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the Degree Confluence Project
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United States : Iowa

2.4 miles (3.9 km) E of Alpha, Fayette, IA, USA
Approx. altitude: 315 m (1033 ft)
([?] maps: Google MapQuest OpenStreetMap topo aerial ConfluenceNavigator)
Antipode: 43°S 88°E

Accuracy: 10 m (32 ft)
Quality: better pictures needed

Click on any of the images for the full-sized picture.

#2: East of the confluence, trees obscure rock walls. #3: Looking north.  Some grass and a tree show evidence of a recent fire. #4: Tom stands on the confluence. #5: GPS reading.

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  43°N 92°W (visit #1)  

#1: Our best estimate of the confluence location.

(visited by Dr. Mark W. Palmer and Thomas C.H. Mueller)

25-Aug-2001 --

My co-explorer, Thomas C.H. Mueller, and I set out this day for two confluences and however many geocaches we could fit into the schedule on the way back. This confluence was conveniently located a short drive north from Highway 18 close to U Ave. We parked the rental car near the south end of the bridge over Crane Creek and walked the remaining few hundred feet to a dirt road going east in toward the confluence area.

There were some forks in the path leading in, but we took the turns that seemed to make the GPS happiest about our progress. Soon we reached a clearing walled in on two sides by vertical rock faces. The USGS maps had implied that quarrying had been done here at one time -- we were lucky though and did not have to find a way up or around these rock walls. The GPS started settling down and zeroed in on the confluence in some tall grass right by our clearing. The GPS was trying our patience somewhat since the mosquitos were numerous and persistent, but we waited it out so that we'd be confident of the position fix.

I had hoped to have better pictures for upload, but most of the photos turned out to be poorly focused. Though Nikon has repaired my camera since it was damaged during the N44W088 confluence visit, the autofocus mechanism hasn't worked nearly as well since then. This group of pictures lacks the crispness the camera used to deliver.

After fleeing the mosquitos, Mr. Mueller and I continued west on Highway 18 to the N43W094 confluence.


 All pictures
#1: Our best estimate of the confluence location.
#2: East of the confluence, trees obscure rock walls.
#3: Looking north. Some grass and a tree show evidence of a recent fire.
#4: Tom stands on the confluence.
#5: GPS reading.
ALL: All pictures on one page