Skip to content

24-2509 FamousEccles Mystery Cache

Hidden : 4/27/2020
Difficulty:
3.5 out of 5
Terrain:
1.5 out of 5

Size: Size:   micro (micro)

Join now to view geocache location details. It's free!

Watch

How Geocaching Works

Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions in our disclaimer.

Geocache Description:


NB: Hint in the checker updated 4th September 2022. You will need to re-enter the solution if solved before this date. Final coordinates remain the same.

 

Twenty-fourth cache in the 2509 series is dedicated to FamousEccles who set 93 caches during my streak.

 

The cache is not at the published coordinates. You will need to solve the puzzle below before heading out this way.

 

On March 23rd 2020 my daily geocaching streak came to an end due to the government covid-19 lockdown. It had lasted 2509 days (approximately 6 years 10 months) and I still had plenty of local caches to keep me going for quite a while longer. However, I couldn't really justify going to find a cache as essential travel. Instead of fretting about me going geocaching cold turkey, I decided to plan a new series to pay tribute to the top 35 cache setters during my streak. However I am very conscious of all the other 1966 cache setters who may have placed fewer caches but those caches were just as important to me as those placed by the 35 CO's highlighted by this series.

The series starts and ends at the Red Barn and can be done either way round. The main route consists of 32 traditional caches but there are three additional puzzle caches that can be picked up by detouring off the route. These puzzles will need to be solved at home if you intend to try and find them.

There is plenty of parking at the Red Barn which is the start of this series, but make sure that access to the barn itself, the field and the natural burial ground are not blocked. There may well be several cars there already as it is a popular spot for local dog walkers. The only route up to the Red Barn is via Sheepdrove Road from Lambourn. Some caches are placed along this road; however they are not intended to be done as drive-bys. There are no laybys along the road, only passing places. This road can be quite busy with traffic from the farm and all the racehorse stables, and so the passing places do need to be kept clear.

All the caches have been placed to be found. There are no clever or difficult hides as I want you to enjoying walking the Lambourn Downs rather than spending the day with your backside in the air and your head in a bush. The main route is dog friendly as there are no stiles or gates and does not go through any fields. However, one of the puzzle caches will require you to enter a field via a gate and you may encounter livestock for this particular cache.

 

The Puzzle

Another prolific puzzle setter who has given me many highs so here's my attempt. You'll have to be bit of an explorer but I'm sure you'll get there.

3481 gives you ABC.

3581 doesn't give you any.

3580 has two so add them together to give DEF.

3480 also has two (yes I've included the triangle) so once again add them to give GHJ.

 

Now work out the final location using the following:

N51 32. H(AxG)F

W1 29.(CxD)(G+J)(B+E)

 

Now rosela has bagged FTF feel free to ask for as much help as you need.

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

[In checker. (Updated 04/09/2022)]

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)