Streakers SOS #11 Mystery Cache

This cache is not at the posted coordinates

As gone over in earlier caches in this series, one of the many games within the overall Geocaching game is getting and logging a cache daily, also known as maintaining a streak. This can be for a few days, weeks, months or years. 

As one gets further into it, it can become quite the challenge as all the caches in one's area are found and now one has to go to further distances to keep their streak alive. There are also other factors like the planned "daily" turns out to be a DNF and one then has to scramble to find something else. 

With that in mind, this serves as a backup for such times when one is needed yet none are nearby. If one is not on a streak, they can solve the puzzle and get it as well. 

First, let’s discuss coordinates.

Coordinates are not the same according to the different systems used. This is because different countries use their own systems for coordinates and the shape of the earth. The word used to describe a coordinate system is called a “datum”.  The datum used by Geocaching.com is World Geodetic System 1984 (WGS84).

As there are different systems used to determine coordinates, the numbers between datums do not always come out the same. Take for example the coordinates N40 00.000 W111 00.000 in WGS84. In the datum Naparima (NAP) it becomes N39 59.860 W110 59.899. If you were to go to those coordinates using Naparima, you would be at the same location. However, those coordinates are a different location if used in WGS84, as you can see in the below picture.

For this puzzle, we will take a tour using different datums. The way it works is that the coordinates are changed from WGS84 to a different datum. Since one would be at the same physical location in the new datum, the new numbers are used as coordinates in the WGS84 datum in creating the next conversion.

So for the above example, it would go something like this: 

1. (In WGS84) N40 00.000 W111 00.000 convert to Naparima (NAP) to get N39 59.860 W110 59.899.
2. The next step says to convert the above coordinates to Hu-Tzu-Shan (HTN). You would use
   N39 59.860 W110 59.899 in WGS84 and convert that to Hu-Tzu-Shan (HTN) and get the coordinates N40 00.250 W11059.619. 
3. Using N40 00.250 W110 59.619 in WGS84, you convert them to the next stated datum and get new numbers, and so on. 

Next, let’s take the tour.

(Note: On some of these you will likely have to zoom in to get the answer. If you are not able to on Google Earth, you can use Google Maps) 

1. Starting point: N42 22.347 W071 03.393

What is the nickname of the Vessel located here? (2 words)

2. Convert the coordinates in (1) to ARC1960 (ARSB)

In streetview, what color are the railings?

3. Convert the coordinates in (2) to Old Hawaiian (OHID).

• Convert the above coordinates to Old Hawaiian (OHID) again.
• Convert the coordinates to Old Hawaiian (OHID) again.
• Convert the coordinates to Old Hawaiian (OHID) again.

 If you look about 268 feet away you can find out what is "required." (Not in streetview)

4. Convert the last set of coordinates in (3) to Bogota Observatory (BOO)

In streetview, what letter is in the circle?

5. Convert the coordinates in (4) to Antigua Island Astro 1943 (AIA)

In streetview, the title of what TV Show is above "Dondero"?

6. Convert the coordinates in (5) to Estonia 1937(CSE).

• Convert the above coordinates to Bermuda 1957(BER).

In Streetview, what entrance is ahead (2 words)

7. Convert the last set of coordinates in (6) to Johnston Island 1961 (JOH).

• Convert the above coordinates to Estonia 1937(CSE).

What is the name of the river you are now in?

8. Convert the last set of coordinates in (7) to Hong Kong 1980 (HKE).

In streetview, what word is written on curved high-rise?

Bonus Question (not needed to solve this): can you tell, without going into streetview, what store is about 1000 away from the last set of coordinates?

And that is the end of the tour.

Next, let’s get the coordinates for the cache.

String each of the answers from (1) to (8) together and put them in the checker with or without spaces but no punctuation marks. If you are correct, you will be rewarded with the cache coordinates.

Last, let's go get the cache

Well, you can go get the cache, or save it for a rainy day.

If you need help or get lost let me know and I will help you.

If your streaking takes you to Oregon or if you want to do another puzzle similar to this (but better), there is GC9NZXF Speak My Datum.