Puzzle cache

[mummamandy]

I started geocaching with my kids a couple of weeks ago. Great form of exercise and they get very excited about it. Today we searched for a cache that had two parts to it. We found the original location and the clue was to find a date. Did that 1979. Then multiply the 7 by 3, easy enough. Then take 21 away from the

co-ordinate S 31° 50.441'. Now I am stumped. Do I take 21 from the 50 or from the 0.441, I think taking it from the 31° would make me turn in a circle. I do not have a gps, do I have to buy one?

[+JeepFreak81]

Taking it from the 31 will have you in a different part of the world and taking it from the 50 will move you a considerable distance away. My guess is you want to take it away from the 441. That's what makes sense to me.

[+Team Microdot]

You refer to this as a puzzle cache.

 

Caches with a blue ? icon are often referred to as puzzle caches but they are properly known as mystery caches.

 

In order to comply with current guidelines, a mystery cache must be within two miles of the given coordinates.

 

These two things being the case, subtracting the 21 from the 50 would yield coordinates that were considerably more than two miles away from the given coordinates - which is another indicator that you should subtract the 21 from the 441.

 

HOWEVER - if this cache has a yellow box icon then that would make it a multi cache rather than a mystery cache.

 

Sometimes you have to solve a puzzle in order to find the multi cache - so you see there's some overlap between the two concepts.

 

With a multi cache there are no restrictions on the distance one part can be from another part.

 

So I guess the first question is - does this cache have a blue ? icon or yellow box icon?

Edited September 30, 2015 by Team Microdot

[+fizzymagic]

With a mystery cache there are no restrictions on the distance one part can be from another part.

 

That is backwards. With a multicache there is no limit on how far apart the stages can be. With a mystery cache the final coordinates have to be within 2 miles of the posted coordinates, although intermediate stages may be farther.

Edited September 30, 2015 by fizzymagic

[+Team Microdot]

With a mystery cache there are no restrictions on the distance one part can be from another part.

 

That is backwards. With a multicache there is no limit on how far apart the stages can be. With a mystery cache the final coordinates have to be within 2 miles of the posted coordinates, although intermediate stages may be farther.

 

I think I probably fixed that in the edit while you were posting

[Pup Patrol]

Looks like it's not a "?" Mystery cache, but a multicache:

 

http://coord.info/GC3ENK0

 

Help Center → Finding a Geocache → Finding a Geocache

3.1. Geocache Types

http://support.Groundspeak.com/index.php?pg=kb.page&id=710

 

B.

[+J Grouchy]

Looks like it's not a "?" Mystery cache, but a multicache:

 

http://coord.info/GC3ENK0

 

Help Center → Finding a Geocache → Finding a Geocache

3.1. Geocache Types

http://support.Groundspeak.com/index.php?pg=kb.page&id=710

 

B.

 

The description says "A short two stage multi cache". Key word is "short" and there is an attribute for "kid friendly"...which all leads me to believe cachers are to subtract from the 441, meaning a relatively short walk from the posted coordinates of stage 1. I wouldn't necessarily mark a multi requiring a significant drive as "kid friendly".

Edited October 1, 2015 by J Grouchy

[+vw_k]

If you do not already have a GPSr then I'll presume you are caching on a smartphone. Depending on what app you are using you may be able to enter the solved co-ordinates as an additional waypoint and then navigate to it.

[mummamandy]

I don't know if I am allowed to message you directly, but I really need some help. I am a tech idiot. We have downloaded the geocache app from the App Store onto an iPhone, an iPod and two iPads, all as seperate accounts for the kids. When we go out to find a geocache we take a portable wifi device with us and the kids all log onto that. We have been trying to find the geocaches for two months and we have only found 5. We go every afternoon after school so we really are not very good at this. The kids are now starting to get bored with it, because we can't find them, but I really like the concept. Generally our problem seems to be this.....yesterday we went to a large park that the map showed had 12 geocaches in it. I thought we were bound to find one. When we got there all the compasses had us located in a building across the road, yet we were in the park. So, the compass said that we were 1.2km away, but the satellite map showed the group of trees that we were standing in. So, we hunted around that park for two hours, in all different areas, looking for the 12 caches, found nothing and the kids went home dejected again. I don't know which other apps to download to help find them or which gps machine thingy to buy, but it would have to be really simple to use, I just don't think that we should give up and there must be other people, like us, that just can't make it work. Please help us. Thank you.

[+niraD]

Generally our problem seems to be this.....yesterday we went to a large park that the map showed had 12 geocaches in it. I thought we were bound to find one. When we got there all the compasses had us located in a building across the road, yet we were in the park. So, the compass said that we were 1.2km away, but the satellite map showed the group of trees that we were standing in.

To me, it sounds like your devices are not using GPS. Instead, they may be getting their location from some other service (cell tower triangulation or wifi networks) that is much less accurate.

 

I'm not familiar with iOS though, so I can't tell you how to check whether GPS is enabled.

 

But here is some general advice for beginners that I've posted before.

 

A common recommendation for beginners is to stick with small size, regular size, and large size caches. Until you're more experienced, avoid micro size caches, some of which are smaller than most beginners can imagine (sometimes called "nanos"). Save those for later, after you have some experience.

 

Also, stick with caches that have a difficulty rating of no more than 2 stars . Save the more difficult ones for later. You may also want to choose caches with easy terrain ratings. (The difficulty rating tells you how hard it is to find the cache once you get there. The terrain rating tells you how hard it is to get there.) And it is often best to start with traditional caches, which will be at the published coordinates. Multi-caches or mystery/puzzle caches or other cache types can require more work just to figure out where the container is located.

