With the demise of Tube Torcher in August 2005 the geocaching community lost a great caching experience! Through the efforts of Indiana Lee and CrotalusRex cachers were taken on an incredible journey into the unknown! If you hadn't attempted Tube Torcher you weren't really a geocacher...
For my 600th hide I decided to attempt to place a pale imitation to give folks a small taste of what the original was like. But this cache hunt will have some twists and turns not seen in TT. There are tubes, puzzles, tubes, ammo boxes, tubes, online research, tubes, bison tubes, and tubes. I hope you like it! And I hope that Indiana Lee and CrotalusRex take this cache for what it is meant to be -- an homage.
The listed coordinates are NOT for the cache but for a couple of prominent area tubes. You will NOT need to go anywhere near these tubes! So get off the couch and have some fun! The first stop for this adventure will be found at:
N 35° 2 A.BCD
W 82° 3 E.FGH
All answers for this first, online research puzzle are checksums of dates. The dates you need are the find dates for Tube Torcher. Here is how to calculate the checksums: If the date is October 19, 2007 you would convert all to numbers (1 0 1 9 2 0 0 7) and add them (20). If you get more than a single digit number keep adding them until you get a single digit (2). So the checksum for 10/19/2007 is 2.
A = Nuwati
B = Katydid & Miles Stone
C = OldManJack
D = wanderlust
E = DMflyer
F = Monkeybrad
G = BlindReff
H = johnboy
CHECKSUM for the above: A + B + C + D + E + F + G + H = XY; X + Y = 9
You can check your answer for the above puzzle on Geochecker.com.
Once you get to the calculated coordinates -- in the distance you should actually be able to see the prominent tubes that are located at the listed coordinates -- you are looking for an historical plaque that explains how a nearby natural feature got its name. (Just to make sure you have the right plaque, it was unveiled in September 1967.) Information from this plaque will lead you to the next stop, which is at:
N 35° 29. PQR
W 82° 33. STU
P = the number of Js in the honoree's full name
Q = the number of letters in the honoree's last name
R = the number of Ms in the honoree's full name
S = the number of Ys in the honoree's full name
T = the number of Os in the honoree's full name
U = the number of Gs in the honoree's full name
CHECKSUM for the above: P + Q + R + S + T + U = 7
From this point on you are on your own! A solo hunt is NOT recommended though possible. Look for info enclosed by ORANGE once you enter tubes. All stops are in Buncombe County and a 2WD vehicle will suffice. A flashlight is highly recommended. And a Sharpie WILL be needed to sign the logbook. (I would like for as many cachers as possible to sign the original logbook; please sign legibly but try to not take up too much space.) A camera with a flash is recommended; a photo at the final cache location showing you (or all members of your group) is requested to be loaded to the cache page. Please take note of all instructions provided throughout the hunt. Do not take anything from any stop unless you are at the final cache. The penultimate stop -- an actual stop from Tube Torcher -- will have tube torches painted on the wall. The combinations for the locks that will be found at the final cache can be found at the Scooby Doo stage. DO NOT TAKE THE GRIPPER THING!!! The final cache contains large Ziploc bags, one each for trade items, travel bugs/geocoins, the logbook, and FTF prizes. Please place the cache back exactly where you found it! Part of the difficulty with this cache is not just the journey to find it but also to be able to retrieve it and replace it.
Many of the stops require a certain amount of physical endurance, strength, agility, and flexibility. This is NOT a park-and-grab! Each successive stop gets harder and more physical. Give yourself at least two-three hours to complete the hunt. It may take you much longer. Do NOT attempt this hunt during/after periods of heavy rain. One of the stops is only open from 8am until 6-9pm. [6pm during winter and 9pm during summer]
DISCLAIMER: You are attempting to find this geocache of your own free will; you have not been coerced in any way by OzGuff or anyone at Groundspeak. If you are placed in danger, become sick, find yourself in a compromising situation, or are injured due to the actions of yourself, other people, wild or domestic animals, or the natural and manmade environment around you, you must take care of yourself and your problems.
Enjoy my 600th hide! And thanks again to Indiana Lee and CrotalusRex for paving the way for caches in western NC that are a little more extreme!!!
FTF HONORS GO TO johnboy (sort of)!!!
FTPP (First To Post Pictures) HONORS GO TO ncmtnluver, PUR24KARET, and Nuwati!!!
