Day 7 - 2021 Cachemas
THE SLAGA TWELVE DAYS OF CACHEMAS ARE BACK!!!
Here’s how it works: For 12 consecutive days beginning December 13th (Day 1), a new cache
will be published and every day afterwards until December 24th. If you are able to First to Find,
FTF, one of these daily caches, an FTF Cachemas Ornament will be in the container for you to
keep. Once again, L Frank has designed a unique ornament that can be converted to a cache
container for a future hide; or, you may keep it, your choice. PLEASE, if you get an FTF on one
of the 12 days, do not go for another one until Bonus Day, let someone else have the fun.
This year, there will be a Bonus Cache on December 31st. EVERYONE is eligible to FTF the
bonus whether or not you have FTFed a Cachemas hide. This cache can only be found by using
all the codes written on the inside of the container lid of each daily cache. Keep these codes and
use them to solve the location of the Bonus cache which will publish on the final day, December
31st. The Bonus solution will be included in the final day Cache description and I am promised, it is not a difficult solution. We are publishing the Bonus 7 days after the 12th day of Cachemas in order to give cachers time to acquire all the 12 codes.
THE BONUS CACHE CONTAINS TWO LARGE PREMIUM GEOCOINS
AS WELL AS AN AWESOME ORNAMENT
This Geocache Description:
THIS CACHE IS NOT AT THE POSTED COORDINATES. YOU MUST SOLVE THE PUZZLE TO LOCATE THE TRAIL TO THE CACHE.
As Lisa and I were hiking along the Hamburg Trail one Sunday evening, we came across what looked like a hurt deer. As we got closer to the deer, we saw a strange glow. I looked at Lisa and said do you see that weird glowing light around that deer? She looked at me and said" of course I see it". She continues "it looks like it's coming from the deer". I looked at her and said "what that can't be!" We both took off running down the trail closer to the deer to see if we could possibly help it when all of a sudden it started to slowly lift off the ground and flew away. We stood there in the middle of the trail looking at each other and then up to the sky in the direction of the deer. After a few minutes, we figured that we didn't really see a flying deer and we were just hallucinating because we had been hiking a long time. As we continued down the trail, I noticed something left in the middle of the trail where the deer had been. I approached the object slowly with a fallen limb to poke whatever it was. But, Lisa was impatient and just grabbed the limb from me and charged the object. When she reached it, it started to move. I let out a scream and took off running. Lisa shrieked and started to follow the object. I stopped and turned to see where Lisa had gone. She was standing in the trail, but she had something in her hand.
I started walking back to her to see what she had when the object jumped from her hand and landed between us. She yelled at me to stop the object, and I yelled no way it will get me. She laughed. I was about to yell at her for laughing when she said "you have to stop it now". Why, I asked her, would I do that? She said that what she found on the trail was a container that was marked with the Geocaching logo but not like one she has ever seen. What are you talking about? I asked her. As she was starting to explain, the deer came flying back to where we first saw it. I screamed again and started to run. But, I wasn't able to make it far when the deer started to talk. Hi, Lisabe and Nanonabber69. My name is Randolph and I need your help. I started to open my mouth to let out another big scream, but Lisa put her hand on it before I could get out a peep. She looked at Randolph and asked what do need? Well, started Randolph, I dropped the container that you found and I need your help finding it. Why do you need our help? I asked. Well he replied, Major134 said you two are good at finding hidden things. We looked at each other and laughed. Of course we are, we both said. He then started to tell us, I was on a secret mission for Santa Clause to help find the fastest route to the hidden bonus cache. He told me to look in this area because he thought this way may be the fastest. He was right. I wrote down the coordinates and put them in the special container. Once I closed the container it started to move around and around. As I was taking off, it jumped out of my hoofs and fell to the ground. That's where you guys saw me on the trail. I really, really need your help finding this container.
