LUCK, OR NO LUCK Multi-Cache

This cache has been archived.

Postpile: Removed the final cache today along with a few stages. Will be removing remaining stages in the near future. Less than 3 finds per year, a lot of maintenance required (thanks IK), last visit in March of 2013. Thanks to all those that tried their LUCK.

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Hidden : 8/5/2006
Difficulty:
3 out of 5
Terrain:
4 out of 5

Size: Size: regular (regular)

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Geocache Description:

Multi located in the Croom tract of the Withlacoochee State Forest. See waypoint below for parking area.

This multi will take you along several trails in the forest. It will be of varying lengths and follow different trails depending on which route you choose. But, you do not get to pick the length of the route you will travel in that it is a matter of luck. There are eleven different routes. The longest route is about eleven plus miles. The others all vary in length but are shorter. Each route will take you to the same final cache. You should plan on making a day of this one. Should you pick the shortest route don’t despair; there are lots of hiking/caching opportunities in the area.

At several stages there are multiple containers containing coordinates to the next stage. Each container is located within reason to the search coordinates for that stage. Should you find more than one container at a stage you will have to decide which direction that you want to go. It is strictly random you will not be able to figure out which is the shorter route. What may appear to be a shorter route could in fact be longer……or not. There is a letter on each set of coordinates located within the cache container. That too is random, not all letters have been used and they are not in any order. When you get to a last stage before the final, the words “TO FINAL” will be noted on the white pipe within that stage so that you will know to search for the ammo can and not another intermediate stage. All intermediate stages are housed in waterproof match containers. In order to keep this as random as possible, I am not indicating which stages have multiple containers nor am I listing the length of the shorter routes. Should you find yourself on a bike trail as a part of your hike, please be courteous and step off the trail to allow bikers to pass. All stages are located within 120 feet of a trail, except the final, which may be a little further. Distances between stages may be short or long. The route with the fewest number of stages is not the shortest route. There are can be as few as four or as many as ten intermediate stages. The possibility of hiking less than 8 miles to complete this cache is very good.

Some of the routes follow hiking trails, no bikes or horses allowed. Should you have questions about your route, please keep track of the randomly assigned letters for each stage. It would be interesting if you would post the time it took to complete the cache from the parking area to the final. Faster walkers will not necessarily have the fastest times. Please DO NOT post the letters assigned to each of the stages you visited in order to keep the uncertainty in place for future cachers.

· If you have found the stage labeled “A”, your best bet would be to go back to the bike trail intersection located a short distance to the northwest, head north on the bike trail, cross the road, continue to the next bike trail intersection and then head east.
· Should you find yourself at the stage labeled “G”, go south a short distance along the hiking trail then head west on the intersecting bike trail, it will lead you to the next stage.
· If you are at the stage labeled “H”, stay on the hiking trail all the way to the next stage.
· Should you be at “J” go southerly to the hiking trail intersection then go west on the hiking trail.
· If you are at “O” follow the bike trail to the north. Stay on the bike trail all the way to the next stage, which is within 4 feet of the bike trail.
· If you are at stage “P”, you can backtrack or continue along the hiking trail loop. It will be shorter to continue and not backtrack if conditions are favorable.
· Should you find yourself at the stage labeled “Q”, I suggest hiking north on the orange blazed hiking trail then east on the next blue blazed hiking trail.
· If you find yourself at the stage labeled “T”, I would hike a short distance south on the orange blazed hiking trail then east on the bike trail.
· Should you be at “V” take the hiking trail north to the next stage.

Although you may find yourself making a loop and passing a previously located stage, you will never be sent back to the same location to search for another stage of the multi. Should you find yourself on the longest route the quickest path to the final will probably be to continue with that route and not to backtrack to look for an additional container at a previous stage. If you find yourself more than 2 miles direct distance from the first stage coordinates you are on a route of over 8 miles.

You may start on one route then be directed to another. It is possible to pass another geocacher heading in the opposite direction on the same trail and both be headed, by the route chosen, to the final. ALL ROUTES WILL END AT THE SAME FINAL CACHE

The container at each stage is placed in a holder and many are partially covered with natural camouflage, which will hopefully keep them undisturbed through the various hunting seasons in the area. Please replace camo or add some if necessary. Depending on the route chosen you may find several stages placed in a natural holder. If placed back correctly gravity will keep them in place. Most stages are located under heavy tree canopy; therefore do not expect the coordinates to be extremely accurate.

It would be very helpful to bring a map showing hiking and biking trails, see the attached photos. Bring lots of water, sunscreen and bug spray. Safety is most important, be sure to have a backup plan to find the way back to your vehicle. Although not recommended, cross-country travel is possible through much of this area. All routes can be accessed by trail without any cross-country travel.

If you complete this cache in less than 2 hours you might want to buy a lotto ticket; if it takes more than 7 hours I would stay inside during thunderstorms. It would make sense to decrypt the hint before beginning your hunt. GOOD LUCK.

2007-2008 hunt dates listed here. (visit link) . I do not recommend hiking in the area during hunt dates.

Congratulations to FSUDad and JerseyGirl & Bruno for the first find.

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Nyy vagrezrqvngr fgntrf ner cynprq ng bnx gerrf (qrnq be nyvir) naq ner nobir lbhe jnvfg. Svany vf ybpngrq va n ubyybj ybt juvpu yvrf haqre n guvpx gerr/ohfu pnabcl. Svany vf orybj lbhe jnvfg.

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)


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