This multi-cache should test your knowledge of New Zealand native trees, as well as your navigation skills. It’s unlikely to be a lunchtime dash, so take your time.
The first part of the hunt will take you around the streets of North Dunedin, where you will be asked to identify five native trees. You’ll need to convert the letters in the trees’ names into numbers (A=1, B=2… Z=26) in order to calculate the coordinates of the next waypoint.
Once you’ve identified tree #5, you’ll have the information to locate the cache. Access to the final cache location is from Logan Park High School via Opoho Creek. This last stage will put your GPS and bush-navigation skills to a test; the terrain is not as easy. GPS reception can be poor at times; expect steep terrain in places.
The following instructions will lead you to the cache:
1. The above coordinates indicate the position of tree #1 (4 characters). The path from the lawn to the church goes right under it. The first letter is the number A. Now, encrypt the name of the tree using the standard Geocaching.com decryption key. The first letter of the encrypted name is the number B.
2. Tree #2 is (A*A + B) meters from tree #1 at B0º true. It is about 3m from a "Pay & Display Parking" sign, just behind the wooden fence. Its common English name consists of 10 characters. The first letter is the number C, the second letter is D and the eighth letter is E. Also, the seventh letter is the character "X3".
3. Tree #3 is 2CE meters from tree #2 at (E*E)º true. If you are reading a "TOW AWAY AREA" sign, the tree is just above your head. Its common English name consists of 9 characters. The first letter is the character "X1", the sixth letter is "X6" and the ninth letter is "X9". Now, encrypt the name using the standard Geocaching.com decryption key. The fourth letter in the encrypted name is the number F, and the sixth letter is G.
4. Tree #4 is 4DE meters from tree #3 at (F*G)º true. It’s just behind a street sign. Its common English name consists of 11 characters. The third letter is the number H, and the sixth letter is I. Also, the first letter is "X4", and the tenth letter is "X5".
5. Now walk HDH meters from tree #4 at (I*I – H)º true. Take a seat – you deserve a rest. Oh, and don’t forget to take a look at the large tree right above your head. Its common name consists of 6 characters. The second letter is the number J, and the fourth letter is K. Also, the second letter is the character "X7" and "X8", and the sixth letter is "X2".
The final cache location is KHEE meters from tree #5 at (C*J)º true. It is right at the base of a tree, whose name consists of the characters X1 to X9. You are looking for an ammo box, invisible from 0 meters distance.
If you take something out, please drop something in - includes when retrieving TBs and Geocoins. There is an 8m tape measure for FTF (no swap required).
And please, respect the trees – do not take branches or twigs for identification. If you need help from an expert, take the expert to the tree, do not take the tree to the expert.
Initial cache contents were: logbook, pen, pencil and pencil sharpener; one 8m tape measure; two rubber balls; three toy cars; TB Furry Fish.