Solving Mystery-Caches

[+CometStrike]

Hi everyone,

one of the reasons I finally joined this site and not just went along caching are the nice mystery-caches out there. Now, while some are quiz-like and others involve finding some place, I´ve seen quite a lot that provide a number of characters (e.g. 1's and 0's or .'s and -'s in some order, or several different characters with one being repeated way more ofter than the others, or just the repetition of a single word but with different punctuation marks) and you are left figuring out the coordinates.

I´ve already seen that sometimes (if the total number of characters is a square number and just 2 different characters are used), one can try to generate a QR code out of it.

But in general I´m sitting there pretty helpless and without a clue as to how to proceed.

So what are your "standard procedures" when trying to solve such a riddle? Do you use any special tools or techniques? I´d really appreciate some input here.

[+StarBrand]

I make liberal use of Google and Bing. Use the cache name, numbers, or whatever text I can find. See if it sparks anything interesting.

 

I look at the HTML for the listing page. Check exif information for pictures. Run the whole thing over a few times to see if there is something I missed.

 

Then I solve it or give up( mostly this).

[+teamajk]

Glad to welcome a new puzzler! There are several puzzle caches out there that you might enjoy, because they are intended to help folks get started. My favorite series is from Florida, epeterso2's "Puzzle Solving 101" series, which starts here. You also might like this puzzle listing. There's a whole bookmark of similar educational puzzles that can be found here. A handout created specifically with your question in mind can be found here. Once you're really hooked, you can keep practicing your skills at my Geocaching Puzzle of the Day blog. If you search for "bonus blogs" posted every Friday in 2011, you'll find lots of handy tools for your puzzle solving toolbox. Happy puzzling! -

[+CometStrike]

Thanks very much, there are really a ton of methods and tools out there. I guess I´ll have a look at the puzzles with explanations and informations about encrypting methods first and will then try to apply my knowledge to some puzzles.

[+niraD]

Around here, I find that the necessary tools vary widely, depending on the puzzle cache. But I can often find an online version of the necessary tool with a Google search.

 

Of course, first I have to figure out what the necessary tool is, which usually involves figuring out what the theme of the cache is. Which brings me to the following general puzzle tips (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)

 

If you’re interested in extremely challenging puzzles, then consider the online discussions of Venona’s ACTIVITIES in the GBA forums. The puzzles for this annual event are very challenging, intended to be solved by multiple people working together online. (You'll need to register on the GBA site to view these forum threads.)

Overview: Venona's 2011 ACTIVITIES

Overview: Venona's 2012 ACTIVITIES