The cache is not at the posted coordinates. Find the pictures and solve the puzzle to find the final cache location. Idea borrowed from the Portland, Oregon (the other Portland) series “Little Pictures”, created by rifkegribenes. Their Little Pictures are some of our favorite caches we’ve ever done. Thanks for the inspiration!
We recommend printing the photos before beginning your hunt. This cache can be done via the geocaching app on your phone, but you may find it helpful to have physical photos to reference, and to have somewhere to take notes as you proceed through the course. You do not need to find all 50 picture clues to solve the puzzle. The only ones required to find the final coordinates are #s 1, 5, 10, 16, 20, 29, 33, 42, 46, and 50. The intermediate clues are provided to help you find the others. The 50 pictures found in order trace a route of about 2.5 miles through the Parkside District. Use the posted coordinates to find the first viewpoint. Each consecutive picture viewpoint is no more than 500 feet away from the previous one (most are a good deal closer), so traveling the entire route in order will lead you to all the required clues, although you may be able to skip around if you know the neighborhood well.
To solve the puzzle for the cache coordinates, find the solution to the ten problems below. Each letter A - J will give you a number 0-9. Then assemble the answers as follows for the final coordinates:
N 43° AB.CDE’ W 70° FG.HIJ’
Note that some of the viewpoints are taken from the side or back of a building, but to find most of the answers you will need to figure out the street address, which might require looking around the corner for the number on the front. Google Maps might also be helpful.
A: Find image 10. ‘A’ is the first digit of the two-digit street address.
B: Find image 29. ‘B’ is the second digit of the year the Baron has been patrolling since.
C: Find image 46: ‘C’ is the third digit of the year on the plaque.
D: Find image 5: ‘D’ is the first digit of the two-digit street address.
E: Find image 42: ‘E’ is the second digit MINUS the first, third, and fourth digits of the year of construction.
F: Find image 20: ‘F’ is the third digit of the three-digit street address.
G: Find image 33: ‘G’ is the first digit of the two-digit street address.
H: Find image 16: ‘H’ is the first digit in the three-digit street address.
I: Find image 1: ‘I’ is the first digit minus the third digit of the three-digit street address.
J: Find image 50: ‘J’ is the second digit of the three-digit street address.
General area: All viewpoints are visible from inside the area bounded by Cumberland Ave, Preble Street, I-295, and Deering Ave. Some of the objects pictured may be outside the boundaries, but they are all visible from within the puzzle area. The final cache location is inside the puzzle boundaries as well. Pay attention to the stated boundaries, and if you get completely lost feel free to message for a hint.
The route through pictures 1 - 35 is entirely on either sidewalks or paved paths. It does involve a couple of mild hills, and because of the rough brick sidewalks and curbs, it may or may not be wheelchair accessible. Depending on the route you take beyond picture 35, the remainder of the puzzle may involve walking on uneven ground and grass. At the conclusion of the route you will be within a couple blocks of the cache. If you find every clue in order (making no wrong turns or detours), grab the cache, and return to the starting point, you will have walked just under 2.5 miles. Chances are though, you will probably walk a bit further searching for the clues. Plan to spend at least a couple hours searching for this cache.
Note that you are trying to get to the viewpoints from which the photos were taken, not get to the items pictured. We strongly discourage you from climbing on strangers' rooftops. Pay attention to viewpoints from street corners and note foreground/background items in the pictures – they may contain clues about when/where to make a turn.
You can often see a hint of the next picture from the viewpoint of the previous one. When in doubt, continue in the same direction you were heading and look for the next clue.
Final cache location: Once you’ve found the coordinates, the cache is meant to be an easy find. Be sure to confirm your answer with the solution checker before searching. Be respectful of private property; you do not need to enter private land to walk the route or to find the cache. If you have the correct coordinates, the provided hint should lead you right to the container. Please be stealthy when making the find; it is located in a well-populated area.
We always appreciate tips from other cachers about repainted houses, boarded-up murals, disappearing lawn art, etc. If you notice that a viewpoint looks significantly different from the picture, we are especially grateful to those who are able to take a new picture and post it in a log or message it to us!
Happy hunting!
