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A cooperative geocache Mystery Cache

Hidden : 3/25/2007
Difficulty:
3.5 out of 5
Terrain:
1.5 out of 5

Size: Size:   small (small)

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Geocache Description:

Not at the published location. This cache cannot be solved and found by a single geocacher, but will require cooperation. Cooperation is a good thing (I hope). This is also an attempt to even out differences in puzzle-solving skills across cachers!

The main cooperative phase is (almost) over and the puzzling is almost done (phew!). Thanks to all who have taken part; I think/hope it was enjoyable. And, if you like a bit of a walk in lovely woods with interesting features hidden in them, then you can try the nearby HackHurst Hack Series and also try out the 11 caches of my "North Downs Mega Ramble" series; they aren't too far away either. For those who like puzzles, then this cooperative cache provides clues for some of my other puzzle caches (GCY6F6 and GC114K4 in particular).


The page contains fairly straightforward textual information about the coordinates of the cache but this text is represented by several rows of Xs below (the row format is not intended to be helpful!). Revealing what this text contains will require cachers to play a cooperative game. The rules are simple.

1) Cachers must guess the words present in the rows of Xs.
2) Each geocaching account is initially entitled to one guess at a word. ***ADDITIONAL NEW RULE***If that guess is correct then you get a further guess until you make an incorrect guess.
3) The **only** way to redeem your guess is to write a note on the cache page with your word clearly identified in the note.
4) If your guess is a word hidden in the rows of Xs then I will replace the Xs with the word. I will use my discretion for near misses.
5) Guesses that are wrong have no effect on the cache page, I will write a note to confirm the guess was wrong.
6) If a word appears more than once in the text then it will have to be guessed more than once i.e. each correct guess will reveal only one of the occurrences of the word concerned.
7) No other clues or help will be provided.
8) If little progress is made after a good number of guesses have been made, I will review the rules of the game!

Good luck and get busy guessing!

I will keep a list of the wrong guesses here:

http://homepages.gold.ac.uk/janepowell/wrong_guesses.htm

although it may be a bit out of date. You might check the last few logs to see what others have been ruled out recently! Assume N 51 and W 000 of course, and don't worry about decimal points and spaces.

STARTWIT
HANDYSUBTR
ACT
WESTINGTHENPLU
SNORT
HINGANDADDNUMBEROFFEETINMILETHE
ANSWERISREDYOUALSO
NEEDTO
KNOWTHATTWICENORTHINGMINUSWESTINGISTWOTWOFOUR

Here's a musical clue too: http://homepages.gold.ac.uk/janepowell/2733759.mp3

...and now the game has been blown wide open, click here for a full explanation:

http://homepages.gold.ac.uk/aphome/coop/shawshank.htm

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Chmmyr: Pubbfr lbhe thrff pnershyyl, gurer vf n ahzore bs pubvprf juvpu ner yvxryl gb or cebsvgnoyr! Pnpur: raq bs snyyra gerr; frr fcbvyre cvpgher bs lbh arrq vg

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)