Forty-Three days after the Last Day of Christmas, mrGreen317 hid for me, a two-stage puzzle starting at one last SGL evergreen tree!
Welcome to the GROUP FINAL for the Twelve Multis of Christmas (12 MoC), "Plaid" Group (Days 3, 6, 9, and 12). Each of the group caches is a simple two-stage multi that leads to a latching final container somewhere in this tract of SGL 184. 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 150 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.) Throughout the series, enjoy some multi-style geocaches hidden for the "Twelve Multis of Christmas" to grab this Christmas/Winter 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 between the clearing and 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. Tall grass may be present in the growing seasons as well along the main SGL path.
The geo-checker will provide suggested parking at a gate that is always closed, providing the likely shortest walk to GZ most times of the year. At times of the year when other gates are open, there may be a closer place to park, but that area has not been scouted for inclusion of waypoints on this cache description. The walk from suggested parking will be between 0.5 and 0.75 miles one way.
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 184
Each of the following member caches of the Twelve Multi-caches series should have a "plaid" 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 rebeard.
Happy New Year 2020 to you and your family!
For one final time, "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 three "group finals".