should now have a 6 digit number remaining. The first 3 digits represent the distance (in feet) to the next stage, and the last 3 digits represent the bearing direction in which you should walk. This stage, #3, may not be winter friendly.
Stage 4 - At this location find the name of a person remembered by the Class of 2006. Convert the last name to numbers. Multiply this number by 25, then add 59080773, to get your next set of coordinates.
Stage 5 - At this location is a sign. Convert the dedication date to YYYYMMDD format. Subtract 15060818 from the date to get your next North coordinate. Subtract 12180742 from the date to get your next West coordinate.
Stage 6 - At this location find where there is a name engraved into stone. Exactly as it appears there, convert every letter of that name to numbers. Take the square root of that number and discard any remainder. Call this result Z. Add 8101 to Z to get what you need for the next latitude. Divide Z by 2 then subtract 1201 to get what's needed for the next longitude. This stage, #6, may not be winter friendly.
Stage 7 - At this stage count the number of letters in the first name of the building in which you are standing in front of. Multiply this number by 2, then add 3. Call this number X. Subtract X from the North decimal coordinates to get the North coordinate of the next stage. Multiply X by 4 and add to the West decimal coordinate to get the West coordinate of the next stage.
Stage 8 - At this next location you will find a plaque that says the object was a gift given by a particular person. Convert the last name of that person to numbers. Multiply that number by 24, then add 1890630966, to get your next set of coordinates.
Stage 9 - At this stage you will find a monument. Convert the last name of the person honored. Subtract 381846 to get the north coordinate for the Final. Subtract 401309 to get the West coordinate.
Final - Use stealth to make the find, and sign the logbook!