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Massachusetts County Challenge Mystery Cache

Hidden : 3/7/2009
Difficulty:
3.5 out of 5
Terrain:
2 out of 5

Size: Size:   small (small)

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Geocache Description:

This Quest Cache will have you venturing around the great state of Massachusetts, visiting each of its 12 non-island counties.


NOTE: This cache IS at the posted coordinates BUT BEFORE YOU LOG IT AS A FIND, you must complete a certain quest:

Ground rules: The purpose of this challenge cache is to get you out caching!!! As such, to log this cache:

  • First, you will need to find 12 other caches, 1 per non-island** Massachusetts county. Each of the 12 cache finds must not have been found by you before the this cache was submitted: 7 March 2009. Changing the dates of a previous find will result in an automatic and permanent disqualification for this cache. (I haven't had this problem yet, but apparently other Quest Cache owners have).
  • **Dukes and Nantucket may be done for bragging rights!!
  • If you are using a cache here, you cannot also use it toward another Quest Cache. Examples: GCYJY1: Massachusetts DeLorme Challenge or GCY1YP: 6 Degrees of Massachusetts. Reminder: the primary goal is to get you out caching! So go find some geocaches! In fact, as long as you're planning to dash around the state, work on those quests too!
  • Traditionals, Multis, Mysteries, GPS Maze Exhibits, and Wherigo definitely count.
  • Virtuals and Earthcaches will ALSO count, but only once I have verified that the owner of those caches has in fact logged in since you posted your find (and subsequently hasn't challenged/deleted your find).
  • All OTHER grandfathered-types of caches WILL NOT COUNT. For example, while Virtuals are in, any traveling caches are out.
  • Event caches. Exactly 1 of your 12 must be an event cache - no more - no less. Secondary goal: go find/make geofriends! Any kind of event cache will do: general event, CITO event, mega event, etc..
  • I will be using a number of tools in order to verify which county a cache is counted as. For any discrepancies between our thoughts about which county a cache is, we will present evidence to each other and then negotiate the solution/decision. I understand that no matter how well I try to delineate the guidelines here, unforeseen circumstances will arise. In general, I'm very open for compromise so long as there is credible evidence. As my guideline, think: the tie goes to the geocacher.
  • Note: if the cache begins in one place and ends with another, how will it be counted?! Simple. The given starting coordinates are what count! So, a multi-cache that begins in County A and ends in County B will count as a County A cache. This discriminant also applies to state lines as well. For example, http://www.coord.info/GCGC0Y: MA/VT/NY is eligible because it is listed as Massachusetts on the geocaching.com website. And what if it actually clearly sits on the boundary of 2 counties?! Again, the tie goes to the geocacher..

So how can the caches you use be verified? Simple! Include any of the following in your post to this page:

  1. That there is a bookmark list containing these 12 caches (Aside: I do not mind the caches sharing a bookmark list with other caches so long as the 12 you are using are clearly labeled for this cache - perhaps rename your entries as "(for GC19QJC)" followed by the actual cache name - this will place them alphabetically in a group.
  2. An actual list of the GC #s for the 12 component caches.
  3. Where on the web one might go looking at a .gpx file containing your 12 component caches. (Note: to others wishing to view such a file, neither Groundspeak nor I will vouch that the file will be safe to download or to view and therefore such others will assume their own risks in doing so. Yadda yadda yadda liability free disclaimer. Burma shave.)

Once last thing: You will be traveling all around the state for this one, which I know is quite west of the state's center. If you'd like to make arrangements for physically finding the final beforethe day that you complete the cache's requirements, it is possible - it's just that you can't log this as a find until you meet the requirements. Just remember that finding the cache is NOT the same as qualifying for listing here that you found the cache.

my caches
see my bookmarks list

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

ebnqyriry

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)