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Geometric Series no. 5 Mystery Cache

This cache has been archived.

Mineral2: It's been the better part of a year, and I still haven't come up with a good solution to replace this one. The long-range forecasts predict another cold and wet winter, which could mean another spring with high floods. That alone makes this area unsuitable for a geocache, at least within my current hiding abilities. I thought I could attach a magnet to the platform higher up to secure a magnetic style hide, but decided it wasn't worth the risk of vandalizing the property. Also, my future presence in the Moscow area may be short. So the result is that I will not seek to replace this cache, and instead open it up to someone else who can come up with a flood-prove solution.

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Hidden : 1/2/2015
Difficulty:
4 out of 5
Terrain:
1.5 out of 5

Size: Size:   small (small)

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Geocache Description:

In this series, you will use some basic principles of geometry to find the coordinates of the hidden container. Do not go to the posted coordinates unless instructed to do so. The puzzles in this series will start of easy, with no. 1 being the easiest, and each subsequent puzzle getting harder.


Triangulation

 

Triangulation is a method of finding your location based on the known location of landmarks. Using a compass, you find the direction between you and at least three landmarks visible from your location and marked on a map. You would then mark a line from each in the compass direction toward your location. The point where the three lines intersect is your location.

Why 3 points? Technically, you could get away with finding your location at two points. But often, when drawing that third line, you find that the three lines don't quite intersect perfectly, leaving you with a small triangle, which represents your error in estimation. Of course, more than three points will (hopefully) reduce that error even further, but generally, you find your location with enough precision to find your way to your destination.

The cache is not at the coordinates listed, rather you will have to triangulate its position using information about the landmarks below. You can solve this puzzle using a compass and a map, or you can use digital mapping software such as Google Earth or Garmin Basecamp to do the triangulation. There is also a mathematical solution using systems of linear equations. You'll likely find coordinates within a ballpark range. Use your geosenses on location to do the rest.

Moscow Mountain Summit - 43°
Tomer Butte - 114°
East Twin - 30°
West Twin - 26°
Friendship Square - 296°
GC57EAQ - 298°

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Gurer hfrq gb or n trbpnpur urer orsber gur bjaref zbirq njnl.

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)