Ok. Now on three different occasions I've stared at the same stump trying to find something.

(hint) ... then don't stare at the 'stump'.

I had a heck of a time finding the first stage, but then remembered that there used to be an earlier cache a stones throw away. I had the same problems finding that cache.

Satellite reception under the power lines and trees is inconsistant. Take many readings from across the street and use triangulation to narrow down to a search zone. It took me several readings and lots of looking.....

~erik~

I haven't noticed too many power line problems. My Map60 does seem to have trouble with trees though, so I'll have to try that offset/triangulation stuff.

quote:

I'll have to try that offset/triangulation stuff.

You may as well get good at it. Some of the other stages of this hunt require it too. Also, my GPS is pretty worthless within about 50' of a cache anyway. I've always been better off stopping about 150 feet off, then sighting to where I think the cache might be, walking another 50' to repeat the exercise, then finally looking less and less at the GPS as I walk the last 100 feet.

With most caches you can spot a likely cache location from 100' off (a large tree or boulder for example). Unfortunately that doesn't work with Phat_bak. He likes to hide them 10' from the logical place, so making approaches from several directions lets you triangulate a likely area to examine with your fine tooth comb. You do have one don't you?

~erik~

not quite fine enough yet. working on improving it.

I was 0 for 3 at Sewell Park yesterday

Unfortunately I had left my compass in the other vehicle, so my attempts at triangulation were pathetic. Also never got EPE below 30' even standing out in the road.

Hmmm ... erik found it first and now Dougs94&andLinda breezed thru it today.
Maybe I need to toughin it up a bit.
Congrats to both!

quote:

and now Dougs94&andLinda breezed thru it today

I don't think anyone can breeze through stages 4 and 6. It would be an understatement to say that they give pause for thought.....

~erik~

Congratulations to ~erik~ on his first find and to Doug and Linda as well. Hannah and I are in northern California now, headed toward Oregon today but we'll be turning back east sometime later this week and we will try this one again when we return.

quote:

we'll be turning back east sometime later this week and we will try this one again when we return.

Hurry back. I enjoyed finding three of your caches on the AT this weekend. Unfortunately I still haven't solved Return to Black Mountain so had to skip that one while doing the other Black Mountain caches. It was a nice cool (though wet) day for hiking.

~erik~

quote:

Originally posted by ~erik~:
Unfortunately I still haven't solved Return to Black Mountain so had to skip that one while doing the other Black Mountain caches.

That was the toughest puzzler I have solved yet, right on par with your evil one. Think WAY outside the box ...

Found stage 1 yesterday - probably won't hit stage 2 for a month since we are heading out of town.

Another has made it thru the 'Black Hole' succesfully. (That makes 3!)
If Owl waits too long he can just follow the trail - hehe ...

We'll get to it soon enough. Tonight we're in Utah and moving east (but not too fast).

Well...what can I say.
Look up evil in the dictionary and there is a picture of phak.bak.

It was alot of work, but well worth it.
This one is in my top 10 favorite caches.
However, know that it ain't a walk in the park and you will work for it.

If you aren't good with puzzles, I recommend teaming up with someone for this one.

Kenneth

HooRay!!!!
Hannah & the Owl finished Event Horizon today. You have to read the log. The Saudi's will give him a special 'Thank You', also.
Congrats lwO!!!!!!!!!!!

Cool!!!

Now we have another couple of people to sit around at meetings and swap stories about the pain/joy of successfully finding this one.

Congats Owl and Hannah.

reepicheep