Geocaching 101 Multi-Cache

This geocache was selected as the WGA Quarterly Cache Spotlight for the Northern Region in Spring 2023!

This description contains a lot of detail geared to guide a new geocacher through a multicache.  If you are an experienced geocacher and want a condensed version, use the worksheet found in the images.

This cache is published on the day of Mid-State's spring commencement ceremony, but was placed for a geocaching class offered in early June 2022, and will remain as a permanent cache.  It is designed to introduce the finder to a number of classic methods and hides used by geocachers, but with a unique final.  An experienced geocacher will be very familiar with the stages in this geocache.  The entire walk is less than a mile round-trip to the start, and should take you less than an hour.  These are all factors considered when deciding on the Difficulty (D) and Terrain (T) ratings of a cache, rated on a 1-5 scale.

A multicache has several locations to visit before reaching the final location.  There are many ways the CO (Cache Owner) can guide you between the WPs (Waypoints) along the way, and this multicache will introduce you to a few geocache types and common ways to hide containers.

This multicache involves solving or using coordinates at several different points.  If you have a premium (paid) geocaching membership, you can update the coordinates of the cache through the app, and navigate to the points as you go.  If you are a basic member, you don't have that capability and this will be easier to do with a handheld GPSr (GPS receiver) where you key in the latitude and longitude coordinates in DD°MM.mmm' format (Degrees, Minutes, decimal minutes) or a separate app where you can key in the coordinates and navigate to them.

Starting Point – At the published coordinates, you will find a statue that is a tribute to Mid-State’s mascot, a Cougar named Grit.  Specifically, the coordinates should bring you to a stone with a plaque on it.

Finding Waypoint 1:  

A letterbox cache can have a series of locations, and you proceed between them using general navigation instructions (e.g., left 25ft or West 40ft).  They often finish with a container that has a rubber stamp that you would use to stamp your personal record of finds, and you could also stamp the logbook with a personal stamp of your own.  Having a personal stamp is not a requirement.  There is no container at this location; it is just the next WP.

From the start point, proceed 105 feet to the Northeast and arrive at the sidewalk just past the nearest building corner.  This is WP 1.  You should be looking north at a pair of identical windows separated by rows of architectural stone.

Finding Waypoint 2:   

A mystery cache will usually have a clue or puzzle that you must use to determine the coordinates of the next point.  

At waypoint 1, you will solve a field puzzle, where you need to make on-site observations and use them.

Facing North, examine the rows of architectural stones between the two windows and count the stones in each row.  Use the diagram below to adjust those numbers to solve the North coordinates (latitude) and West coordinates (longitude) of WP 2.  As a hint, you expect the whole minutes to match or be very close to those at the posted coordinates since the final for mystery caches are required to be within two miles of the posted coordinates (in this case, 23 minutes north and 47 minutes west).

Insert the solved digits, in order, on the lines shown below and proceed to that location.

HINT:  When you arrive at the coordinates, look low.  You may find it useful to use the front-facing camera on a smartphone to look up and behind the object to find what you seek at WP 2, which will provide you with coordinates to WP 3.

Finding Waypoint 3:  

A multicache, like this one, can have a series of locations and you proceed between them using latitude and longitude coordinates. 

In this case, you will simply find coordinates at the previous WP and use them. 

HINT:  This is a common type of hide called a LPC (Light Pole Cache).  Lift the cover at the base and find the container.  At certain times of the year, you may need to watch for wasps!

Finding Waypoint 4:   

A mystery cache can be done in many different ways.  This one requires you to do a little research to determine the latitude and longitude for the next WP. 

At WP3, you will find a card explaining what you need to know to solve the coordinates for WP4, and its OK if you have to find a reference to look it up.  The reference you will need is a list of US States in the order they were admitted to The Union, and their 2-Letter postal code.  Remember to put the card back so it is ready for the next geocacher.

HINT: WP 4 is a black magnetic key holder.  It is attached where it isn't visible to a muggle (someone casually passing by who might take it without realizing its purpose).  Please put it back like that when you are done.

Go to The Final:  

A traditional cache would simply be at the published coordinates, but this is your final waypoint using what you found at WP 4.   

Now that you’re here, you have a few things to do:

• Sign the log with your geocaching handle, and date it as well.  This cache has a unique logbook - please be careful to put it away carefully to protect it from weather damage.
• Mark your find online by posting a log with your geocaching account.  The CO will appreciate your comments about how much fun you had, but please don’t post any spoilers that could detract from other people having the adventure that you did.
• If there is a problem with damage to the cache or you DNF (did not find) it, you should log a DNF along with some information to alert the CO why their attention is needed.
• This may be the time to log a trackable.  Trackables have alphanumeric “license plates” that someone has registered and they enjoy seeing it travel from place to place.  If you pick one up, log it online by selecting the trackable that you picked up and entering the trackable ID (on the tag) when prompted, and then log it again where you drop it off.
• If you are a premium member you could choose to award a favorite point to the cache if you really enjoyed it.  Some people seek out caches with a lot of favorite points.

Congratulations, you completed a multicache, learned about a few other cache types and common hides along the way, and passed Geocaching 101!  There is one more optional thing you can do:

Graduate with Honors:   

A Virtual cache doesn’t have a container at all.  Instead, you document your visit by answering question(s) at the site, and sending them as a message to the CO (do not post them as a log, or other people will see them).  Sometimes they ask you to post a picture in your log including some personal item.  It can be an item you carry, a lucky charm, or anything that makes you....you.

You can graduate with honors by posting a picture at the final location with a personal item or yourself in the picture when you write your online log, but this is optional.