Colorado College Tour B

This is a short walking tour of Colorado College, taking you to places that might not be obvious to a casual visitor. Moved slightly to avoid recent construction, and swag refilled in new containers.

Welcome to Multicache Tour B of Colorado College. I’ve designed this six-stop tour to show you a few more of my semi-secret highlights of this campus gem.

Founded in 1874, it’s ranked in the top 25 schools in the country for what it does --- give a liberal arts education via small classes from a well-rounded curriculum to undergraduate students. And it does so in a creative manner, teaching students one course at a time in highly personal, intensive learning environments.

Free visitor parking is available during school vacations in the lot at N 38°51.014 W 104°49.401. Otherwise, there is pay parking in the same lot (or free parking on adjacent streets). There’s some walking involved on this tour, but you shouldn’t need to move your car unless you want to take it to the final clue, which is still walkable. This caching tour is not organized by the College, but is placed with their permission.

1. Start your tour at N 38°50.913 W 104°49.589, also known as Bemis Hall. It is a dormitory, but also has a Great Hall that is frequently used for lectures and social events. It’s remarkably like the Hogwarts Dining Hall, complete with stained glass windows and dark wooden beams. No Sorting Hat, though. As always, translate text on signage as a=1, b=2, etc. (so that, for example, Colorado = 3+15+12+15+18+1+4+15).

A = the number address of this building, minus 28
B = sum of letter values for the first word of the second "Hall" listed on the sign, times 4, minus 39

Your next clue is at N 38°50.A W 104°49.B

2. You’ll walk past the main library and through the academic quad to get here. Beside you is Shove Chapel (peek inside if it’s open… the organ, engravings and windows are worth seeing). In front of you is another devotional space.

C = one hundred times the number of concrete piers that circle this space, plus forty times the number of benches, plus 304
D = number of bricks wide that the pale pathway maintains throughout, times 200, minus 35

Your next clue is at N 38°50.C W 104°49.D

3. Hope you enjoyed your walk back across the academic quad and noticed the ceremonial flagpole on your way. This location is a little tricky. If you’re lucky, the gate will be open and you can see the item advertised in punch-out lettering above the gate.

E = number of letters in punch-out lettering above the gate, times 40, plus 24
F = sum of letter values in first punched-out word above the gate, times 5, plus 15

Your next clue is at N 38°50.E W 104°49.F

4. Short walk to this one, wasn’t it? If you took the most direct route, did you notice the composting guidelines on the wall to your left as you left the last clue? You are now in Packard Plaza, where many of the College’s Humanities and Fine Arts departments are located. You are looking for the clue to take you to your last location, and you may consider taking your vehicle to this next one.

G = number of columns made of stone layers, plus 2, times 10
H = number of columns made of stone layers which also serve as fountains, plus 583

Your last clue is at N 38°51.G W 104°49.H

5. You are now in front of the residence of the president of Colorado College. Behind the home is a community garden, organic and sustainable, created and maintained entirely by the volunteer labor of College students.

I = the number address of this building, minus the number of black lampposts lining the street in front of it
J = sum of letter values for official name of this building (first word only)

The final cache is at N 38°51.(A+B+C+D+E-F-[2 times G]-[2 times H]-I-J-10) W104°49.(A+B-C-D-E-F+[2 times G]+H+I+J-18). Express each expression in the final coordinates as a three-digit number, of course. The cache is a 3-inch diameter plastic container covered in black tape. Approach from the east and all will be well... the entire path there is public property and we have permission to visit anyhow. I’ve refilled it with swag on June 7, 2012.

You can check your answers for this puzzle on Geochecker.com.

If you enjoyed the tour, let me know. And there’s a Multicache Tour A available too, if you wish.

Additional Waypoints

PK2CA8N - Parking
N 38° 51.014 W 104° 49.401