Niceville Bypass Mystery Cache

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Crow T Robot: Please contact me if this one is replaced. Thanks.

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Hidden : 7/20/2006
Difficulty:
3.5 out of 5
Terrain:
3 out of 5

Size: Size: regular (regular)

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Geocache Description:

The listed coordinates are NOT the cache coordinates! The coordinates are only the general area of the cache.
If you end up at these coordinates, you can find the easy-to-find Benchmark here.

This a multi-stage puzzle cache. If you do not like puzzles, you might not want to bother with this one. There are 3 stages. In order to complete this cache, you must solve 3 puzzles in the field.


The image above is the proposed route of the Niceville Bypass. It cuts through some of my favorite parts of the forest. If this plan is ever put into action, this cache (along with several others) may get destroyed. This cache will introduce you to some great trails. The trails are all wide and easy to travel. There are trails to take you to each stage, although that could be a puzzle as well since it is somewhat of a maze. There is NO need to cross private property to get the 1st stage or any of the stages.

Stage 1: Voyager

To determine the coordinates of the 1st stage, you must decode the following images:

Congratulations to putt42 on the FTF with no hints!
The following hint about stage 1 was given to helter_skelter (2nd to find).
The following hint is encoded as other geocaching.com hints:
Pbaireg oybpx vzntr vagb bar ybat ovanel ahzore (beqrerq nf fubja va gur xrl), n ERNYYL ovt ovanel ahzore bs pbhagf. Gura lbh unir gb hfr n fpnyr snpgbe gb pbaireg gur pbhagf gb frpbaqf (hfhnyyl zrnavat gvzr, ohg urer zrnavat n havg bs yng/yba). Gur frperg gb gur fpnyr snpgbe vf va gur anzr bs gur fgntr.

Scale Factor:
Ubj jbhyq lbh pbzzhavpngr n havg bs gvzr gb na rkgengreerfgevny?

Round the scale factor to 1 significant digit.

You can check your answers for this stage on Geochecker.com.


Once you find stage 1, you will have to solve a PVC puzzle. The stage 1 puzzle is a 'disassemble' puzzle (no excessive force or tools required). I tested it with my kids and confirmed that it is harder to put back together than it is to take apart. Please complete the puzzle by putting it back together so it is ready for the next geocacher. Inside the stage 1 puzzle are the coordinates for stage 2. Back to the trails ...
Stage 2: Soma Sudoku

Stage 2 is a wooden 'assemble' puzzle. Once it is correctly assembled, you will have the needed numbers to solve the Sudoku below. Note the missing numbers on the Sudoku are both color coded and marked with shapes (circle, triangle, and square).

Stage 3: The Swag

Now that you have all of the digits from the sudoku, use them to form the coordinates of the final location. The notation [row,col] indicates the row and column of the digit. So, for example, [2,8] in the sudoku is the digit 1.
N30 2[1,1].[1,8][8,4]
W86 2[5,8].[3,5][5,2][6,6]

FTF Prize:
The FTF Prize is a Painted Lady tavern puzzle by Tucker-Jones House. I have been collecting these puzzles for 23 years, and really enjoy them.

The final stage is an ammo can. It also contains 2 wooden puzzles and 2 metal/chain puzzles, along with a few other trade items. If you can, keep with the theme and trade puzzles for puzzles.

Location:
I rated this a difficulty 3.5 because of the need to do puzzles in the field. Some may even want to return another day to do the next puzzle. The terrain is flat, but the total distance hiking from stage-to-stage could be long.

This cache is within the Eglin air force base reservation. A pass is required to be on the reservation. It cost $7 (2005) for October - September and comes with a great map. It can be obtained from Eglin AFB Natural Resources Branch (Jackson Guard Office), located at 107 Highway 85 North, Niceville FL 32578. See GCKC1A or coordinates N 30° 31.480 W 086° 29.585.

Office hours are: Monday-Thursday 7:00-4:30pm; Friday 7:00am-6:00pm; Saturday 7:00am-12:30pm; Closed on Sunday and Federal Holidays.

A pass can be obtained by going to Jackson Guard or by mail. (See above address). Mail a copy of your most recent pass to Jackson Guard at above address with any changes in address noted. It takes 1 to 2 weeks to process. If you do not have a pass, mail a copy of your driver’s license with your phone number. Payment by mail must be by check. They will accept it made out to Jackson Guard. Phone # is (850)882-4164. A pass can also be obtained immediately by going to Jackson Guard in person during office hours.


Additional Note:
It seems many geocachers have been going on Eglin AFB Property without the required range pass. See this log and this log. PLEASE get a pass if you intend on doing this geocache. It is less than the cost of a movie, and provides many more hours of entertainment. If you don't intend on getting a pass, I respectfully ask that you not find this geocache. It could ruin the geocaching on Eglin AFB property for everyone.

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

All stages are hidden in a similar manner.

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)


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