Can You Handel This? Mystery Cache
-
Difficulty:
-
-
Terrain:
-
Size: 
(regular)
Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions
in our disclaimer.
This multi-cache is a tribute to Handel's Messiah, a great oratorio we have enjoyed hearing and performing. 2009 Update - this is no longer a puzzle cache (there used to be a bit involving Handel's "Wassermusik"). But We found most people could NOT "Handel" it, after all. So in order to make the music more accessible to the masses, please enjoy this revision. Hats off to those 40 or so who succeeded in the original score.
“Behold I tell you a mystery” (All quotations are arias or choruses from Handel's work). Something on a recent cache reminded us about sheep and next we were recalling the great chorus in Part II of the Messiah: "All we like sheep have one astray, we have turned ev'ry one to his own way. And the Lord hath laid on Him, the iniquity of us all." These intructions give you everything needed.
First, a little research to get started - this is no longer required, but to get yourself in the proper frame of mind before heading out, look up the answers to two questions:
1. How many days did it take Handel to compose this great piece of music?
2. What was the date on which the Messiah was first performed? And for extra credit, in what City? (Answer – it’s not London).
If you want credit for your research, email me your answers. Now, on with the performance:
Part 1 Daytime exploring is suggested, because otherwise "The people that walked in darkness" will have trouble. On arriving at the "Trail head" coordinates, face SOUTH and look up (“Lift Up Your Heads, o Ye Gates!”).
You should see in the heavens two numbers with a total of 5 digits: from the top vertically a group of three then a break and a group of two.
Refer to these 5 digits now as A (top), B, C, D, E (bottom).
There used to be a part 2 but poison ivy has overtaken it so now there is only the final. To get the coordinates of the final, you'll need to take WP1/Cache listing coordinates, fill in the formula below with the numbers found at WP1 and you'll get a north offset and a west offset. So for example, if A=1 B=2, and the formula was N + . (B-A) (A+B) (B + B) you'd get an offset of N + . 134 that you would add to the N portion of the Cache listing coords. So get the numbers you need at the start, plug them into the formula below, and add the offset to the cache listing coords to get the final coords.
Offset for Final: N + . (E-B) (C-A-D) (E+B) W + . (D) (C-D) (E-C-B)
When there were three waypoints, just as Handel’s Messiah was written in three parts, the three would have brought you to the final. Now you just need to do the single set of calculations and the offset added to the cache listing coords will bring you to the final - “Hallelujah!"
We hope you have fun with this. Please be careful around steep terrain - “Behold And See If There Be Any Sorrow”.
Happy Hunting, and hum a merry tune while you search. “All They That See Him” should of course sign the log, exchange your treasures, and hide it well for the next visitor. Perhaps you could specify in the log your favorite aria or chorus .
Note: Plan for the fair months, as the trail may be closed from Dec. 1 to April 1 due to eagles nesting.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Svefg frg bs ahzoref nobhg 20, 30 srrg uvtu be fb...V'z abg tbbq jvgu ahzoref. Svany jvyy or na nzzb ba gur tebhaq.