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Beachbox Letterbox Hybrid

This cache has been archived.

Zosimos: Well that didn't last long.

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Hidden : 6/12/2013
Difficulty:
2.5 out of 5
Terrain:
2 out of 5

Size: Size:   regular (regular)

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Geocache Description:

What is a beachbox? A letterbox at the beach, of course! Cache is ideal for groups and individuals visiting New Brighton State Beach. The hunt requires treasure seekers to answer a few easy questions at each stage which in turn are used to reveal coordinates leading to the next stage. Camping and geocaching are perfect complimentary activities, so here's a cache to add to your "to do" list when spending family time at this beautiful location.

Note the additional waypoints if you'd prefer not to pay $10 to park your vehicle inside the state park. There are multiple trails (approximate 2+ terrain level) leading down to the beach which are accessible by crossing the defunct railroad tracks. THIS CACHE MAY TAKE 30-60 MINUTES BUT IT'S AT THE BEACH SO ENJOY IT!

Please keep in mind the themed rubber stamps located inside the container are NOT trade items and should remain permanently assigned to this cache! The stamp(s) are used by visitors who collect and trade ink based souvenirs and is integral to the letterbox aspect of this cache.

Stage One (S-1)
At the starting coordinates you will find a building. Answer the following questions (A, B, C, D, E) and plug your answers into the waypoint below to acquire the full coordinates for Stage Two (S-2).

A) How many restrooms (not counting showers) are located in this building?

B) There is a wooden board on the south side of the building where messages are sometimes posted about the campground. On the top frame is carved a label which begins with the letter "C" followed by a dash (or hyphen). How many letters are in the word following the dash?

C) How many fire extinguishers are located on the OUTSIDE of this building?

D) How many sinks are located on the OUTSIDE of this building?

E) How many showers are located on the NORTH side of the building?

Stage Two (S-2) waypoint is N'36° 58.7AB W'121° 56.CDE

Stage Two (S-2)
Use a little arithmetic to solve for FG and HI and plug your answers below to acquire the waypoint for Stage Three (S-3). You will need to count items scattered around this area in order to acquire X, Y, and Z.

X = number of stone bbq EDIFICES present
Y = number of stone water fountains present
Z = number of COVERED picnic tables (trees are not considered cover! :)

FG = (X × 10) - 3
HI = Y + Z

Stage Three (S-3) waypoint is N'36° 58.7FG W'121° 56.0HI

Stage Three (S-3)
Answer the following questions using information depicted on historical placards to acquire the waypoint for Stage Four (S-4).

J) How many letters make up the name of the flat-bottomed boats used in this area by Chinese fisherman in the 1850s?

K) How many young men are pictured on the CCC plaque?

L) How many letters make up the name of the Native American tribe who lived in this area centuries ago?

M) What is the final digit in the number identifying how many miles the Sooty Shearwaters can travel in a year?

N) What is the third digit of the year when the narrow gauge railroad was completed?

O) What is the second digit of the number of young men who worked between here and Watsonville as part of the CCC in 1934?

Stage Four (S-4) waypoint is N'36° 58.JKL W'121° 56.MNO

Stage Four (S-4)
Along this path you will find a very small survey marker permanently affixed to the pavement (within 20 feet of coordinates). It is labeled _ _ _ _ _ S CONTROL. Use the code key below to substitute a numeral for each of the first five letters of the mystery word on the label. The five numerals should be plugged into the waypoint in the same order as the first five letters of the word.

Code Key:
A=5  B=3  C=4  D=6  E=9  F=0  G=7  H=2  I=1  J=3  K=4  L=5  M=1
N=6  O=8  P=7  Q=1  R=9  S=1  T=0  U=1  V=8  W=5  X=2  Y=7  Z=8

Final Stage (S-5) is located at N'36° 58._ _ _ W'121° 56._ _ 2

Final Stage (S-5)
The following hint can be decoded using the ROT-13 cipher. Consider it a clue that may or may not be needed at GZ! :-)

RZOBFFRQ PEBFF


You can validate your puzzle solution with certitude.

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

[S-4] fvmr bs dhnegre [S-5] nxn Qjnlar Wbuafba

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)