A True WV Geocacher 3 ....
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
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!!A True W.V. Geocacher 3 .... knows the power of the wind!!
Since Earth, Water, Wind and Fire were the initial “elements,” this series explores each in detail from a Geocaching viewpoint. In “A True W.V. Geocacher 1 ….” (GC2BK2V) we explored the Earth in all its steepness and rockiness. In “A True W.V. Geocacher 2 ….” (GC2G7HA) the seeker of the cache became one with the second element and now “A True W.V. Geocacher 3 ….” brings us face to face with the power of the Wind.
Courageously, the Wind has been harnessed by the Earths inhabitants for eons; to soar above the clouds, to sail upon the seas, to shoot spit balls across the room … and now to unlock a cache container!
Halt - Warning: Difficult terrain, difficult puzzle, two stage multi, and the need for a difficult key to open the cache container make this anything but a “park and grab.” Difficult terrain, difficult puzzle, two stages located in incredible areas, opening the cache container successfully (even if not on the first trip to the Final Stage) should make this cache extremely rewarding.
Reminder - Warning: This cache is located in the Snake Hill Wildlife Management Area. Please take appropriate precautions during hunting seasons!
Attention - Important!!! Before proceeding: Read all directions at each stage (including this description) carefully before proceeding onward! You have been warned!
Daylight hours only – the terrain is NOT compatible with night-time hunting! Leave yourself several hours to complete this hunt.
Ease your mind!! The Final Stage container is large. (Yes, large!) The Stage 1 container is small.
Remember to park at the following coordinates:
N 39 36.613’
W 079 49.746’
(Venture out without reading this ENTIRE description and you will be sorry!)
Allow the coordinates, listed in this cache description, to guide you to Stage 1. The location of the Stage 1 container, to us, is quite remarkable, kind of like walking into the Land of Oz after struggling through the wilds of West Virginia. We imagine very few individuals have ever been here before. Plan to stop here for lunch or at least a break. You will want to savor the ambiance, and regain your strength. You will also need to study the Stage 1 cache contents carefully in order to be able to proceed to the Final Stage successfully. If you need reading glasses bring them along, the print is relatively small. At Stage 1 you will be given the coordinates for the Final Stage, as well as some important information that you will need in order to open the Final Stage cache container and successfully sign the log book. Please be careful with the cache contents and container and place them back as found.
LOOK AT THIS! Read further before hitting the trail!
Victory can be achieved in one of two ways:
1. Embrace the fact that you will need to harness the power of the wind in order to open the final container AND that you will need to use a common tool in order to harness the wind successfully (unless you are endowed with super powers) AND you will need to bring this tool with you since the Final Stage cache container is tethered to its location.
2. Proceed forward without bringing any tool with you, find Stage 1, successfully find the Final Stage using the coordinates found in Stage 1, inspect the cache container and realize the exact type of tool that you need, hike back out to the parking area, drive home to retrieve the tool, drive back to the parking area, hike back to the location of the Final Stage, unlock the container using your tool to harness the power of the wind, sign the log book and return to your car (whew!).
Ultimately, both approaches are reasonable and we suspect that both will be used to complete this find. Be aware that the Terrain rating of 4 was almost changed to a 4.5, (after my first trip to the cache sites) but since there are usually no snakes in the way I feel that the 4.5 rating is appropriate. Although each time you make the trek it gets easier, it is still “an adventure.”
My, what is this tool of which we speak? It is very common and I suspect that nearly all geocaching families own at least one. It comes in many sizes and shapes. You will need the small, hand operated version only (which is good since hauling the large industrial version over Terrain 4 would be akin to carrying Cindy the Cinderblock TB to the cache ;-). This tool, like a sail or wing, harnesses the wind and outputs that energy into a matched “receiver.” There are two common “receivers,” but only one will be able to unlock the cache container. The name of the “receiver” type and the tool is hidden within this description. Solve this puzzle and you will know exactly what the tool is that you need to bring with you.
Pass onward, letting the wind guide you on your quest! Good luck!!
!WARNING (again) – Cache is located in Snake Hill Wildlife Management Area and should NOT be attempted during dear hunting season!
!!WARNING – Snake Hill is called Snake Hill because, in addition to deer, bear and a multitude of insects there are SNAKES. We spotted a pair of mating Timber Rattlers very near Stage 1 on one of our trips to the cache sites!!
!!!WARNING – Difficult terrain means a wrong step could send you down a steep cliff face. Daylight hours only!!!
Tips:
1. Please try to avoid creating a Geotrail to Stage 1 or to the Final Stage – weave your way to the coordinates, like a True W.V Geocacher, rather than using brute force.
2. Be gentle with the Final Stage container – many, many hours went into its construction and although it is pretty robust, it will last longer if kept in pristine condition.
3. Read ALL of the instructions at the Final Stage before trying to unlock the container – thanks.
Enjoy!!
Ruanwv
!!Congratulations to 89SC for the FTF honors!!
!!!Important - This cache is in Snake Hill WMA. It is called Snake Hill for a good reason - there are snakes here!! Stage 1 has recently been seen to be guarded by a Timber Rattler! We will be spreading some "Snake Away" in the general and specific area of Stage 1 to discourage long term residence but please be careful - (It's already a Difficulty 5 ;-)!!!
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Fgntr 1: Fvg naq erfg – lbh qrfreir vg. V’z nsenvq gung yrsgvrf ner ng n qvfnqinagntr urer.
Svany Fgntr: Gnxr lbhe gvzr trggvat urer – lrf gurer vf n jnl (2 npghnyyl). Oenva bire oenja jvyy qrsvavgryl jva ng guvf fgntr. ERNQ NYY BS GUR VAFGEHPGVBAF SVEFG!