This cache is not located at the posted coordinates. Rather, they are where to start the Adventure Lab of this cache's namesake.
Garrison Green, a community situated on the former land of Canada Forces Base (CFB) Currie, is full of monuments and historical references to Calgary's military history in the early 20th century. This is a bonus cache in the form of a field puzzle that accompanies the "Garrison Green Military History Tour" Adventure Lab; they are set up to be completed together. Upon completing each of the 5 stages of the adventure, additional clues will be given for what to do with the puzzle information on this cache page.
Like the Garrison Woods adventure, a total of 14 plaques are placed throughout Garrison Green to give some historical context of the important people for which 13 the streets are named, and for A.D. Ross Park. The coordinates for all of these markers are provided as reference points. This time I have made it easier so that only some of the markers have to be visited - though all 14 have coordinates if you want to do the whole walk anyways. I strongly recommend taking a picture of each marker to avoid re-visiting locations. You may also want to print this cache's description.
I highly encourage parking at the posted coordinates and following the marker route I established (in order of the waypoint numbers from 01 to 08), which will also take you past 3 of the 5 lab caches. Since all locations are close to each other, the route should be walked in one stretch if you're able. Please keep in mind most of the community has lots of no parking zones, so please pay careful attention to parking signage.
At a moderately brisk walking pace, it took me 40 minutes to walk the route round trip; though with the reading, calculating and interpreting of answers, expect to spend 1-2 hours to complete this puzzle and find the cache. Yes, this cache requires more effort than your average field puzzle. Much of the 3.0 difficulty reflects the higher level of effort and information required (the hide itself would be a 2/1.5).
The final would be best calculated in the field upon completion of the adventure lab, as it is located in close proximity to the posted coordinates. And if you have some free time, there are plenty more interesting war exhibits to explore nearby at The Military Museums, indoors and out. Doing the extra 6 markers not needed for this bonus cache would also be a good idea, adding only 5 more minutes to your walk.
The Puzzle: N 51° A.B' W 114° C.D'
- E = "served more than ___ years in the Canadian Forces"
- F = Number of years of service
- G = Last digit of the year when killed on duty
- H = Month when returning from Egypt
- J = Number of the Base in Britain (Heavy Bomber Station)
- K = Number of years spent in recovery at Colonel Belcher Hospital
- L = Total number of United Nations fatalities during its mission
- M = Month when killed on duty
- N = Number of soldiers commanded during an ice storm
- P = Number of people guaranteed safety
- Q = Number of years of service
- R = Day of the month when killed on duty
Information within in the Adventure Lab will be provided on the next steps and where to get these answers. You will either want to answer them as you go, or take a picture of each marker as you walk by and work it out upon completion.
The final is a micro in near a usually busy walking path, containing only a logbook. Stealth is required here almost anytime, as it can be busy during most times of the day and most days of the week. Again, please ensure you find legal parking - there are some free parking zones within 100 m, if you're lucky.
Congratulations to TheTowerOfSong for the well-earned FTF, after being the guinea pig to help me fix a couple small errors in the adventure.
The information for this Adventure Lab came from the associated plaques and some of my own research, but this is not my area of expertise at all; please feel free to send me a message if you notice an error in the Adventure Lab. I hope you enjoy the walk, the architecture, and the history!