6 Degrees of Massachusetts Mystery Cache
6 Degrees of Massachusetts
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
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The 6 Degrees of Massachusetts:
This cache has nothing to do with Kevin Bacon. Or at least very little. When you look at a map of Massachusetts you will see the 42nd parallel runs through it. Also, it is dissected by the 70th, 71st, 72nd, and 73rd longitude lines. This creates 6 separate sectors of Massachusetts. (70/42, 70/41, 71/42, 71/41, 72/42, 73/42) See map, grid and notes below for details. Also see exception note about the 69th longitude line.
The long and short of it is to claim this cache you have to find a cache in each of the six sectors and then the final for this cache. (READ THE RULES BELOW!) The final cache is a short, two-stage multi. The first stage consists of two magnets that give you the last three digits of the north and west coords. The final is within walking distance of the magnets. Where are the magnets you ask? Keep reading and you will find out.
While setting up this cache I ran a list of all the caches in Massachusetts (as of 8-15-06) into a database. I then derived the average north coordinate and the average west coordinate for all those caches and found out the center of the Massachusetts caching universe was in Hopkinton. Who knew?
The closest cache is GCTXRT which is Fezziwig377’s “Stampin’ Around” cache at Hopkinton State Park. I check with the Fezz to make sure I did not Stamp on his cache while placing this one. I placed the final at what was, on that day, the center of Massachusetts caching universe. Since then the center has been migrating northwest. What doe that tell you?
ON TO THE CACHE:
Rules are as follows:
1. To “FIND” this cache, you must find or place a cache within each of the 6 degree sectors in Massachusetts. See above for the explanation of a degree sector and the exceptions. You may NOT include caches found by you prior to the publication date and time of this cache page as determined by the reviewer's note of publication.
2. Only Traditional, Multi, Earth, Letterbox Hybrid and Mystery caches located in Massachusetts count as finds. Events, CITOs, Web Cams, Virtuals, etc. do not. (Sorry those are the rules.)
3. The posted coordinates are what determine which sector a cache is counted in. This is especially important for Multis and Mysteries. The location of the stages or the final do not matter. (Do not use caches where the final is more than 2 miles from or in a different sector than the posted coordinates.)
4. Your six caches must each be at least 9.875 miles apart from each other. In other words you can’t claim both Lone Wolf Cache at N 42 30.111 W 071 00.103 and Wolf Pits at N 42° 30.163 W 070° 59.952.
5. Placement of a cache in a sector counts the same as finding a cache in that sector. If you choose to do this, however, you are responsible for meeting all approval and maintenance criteria with Geocaching.com. See note above for "EXEMPT" types.
6. Generally accepted rules, guidelines and conditions for logging a cache find apply. These must be bona fide caches listed on Geocaching.com that you have personally (physically) found and logged after the publication date and time of this cache page.
7. Please do not go to the final prior to completing the six caches required unless you live more than 42.125 miles from the final as the crow flies. (I will base this on the use of your zip code’s ground zero if there is a question.) If you do live more than 42.125 miles from the final you may go to the final only after you have completed at least 3 of the 6 sectors. Post your visit as a note only. After you have finished the rest of the sectors you can then post a new “found” log on that date. (Do not reuse the old note and do not delete the old note.)
8. While you may have others with you when you find the final cache. Only those who have fulfilled ALL criteria for this cache will be allowed to log it as a find. Find logs by other cachers will be deleted. (Notes are OK.) Please do not sign the log or trade items prior to completing all 6 sectors or 3 as outlined in rule number 7.
9. After meeting the rules above you can go and find the final. Go to the posted coordinates and find the two magnets that give you the last three digits of the north and west coords. (Ignore the N and W on the magnets and just remember the north 3 digits are lower than the west 3 digits. The final is within walking distance of the magnets.
10. How will I verify your completion you ask?
You will need to post a found log to the cache page that contains the coordinates, GC number, and date of each find. If I can not verify each of your logs the find will be deleted.
Example: N 42° 21.776 W 071° 03.019 - GCY7V7 – 09/28/06
11. When in doubt ask—we can discuss it or even seek guidance from others, but the final decision rests with the cache owner. (Rule changes may happen.)
Exception Notes:
The 69th longitude line does run through the eastern edge of the cape and Nantucket. Currently there are about 10 caches that fall east of that line. For the sake of this adventure, those will be counted in the 70th sector.
Good luck and good caching,
Loch Cache
Last Note: Attributes are for the final cache, terrain and difficulty will vary based on the caches you do. I would love to hear what your total and average T/D ratings are for this challenge.
FINDERS:
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
gnxr n ybnq bss