Just then there was a big flash of light and loud roaring wicked laugh. We all turned to see what the commotion was and standing in front of us was the Grinch. He let out a loud roaring laugh again and said "just what do we have here?" "Did I hear you found the fastest route Randolph?" No. Replied Randolph. I don't know what you are talking about. I don't believe you, said the Grinch. Lisa and I both yelled at the Grinch, he said he doesn't know what you are talking about. Then Lisa said "and you should just leave." He looked at us and said "ok I will go for now but know this, I will be watching. You know I will do anything to delay Cachemas. And with that he turned and vanished up the trail. I looked at Lisa and said "we have to help Randolph and let Major134 know that the Grinch is at it again." Lisa and I agreed that our best option of finding the container would be at night and set out to let Major134 know that the Grinch was trying to sabatoge Cachemas. We left Randolph on the trail to keep looking for the cache while we rushed off to get the needed supplies to help before the darkness settled in. We made it back to the parking lot and grabbed our gear. Off back down the trail we started to go when ahead of us blocking it was the Grinch. And slightly behind was Randolph. In the Grinch's hands was the cache. Randolph was trying to get it back but wasnt having any luck. They were busy so they didn't see Lisabe and I sneaking up. Once we got close enough we both took our flashlights and shined them in the Grinch's face. Randolph grabbed the cache and started off down the trail. The Grinch startled, started running towards us trying to get the lights out of his face. "Nanonabber69!" yelled Randolph, a short ways down the trail, shine your light this way. I turned around, and quickly the Grinch was next to me. I let out a huge scream as I tried to get the light back on his face. Lisabe was running down the trail with the cache in hand when the Grinch knocked my flashlight to the ground. And in a flash was off down the trail after Lisabe. Randolph was flying above trying to help Lisabe. I stumbled towards where my flashlight landed when I saw something move. I grabbed the light and shined it towards the movement and there before me was the actual cache container. I quickly grabbed it and turned off my flashlight.
I started counting and stopped when I got to a spot north on the NT. I looked around and found the best place to hide the cache. When I had it safely hidden, I retraced my steps and went to find Lisabe. I headed down the LT trail when I saw 2 weird markings on a tree. As I got closer, I saw another weird marking and another. I kept going until sunddenly there was another 2 weird markings then nothing. It was cold and dark.
Very faint in the distance a coyote howled. Startled I shut off my flashlight and stood very very still. I heard a rustle in the leaves and tried to hold my breath. All of a sudden there was the Grinch slowly walking closer. Oh boy! I thought. What should I do? Does he see me? Do I dare let out my breath and take another one? My mind is racing!!!! BOOM!!! What was that? Flashlights turn on. Voices all around me. Confusion. What is happening? The Grinch is hanging upside down. Lisabe is next to him and is trying to get something from him. Randolph is up above us flying around in circles. I started towards Lisabe and yelled out to them all to STOP!!! The Grinch went limp. Lisabe froze in place next to the Grinch. Randolph dropped to the ground. Finially, I asked what the heck is going on? They all started talking at once. STOP!!! I yelled again. Lisabe what is going on? I asked. Lisabe replied. Randolph and I had finished hiding the cache container when we saw someone coming towards us. We took cover to see who it was. You were about to uncover the cache when you turned out your flashlight. I looked at her and said that can't be. I already hid the cache and was coming to find you when I followed a trail of weird markings on the trees that led me to here. The Grinch started laughing. Stop laughing said Randolph. They don't know the secret. I asked. What secret? Well Nanonabber69 said Randolph. In a whipser he proceeded to tell us that Santa had him make 2 caches. OH BOY!!!! Lisabe and I yelled. How do we know which one is the real Cachemas Cache?
(EVERYTHING NEEDED TO SOLVE THE PUZZLE IS IN THE DESCRIPTION ABOVE)
FELLOW CACHERS, HERE IS YOUR OBJECTIVE: THE POSTED COORDINATES TAKE YOU TO A SPOT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE GRAVEL HAMBURG TRAIL. THIS IS YOUR STARTING POINT.
TO SOLVE THE ABOVE PUZZLE, USE THE READILY IDENTIFIABLE CHARACTERS IN THE ABOVE CACHEMAS STORY BY USING NUMBER SUBSTITUTION CYPHER, AND IF ALREADY A NUMERICAL VALUE, THEN USE IT AS IT IS. USE THE TOTAL OF ALL THE NUMERICAL VALUES ADDED TOGETHER TO GET A NUMBER OF FEET, XXX’. CHECK SUM = 7
ONCE YOU HAVE THIS TOTAL, YOU HAVE TWO CHOICES: TAKE THE GRAVEL NANONABBER69 TRAIL NORTH (NT) FOR THE XXX FEET; OR, TAKE THE GRAVEL LISABE TRAIL(LT) SOUTH FOR THE SAME XXX FEET. SEE HINT.
TRAIL CLOSED 10PM TO 4AM PLEASE PLAN YOUR HIKE ACCORDINGLY. :)