This cache was designed to be what I have termed an “Epic
Cache.” This means that the cache is: multi-stage;
multi-modal (involving multiple types of caches); and involving
skills beyond simply finding hidden containers (decrypting ciphers,
solving logic problems, …). Many Epics require more than a
day to complete, but I set this one up to be done in one day. Total
hike is estimated at 5 to 6 miles, over mostly well-kept ski
trails. However, poor soil drainage and illegal use by vehicles
makes for some bad muddy areas. Note the 5/5 rating.
To complete this Epic, you will need to visit a total of six
locations in the vicinity. The coordinates of five of these stages
are given in the waypoints below, and each has information that
will lead you to the sixth and final find. The early five can be
done in any order. Along the way you will learn about four
fictitious Navy ships, which happen to be an aircraft carrier, a
cruiser, a frigate and a submarine. These ships have all recently
made calls to the imaginary Port of Winona, a bustling military and
trade facility. You’ll be finding out the names of the ships,
their hull numbers, and the names of their captains. I’ve
taken some extraordinary artistic license in the name of Fun and
Geocaching, but you’ll get the idea. Be weary of redundant
and extraneous data, and take note that some clues might tell you
more about what does not go together than what does. When you have
all this, if you reorder the captains’ last names
alphabetically, then the corresponding hull numbers will be in
order AB, CD, WX, and YZ. The final stage is located at 43 degrees
4A.BCD north by 075 degrees 5W.XYZ west.
I suggest you prepare a table with rows labeled "Aircraft
Carrier," "Cruiser," "Frigate," and "Submarine" and columns labeled
"Hull Number," "Ship Name," and "Captain Name" and fill it in as
you gain information. Temporary hint: At least one clue is
contained within the logs below!
There are several parking areas around Winona, but I designed
this to be a loop starting and ending at the CCC camp. Suggested
route is from the Camp just down Bargy Road to Frank's Fancy Trail,
to Winona Way, to Hiscock Trail, back to Bargy Road. You can then
take a straight shot up Bargy road back to the CCC camp, or choose
to extend your hike on other trails. The final is "near" the camp,
and the last ~200 ft to/from the final is marked with fire tacks,
for those who chose.
Recommended Checklist: Your best hiking boots, hydration, trail
snacks, flashlight, hydration, compass, paper/pencil, fresh
batteries in the GPS, hydration, blaze orange clothing in season, a
camera, your sense of adventure, bug repellent, and hydration.
Except for the Rain Gauge, all of the early stages are round,
snack size plastic containers. The final is a massive ammo can.
Hearty congrats to hamfam5 with GeoJoe71 for FTF.
Acknowledgements: I would like to thank NFA, rojeel, and Team
Smoke for the inspiration, Hamfam5 for the container that is the
final, and Grizzly Bear 1 for proof-reading the clues and giving it
a test run.