Im Stumped...

[+obnoxiousblue]

I can get the "easy finds" pretty easy when cacheing. I guess thats why thier rated easy.

 

But I stumble on some on the website that have a kind of cryptoquote in them, like the ones from the papers...

 

Is there a good way to approach solving these things? or does the hider get to make up thier own means for the rest of us to try and figure out?

 

Im looking at one now that (while I obviously DO NOT want anyone to give it away) is a series of numbers, each set four digits in legth followed by another set of four digits... it lookes like this:

 

1172 1623 2342 . . . etc (not the real numbers)

 

Any ideas for a newbie?

[+Taoiseach]

First thought, use the degrees that are the co-ords for your area, and maybe the minutes as well if you know roughly where it is, and use this as a base for how to solve it

 

In puzzle caches around here, I obviously know that it's N45 W075, and at that it's probably N45 2_.___ W075 (38-41).___

 

That's how I start these

[Mag Magician]

Ancient Rome could be the clue, but I will stay that cryptic.

[+terrim]

Google -- a lot.

I have an idea about the 4 digit numbers. put them into google and see if you get something.

 

Also -- always look at the title of the cache. Often there are clues there.

 

This site describes a lot of different ciphers.

It's a lot of work to go through, but I learned a lot from it this past winter when weather and dark kept me inside.

 

I'm certainly no expert in solving these. About 1 time out of 5 I end up asking the CO for a nudge in the right direction.

[+joranda]

Those sound like the puzzle caches. They aren't my favorites so I save them for last.

[+J-Way]

Do a forum search for "help solving puzzles" or something similar. There was a thread within the past month or so that listed two independent caches several thousand miles apart that each included fairly comprehensive lists of common geocaching puzzles. You might find one that uses groups of 4-digit numbers.

 

[Edit: corrected one word]

Edited April 25, 2008 by J-Way

[+gof1]

I remember when asking about puzzles in the forums was considered bad form. Of course so was helping to solve them. Perhaps you should contact the cache owner for a hint or two.

[+Papa EGTH]

I too was perplexed by some puzzle caches and stumbled onto a series in Flordia which has really helped me.

It starts with GCYXZ1. You can pick up the rest of the series by the CO's "Puzzle Solving 101 Series" Bookmark on the same page.

[+StarBrand]

Easy - skip all the "?" caches........

[+obnoxiousblue]

Some good ideas.

 

Wasnt asking for the solutions, and am far too new to know the norms of the board. Didnt know it was "considered bad form" was just inquiring as to where or how people here learned so I too may try my hand.

 

Thanks for the replies though guys.

[+obnoxiousblue]

double post.

Edited April 27, 2008 by obnoxiousblue

[+TheAlabamaRambler]

I remember when asking about puzzles in the forums was considered bad form. Of course so was helping to solve them. Perhaps you should contact the cache owner for a hint or two.

Talking genericly about how to solve puzzles is not nor has it ever been "bad form".

 

Talking about how to solve A Certain puzzle may be.

 

The OP should not be discouraged from discussing puzzle methodology.