GC8FJ7Y A Navigational Challenge for KT--3
Type: Mystery | Size: Small | Difficulty: | Terrain:
By: Denali41 @ | Hide Date: 10/05/2019 | Status: Available
Country: United States | State: Colorado
Coordinates: N40° 24.775 W105° 29.150 | Last updated: 06/19/2022 | Fav points: 0
                           

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CONGRATULATIONS TO icezebra11 AND Path Pacer FOR THE CO-FTF!! I have a new email friend whom I call “KT”. That’s not his/her (H/H) actual name, but it will do. KT emailed me that he/she is an excellent navigator. Of course effective navigation requires multifaceted skills, including knowing where to find and how to use salient map and other resources needed to determine possible routes to a destination--and from these options to chose the optimal route plus the tools needed to achieve the destination. Recent episodes suggest that KT could benefit by refining H/H navigational skills, so I have developed several scenarios that can serve as cumulative checkpoints in establishing an appropriate portfolio of expertise. This is the third scenario. It is preceded and followed by other scenarios employing additional navigational requirements. The cache descriptions are not “instructional”; instead, they provide opportunities for the cache seeker to explore navigational solutions to attain success in getting to the GZ points. For those seekers who already possess the basic skills, developing a plan to reach each of the three caches should be straight forward.

The cache is hidden in the general summit vicinity of a Larimer County Peak. You must solve the puzzle in order to identify which peak the cache is on.  Use the information below to determine general coordinates for the cache and the summit it is located on.

Near the top of Triangle Mountain is a cache named “Between Two Rocks” (GC7F1Y2).  You will need to utilize information from this cache to calculate the coordinates for this "Level 3" cache but you do not need to actually find GC7F1Y2.  “Between Two Rocks” is 0.02522° north of the cache you are attempting to find. This mystery cache  is 7,093 feet west of “Between Two Rocks”. Using the above information calculate the coordinates of the cache and then use available navigational materials to plot out a good hiking route to GZ and a logical location to park. There are good ways to reach the base of the peak the cache is on that are completely on public lands where hiking is unrestricted.  Your task is to review the possibilities and to select the optimal route and a parking location consistent with it. Do NOT trespass on private land during your hike to the summit and the cache.

Once your hike gets you to the base of the summit block you will need to study possible routes carefully.  There is one weakness in the otherwise precipitous terrain that allows a straight-forward Class 4 climb to the summit–that is, a route that requires use of available hand and foot holds but that for many adventurers does not necessitate a rope and a belay.  Find it, study it, and decide on your micro-route to the top. Do not attempt this cache unless you are comfortable with scrambling in exposed circumstances where a slip/fall could have serious consequences. Once you have gained the actual summit sign the summit register.  This is NOT the cache.  To do fine-tuning on the specific cache location once you are at the high point, review the spoiler photo carefully. The cache is a small container.

Have a fun hike and a safe ascent and descent of the summit block.  Enjoy the superb views from the top, and relish your overall accomplishment and adventure. The navigational challenge of determining the general cache coordinates combined with the terrain challenge to reach GZ provide a good back country caching adventure. I have rated the Terrain component as 5-star. Because it's a 5-star, every cacher who claims a "Found It" on the cache must make the climb to the summit and personally sign the field cache log. That is, signatures by "proxy" will not be accepted.

Additional Waypoints

11/09/2019 By Denali41
Congratulations to Path Pacer and icezebra11 on their co-FTFs! Both indicated the climb up to the top is not difficult. It is not difficult for folks who are comfortable on such rock. But it IS Class 4 rather than Class 3 climbing. A slip and fall on the route to the top will most likely result in a fatality--a clear distinction between Class 3 and Class 4 routes. So be careful!

11/09/2019 By icezebra11
When I saw the notification Tuesday that this cache had been published, I quickly set out to calculate the coordinates for the final. Within about 15 minutes I got a successful geocheck. But going for the cache would have to wait. I had just returned home the previous day from a hunting trip in the Black Hills of South Dakota and had some meat processing and other tasks to do for the next couple days. Then I got a note from Path Pacer asking if I'd be interested in going for this together this weekend. We settled on Saturday.

Today we met at the trailhead at 10 am and headed up the path. There are some steep sections of the trail that get the blood flowing and the last 10th of a mile is a good workout. The final climb to the cache location is steep but there are good hand and foot holds so it is pretty safe if you are comfortable with Difficult Class 3/Class 4 climbing. Once we were on top the cache was located quickly thanks to the spoiler photo. We signed the blank log sheet as co-{FTF}ers.

The views at the cache site are superb. I never get tired of seeing Longs, Meeker, and the Mummy Range from different locations and this one sure didn't disappoint. Thanks Steve for creating this neat navigational puzzle and for placing the cache in a great location!!!

11/09/2019 By Path Pacer
Hiked up to the cache with Icezebra11 and my dog, Suzy, on this fine morning. The trail is still pretty icy in spots, so we brought our stabilizers. Climbing up to the summit wasn't too difficult, but I do recommend doing it with someone else, just to be safe.

The view from the top was lovely. The snow on the mountain peaks really makes them pop, especially on a clear, bright day like today. The spoiler photo made finding the cache itself quite easy; signed the log and left a little swag.

What a nice way to spend the morning. I'll post a picture when I get it downloaded. Thanks!

(Update: Icezebra uploaded my picture.)

11/05/2019 By Path Pacer
This one looks like fun! Can't do it tomorrow though, and I think I'll wait until more snow melts off. Icezebra will have to get FTF.

11/05/2019 By IgnotusPeverell
Published