Rooting & Tootalling, Damsels & Dragons - PHOENIX Multi-cache
Long Man: As the owner has not responded to my previous log requesting an update is posted, I'm archiving it.
Andy
Long Man
Volunteer UK Reviewer - Geocaching.com
Geocaching.com Guidelines
Geocaching.com Help Centre
UK Geocaching Information
Rooting & Tootalling, Damsels & Dragons - PHOENIX
-
Difficulty:
-
-
Terrain:
-
Size: 
(regular)
Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions
in our disclaimer.
This "PHOENIX" cache is the revival of the original cache placed here that was destroyed, along with much of the heath, by a serious fire in 2006. Despite the depressing damage, I hope you will still find merit in the nearly 4-mile long walk which I have kept pretty much unchanged from the original.
The area is generally sandy, so reasonable under foot, even in wet weather. Where large puddles do form, there is usually a route around them. This was a truly beautiful area before the arsonist struck. It is still a special area to me and I hope you too will enjoy the walk - even through the blacked-out moonscaped parts. I also hope you will witness some of the gradual recovery. The wildlife was abundant, and I ask you to please mention any interesting sightings in your logs. I would love to hear that the sunbathing lizards are back - they appear from April/May.
There are some wooden boardwalks that you will pass along. They were seriously damaged by the fire, but have now been replaced and are in fine condition.
The co-ordinates are for the first clue. Suggested parking point is at N51 10.848 W000 40.973, but there are also three paths leading in and out of Elstead (where I can recommend the food at The Woolpack). (If not put off by the distance), the nature of some terrain and paths would make pushing a buggy very hard.
Each clue forms a pointer to the subsequent clue and sometimes a key to one of the co-ordinates in a later stage. All clues (and walking) are on or near a mixture of Bridleways and Footpaths. I would like to hear that this cache is possible to find without resorting to the hints. Looking forward to hearing from everyone how you did and which hints were required and which were not.
I had immense trouble getting constant co-ords for the first clue, but over time they have proved to have been good for most visitors. A new waypoint has been added that takes you to a nearby "hill". From here you will get a better view of the extent of the fire damage, and hopefully of the recovery. Here too you should look out for holes in the ground which I believe are where tree roots have been burnt out from fires deep within the peat.
The final cache holds the co-ordinates for a bonus cache "Rooting & Tootalling, Damsels & Dragons - R.I.P.". This cache – appropriately - is at the location of the original cache and, as well as a logbook, it holds its cremated remains.
Once you have found the "Phoenix", please replace everything carefully and apply an appropriate dusting of camouflage with debris from within a reasonable range (and without making it look too obvious). Thanks.
1. N51 10.217 W000 41.372
A = ??
2. N51 _ _ . _ _ _ W000 _ _ . _ _ _
B = ??
3. N51 _ _ . _ _ _ W000 _ _ . _ _ _
Section W8 of the W. & C.A. 19XY
Z = X+Y
4. N51 _ _ . _ _3 W000 _ _ . _ _4
N51 A . ZZ3 W000 B . WW4
You should now be standing “Between a Rock and a Wet Place”.
Prostrate yourself in the fashion of a rock-worshipper. Discover two numbers, whose values differ by 1.
4 * (E + higher number) = (ZZ - Y) * B - (W + X + Y + Z)
F + (W + X) = A * (lower number)
where * means multiply and, for example,
QQ means repeat the digit Q.
As they used to say on Exam Papers – “Calculators not required”, (but pencil & paper might help).
5. N51 _ _ . _ _ _ W000 _ _ . _ _ _
N51 A . E W000 B . F
For the next bit, m = the first month mentioned, M is the second month mentioned, converted to a number (e.g July = 7)
N 51 A . [Black Darter m] [Emperor m] [Small Red Damselfly M]
W 00 B.[Downy Emerald m] [Four-spotted Chaser M-m] [Southern Hawker m]
6. N51 _ _ . _ _ _ W000 _ _ . _ _ _ CHECKSUM all 15 digits is 57
7. Your final co-ordinates will be :
N51 _ _ . _ _ _ W000 _ _ . _ _ _
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
[1.] Fznyy obk va n taneyrq abbx va gur gerr ebbgf ba gur fvqr bs gur cngu.
[2.] Fznyy obk va gur ebbgf bs snyyra (ohg yvivat) gerr.
[3.] Nyjnlf ernq obgu fvqrf bs gur dhrfgvba cncre.
[4.] Ybbx qbja.
[5.] Ab Uvag.
[6.] Vg JNF oevtug lryybj ohg vf abj fbzrjung snqrq. Svaq vg, gura jnyx 20z AR naq ybbx ng onfr bs gerr
[7.] Gur CUBRAVK - evfrf sebz gur nfurf (bs pbhefr)!