Sherlock Holmes Cache#1-The Adventure of the Steps Multi-Cache
Fossil Doc and Serendipity: Alas, the time has come to shut down this cache.
Sherlock Holmes Cache#1-The Adventure of the Steps
-
Difficulty:
-
-
Terrain:
-
Size: 
(regular)
Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions
in our disclaimer.
This is the first in a series of Sherlock Holmes geocaches placed by Team X-TREME. This is a four part multi-cache that can be completed in 2 hours or less. Read the entire cache description below and pay attention to your surroundings. There's a first and second finder's award, plus a surprise for the first ten individuals who visit the cache.Parking for the first leg is next to the tennis courts N 42*43.231 W 078*44.630 This cache will not be winter accesible. Good luck and have fun!
The following message was recently sent by Mr. Sherlock Holmes: “Watson, I need your help in a grave matter that Inspector Lastrade has recently brought to my attention. It seems that our arch enemy Moriarty has chanced upon an idyllic little park south of the city of Buffalo called ’The Ridge of the Chestnut’ and has plotted another of his heinous and sinister schemes there.”
“I will leave immediately to try to foil this arch fiend, but I need you to follow me as soon as possible to lend your help. I will leave a series of clues. I want you to assist me in recovering the treasure (???) that Moriarty will hide in this park. In case you arrive at the treasure cache and I am not there, please leave a note in the cache container and take any treasures that you are instructed to recover. I will also leave some trinkets that you can exchange for some of the trinkets that I know you always carry with you” “I will leave clues in 3 locations that will lead you to the 4th spot where Moriarty has hidden his cache. I know you will be able to decipher these clues with your superior intellect. You may also need to rely on your exceptional sense of direction and your ability to cipher numbers along the way. As always, be sure to observe everything as clues can be anywhere. Remember, sometimes X marks the spot.” “All of the clues as well as the final cache can be reached by driving a buggy close to the location where you will find what I have left for you. In a couple of spots, I will leave coordinates directing where to park your buggy while searching for the clue. Noting your aversion to physical exertion there is no need for overland trekking or athletic stunts. ” “It might be of assistance if you brought along the following:”
1) A GPS
2) A magnifying glass
3) A compass
4) Comfortable footwear – there are many steps in this adventure
5) A pencil & paper to write and calculate on
6) A flashlight
7) Some water
8) Mosquito repellent
9) A sense of humor
FIRST LOCATION: “I will leave a container with instructions on how to find your next set of clues. Please be extremely careful when searching for the clues and while examining them, so you don’t divulge their location to any passersby – remember Moriarty has spies everywhere.”
SECOND LOCATION: “I should think Watson, when you reach this place where I have hidden another container, that you will be reminded of the west exit of the great Hall of the Baskerville’s where you and I successfully ridded the moor of that murderous beast. Don’t spend time sitting in reverie of our adventures in what has been called “The Hound of the Baskerville’s”. You will need to move on to the next clue as quickly as you can. Watch for Moriarty’s spies – be careful not to be observed.
THIRD LOCATION: “I am sure you will recognize this spot where Moriarty and I fought that titanic battle in “The Adventure of Victor Hugo’s Furnace”. You will notice that there still remains some fragments of the glass bottles that he hurled at me during that momentous fight so take care while searching for the next container.
FOURTH LOCATION: Watson, this spot will remind you of the rock near the waterfalls where you found my alpine stick and silver cigarette case when Moriarty and I fought to the death in “The Final Problem”. You can use this rock to help you find the final treasure. Good luck!” THE GAME IS AFOOT!
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
1) Haqre oebxra frpgvba bs ebpx jnyy.
2) Xarr uvtu orgjrra gur gehaxf.
3) N ovt fgrc bagb gur cyngsbez. K znexf gur fcbg- jnvfg uvtu. Ab arrq sbe n zntavslvat tynff gb svaq gur qngr.
4)Svany pnpur uvqqra va n snyyra ubyybj ybt.