Return To Oz....Final / Version 2.0 Mystery Cache

This is the final cache in the Oz series.  The series caches: The Cowardly Lion, The Tin Man, Dorothy, Scarecrow, and Toto Too. These caches contain coordinates for the final. Follow the yellow brick road...

Cache of

the Month

February 2009!

A big thanx to all of you who voted for and helped this cache be voted "The Oz Final 2.0" Wisconsin Geocaching Association's February cache of the month in 2009!

CACHE CREDITS

There have been many cache hiders whose caches we found that helped inspire us in our cache hides:
1) The Tapps intoduced us to "Natural" hides
2) Mr Greenthumb's great themes and neat containers
3) Kodiakid's unique and creative hide methods
4) The Ecoranger's "Evil Monkey" caches
5) Doctor Dolittle's great puzzle and themes
6) Most of all, we dedicate this cache to the person who has inspired us the most in our hides and this one in particular, RANGER BOY. His hides could easily be Cache Of the Month every time he puts one out, yet he doesn't seem to get the recognition he deserves. For everyone who enjoyed this hide you can thank Ranger Boy for his influence on us.

CACHE DIFFICULTY

*PLEASE DO NOT DISREGARD THIS CACHE AS IMPOSSIBLE BECAUSE OF ITS 5/5 RATING.

This cache can be done by almost EVERYONE. It is designed to be FUN, but somewhat challenging. The ratings are only by a technicality a 5/5. I wanted to be a 5/5 to attract attention around the area and perhaps beyond this area so people could have a fun adventure. Yes, it will require some time and some searching at times and yes there is some challenging terrain at times but it can ALL be done safely. Multiple teams caching together is encouraged as it only makes it more enjoyable. Give it a try--you can do it!

1. The site for the final multi cache will involve, dense tree cover making satellite reception spotty at times, there is also burrs, mosquitoes, swampy areas, bushwhacking, lots of fallen branches and logs, knee deep snow at times, hilly terrain, a pine forest, a river, tree climbing, thorns and beautiful scenery.
2. I WOULD NOT ADVISE GOING AT NIGHT AS IT WOULD BE DANGEROUS AND VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE TO LOCATE THE WAYPOINTS.  IT MIGHT BE A GOOD IDEA TO NOT DO THIS ONE ALONE IF POSSIBLE AND BRING AN AGILE PERSON WITH YOU. RUBBER KNEE HIGH BOOTS MIGHT BE NEEDED AT ANY GIVEN TIME ALSO.
3. You can blame Josh for 2 of the waypoint hides as they have is own personal touch to them.
4. All waypoints are very findable year round.
5. Why is this final cache a 5/5?
Difficulty: There is a cumulative effect: the difficulty of the 5 helper caches, the difficulty of each of the waypoints on the final, the difficult terrain on 3 of the helpers (including possible high water and small creek crossings), the small size of almost all the containers or waypoints involved, and the driving distance between the caches.
Terrain: The 5 star terrain is based on the final cache alone. Several waypoints are a 4 terrain on their own. The over-all terrain is a 3 to 3.5 due to hills and uneven terrain. There is also a possibility that part of the multi may require navigating standing water at wet times.
6. Since this is a 5 star cache and to keep it fun for everyone please no hints from previous finders.

CACHE HISTORY

This final cache container began as a container found by accident in the woods. While collecting leaves for a school project I spotted this object that seemed out of place. I later learned from my son that it was a geo-cache. I soon became hooked on this great hobby and the rest is history. I have gained possession of that container which is now on its 4th hide!!
It seems its magical as it brings adventure with it! Conrats to the 8 teams who went through the gauntlet of finds to log the final container in its first location:

Doctor Dolittle
Puzzler& Burrgirl
3 Hawks
Wywrdson
Zemmy
Teambeek
Pharmgirl
Braidbeardsgang

The Oz final had to be moved...yep, we picked up the entire Emerald city and moved it! Unfortunately, trouble followed the container again and a property issue has claimed the first hide site. A search was undertaken and new and possibly even more challenging location has been located. Thus, the magical container has a new home a new Emerald City!

THE CACHE SERIES

It will not be easy to get to this elusive container but it will be a fun adventure. You will need to now find 5 "helper" caches which are required before heading for the final. The final itself is now a 5 part multi cache consisting of 4 very small yellow bricks leading to the final regular size container. The five helpers each contain a number needed to start the journey on the yellow brick road. Each "helper" will present its own challenge and the five caches are located in four different counties. DON'T FORGET TO WRITE DOWN THE NUMBERS FROM EACH ONE! The five helpers and their web links:

The Cowardly Lion GC1KPXZ
The Tin Man GC1KPY4
Dorothy GC1KR5X
Scarecrow GC1KPXP
Toto Too! GC1M8RH

The Journey begins at these coordinates:
N43 Scarecrow. Lion + Dorothy
W088 Tin Man. Toto Too!

Permission given for placement. The Geocache Notification Form has been submitted to Terry Heuser of the Wisconsin DNR. Geocaches placed on Wisconsin Department of Natural Resource managed lands require permission by means of a notification form. Please print out a paper copy of the notification form, fill in all required information, then submit it to the land manager. The DNR Notification form and land manager information can be obtained at: (visit link)