Multi Cache or Puzzle?

[+letsgogirls!]

I have been caching for a few months now, and I have hidden one traditional cache. I have been thinking about another cache idea, but I don't know whether it would be a multi or a puzzle cache. The idea is to have multiple waypoints around town, which would lead the cacher to various locations where they would get clues for the final coordinates, but they would not be physical containers. I was inspired to create this cache after doing ; GC4G0PV Which is pretty much how I am planning to do mine. So, it would be greatly appreciated if I could get opinions on which cache type this would be! Thanks!

Edited February 22, 2015 by letsgogirls!

[+Roman!]

Multi

[+NanCycle]

I have been caching for a few months now, and I have hidden one traditional cache. I have been thinking about another cache idea, but I don't know whether it would be a multi or a puzzle cache. The idea is to have multiple waypoints around town, which would lead the cacher to various locations where they would get clues for the final coordinates, but they would not be physical containers. I was inspired to create this cache after doing ; GC4G0PV Which is pretty much how I am planning to do mine. So, it would be greatly appreciated if I could get opinions on which cache type this would be! Thanks!

 

I have two caches that are similar to this and I listed them as Puzzles, because after going around and gathering the information (which in itself requires answering questions and/or doing some simple math) it is necessary to figure out how to put it all together to determine the final coordinates.

 

If your clues are more straight-forward, I would call it a Multi.

[Pup Patrol]

I have been caching for a few months now, and I have hidden one traditional cache. I have been thinking about another cache idea, but I don't know whether it would be a multi or a puzzle cache. The idea is to have multiple waypoints around town, which would lead the cacher to various locations where they would get clues for the final coordinates, but they would not be physical containers. I was inspired to create this cache after doing ; GC4G0PV Which is pretty much how I am planning to do mine. So, it would be greatly appreciated if I could get opinions on which cache type this would be! Thanks!

 

You're using a "?" cache as a sample of what you would like to create, so I'm guessing you would also set it up as a "?" cache.

 

If you were to give the coords for each stage, without any work to do for the cacher, then I would think it would be a multicache.

 

Help Center → Hiding a Geocache → Review Process: Hiding a Geocache

1.18. Mystery/Puzzle

http://support.Groundspeak.com/index.php?pg=kb.page&id=277

 

Help Center → Hiding a Geocache → Review Process: Hiding a Geocache → Stages and Additional Waypoints

1.15. Stages and Additional Waypoints

http://support.Groundspeak.com/index.php?pg=kb.page&id=72

 

Perhaps you should discuss this with your Reviewer.

 

 

B.

[+letsgogirls!]

I have been caching for a few months now, and I have hidden one traditional cache. I have been thinking about another cache idea, but I don't know whether it would be a multi or a puzzle cache. The idea is to have multiple waypoints around town, which would lead the cacher to various locations where they would get clues for the final coordinates, but they would not be physical containers. I was inspired to create this cache after doing ; GC4G0PV Which is pretty much how I am planning to do mine. So, it would be greatly appreciated if I could get opinions on which cache type this would be! Thanks!

 

I have two caches that are similar to this and I listed them as Puzzles, because after going around and gathering the information (which in itself requires answering questions and/or doing some simple math) it is necessary to figure out how to put it all together to determine the final coordinates.

 

If your clues are more straight-forward, I would call it a Multi.

 

What do you mean as in, " more straight forward." As the waypoint would take the cacher to say a sculpture, and have to fill in the black of a year for example ( 198_) and each waypoint would correspond to the final coordinates. As in I would give them ; 113 AB.CDE 52 FG.HIJ, and each waypoint would be marked as a letter.

[+steben6]

Multi, in my opinion. Doesn't require any puzzle-solving skills.

[+Harry Dolphin]

Yes. That is a multi.

[+letsgogirls!]

Thank you everybody! I will label it as multi!

[+Mausebiber]

it is necessary to figure out how to put it all together to determine the final coordinates.

 

That's great, especially when it's cold and raining.

[+niraD]

There are also regional variations, so you might want to use a few local examples that more closely matches what you want to do.

 

For example, around here, I'm used to seeing caches like this listed as multi-caches as long as they involve only basic arithmetic, counting things, copying digits from plaques, etc. But if they involve more complicated mathematics, or figuring out what to do with the information you've found, or puzzle solving of some sort, then I'm used to seeing them listed as mystery/puzzle caches.

 

But on a business trip to Massachusetts a few years ago, I discovered that caches like this were routinely listed as mystery/puzzle caches, even if they involved nothing more complicated than copying digits from plaques or counting things.

[+coachstahly]

As niraD stated, it's sometimes a regional decision. I've seen this style of cache listed both ways. Your reviewer will help make the determination. That being said, I see it as a multi.

[+NYPaddleCacher]

I have been caching for a few months now, and I have hidden one traditional cache. I have been thinking about another cache idea, but I don't know whether it would be a multi or a puzzle cache. The idea is to have multiple waypoints around town, which would lead the cacher to various locations where they would get clues for the final coordinates, but they would not be physical containers. I was inspired to create this cache after doing ; GC4G0PV Which is pretty much how I am planning to do mine. So, it would be greatly appreciated if I could get opinions on which cache type this would be! Thanks!

 

I have two caches that are similar to this and I listed them as Puzzles, because after going around and gathering the information (which in itself requires answering questions and/or doing some simple math) it is necessary to figure out how to put it all together to determine the final coordinates.

 

If your clues are more straight-forward, I would call it a Multi.

 

What do you mean as in, " more straight forward."

 

For me, if the calculations required to obtain the coordinates for the final are anything more complex than basic arithmetic I'd rather see it published as a puzzle cache. Most geocachers can do basic arithmetic in the field (especially with a smart phone) but I've seen some multi caches with unnecessarily complex math required in order to derive the final coordinates.

 

 

[+niraD]

What do you mean as in, " more straight forward."

For me, if the calculations required to obtain the coordinates for the final are anything more complex than basic arithmetic I'd rather see it published as a puzzle cache. Most geocachers can do basic arithmetic in the field (especially with a smart phone) but I've seen some multi caches with unnecessarily complex math required in order to derive the final coordinates.

To elaborate, based on the multi-cache and mystery/puzzle cache listings around here, I would say that "straight forward" would include:

• a clear explanation of how to get the next location (no need to figure out what to do with the information you've got)
  
• basic arithmetic (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and perhaps square roots found in the 9x9 multiplication table)
  
• counting things (figures in a sculpture, letters in a word, plaques on a wall, etc.)
  
• copying letters/digits (third digit in the year, the number on a specific object, the last digit of the historic monument number, etc.)
  

But as I mentioned earlier, there are regional variations. Some places list caches as mystery/puzzle caches, even though I'm used to seeing caches like that listed as multi-caches. And vice versa.