Puzzle Caches?

[+gps_junky]

I hate to say it, but I have been having a major problem finding any puzzle caches.... I know that its the fun of the cache to figure out the puzzle, but I have NO WAY of FIGURING OUT WHAT OR WHERE TO START... I would like for someone to try and tell me what I need to do to AT LEAST start trying to figure them out... I.E.>>>>>>>

 

MEMEBER ONLY CACHE> http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?guid=41d16900-d679-4c9d-a2ae-096086257c98

 

I have been on the net for hours doing different google searches for this cache or info given. Where do I start or what do you make out of this? I was going to ask someone who had allready found it but I figured I would start here.....

 

Thanks

[+Panther&Pine]

I think you're making it too hard.

[+Ike 13]

I agree. I always ask myself how can I take this information and turn it into numbers. Sometimes it's easy other times it's quite difficult.

[+Semper Questio]

It is generally considered to be bad form in asking for help with a puzzle in the forums. That being said, there is no one sure-fire way to approach solving puzzles. There are just too many different kinds out there. The best place to start getting hints to solve a puzzle is with the cache owner. If they are unwilling to help (a rarity in my experience), then check with previous finders.

[+StarBrand]

Don't want to publicly discuss a specific cache (others may search and find - thus displeasing the cache owner) - but I agree - you are likely over thinking this one. Seems obvious as to what to look for.

[+niraD]

A while back, The Rat offered a puzzle-solving class as an event cache. His slides are available here:

http://thegba.net/resources/general_information.php

 

Among the tips he offered:

 

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, area codes, telephone keypads, episode numbers, 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)

[+DanOCan]

I was going to ask someone who had allready found it but I figured I would start here.....

 

If you want a hint, the cache owner is often the best place to start. Some will be quite helpful and others may not give you anything, but that is usually the first place to go for hints.

 

I also would advise to go to events or otherwise get engaged with your local caching community. I have developed a circle of friends who enjoy puzzles and we often have a great time getting together in a pub somewhere with a couple of laptops, a pad of paper and working together on solutions to puzzles.

[+Ry Dawg]

I agree. I just don't do them, because it's not fun for me when they don't leave you any way of figuring it out.