MAYMAYGWAYSHI Mystery Cache
eagleyes: Time to let this one go. Hasn’t been found in two years.
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(regular)
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This puzzle cache will take you into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. (Canoe/kayak only- and not available in the winter months). THE PHYSICAL CACHE IS LOCATED ON USFS LAND NOT IN THE BWCAW. Access parking lot is 11 miles north on the Echo Trail from Co. Rd. 88, Ely, Minnesota.BYOP
YOU MUST HAVE A DAY USE PERMIT, which can be picked up at the USFS Kawishiwi Dist. ½ mile East of the Ely Chamber of Commerce on Highway 169, either inside the building or in a brown box to the left as you approach the main door. The Chamber of Commerce may have some day use permits in the brown box to the right of the door. There are no reservations needed or fees for DAY USE PERMITS, but ALL RULES FOR THE BWCAW must be followed- all the rules are explained on the permit. There is also a permit box at the parking lot, but don’t count on there being permits ( it is a heavily used entry)- you will be fined if stopped by a ranger and have no permit. Remember- NO GLASS (NON-BURNABLE, DISPOSABLE FOOD and BEVERAGE CONTAINERS ARE NOT PERMITTED).
THE STARTING COORDINATES WILL BRING YOU TO THE PARKING AREA AND START YOU ON YOUR BWCAW JOURNEY TO FIND A MAYMAYGWAYSHI.
According to Ojibwe stories, the MAYMAYGWAYSHI is a little spirit who paddles a stone canoe, and lives inside a rock cliff. A MAYMAYGWAYSHI may also be an intermediate with the spirit world. He is often depicted as a human figure with outstretched arms. When you see a MAYMAYGWAYSHI, you know he is guarding a place considered sacred to the Ojibwe. (There are many stories of the meaning of these figures, but I have chosen the one I was told when I was a child). For more detailed info read MAGIC on the ROCKS by Michael Furtman, or pick up a flyer at the USFS office.
You will need to have a DAY USE PERMIT FOR THE BWCAW, and a canoe map such as a FISHER F-9. The trip will be about 45 minutes paddling, ONE-WAY with no stops except to portage.
Go to: N48 03.186 W091 54.236.
Once you are at this waypoint, look for the maymaygwayshi. Then about a canoe length, to the left of the maymaygwayshi, you will see horizontal slash marks. Count them.
To find the actual cache – you must complete the following:
N48 01.AAA W091 55.BBB
To complete this waypoint, you must do the following calculations:
AAA = (the number of horizontal slash marks x 161) + 13
BBB = (the number of cribbed steps at the end of the S. Hegman Lk. portage x 33) – 14
THE FINAL CACHE IS NOT IN THE BWCAW, but on USFS land. The USFS Kawishiwi District, Ely, MN, has issued a permit for this cache.
PLEASE DO NOT LEAVE ANY FOOD OR LIGHTERS IN THE CONTAINER
I WILL DELETE ANY SPOILERS (LOGS/PICTURES) THAT INDICATE WHERE THE CACHE IS LOCATED or of the CONTAINER.
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