DHARMA BUMS Traditional Geocache
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(regular)
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This cache is for all you dharma bums, you desolation angels, you crag-hopping zen lunatics...
...On a clear day the summit of Mt. Mitchell offers a breathtaking panoramic view of St. Helens, Rainier, & Adams to the north, Hood and Jefferson to the south. The cache is a clearly-marked ammo can perched precariously over the precipice, upon the pinnacle... DO NOT attempt without a certain degree of recklessness and/or zen totality. Bring a friend so that they might share the crisp clean air of life's adventure or, if necessary, alert the proper authorities of your untimely merging with the Void.
The popularity of Mt. Mitchell came to an abrupt end in June of 2011, when a private land acquisition blocked access to the old trailhead. Since that closure, folks with the Washington Trails Alliance and the Forest Service have worked hard at negotiating recreational easements into the area, with limited progress. But the peak is still accessible. Serious hikers can approach from the south, from the unmarked Black Hole Falls trailhead, and make their way up the 10 mile stretch of the "Old Mitchell Peak Trail" following the North Siouxon. Day hikers may want to drive a little further for a more manageable hike in from the west, skirting the north flank of Sugarloaf Ridge. Both points of entry can be accessed from road S6000.
It should be noted that these caches are not for beginners. Anyone heading into the Siouxon Wilderness ought to come well-prepared with their ten essentials, a GPS & extra batteries, a good map of the area, plenty of water.
DISCOVERY PASSES ARE REQUIRED AND CAN BE PURCHASED AT THE COUGAR STORE IF COMING IN FROM THE NORTH, OR THE CHELATCHIE STORE IF COMING FROM THE SOUTH.
The best map of the area, showing good detail of both road and trail, can be found at (visit link)
The best handheld topo I've found is the National Geographic Trails Illustrated #822
* * CONGRATULATIONS ben&amber, the FIRST TO FIND! * *
Quoting Kerouac (from Desolation Angels):
“...Even Hozomeen’ll crack and fall apart, nothing lasts, it is only a faring-in-that-which-everything-is, a passing-through, that’s what’s going on, why ask questions or tear hair or weep..."
“...Hold still, man, regain your love of life and go down from this mountain and simply be – BE -be the infinite fertilities of the one mind of infinity, make no comments, complaints, criticisms, appraisals, avowals, sayings, shooting stars of thought, just flow, FLOW, be you all, be you what it is, it is only what it always is – Hope is a word like a snowdrift..."
“...And still the Void is still and’ll never move – But I will be the Void, moving without having moved.”
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Ngbc gur penttl cvaanpyr.