Ten days after the Last Day of Christmas, mrGreen317 hid for me, a two-stage puzzle starting near an SGL evergreen tree!
Welcome to the GROUP FINAL for the Twelve Multis of Christmas (12 MoC), "Red Sparkle" Group (Days 2, 5, 8, and 11). Each of the group caches is a simple two-stage multi that leads to a latching final container somewhere in this main tract of SGL 108 or neighboring SGL 158. The 'group final' cache is another two-stage multi leading to a plastic ammo can final container. To get to the first stage, you will need to have already found the first four caches in this group and noted both the stage one design and the code word in each of those cache's final containers. A list of the four 'group' caches is provided on this cache page below.
Solve the symbol/word puzzle below after gathering all the needed information from the four multi-caches in this group to get coordinates to the first stage of this cache. At this cache's first stage, you will find information to lead you to the final stage within 500 feet of stage one. (This will work the same way between stage one and the final stage the way it worked on the other four multi-caches in this group.) IMPORTANT: Use the same whole number minutes when figuring the final stage as you have for when solving for the first stage. These minutes might not be the same as the posted/fake question mark coordinates. Throughout the series, enjoy some multi-style geocaches hidden for the "Twelve Multis of Christmas" to grab this Christmas season or any other time of the year when geocaching is on the day's agenda.
The posted set of coordinates contains NO cache stages. The coordinates you see on the map for this mystery cache are calculated as the center point of the cache group by averaging the stage one coordinates of the other four group caches. Use the following puzzle and your collected information to find the actual stage one for this "group final" cache within 2 miles of the posted coordinates.
Look for stage one at N 40 AB.CDE W 078 VW.XYZ given:
For each stage one ornament design, get the "word value / digital root" (summed to a single digit) of that cache's final stage code word to substitute for the designs in the formulas above. If you are unfamiliar with word value / digital root, see the geocachingtoolbox (.com) and look for their Word value (Digital root) tool under the "Text functions" header to help you out. (The standard A = 1 ... Z = 26 method is assumed. If you have a code word with a space in it, just enter it in with the space included, since spaces are treated as zero and will not change the calculation.)
Parking suggestions and any additional waypoints are provided by the geo-checker. (The checker is for the puzzle coordinates, giving stage one.) Using the geo-checker and reading the resulting text before seeking stage one of this geocache is recommended.
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.
The area right at stage one GZ might have some brush growing (possibly thorns at certain times of the year), especially in late spring, summer, and early fall. Use care when approaching GZ.
At certain times of the year, with the SGL gate closed, this might be a decent hike. Good sturdy hiking boots are strongly recommended. The terrain along the SGL road from the gate is level in places and uphill/downhill in other places. The view along the SGL road approaching GZ should make for a very enjoyable hike or a scenic drive (depending on the gate and the ability of your vehicle).
Warmer weather could mean ticks are present, so please be watchful. Ticks pose a potential health risk, so please be sure to check that any ticks are removed from one's person after seeking the geocache.
Clues for this group final cache - SGL 108 and SGL 158
Each of the following member caches of the Twelve Multi-caches series should have a "red sparkle" design hanging at stage one and a code word at the final stage. Knowing the information from both stages of the following four caches will be needed to solve the above puzzle and get the coordinates for this cache's stage one.
A congratulations on FTF on this final cache goes to r.e.s.t.seekers and ted28285 . Happy New Year 2020 to you and your family!
Once again, a "Merry Christmas and Happy New Year"
from the Green-Hippo household!
(mrGreen317, Sage-Hippo, and littleEEE)
Many thanks to 74vwBus and Kmussel123 from the 2019 Bison Exchange event (GC8E271) in December 2019 for providing the means to procure the containers used for the final stages of these "group finals". Look for similar caches to surface in the weeks ahead.