Fungus Foray Multi-cache
Professor Xavier: As the owner has not responded to my previous log requesting that they check this cache I am archiving it. Please note that as this cache has now been archived by a reviewer or HQ staff it will NOT be unarchived.
If you wish to email me please send your email via my profile (click on my name) and quote the cache name and number.
Regards
Ed
Professor Xavier - Volunteer UK Reviewer
www.geocaching.com
UK Geocaching Policies Wiki
Geocaching Help Center
-
Difficulty:
-
-
Terrain:
-
Size: 
(small)
Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions
in our disclaimer.
This is a fungus foray series cache. It is approximately a 7.5km or 4.5 mile 'circular' route. You will need to find information at each cache to determine the coordinates for the next. There is a bonus cache at the end where you can leave swaps (preferably mushroom-related ones, but nothing putrescible or illegal!).
You will need to do some homework before working out the first coordinates. Oh, and also make sure you have a calculator and paper and pen handy when doing the series (unless your mental arithmetic is excellent, unlike mine).
You will be searching for the Latin names of mushroom species (found onsite) and will need to encode alphanumeric information to work out coordinates.
But first, you need to find the latin name for this mushroom and encode its name to numerical data:
“This mushroom is steeped in folklore and has been associated with humans for well over 4000 years. It has a ‘chequered’ history and reindeer are known to like eating it! In fact, it could be the reason why Rudolph has a red nose and why Father Christmas’ sleigh flies. If you see this mushroom in the natural environment, you’ll be struck by its beauty. It’s a fairytale of a mushroom.”
To ‘crack’ the codes, you will determine the Northing by using the 'genus' and the Easting by the 'species' of the latin name. And N51. and W001. are always given. It’s just the last part of the satellite coordinates that need to be worked out.
Let’s take the Fairy Ring Mushroom, or Marasmius oreades for example. 'Marasmius’ is the 'genus' and ‘oreades’, the 'species'.
Now, it’s a straight forward alphanumeric code that’s used in this series, but in reverse. ‘A’ does not equal ‘one’. The puzzle uses terms such as the ‘fifth’ letter or ‘eighth’ letter. See below and see if you can work out the parking coordinates.
The parking area for this cache is: N51. 37.045; W001. 02.364. But in Marasmius oreades, this can be found by N51. 1st + 6th + 3rd = the first part of the coordinate. Then, 3rd + 7th + 7th = the second part; W001. 7th ÷ 4 = the first part. Then 1st x 3rd + 100 = the second part. Got it? Watch out for ‘squared’ functions (²) in the equations too.
Right, you’re good to go. After solving the mushroom puzzle above, using its name, the first in the series can be found using:
N51. 1st + 2nd – 3 = Ans. 1st + 3rd + 5th + 2 = Ans
W001. 3rd – 2nd = Ans. 8th x 10 = Ans
1. It’s a Killer!
N51. 1st + 2nd – 3 = Ans. 2nd x 3rd – 8 = Ans
W001. 10th ÷ 4 = Ans. 3rd x 6th + 10th = Ans
2. It’s a cute one...
N51. 2nd + 4th = Ans. (3rd x 19) ÷ 5th = Ans
W001. 1st – 2nd – 1 = Ans. (1st + 4th – 3rd)² + 5th + 3 = Ans
(You could double-back on yourself to get to Yum Yum, but there is an alternative route along the footpaths & bridleways to get to the next hide).
3. Yum Yum
N51. 1st + 2nd = Ans. 4th + 5th = Ans
W001. (1st + 6th) – (4th x 2) = Ans. (1st x 2nd) x 2 – (6th²) = Ans
4. Rolling around
N51. 5th + 6th + 7th = Ans. (1st + 3rd + 7th + 8) x 2nd – 7th = Ans
W001. (7th + 9th) – 5th = Ans. (4th²) x 7th - (7th x 9th + 1st + 3rd) = Ans
5. It’s Magic!
N51. 5th + 6th = Ans. 5th x 6th – (6th + 7th)= Ans
W001. 3rd – 7th = Ans. 2nd x 9th – 8th – 1 = Ans
6. Deliquescent my dear Watson...
N51. 1st + 2nd = Ans. (1st x 6th) x 2 – (7th + 8th) = Ans
W001. 3rd - 2nd = Ans. (3rd + 5th)² + (7th ÷ 2) = Ans
7. It’s a Stinker!
N51. 4th + 5th + 6th = Ans. (2nd x 3rd) x 2 + (5th – 6th) = Ans
W001. 9th - 8th = Ans. (7th x 1st) + (1st – 3rd) = Ans
8. Bonus cache (the one with the goodies in)
Please leave mushroom-related swaps if possible! Happy mushroom hunting.
Psilosopher.
Additional Hints
(No hints available.)