NOTE
This cache requires expensive props for your enjoyment. Please do not break, bend, disassemble, or steal components. If you are unable or unwilling to respect this caveat, please pass over this cache. Thanks.
Welcome to GC7D5H5 Bison Tube Academy, a mystery cache with a field puzzle. Please be prepared for terrain and weather conditions typical with this part of the Rocky Mountains. Due to safety concerns, the cache is not recommended during periods of rain, snow, or ice. Expect degraded GPS accuracy. Note the listed attributes.
During my geo-travels across the continent, I have seen many "tribute caches" placed to honor a geocacher. I have always thought about placing some tribute caches, but in the end, decided against it. In my opinion, a proper tribute cache would require something special that captures the essence of the named geocacher’s geo-personality. This can be a difficult and time intensive task. For example, I can think of at least one cacher I considered doing a tribute cache for. In his case, to do it right; I would have to hand craft a mechanical monstrosity costing over $500, write a cache description in ancient greek, fabricate a puzzle that would require resurrecting Sherlock Holmes to solve, and place a 1,000 gallon water tank in a tree and calling it a bison tube. Somehow packaging all of that into a single cache seemed like too much work.
While this cacher built an excellent series of caches called Not Another Bison Tube in a Pine Tree, I’m not sure he understands what a bison tube is. While fun or cool, it seems every container in this series is something other than a bison tube. In order to redress this apparent gap of knowledge in our geocaching community, the Bison Tube Academy has been founded.
The Academy’s mission is to help educate geocachers what a “to standard” bison tube hanging in a tree looks like. Currently, the curriculum consists of a single cache to teach these fundamentals. At the posted coordinates, cachers will find a simple, perhaps even mundane, bison tube hanging in a tree. If you find the bison tube and sign the log, you can count yourself as a fully fledged graduate of the Bison Tube Academy and add a nicely rated cache to your profile. How hard can that be?
The cache is located at the posted coordinates and can be reached via Route 300c off of Rampart Range Road. The road has some rough spots but could be traversed by 2WD drive vehicles; please use your judgment to determine if your vehicle’s capabilities can handle the road. However, all drivers (even 4WD, high clearance vehicles) will have to select a dismount point and hike the remainder to the cache. A recommended parking coordinate is provided for both 2WD and 4WD vehicles.
Good Luck and I hope you find the short hike and puzzle fun.
Additional Waypoints
P27D5H5 - 2WD Parking
N 39° 08.903 W 105° 00.240
Recommend 2WD Drivers dismount here
P47D5H5 - 4WD Parking
N 39° 08.872 W 105° 00.220
Recommend 4WD Drivers dismount here
Bison Tube Academy
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5 
. Fortunately, between the four of us, we had brought enough items to construct a suitable retrieval tool and earn us a passing grade at the Bison Tube Academy. TFTC!