Rudolph is the central character of the song Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. He was first created for a promotion by Montgomery Ward Department Stores in 1939. Soon after, a song was written and a recorded version by Gene Autry was a best-seller over the 1949 holiday season. It remains a Christmas favorite to this day.
In the original Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer special, just as the song suggests, Rudolph was born with an unusually shiny red nose. Donner was ashamed of his son's unusual trait, so he placed a fake nose on Rudolph, which later fell off.
Rudolph leaves home because he feels ashamed of this. He later befriends Hermey, an elf outcast who wanted to be a dentist, and the miner Yukon Cornelius. They arrived at the Island of Misfit Toys, a place where all of the unwanted toys go.
After spending the night, Rudolph travels back to his home, and finds out that his family left to go look for him. He searches for them, saving them from the Abominable Snowmonster of the North. Once they arrive at the North Pole, Rudolph learns that Christmas will have to be canceled because of the weather conditions. However, Santa Claus asks Rudolph to use his nose to light the way and lead his team. Thus, Christmas is saved and Rudolph is praised as a hero instead of a misfit.
Rudolph also makes a brief cameo in Santa Claus is Comin' to Town, immediately following the introduction of the original eight reindeer. As a continuity nod, S. D. Kluger points out to his audience that Rudolph does not have a role in the story he's telling, since his backstory is another story altogether.
Rudolph returned in two sequels, Rudolph's Shiny New Year and Rudolph and Frosty's Christmas in July. The latter provides a detailed backstory for Rudolph's nose, explaining that the Lady Borealis made it shine as a defense against the evil Winterbolt, and that its power lasts only as long as Rudolph uses his gift for good.
Oddly enough, Rudolph is not accompanied by any of his co-stars from the original special in Shiny New Year nor Christmas in July. Also, although he was a fully-grown reindeer by the end of the original special, in these sequels, he appears to have de-aged back to his younger form.
The winter series theme this year involves characters from the classic Rankin/Bass Stop-Motion animation TV Specials that first aired in the 60's, 70's, and early 80's.
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I had hoped to repeat the 2011 CCC Rudolph cache but No Tresspassing signs thwarted that idea. I have come up with a short puzzle cache instead.
At (or near) the posted coords you will see a sign with details on parts of the local ordinance #20. There are two detailed sections called out. Let the first be 20.ABC and the second will be 20.DEF. Lastly if you look up you might see Rudolphs Transforming Power - or at least a 4 digit yellow number that will help you locate this cache. Let that four digit number be GHIJ.
For the nearby final proceed to 42 5E.HDG and 085 3C.CAB.
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To celebrate this year's hides, there is a bonus (final) cache so make sure and collect coordinates at each of the qualifiers to find the final, Bumble.
Also listed at each hide is a keyword to keep track of for a special ten year prize. Once you have them all, enter them here: Google Form
If unfamiliar with Google Forms, please contact us via email, cold.cache.crew@gmail.com, for further instructions.
There are a limited number of prizes. Entries will be accepted through April 15th or while supplies last.
2021 Winter Series - "Cold Characters" caches