 

Under ideal conditions, a consumer GPSr will be accurate to about 3m (10ft). That applies both to your device, and to the cache owner’s device, so you may find the container 5-6m (16-20ft) from ground zero under ideal conditions. Under less than ideal conditions, both GPSr readings can be much less accurate. Once you get within that distance of ground zero, put your device away and look around for places where a container could be hidden.

 

Where would you hide something? Do you notice anything unusual? Is anything too new, too old, too organized (e.g., UPS: an Unnatural Pile of Sticks/Stones), too symmetrical, not quite the right color or shape, etc.? Don’t look only on the ground; the cache may be knee-level, waist-level, eye-level, or overhead. How might the container be secured in place? With magnets? With a hook? With string? With fishing line? With something else? Does anything move when you touch it? (Be careful when touching things though.)

 

Go ahead and read the cache's additional hints (if provided), and read the past logs and look at any photos in the cache's image gallery. They may help you understand what you're looking for, and how/where it may be hidden. It may also help to look at some of the cache containers available online. For example, check out the cache containers sold by Groundspeak. Also, take a look at the Pictures - Cool Cache Containers (CCC's) thread in the forums, and check out some geocaching videos on YouTube.

[+kunarion]

Generally our problem seems to be this.....yesterday we went to a large park that the map showed had 12 geocaches in it. I thought we were bound to find one. When we got there all the compasses had us located in a building across the road, yet we were in the park. So, the compass said that we were 1.2km away, but the satellite map showed the group of trees that we were standing in.

To me, it sounds like your devices are not using GPS. Instead, they may be getting their location from some other service (cell tower triangulation or wifi networks) that is much less accurate.

Good catch! If the devices are getting their location via wifi, that would explain the issue. My iPad is wifi only, and it can be hundreds of feet off to miles off the actual location, and the iPad does not readily reveal that it's NOT using GPS to provide the location. That may be tricky for mummamandy to fix, especially across several devices (and I think the iPod has no GPS capability). It may be better to stick with that satellite map, and follow niraD's tips, selecting caches that have excellent descriptions and hints, and zoom in and look for landmarks to use as a guide. Caches in a mass of identical trees may be tough, using the map.

 

A "Geocaching 101" Event, or most any meet-and-greet style cache Event, may have people who can help set up the devices. Or at least you can get tips on how to work with the devices as they are.

Edited October 17, 2015 by kunarion

[Pup Patrol]

I don't know if I am allowed to message you directly, but I really need some help. I am a tech idiot. We have downloaded the geocache app from the App Store onto an iPhone, an iPod and two iPads, all as seperate accounts for the kids. When we go out to find a geocache we take a portable wifi device with us and the kids all log onto that. We have been trying to find the geocaches for two months and we have only found 5. We go every afternoon after school so we really are not very good at this. The kids are now starting to get bored with it, because we can't find them, but I really like the concept. Generally our problem seems to be this.....yesterday we went to a large park that the map showed had 12 geocaches in it. I thought we were bound to find one. When we got there all the compasses had us located in a building across the road, yet we were in the park. So, the compass said that we were 1.2km away, but the satellite map showed the group of trees that we were standing in. So, we hunted around that park for two hours, in all different areas, looking for the 12 caches, found nothing and the kids went home dejected again. I don't know which other apps to download to help find them or which gps machine thingy to buy, but it would have to be really simple to use, I just don't think that we should give up and there must be other people, like us, that just can't make it work. Please help us. Thank you.

 

After checking to make sure that your device is using the gps as suggested above, I would suggest that you do research on the caches before searching for them.

 

Go to the cache page(s) and read the previous logs.

 

Has the cache been found recently?

 

Are other people having difficulty finding those caches?

 

Are the caches really, really small? Try to look for "small" or larger at the beginning.

 

Read the decrypted hint on the cache page. Look at any photos uploaded to the cache page.

 

I would also suggest going out ahead of time, without the kids, and finding the cache(s) yourself. That way, you will be able to confirm that the cache is actually there to be found and you can take them back later.

 

I don't know how folks find caches by just loading them into the gps or phone and going out to search without reading the cache page. I've never had any luck finding caches without a lot of research before striking out. Heck, even with all the research, the teeny tiny micros have been elusive. It's to the point where I won't even bother looking for them any more. It's too frustrating to spend time smooshing around in unfriendly vegetation, trying to find something the size of a button.

 

I think the idea of attending events is a good one. Perhaps you can get a local experienced cacher to go out with you and show you the tricks of the game.

 

Patience and good luck. It can be a lot of fun, so I hope you can keep the kids interested.

 

B.

[Pup Patrol]

As for the multicache that was the subject of the thread originally...have you made an attempt to find that one?

 

 

B.

[+colleda]

There will be a couple of events soon in the Perth area that you may want to attend.

The first GC64FX with a Back to the Future theme 21/10 Burswood Park 4.29-6.30pm and

GC659JD Meet & Greet 31/10 Garrat Bridge Park 10 - 12noon.

There's sure to be someone at either of these events that give assistance.

[+colleda]

Would that multi be GC3ENK0, Apex, in Hawker Park?

[Pup Patrol]

Would that multi be GC3ENK0, Apex, in Hawker Park?

 

Looks like it's not a "?" Mystery cache, but a multicache:

 

http://coord.info/GC3ENK0

 

Help Center → Finding a Geocache → Finding a Geocache

3.1. Geocache Types

http://support.Groundspeak.com/index.php?pg=kb.page&id=710

 

B.