The start is in the very centre of Darmstadt, so almost any public
transport is available. (While you are here you should also visit
GCJRW6 by Aradilla.) All stages are on proper paths and suitable
for children. Here is how Clepsydra cache works...
For each stage you are given (or must find) the direction
(bearing) and the distance to the next point. When you have a
direction and a distance, you have to find your own way to that
point, where you will find the clue for the stage. The final cache
is at GPS coordinates (otherwise it would be too hard!).
The Rules!
- Important! The directions and distances for every stage are ALL
relative to the start position only. They are NOT relative to where
you stand now.
- The directions are given in degrees ° - relative to TRUE north
(not magnetic). Your GPS should be able to select which to use. The
deviation here is only about 2° (west) so shouldn’t make much
difference.
- The directions are FROM the start position TO the next one. So
if you have a direction of 090°, this means exactly East. (When you
get there, the direction back is 270°). I give you the “090” – it
is up to you how you use it!
- The distances are given in metres of the straight line between
the points. Of course you cannot travel in straight lines in the
town, so you need to be careful.
- It is not necessary to visit every point! If you miss a point
out, please email your logic reason (or make an encrypted log – but
please do not make a spoiler!).
- Distances should be accurate to nearest 10m, but it is not
necessary to be so precise – you will see the objective.
- Directions should be accurate to 2° - but again, you will find
the objective with no problems.
- All distances and directions are 3 digits, even if smaller - so
put '0' first.
- Finally – the order of the stages given here is not the
shortest way to walk. You need to manage this yourself – or to walk
more!
Ready? Good luck!
START At the starting coordinates above (N49°52.394,
E008°39.063) you can find one of two matching fountains in the
square (Luisenplatz). They are not exactly identical – this one has
a year written on it somewhere. Find the year, this is ABCD.
A =
B =
C =
D =
STAGE 1 - ‘Nature’
DIRECTION : C C (D-A-A)
DISTANCE : (B-D) D C
“Find the pipe inside the water – not the water inside the pipe”
Near the end of this pipe you find some round covers in the grass.
2 are made of metal – but how many are there in total? This is
E.
E =
STAGE 2 - ‘History’
DIRECTION : (D-2) (A+3) (D+2)
DISTANCE : A B C
Here is a water feature. How many lions (with bodies!) surround
it? This number is F.
F =
STAGE 3 - ‘Pictures’
DIRECTION : A E (E+F)
DISTANCE : E (E+F) C
Here are 4 pictures. What is the maximum number of people found
only in 1 picture ? This is ‘G’.
G =
STAGE 4 - ‘Signs’
DIRECTION : A (A+D) D
DISTANCE : (B-D-A) C C
Look around for some signs for water hydrants. These show
numbers like Sxxx (and other information). What is the biggest
number for xxx? This number is H.
H =
STAGE 5 - ‘Voyage’
DIRECTION : (H/5) + D
DISTANCE : 130 + H
GPS reception here is poor. You can cross over this water
feature by walking in circles. The total number of circles you can
walk on is I.
17/Dec/2006: Building works have messed up this stage. The
answer is 17.
I = 17
Now the final arithmetic:
V = (10*D)
W = V + (2*A)
X = V + H
Z = G + I
Y = A + B + C + D + E + Z
At last you have everything you need to find the final cache. It
can be found at these coordinates:
N49°W.X, E008°Y.Z
You are looking for a small plastic container (see
picture).
The original contents are :
Logbook, pencil with sharpener, koala bear clip, wooden clothes
peg, UK 1st class postage stamp, and the ‘Flowerz & Herbz’
TB.
The final cache is approx. 1km from the starting point, but you
must walk further to get all stages. I expect this cache to take 1
hour - but please report how long you take in the log :)
PLEASE BE CAREFUL OF MUGGLES AT THE CACHE SITE!! IT IS A BUSY
AREA!
You can also download the instructions for this cache as a PDF
file from: this
link.