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X-11: Order of the Scarab Mystery Cache

This cache has been archived.

Nazgul: Archived at the request of annevoi.

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Hidden : 7/5/2007
Difficulty:
2.5 out of 5
Terrain:
3 out of 5

Size: Size:   small (small)

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Geocache Description:

This is the final cache in my new "X" series. I'm releasing them all at once, in the hope that they generate a little excitement and fun for the locals.

The cache is not at the posted coordinates.

The big scarab!

I've had a number of small signature items over time including zombies, glow-in-the-dark skull beads, and the limited run of Festivus poles. One of the more popular items though were the hand-carved Egyptian scarabs. There were perhaps fifty of those in various colors. This cache contains my one and only large(!) hand-carved Egyptian scarab as the FTF prize. It's got the nice blue finish on it too, which was always my favorite.

To find the location of this cache, you need to answer visit the other caches in this series, answer questions based on those locations and use the information to determine where X-11: Order of the Scarab is hidden.

The ten X caches with clues for X-11:

  1. X-1: Please Recycle (Nazgul Secret Trailhead #9)
  2. X-2: Shannon Valley Open Space
  3. X-3: Are You Outstanding In Your Field? Archived 7/3/14
  4. X-4: Tifosi Treasure
  5. X-5: Space Monkey Needs Air! Archived 4/12/09
  6. X-6: Sanborn Reborn (Nazgul Secret Trailhead #10) Archived 8/21/12
  7. X-7: More Like the Others Archived 8/21/13
  8. X-8: Ross Creek Troll Archived 5/15/10
  9. X-9: Howes it Going? Archived 5/25/08
  10. X-10: The Whine Cellar Archived 3/8/12

Note: For the first year, completing this series earned you ten finds plus this puzzle as the 11th. But I'm not going to replace every missing X series caches forever, and some will inevitably be archived. You'll still be able to find the archived listing via this page, and find the coordinates or other information you need, but you're obviously not going to get a find for those archived caches. If you want the maximum number of finds, you'll want to complete the series sooner than later.

The questions:

  • 1. At X-1, look at the times on the No Parking signs. Add the digits of the p.m. time together to get A.
  • At X-9, add up all of the numbers on the Howes Playlot sign. Then take both digits of that answer and add them together to get B. Now A x B = P.
  • At X-5, the benchmark on the sidewalk near the cache is identified with "BM" followed by a three-digit number. Multiply the first two digits of that number to get Q.
  • At X-10, about 90 feet south of the cache there is a very large structure made of wood poles that is in the shape of one of the letters of the alphabet. Translate that letter into a number (A=1, B=2, etc.) to get R.
  • At X-3, as you retrieve the cache, there is a large open dirt lot behind you. In the center of that lot, count the number of purple sign poles and add 2 to that total to get S.
  • X-7 is hidden inside a (thing) that starts with the letter P. Count the number of letters in that word to get T.
  • On the trails to X-2, there are yellow rattlesnake warning signs. Below the large word "CAUTION" count the number of lines of the smaller text. That number = V
  • At X-4, the final is located at N37 xx.Wxx'.
  • At X-4, the final is located at W12x xx.Xxx'. (Don't confuse those small Xs with the big X!) :)
  • At X-6, there is a sign the trail name on it in large letters. Count the letters in the first and third words on that sign to get Y.
  • At X-8, Look at the overall color of the bridge. If it is brown, Z=2. If it is green, Z=6. If it is white, Z=9.

The final is a decon located at N37.PQ.RST' W121 VW.XYZ'. I'm happy to confirm your answer if you wish.

The other caches in this series are either drive-ups are close to it, but you're gonna have to work a little for this one. The general area the cache is in is well-known for its large and active rattlesnake population. Of course there could be also be ticks, bobcats, mountain lions, Hell's Angels, vampires, alien invaders on PCP, and radioactive mutant moths. Just be safe. :)

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Abgbagurtebhaqhayrffvgunfsnyyra

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)