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South Carolina's Verdenskortet Mystery Cache

This cache has been archived.

Jacorp: Unfortunately, the park where the cache was placed and where the puzzle was meant to be solved - SCALE Park - no longer exists, and the puzzle is no longer solvable. I have been forced to archive the cache. Here's the solution to the puzzle if you're curious:

[map] → (3, 1, 31, 1)
[south] → (3, 1, 30, 3) or (129, D1, 25°42'51.5"N 80°17'55.3"W)
[scale] → (3, 2, 3, 2)
[wood] → (87, 2, 10, 1)
[wood sign] → (87, 2, 10, 1) (9, 15, 2).
[rate] → (88, 1, 14, 8)
[path] → (304, E10, 42°26'39.7"N 106°48'31.3"W, first part only)
[light years] → (68, “Gur Ubzr Tnynkl [The Home Galaxy]”, 1, 3, 4 and 5)
[submarine] → (ISBN 0-471-41291-0, 187, 1, 8)
[sign] → (9, 15, 2)
[plaque] → (314, F9, 30°20'23.9"N 91°38'12.8"W, first part only)
[right] → (12, “Greevgbevny Frn [Territorial Sea]”, 2, 4)
[left] → (18, 5, 1)
[date] → (220, C10, 42°28'52.3"N 140°45'51.3"E) or 42°28′N 140°52′E

Key word: [SCALE]

The field puzzle for this cache will take you to a local attraction with this word in its name. (SCALE Park)

Once you arrive at this location, take the [path] to the [left]. Look at the first blue and white [sign]. There are two numbers under the word [rate] on this [sign]. Let the first one be A and the second one be B.
Continue on the [path] for 6.342e-15 [light years] (200 ft). You will come to a [wooden sign]. There is a [plaque] on the [right] side of this [sign]. Use the first number as C.
For the last number, some knowledge of South Carolina history and geography will come in handy.
[Submarine].
Use the last number of the [date] for D.

AD° N BC° W
[34 N 81 W]
[Apprx. coordinates of Columbia, SC: 34° N 81° W]

Hint:
What location? [SCALE] [Park]
The [map] on the back of the [wooden sign] should help you see the [SCALE].

SCALE Park was a scale model of the state of South Carolina, and the coordinates for Columbia would have pointed you to the gazebo that was in the center of the park representing Columbia. The cache was hidden under it.

It's sad to see one of my favorite childhood places gone now, even if it appeared to be a small, unremarkable local park. It's being replaced by a daycare though, so I'm glad the land is being put to good use. It could be a lot worse. But it does mean that access to nature is harder now, especially for those who can't travel far.

More
Hidden : 2/14/2020
Difficulty:
4 out of 5
Terrain:
2 out of 5

Size: Size:   regular (regular)

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Geocache Description:


The first stage of this cache is only available when the Middle Tyger Library is open. 

Hours: http://www.spartanburglibraries.org/Locations/Middle-Tyger

Start at the posted coordinates. You will need to gather some information in the library for the next stage. Find the book with a satellite image on the cover in the reference section. I have been informed the book is no longer in the reference section - you are looking for the 2019 Oxford Atlas of the World, ISBN 978-0-19-006581-2 in the Nonfiction 912 section. 

KEY WORD (5 letters) = (3, 2, 3, 2).

A1Z26 cipher checksum = 40.

The field puzzle for this cache will take you to a local attraction with this word in its name.

Once you arrive at this location, take the (304, E10, 42°26'39.7"N 106°48'31.3"W, first part only) to the (18, 6, 1). (Make sure you enter from the (3, 1, 30, 3) side from the small parking area.)

Look at the first blue and white (9, 15, 2). There are two numbers under the word “(88, 1, 14, 8)” on this (9, 15, 2). Let the first one be A and the second one be B. 

Continue on the (304, E10, 42°26'39.7"N 106°48'31.3"W, first part only) for 6.342006e-15 (0.000000000000006342006) (68, “Gur Ubzr Tnynkl”, 1, 3, [4 and 5]). 

You will come to a (87, "Gur Inyhr bs Angher", 2, 10, 1) (9, 15, 2). There is a (314, F9, 30°20'23.9"N 91°38'12.8"W, first part only) on the (12, “Greevgbevny Frn”, 2, 4) side of this (9, 15, 2). Use the first digit that appears on the (314, F9, 30°20'23.9"N 91°38'12.8"W, first part only) as C. 

For the last number, some knowledge of South Carolina history and geography will come in handy. 

 

ISBN 0-471-41291-0: (187, 1, 8) or alternative: ISBN 9780716601180, Vol.18: (939, 1, 1)

Use the above clue to find a (314, F9, 30°20'23.9"N 91°38'12.8"W, first part only) within this location. Use the last number of the (42°28′N 140°52′E) as D.

 

AD° N BC° W

 

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

(Cntr, (pbyhza be frpgvba), yvar, jbeq). Qba'g vapyhqr urnqref jura pbhagvat yvarf. Jung ybpngvba? (XRL JBEQ) + (306, O4, 48°45' A 122°18' J) Gur (3, 1, 31, 1) ba gur onpx bs gur (87, 2, 10, 1) (9, 15, 2) jvyy uryc lbh frr gur (XRL JBEQ).

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)