On the Second Day of Christmas, mrGreen317 hid for me, a two-stage multi starting at another evergreen tree!
Welcome to the Twelve Multi(cache)s of Christmas (12 MoC). Each cache is a simple two-stage multi leading to a small-sized latching box in one of our fine PA state game lands (SGL).
While the retailers are packing away the Christmas wares for 2019, the traditional Christmas season actually runs from December 25 through January 5, the "Twelve Days of Christmas". Here are some multi-caches hidden for the "Twelve Multis of Christmas" to grab this Christmas season or any other time of the year when geocaching is on the day's agenda.
This cache location may require a pleasant, level hike "past the gate", or you might even be able to pull right up near both stages depending on a) the time of year if the gate is open (only drive past the gate when a white sign tells you that you are permitted to do so) and b) the capabilities of your vehicle (the SGL road is level and gravel, but at certain times might be covered in snow and/or ice, so please use appropriate precautions if driving to GZ). If parking by the gate, please do not block the gate with your vehicle; there is ample parking space available. Nearby the gate is 2017's 12 Gates of Christmas, Day 7, GC7GE3X cache
At the first stage, depending on the weather and sky conditions, you may have a very nice view out in the northwest direction over the valleys and other high points of the surrounding landscape, looking down the back side of the Allegheny Front.
Vegetation Note: Since these caches are hidden in SGL in the non-growing months, it is always possible that access may get more challenging during late spring and summer growth seasons. When considering hide locations, an attempt was made to minimize this potential issue as much as possible, but when searching in the late spring or summer, just keep this in mind. Good, sturdy hiking footwear and possibly long pants (not shorts) are a good suggestion. Always be on the lookout for wild animals and ticks in the game lands. With this cache, the terrain rating is up half a step due to possibly a longer walk when the gate is closed (but not much more than a mile round trip) and possible growth getting from the SGL road in to the final cache container.
This cache is located in state game lands, so PLEASE observe all state game land rules and wear orange during hunting seasons. During the primary hunting season, finding this cache is recommended on Sunday only.
Series Information of Note
- Each of the Twelve Multi-caches should have a stage one ornament hanging on a tree or similar object at the posted coordinates. To find stage two/final, replace the decimal portion of the north and west minutes with what you see affixed to the ornament at stage one. (See below for an example with this cache.)
- Each stage one has the numbers incorporated into the ornament hanging wire. This should be all the clues you need to find the final/stage two part of the cache.
- The log book in each final stage will have a code word, something that might relate with Christmas traditions. You will want to make a note of both the ornament design at stage one and this code word in stage two to get you the needed information for a future "final" geocache.
- FTF on each series cache: There is a small ornament for FTF that either matches stage one's ornament or is somehow thematically connected to it. Since not all FTF gifts exactly match the stage one ornaments, it is suggested that FTF cachers make note of the stage one ornaments for their records if seeking the series "final" cache. FTF will also have a different code word labeled on the FTF gift bag, a code that is different from the final stages's code word. This code is unique to the FTF gift and can be used to claim other additional prizes at the conclusion of the 12-days series. More information will be forthcoming.
Example for solving to stage two: For this cache, the posted coordinates for stage one is at: N 40 41.232' W 078 23.789', so to find the stage two, you would assume N 40 41.??? and W 078 23.???. To fill in the question marks, look for some numerical information at stage one, something that would give you three numbers to go with north and three numbers to go with west to replace those '?' in the previous coordinate formula.
A congratulations on FTF goes to jdm438 and dsimcisko . Merry Christmas to you and your family!
Merry Christmas from the Green-Hippo household!
(mrGreen317, Sage-Hippo, and littleEEE)