Walking through Leavenworth, there seems to be another mural everywhere you look. This multi-cache intends to show off some of my favorites throughout the downtown area.
This geocache consists of ten stages, which you must visit in order. The first eight stages are located at murals throughout downtown Leavenworth, the ninth stage is a parking lot for the final container, and the tenth stage is the only physical stage.
The only physical component of this multi-cache is at the tenth (final) stage, where you'll find the logbook.
The difficulty rating of this cache doesn't reflect the challenge of the puzzles but rather the time needed to complete them. The terrain rating describes the final container placement; Stages 1–9 are wheelchair-accessible, and Stage 10 is about 20 feet from a sidewalk.
Estimated effort
The walking route between the first eight stages is approximately 1 mile in total (30 minutes without counting stops). You can also drive between stages, as Leavenworth has plenty of street parking and a handful of public lots.
The route between the eighth and ninth stages is also approximately 1 mile (25-minute walk or 4-minute drive). From there, the ninth and tenth stages are very close.
The puzzles necessary to move from one stage to the next are meant to be simple, with clear and objective answers. It should take you no more than a few minutes to admire each mural and inspect it for the necessary clues.
Puzzle format
The mechanics of these puzzles should be fairly self-explanatory, but if you'd like some help, read this section.
To obtain the coordinates for your next stage, you'll solve for variables, each represented by a letter written one or more times. The number of letters equals the number of digits. For example, A is a one-digit number, BB is a two-digit number, and TTT is a three-digit number. If, for example, you solve that BB is equal to 6, your answer is incorrect since BB must be a two-digit number.
Underlined text represents something you need to solve, find, or replace. For example, to get to Stage 2 when you're given "39° 19.0BB’ N 094° 55.2DD’ W", you need to replace BB in the coordinates with BB's value.
At Stage 1
Go to Stage 1 at the coordinates on the cache page. To get to Stage 2, solve this:
A = The number of letters in the artist’s name (top left)
BB = A * 3
CC = The number of words in the written section on the hand (numbers included, but not symbols such as &)
DD = CC - 35
39° 19.0BB’ N 094° 55.2DD’ W
At Stage 2
E = The number of visible teepees in the mural
FF = The last two digits of the year the mural was painted
GG = 108 - FF
39° 19.0E3’ N 094° 55.0GG’ W
At Stage 3
To simplify things, there are 3 colors of wheat painted on this mural: white (lightest), yellow, and red (darkest).
H = The number of times the wall noticeably changes height in the middle of the mural
JJ = The number of pairs of white wheat stalks (single stalks not included)
KK = The number of pairs of yellow wheat stalks (single stalks not included)
LL = JJ + KK - 27
39° 19.H55’ N 094° 54.9LL’ W
At Stage 4
M = The number of letters in the text below the wing (symbols not included)
NN = M * 18
P = The number of wings
39° 19.0NN’ N 094° 54.9P9’ W
At Stage 5
QQ = The last two digits of the year shown
RR = QQ - 5
39° 19.1RR’ N 094° QQ.867’ W
At Stage 6
S = The number of letters in the prominent banner
TTT = 170 + S
From the coordinates of Stage 6, go 660 ft at TTT° to find Stage 7.
At Stage 7
U = The number of people on the left side
V = The number of real windows in the wall of the mural
W = U + V
39° 19.079’ N 094° 54.W43’ W
At Stage 8
The mural shows one word: number its letters, starting with 1 for the first letter.
X = The number of the letter which was replaced by a heart shape
Y = The number of white flowers on the double doors
39° 19.6XY’ N 094° 54.992’ W
At Stage 9 (Parking)
Stage 9 is the first stage that is not a mural. This is simply a parking location so you can safely walk to Stage 10.
From the parking coordinates, go 125 ft at 50° to find the final stage.
At Stage 10 (Container)
You're done! Be sure to sign the logbook and move tradeables and trackables around to your heart's content.
A micro coin trackable is included for the first to find.
Please replace the container as you found it, ensuring the round metal piece inside is at the bottom to hold the container in place. Thank you for ensuring others can continue to enjoy this cache!