Winner of Best Multi Cache
in the 2020/21 Victorian Cache of the Year Awards
Estimated time to complete: 60 min
Estimated distance to travel: 2.2 km
Into the woods
And down the dell
The path is straight
I know it well
Into the woods
And who can tell
What's waiting on the journey?
"Into The Woods" by Stephen Sondheim tells the story of a Baker and his wife who are cursed never to have a child unless they bring a witch four items from the woods with which to make a magic potion:
- a cow as white as milk
- a cape as red as blood
- hair as yellow as corn
- a slipper as pure as gold
Watch the movie opening on YouTube (2 min)
Your aim in this night cache is to also find these four items. Discovering each item will enable you to progress through three separate reflector trails, leading you to the final cache.
Listed Coordinates {Cow}
At the listed coordinates, you will find item 1: a white cow (aka a cow-sized box). It has a black stencilled number on the front: ABCDEF. It has a phone number for faults and emergencies: GHIJKL. Use these numbers to navigate to the start of the first reflector trail at:
S37 5C.(E+G)AI E145 11.AE(B+H)
Checksum = 56
First Reflector Trail Start {Cape & Hair}
Here you will find item 2: a red cape (aka a junction post where a red plant meets a reptile). The first word on the reptile side has M letters. The first word on the plant side has N letters. Scan around. You should see 2-3 reflectors nearby (depending on the strength of your torch) guiding your path. Follow the reflector trail until you arrive at item 3: a yellow lock of hair (aka a brass plaque mounted on a bench). Take note of the dates: OPQR - STUV. Use the numbers you have collected thus far to navigate to the start of the second reflector trail at:
S37 5T.(N+S)QS E145 11.RMI
Checksum = 51
Second Reflector Trail Start {Slipper}
Here you will find a tree at a track junction. There is a reflector in the tree, and the second, longer reflector trail continues from here. You should continue until you reach item 4: a golden slipper (aka another junction post of a walk and a track. This time it is where two birds meet). The bird with the longest name has W letters, the other has X letters. Use the numbers you have collected thus far to navigate to the start of the third reflector trail at:
S37 5G.U(W-R)N E145 11.M(R+S)(X-M)
Checksum = 55
Third Reflector Trail Start
A little further afield you will find the entrance to this broad way hidden between houses. The reflectors here are of a different style, but should be obvious. Follow the reflector trail along the green laneway until you come to a cluster of reflectors. Turn to the trees and look for a group of three reflectors above GZ to indicate you have arrived.
Night Caching Tip
Hold your torch at eye level for maximum reflection.
Reflectors bounce most of the light straight back (at the torch). So keeping the torch close to your eye level (as with a head torch) makes the reflectors seem a lot brighter. This even gives your phone torch super powers. It also explains why the torch holder is the one who can often spot the reflectors whilst their buddy nearby sees very little.
Cache Information
You are looking for a 1L painted sistema container.
***CONGRATULATIONS to Geo_Seek on the FTF***