Insert the keyword into the field.
Alchemy noun al·che·my \ˈal-kə-mē\
A medieval chemical science and speculative philosophy aiming to discover the means to transmutate base metals into gold, a universal cure for disease, and the means of indefinitely prolonging life.
Platinum is a beautiful silvery-white when pure, and malleable and ductile. The metal is corrosion-resistant. In the realm of philosophical elemental alchemy symbols, platinum was revered for its endurance. Platinum represents determination, grit, and seeing our manifestations to completion. Platinum in terms of alchemy meaning represents high achievement and reward for crafting our best selves.
Alchemists considered platinum to be one of the eleven mundane elements. The symbol for platinum is associated with the union of the Sun and Moon.
Since platinum is one of the eleven mundane elements of Alchemy (yes, alchemists actually considered platinum mundane), I made this a multi-cache in my series.
I had a bit of a challenge developing this multi-cache. Since ancient alchemists considered Platinum to be a mundane element, I needed a way to make this cache both challenging, yet mundane. I think I accomplished this by making this a rain cache.
What is a rain cache work you ask? A rain cache is a cache hidden in such a way that best time to find it is when it’s raining. Here’s how it works:
The first stage is a virtual stage at the posted coordinates. Enter the keyword Alchemy in the field below. If the National Weather Service is reporting rain or snow at Chalco AND you happen to be within 100 feet of the stage, the website will return with the coordinates for the next stage and a keyword. If one or both of those conditions are not met, then the webpage will give you a set of puzzles to solve.
Each of the intermediate stages is a bison tube with a keyword in it (the same one you got at the previous stage). Enter the stage keyword into the field above. If you are within 100 ft of the stage coordinates AND the NWS reports rain or snow at Chalco, then the website will return the coordinates and the keyword for the next stage. If one or both of those conditions are not met, then the webpage will give you the puzzles. This continues until you reach the final.
The final stage is a plastic toolbox with a cryptex and a keyword in it. Enter the stage keyword into the listed website. If you are within 100 ft of the stage coordinates AND the NWS reports rain or snow at Chalco, then the website will return the combination for unlocking the cyrptex. If one or both of those conditions are not met, then the webpage will return the puzzles to solve for the combination.
Now I know what you are thinking. “I’ll be looking for this cache in the middle of a forested park. I’ll get a lot of GPS bounce!” Don’t worry. I designed the route so that your GPS unit will have a clear view of sky. There will be very little, if any, overhead cover to block your signal while hiking between stages. On some legs of your journey, you’ll even be walking along the lake shore where you’ll feel the stiff breeze that comes off the lake during heavy rainstorms (so overheating won’t be a problem).
“But what about muggles?” you ask. “There can be a lot of people in that park.” Don’t worry. I thought about that too. You’ll definitely be out of sight of all muggles crawling on the ground on your hands and knees, under tree canopies, in the soft, loamy soil to retrieve each stage.
NOTES:
1) It is possible to work this multi-cache in other weather. It’s just a little easier in the rain. J
2) One of the Papio-Missouri NRD’s mission for the Chalco Hills recreation area is prairie restoration. I deliberately chose hiding places where people will not have to trample on the prairie grasses. Each location is right off of an established trail similar to the one shown in the picture below:
The trailheads at each location intersects the concrete path close to the coordinates; however, you may not see it right away. You’ll need to search for it. I know it’s a bit inconvenient asking geocachers to search for something hidden in the woods, but it is best way to preserve the prairie grasses.
Enjoy and Good Hunting!