Gauntlet 2011 - Child's Play Multi-cache
seldon: It's all played out. Feel free to post any pictures of the stages. Rest in peace.
Gauntlet 2011 - Child's Play
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(regular)
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Just when you thought it was safe to go back to the forest, another Gauntlet is thrown down. A six-stage multi-cache, an overall (round-trip) hike of about 3 1/2 miles from the parking lot in Rice County Wilderness Park. Few will make the effort, how many will finish the journey?
All stages are within a couple hundred feet of a good walking trail, not a lot of bushwacking needed (as far as I can tell now, anyway.) Note that the part of the trail along the river is on the flood plain, so may require some minor detours from time to time. In consideration of the effort expressed by cachers in the previous two Gauntlets: (GC26NWB Senses Census, still active; and the original - Gauntlet: Seldon's Century Hide (GC1EJ4X) now archived), the 2011 version is Child's Play. At each stage you will hark back to your youthful delight in the simple pleasures and wonders of the world in order to obtain the coords for the next stage. Slow down, re-learn the patience to enjoy the world near and far.
Special Note on Stage Five: Due to a quirky intersection of Newtonian physics and Einsteinian relativity (plus a smattering of Uncertainty Principle), this stage may prove to be very challenging. An alternate easier route to obtain the coords for the Final (stage 6) is also provided; feel free to use it. Please do not destroy stage 5 - it is sound in theory, and the coords are there. However, SPECIAL KUDOS to any and all who actually use stage 5 as intended to get the coords - you get bragging rights, your caching karma has risen substantially, and you will be greatly admired by your fellow cachers.
SPECIAL NOTE ON FINAL STAGE: If you get it almost all the way complete, but come upon an insurmountable problem, you have permission to use gentle force to solve the issue, even if it gives slight damage to the cache. Just let me know.
The stages are all meant to be found, no need to tear up the terrain. At the Final stage is a large lock and lock. The log is inside an orange match safe, and must be signed to get credit for passing this Gauntlet. PLEASE be very gentle with all the stages, and re-hide well. Bug juice will prove helpful during the skeeter season.
Many cachers say they are not in it for the numbers. Here's a chance to prove it. One smiley, a lot of effort; you will remember this one. So, what say you - local cachers, those from outlying areas, Twin Cities, wherever - it's out there, waiting....
(1/8/12 edit): It appears that a minor disturbance in the force has caused slight damage in stage five, so that a "7" seems to appear where there should be a "1".
Additional Hints
(No hints available.)