The (Imprisioned) Squirrel

Printer Version   Spy on this Cache

Picture clues below!   1 person or team spying on this cache!  

Hidden On: 05 Jul 2003
Waypoint (Landmark): N0072D
Open Cache:  Personal use only
Cache type:  Multi-Part
Cache size:   Normal

Difficulty:  (moderate)
Terrain:  (moderate)

Misc:

Comments:

Introduction:

This multi-cache is made of three micro-caches and the final cache. The objectif of this cache is to make you "jump" from one place to another like a squirrel. Also, I try to draw Your attention to the fauna (During the creation of this cache, I saw a squirrel and two rabbits) and some nice paths with the help of a map I supply in the first micro-cache.

Monsanto:

The Monsanto Forest Park is known as being  Lisbon's lung. It's a very important park. If you're interpelled by Forest Guards. Don't panic. Introduce yourself and explain what you're doing (show some material that links you with Geocaching. This page should do). Monsanto is a very sensitive area - I've already talked to the Park Administration and they told me they'll inform the Forest Guards about Geocaching. I have explicit authorization from the Park Administration to place this cache.

Some places you'll see in this hunt;

Pedreira do Calcário 

The action of the man is well visible in all Monsanto, and this place carries us to the time where  it was removed of the Mountain range the calcareous rock and the basalt for Lisbon sidewalks.
This type of exploration, allows to study and to understand the geologic events of this region. Be careful in this area.

Moinhos do Mocho

In decade of 40, many of the mills of Monsanto had been recouped - some had been transformed into tool houses, others in tea houses and, in the case of the Moinhos do Mocho, in a sightseeing place.

Luneta dos Quartéis

It is part of the old system of military defense, constructed in 2nd half of  19th century, with the name of Luneta
do Capela. It was destined the artillery rank and is, since the rearborization of Monsanto, a sightseeing place where we have a pretty one sight on the west region of Monsanto.

The Squirrel: 

There are hundreds of squirrels and they are beginning to take over the forest, having introduced by man.
Belonging to the species Sciurus vulgaris, the small rodents are loosing their fear of visitors, and they have already been seen in the middle of some streets around. Being a sweet animal and easily accustomed to human presence, it is probable that visitors to this park will soon take kindly to the tricks of these small animals, with a long tail and of brown or copper coloured fur.  

In this site you can read the untold story about squirrels. More information about  fauna in this Park can be found in the cache container.

The hunt

With this cache You'll enter the real forest and not only see it from the roads where most of Us use to drive. One nice thing I noticed, when searching the spots for the caches, is that everybody says ""Olá" (Hello) or "Bom dia" (Good morning) to each others - wether being walking/hiking, biking, running...

The total distance I walked to create this cache was 4.300m and took 2,5 hours to do it. I walked by the roads showed in the maps. All caches are in open sky places, so the signal is ok. I left some maps of Monsanto in the first micro-cache to help you find the best path, instead of going straight "like the crow flyes". However, the best paths you'll only find them in the way back ...it happens with me all the time...

On Weekends and special hollydays, some roads are closed to the traffic so, you'll have to leave your car/moto in the park suggested and go to the hunt by foot or bike. You can also reach the parking area by public transports. There's a BUS stop named "Cruz das Oliveiras" for Carris buses nr. 11, 23, 24 & 29.

All the circuit is suitable for persons who just want to walk and not climbing dificult paths or do other tuff exercises. However, if you want some excitment, go directly from 2nd to 3rd micro-caches, instead of turning back to the start point and take the road at West of it (see the map supplyed in the first micro-cache). Between 3rd micro-cache and the final cache there's a steep ascent in the road. Don't forget to take water with you.

Cache Content: Logbook, stash note, pen, documentation about fauna, and some nice gifts for you to exchange.

Don't forget: "Cache in, trash out" 

Clues:    decode

• Hints 
  !fg = Haqre gur Vil "aq = Arne n ebpx #eq = Haqre n fgbar Svany = Or pnershyy

Pictures:

 Area of the cache