2020. Huh. It’s been … different. Not many new countries lit up on geocachers’ stats pages this year. Since it’s unlikely that you’ve done much real world travelling lately, this series will take you to some interesting locations around the world.
NOTE: Final coordinates for the cache were modified on April 27, 2025. If you solved the puzzle before then and don't have your solution notes please send me the coordinates and I'll give you the new coordinates.
For this cache, let’s travel vicariously through Google Earth, Google Maps and Google Street View to 10 of the most remote islands in the world. This would be one very expensive trip so at least your bank account will thank you for doing it this way. The final can be found at N44 1Q.RST W76 2W.XYZ where:
Q = A – D + 4 W = H + G
R = F + G X = D – B – 1
S = H – 1 Y = E + E – 1
T = C ÷ 11 + 3 Z = A – H – E
Destination A – Easter Island
One of the most famous of the remote islands is Easter Island. A little more than one kilometre south southeast from the centre of this ancient volcano is a line up of moais. The number of these impressive statues is your answer for Clue A.
Destination B – Somewhere Lonely
This remote island is pretty notorious for a famous mutiny that took place here in the 18th century. There is a multidirectional sign at the island’s highest point of elevation. Find the distance to Paris that is stated on the sign and use the last number for Clue B.
Destination C – Somewhere Quiet
Bring your windbreaker and woollies to this large archipelago found in the Southern Ocean. Suffice it to say, the folks who will enjoy this place are those who are into wild landscapes, geology, glaciology, plants and animals. For the clue, go to S49 20.965 E070 13.491 and fill in the blank below.
Destination D – Île Amsterdam
Île Amsterdam is located in the southern Indian Ocean. It is thousands of kilometres from Madagascar, Australia and Antarctica. Deliveries are made to the island four times per year to support the 25 resident researchers and French soldiers. To get here, jump aboard one of the supply ships or find an adventure expedition. Otherwise, you’ll have to captain your own boat and be ready for a significant challenge!
The storage facility found at S37 47.921 E077 34.237 houses what?
- Oil = 10
- Food = 11
- Water = 12
- Calvados = 13
Destination E – The Keeling Islands
We’re getting into the warmer climes now. Who wouldn’t want to stroll the beaches, swim in the lagoons and experience the unique Malay-Indonesia culture found on The Keeling Islands? Across the street from the location in the photo below is a business that has two words. Both words are the same length. Clue E is the length of one of those words.
Destination F – Niue
We’re liking this warmer weather so let’s sail between Indonesia and Australia and head eastward across the International Date Line to Niue. If you love diving and caving then this limestone island is your kind of place.
Find the intersection below. Go just a little ways at a bearing of 255 degrees and you’ll see a two digit number that is visible from the air. The first digit of that two digit number is the answer to this clue.
Destination G – Tristan da Cunha
Now it’s over to the Atlantic Ocean for the first time during our voyage. The main island of the Tristan da Cunha archipelago looks awesome from the air. It’s a nearly perfect circle with a cinder cone right smack dab in the centre. If you’re planning your travels a little further ahead, a total solar eclipse will pass over the island on December 5, 2048. Hopefully COVID-19 will be a distant memory by then.
What highway number (M?) will get you from Edinburgh of the Seven Seas to these agricultural plots? I think these blokes have a sense of humour.
Destination H – Bouvet Island
Let’s leave the coldest for last. Bouvet Island is 54 degrees south of the Equator. It’s a dependent territory of Norway which makes it unique on our trip. Unfortunately, there’s no one to share an aquavit with to celebrate your landing. Not one Norwegian lives here. Still, if you love ice, dramatic coastlines and seals then this is your kind of place.
What colour is most of the island?
- White = 6
- Green = 7
- Yellow = 8
- Beige = 9
Congratulations to jodan on FTF honours!