Newbie to Puzzle Cache

[+KJKC]

We are fairly new to caching and just begining to tackle our first puzzle caches. We can figure our the math and trivia caches, but I do not know how to convert a word clue to correct wrong GPS co-ords. I read through the series Puzzle Caches 101, googled, wiki, etc and can not find anywhere I can learn how to do this.

 

Can anyone out there reccomend a site that explains how to take word clues and convert them into the correct co-ords. Or have any advice on how to get started?

 

Thanks so much,

 

KJKC

 

Working on cracking GC39CCW and I'm certainly missing something. I've tried every combination I can think of and the kids 5 and 7 yrs are great at finding the cache, but aren't much help with this conundrum.

[+msrubble]

There is not one way that will change all story puzzles to numbers.

 

I solved the puzzle.

 

Since this is a very recently published puzzle, the actual coordinates should be within about 3.5 km of the "fake" coordinates.

 

Other than that, all I can suggest is that you think about what you have read about solving puzzles, study the cache listing page, and maybe an idea will come to you.

[+fizzymagic]

Working on cracking GC39CCW and I'm certainly missing something. I've tried every combination I can think of and the kids 5 and 7 yrs are great at finding the cache, but aren't much help with this conundrum.

 

You'll get the hang of it. IMHO, that one is under-rated for a number of reasons. It was not hard for me to solve, but only because I have had enough experience in doing puzzles to see what had to be done quickly. The story, unfortunately, detracts from the puzzle.

 

ETA: Oh, and I don't understand the hint either.

Edited December 22, 2011 by fizzymagic

[+niraD]

There is not one way that will change all story puzzles to numbers.

This deserves repeating. Different puzzles will work differently. In fact, some puzzles include red herrings, where an incorrect "solution" can generate numbers that look like coordinates. Part of the puzzle is realizing that the incorrect "solutions" are wrong.

 

For example, you might need to figure out that N 37° 12.345 W 122° 67.890 is impossible (minutes cannot be greater than 59.999), that N 37° 12.321 W 122° 56.765 is the same as the posted coordinates (and you were told that it is NOT at the posted coordinates), that N 37° 12.333 W 122° 01.222 is more than 2 miles from the posted coordinates (and you were told that it is within 2 miles), or that N 37° 12.345 W 122° 56.777 would be 5-star terrain (far more than the terrain rating of the cache).

 

Or the incorrect "solutions" could produce valid coordinates, and at each incorrect "solution" there might be a decoy with a message that you still need to solve the puzzle correctly.

 

Speaking of red herrings, are you sure "word clue" is really the puzzle?

 

[i haven't even looked at the puzzle you're working on, so none of this will be a spoiler. It's just general advice.]

[+KJKC]

We are fairly new to caching and just begining to tackle our first puzzle caches. We can figure our the math and trivia caches, but I do not know how to convert a word clue to correct wrong GPS co-ords. I read through the series Puzzle Caches 101, googled, wiki, etc and can not find anywhere I can learn how to do this.

 

Can anyone out there reccomend a site that explains how to take word clues and convert them into the correct co-ords. Or have any advice on how to get started?

 

Thanks so much,

 

KJKC

 

Working on cracking GC39CCW and I'm certainly missing something. I've tried every combination I can think of and the kids 5 and 7 yrs are great at finding the cache, but aren't much help with this conundrum.

[+KJKC]

Thanks everyone for your help. I was stuck on the hint that the clue was in the title, now that I've got that out of my mind I have come up with some co-ords - in fact it was my 7 year old who came up with the final numbers. I was over complicating things.

 

I have to admit I was happy to hear that others did not understand what the clue had to do with the co-ordinates either - the hint had my head spinning.

 

I understand that you should not ask for answers in a forum, but honestly I was only asking for any helpful websites or advice - getting the answer would ruin the fun. I didnt mean to offend anyone with my post.

 

Again thanks for pointing me in the right direction (pun intended).

 

JKJC

 

P.S. My son asked Santa for a Premium Membership for Christmas - Poor Santa didn't have a clue what he was talking about, but I have feeling he is going to come through!

[+niraD]

Welcome to the addiction! And here are some general puzzle tips that I've posted before (based in part on a puzzle-solving class event presented by The Rat a while ago):

 

Identify the theme. Check the cache title, the hint, the HTML source, the graphics (including names/URLs), any links (including URLs), whatever is at the posted coordinates, etc. If you can figure out the theme, then you should look for numbering systems that are associated with that theme (zip codes, athletes’ jersey numbers, episode numbers, product codes, etc.).

