At the Edge of Life aka "Life At the Edge" Traditional Cache
At the Edge of Life aka "Life At the Edge"
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(regular)
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Suggested Cache theme :"Things you might need in case of
emergency" This Cache is on Mt. Megunticook at Maiden's Cliff.
Its a nice 1 mile hike. **BRING WATER** There is ample parking at
the bottom on Rt 52 across from Megunticook lake.
There are quite a few different variations to the History of what
happened at this site they way I heard it goes like this: About 100
years ago, a young girl about 12, named Elenore French went to
church with her family wearing a brand new bonnet she had received
as a gift. Her family and the church members climbed to the top of
the mountain (maiden's cliff) to have a church picnic. As the wind
got stronger, her pretty hat blew off of her head. She chased it,
not paying attention and fell off of the side of the cliff that
overlooks Megunticook lake. She died later that night of internal
damage while at her home. Story says she did not have a single
broken bone. Amazing considering she fell over 300 FEET! Today
there is a VERY large white cross marking where she fell. Some say
that when looking below on the anniversary of her death you can see
her hat good as new floating in the water. Another story I had
heard was of 13-year-old Sarah Whitesell who fell to her death
while picking flowers in May 1865. The story goes to say that her
translucent form can be seen at the top of the mountain. However
her last documented appearance on the mountain was in 1976. It was
in the 1930's and 40's that she appeared most frequently. There is
a book that documents this story by Carole Schulte, Ghosts on the
Coast of Maine, p. 21.
Ok enough history, its time for you to create your own story. I
expect it will be better than the previous two. The hike up may
take the average person about 30-45 min. For the 1st half if you
are not use to hiking you may find yourself huffing and puffing but
it gets easier soon I promise! Once you pass the 2nd large boulder
its not far until it levels out. You will love it when you get to
the top and then you will realize, it was all worth it, and not as
hard as you thought. I recommend taking Maidens Cliff Trail up and
Scenic Ledge Trail down. It is a pretty hike back that way.
This cache has a suggested theme "Things you might need in case
of emergency" Now it doesn't have to be a REAL emergency but
with each item you trade, You must list what it is you would need
it for and regarding the item you left - How it is going to help
someone else "in a pinch". Below are the items I left and why.
Cache Contents at Placement:
Band aids - If your hike was anything like mine, these can
come in handy
Mini Bottle of Heniz - Oh the horror, making it all the way
to the top breaking out your Hot Dog lunch and realizing you left
the ketchup in the car.
Candle - For that romantic dinner for two or when you've
forgotten to pay the light bill
Bottle Opener - You can never seem find one when you need
one
Stage Blood - For Halloween or when you need to replace what
you've sacrificed to the skeeters.
Batteries - Who doesn't need batteries? Especially
Geocachers!
Pencil Sharpener - It's a bit quicker than a knife. It may
also come in handy when the pencil for the log gets dull
Flashlight w/ Batteries - If you hiked too late, it's a dark
trip down without it
Mini Jar of Maple Syrup - Nothin like making waffles only to
find out you are out of maple syrup
Pack of Sticky Notes - When you just NEED to jot something
down and stick it somewhere
Pack of Moist Wipes - When caching gets dirty these can be a
life saver
Fly Trap Ribbons - You might want to attach these to
yourself during black fly season
Hand Warmers - Caching in Maine in the winter can get chilly
Rain Poncho - To keep Geocachers dry when it rains
Book "Guide for the Spiritually Curious" - Something to
read while you sit at the cross
Ten Commandments Coin - Everyone should know the rules even
if they are impossible to follow
FIRST TO FIND - SKETCHERS WATCH - I think it's time you got
off the computer and came to find this cache
It would seem a shame for anyone to log a DNF after such a hike so
for those who find Geocaching somewhat of a challenge at times or
simply want to cheat a bit, you can access Photo Clues here:
CLUE #1 - If you walked up to the cross and turned around
this is what you might see
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1272/562777615_998886c408.jpg?v=0
Clue #2 - The direction to take when you 1st get to the
cliff
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1258/562777625_1a3278ba0d.jpg?v=0
Clue #3 - Now that you are in the wooded area here is
something to look for..
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1022/562777661_cc5f8d1ef0.jpg?v=0
Clue #4 - This clue is only for the CHEATER CHEATER PUMPKIN
EATERS, because you should have found it easily with the 1st 3
picture clues. I call this one "GIVIN IT AWAY"
But before I actually do give it away, you will have to e-mail me
to request it because you shouldn't even need the GPS after the 1st
3 clues-I'm only sharing this clue with the folks who are new to
the sport of caching (25 or less finds) and don't want to risk the
climb for a DNF.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Bapr lbh ghea yrsg ba gur genvy gb urnq gbjneqf gur pebff, tb n srj srrg va naq znxr nabgure yrsg. Jnyx n srj lneqf naq ybbx gb lbhe evtug, Gur pnpur jvyy or haqre gur rqtr bs n ebpx.