Carya laciniosa Traditional Cache
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(small)
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This is an offset cache that requires following a compass bearing (an actual compass is recommended). The area around the cache is prone to flooding and often has some standing water. This cache requires tree identification, knowing how to use a compass, and familiarity with the metric system. The listed coordinates will lead you to a twin-trunked shellbark hickory (Carya laciniosa) tree that may be the largest of its kind in North Carolina. Since the 1970s, the North Carolina Division of Forest Resources has been trying to identify the biggest native and non-native trees in the state. The DFR’s Web site (www.dfr.state.nc.us) lists the record trees by their common and proper names, as well as the county in which they are located and details about circumference, height, and crown spread on which the rating system is based. Eventually, the Web site will have digital images of all state champion trees and their GPS coordinates. Twelve of these North Carolina trees are also national champions, ie they are each currently the largest living specimen of their species in the United States. The tree at the listed coordinates has been nominated as the largest shellbark hickory in North Carolina. One of the distinguishing features of a shellbark hickory is of course its bark, which looks like it is flaking off. Also, if you look carefully, you can usually find hickory nuts hidden among the fallen leaves around it. THE CACHE IS NOT AT THIS TREE. From this tree, you must go 45-50 meters on a compass bearing of 10 degrees (magnetic) to the cache hiding place. The cache container is a weathered aluminum beer can that is in plain sight but may be difficult to see. An actual compass is recommended for this cache because most GPS units are set for true north, not magnetic north, which could result in a difference of about 8 meters over a distance of 50 meters. The difference between the two occurs because the true north pole and the magnetic north pole are not the same. BYOP and please be sure to close the container properly and replace it as you found it to minimize the possibility of water damage.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Taneyl ebbg pnivgl bs zncyr gerr.