 

Around here, coordinates will have 15 digits, and will look like "N 37° xx.xxx W 122° xx.xxx". So when I'm solving a nearby puzzle, I look for a group of 15 things, and then I look for ways to get the digits 37xxxxx122xxxxx from them. In general, I look for ways to get the number 37 (or the digits 3 and 7) from something near the beginning of the puzzle, and the number 122 (or the digits 1, 2, and 2) from something near the middle of the puzzle. (Of course, you'll need to adjust this for the coordinates near you.)

 

Other useful resources include:

Puzzle Solving 101 Series (bookmark list)

Puzzle Shortcuts Series (bookmark list)

Solving Puzzle Caches (online article)

How Do I Solve All These $@! Puzzle Caches? (tutorial-style puzzle cache)

Puzzle FUNdamentals (archived event cache) and the Puzzle FUNdamentals resources on the GeocacheAlaska! education page

The GBA's Puzzle Cache FAQ (for puzzle designers, but useful for understanding how puzzle caches work)

[+KJKC]

Thanks everyone for your advice. Found it this morning!!! Geez, I thought caching was an addiction, add the puzzles and I have entered a whole new level of addiction!!

 

Happy Holidays and Happy Caching!

 

KJKC

[+fizzymagic]

Thanks everyone for your advice. Found it this morning!!! Geez, I thought caching was an addiction, add the puzzles and I have entered a whole new level of addiction!!

 

I love puzzle caches. They add a dimension to regular caching.

 

I figured out the hint. Not a good one for a 2.5-star puzzle, IMO.

[7rxc]

Thanks everyone for your advice. Found it this morning!!! Geez, I thought caching was an addiction, add the puzzles and I have entered a whole new level of addiction!!

 

Happy Holidays and Happy Caching!

 

KJKC

Hi and welcome aboard. Just saw this a while ago, solved it promptly... now the problem is I'm so far away... who knows what the future will bring. I agree with fizzymagic, puzzles are fun way to add to the challenge. I think however that keeping a 7 YO around as a 'ringer' to bail you out is not fair. Mine has grown up and isn't much help any more, so I'm a bit bitter. Best to have an all around sampling of cache types in your logs. Kids (of all ages) like adventure and variety, with challenges suitable to their age and experience.

 

I also agree that the hint is confusing, but I saw what I thought it referred to straight off, but I don't think that it is accurate in what it says...

 

Doug 7rxc

[+KJKC]

Thanks everyone for your advice. Found it this morning!!! Geez, I thought caching was an addiction, add the puzzles and I have entered a whole new level of addiction!!

 

Happy Holidays and Happy Caching!

 

KJKC

Hi and welcome aboard. Just saw this a while ago, solved it promptly... now the problem is I'm so far away... who knows what the future will bring. I agree with fizzymagic, puzzles are fun way to add to the challenge. I think however that keeping a 7 YO around as a 'ringer' to bail you out is not fair. Mine has grown up and isn't much help any more, so I'm a bit bitter. Best to have an all around sampling of cache types in your logs. Kids (of all ages) like adventure and variety, with challenges suitable to their age and experience.

Today

I also agree that the hint is confusing, but I saw what I thought it referred to straight off, but I don't think that it is accurate in what it says...

 

Doug 7rxc

 

Thanks for your reply Doug. Since I tried this first puzzle, we've gone on to solve many different types of puzzles. Today we stayed indoors, hiding from the -17 degree weather and prepared some caches for future hides and tackled some puzzle caches, co-ordinates saved in our GPS unit for the next decent day for caching.

 

My son "the 7 YO ringer" has really taken to the puzzles. I love geocaching as a family activity, the great outdoors, fresh air, getting the kids away from tv's, video games, etc. I didn't think it could get any better - but puzzles are the icing on the cake.

 

I enjoy watching the kids figure out equations, word plays cracking codes, learning about history, geography and the delight on their faces when they plug in the co-ordinates on geochecker.com and find success!!

 

My goodness!! Fun family activity, free, enjoying nature, getting exercise and now it's become educational - it just doesn't get any better than this.

 

I've tried to convince a few girlfriends to join us give it a try with their children, but they aren't into trekking in the mud just to find some dollar store trinkets. I try to explain to them that it is so much more than that. Besides if we come home after a day of caching and we're not covered head to toe in dirt - then we didn't have enough fun!!

 

We are still Newbies - only started in September (with a brief break in November after my knee surgery) and it has become a family addiction. I love that our Wii has only been turned on twice since we started.

 

If you ever need to borrow the "ringer" drop us a line - he's getting quite good.

 

KJKC

[7rxc]

Well! IF you like such games over the winter, I'll have to get in touch.

You'll find that puzzles come in all types, flavours and difficulty levels.

Also that they only form part of the cache type of MYSTERY (the blue ? ones).

 

I'll email via your profile link.

 

Doug 7rxc