Skip to content

Theseus Released Mystery Cache

Hidden : 5/22/2002
Difficulty:
3 out of 5
Terrain:
2.5 out of 5

Size: Size:   regular (regular)

Join now to view geocache location details. It's free!

Watch

How Geocaching Works

Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions in our disclaimer.

Geocache Description:

Cache is not at listed coordinates. Battle the Minotaur to find the true location

This cache is based on the mythical story of Theseus and the Minotaur. Instead of a single maze, Theseus (you) must navigate through a series of mazes and collect the codes associated with their completion. The codes are then required to locate the caches true location. The actual cache should not be very difficult to reach and find, the real challenge here is defeating the Minotaur.


Since the original links and mazes don't appear to work any longer I have had to modify the the puzzle to accommodate the portion that does work. It's only 10 mazes now and they are nowhere as near as difficult, but they're still fun! Try this link to the mazes here (Internet Explorer or "Open with Internet Explorer" in Edge work best) The rules and story can all be found through various links on this page, as well as the solution to a couple of the mazes for those who need help starting off. All of the credit for these mazes goes to Toby Nelson and Robert Abbott.

It may take you a little while to figure out the basic moves, but after that it's all about defeating the mechanical bull. You will need to write down the 4-letter code you see when you beat a particular maze. While you may not need them all to find the cache, I refer to all 10 in the solution.

To get the coordinates:
Convert the individual letters to numbers using a basic system of A=1, B=2, ... Y=25, Z=26 and do the following math.

For brevity's sake the key for below is:
Maze solution # (1-10), letter #(1-4) - Maze solution #, letter #. So if Maze 1's answer code is GKLX and Maze 2's is AKWR then 1,4 - 2,3 = X - W = 24 - 23 = 1.

Latitude in standard dd mm.mmm format:
1,1 - 3,1
2,1 - 4,4
5,2 - 2,1
9,3 - 7,3
10,2 - 3,3
5,1 - 8,1
5,3 - 5,2

Longitude in standard ddd mm.mmm format:
1,4 - 2,3
3,3 - 6,3
1,3 - 4,3
8,3 - 7,2
4,3 - 10,1
9,4 - 10,3
7,3 - 10,3
8,3 - 9,1

I racked my brain for a while in solving all the mazes, they do not have to be done in any particular order but a learning process evolves if done in near order.

The final cache is an ammo box that was placed 5/23/02 and slightly relocated to the east on 12/11/10. As stated above it should be relatively easy to locate once you have the proper coordinates, involving a 1/2-mile hike or so over mostly level terrain.

Good luck on freeing Theseus, email me with any questions or problems. I can/will provide a check sum of the coordinates for those who are stuck or for anyone who just wants to verify their answer.

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Gur fgnaqneq uvqqra haqre fbzr ybtf. Vs lbh svaq Fgrir naq Zvffl, lbh ner gurer. Cyrnfr xrrc vg nf pnzbhsyntrq nf cbffvoyr.

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)