OneWheelOwens Posted May 13, 2012 Share Posted May 13, 2012 Has anyone seen a puzzle like this before? If you have, I would like to learn how to go about solving it, but not the answer. Thanks! Quote Link to comment
+niraD Posted May 13, 2012 Share Posted May 13, 2012 No, I haven't seen a puzzle like that before. Or at least, I don't recognize having seen a puzzle like that before. However, here are some general puzzle tips that may help (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 Quote Link to comment
OneWheelOwens Posted May 13, 2012 Author Share Posted May 13, 2012 Thank you! I will use your sources and continue trying!!! Quote Link to comment
Dereckson Posted May 14, 2012 Share Posted May 14, 2012 This puzzle is color coded. I see in some geocaching decoder guidebooks a color code used in electronics to get a number from a color. I would start to see if that could make sense. Quote Link to comment
OneWheelOwens Posted May 14, 2012 Author Share Posted May 14, 2012 Although it appears to be color coded, I have received the following hints from the CO: "Try putting dots or circles in your graph. You are looking for 2 lines of coordinates." "The hint and the background pic are both hints for the puzzle. It is something that most people have seen but we changed how it looks, sort of like square pegs in round holes. Don't be blinded by the colors- they're either white, or they're not." Still stumped, but still trying! Quote Link to comment
+Gustav129 Posted May 25, 2012 Share Posted May 25, 2012 At least you don't have this..... Quote Link to comment
+St.Matthew Posted May 25, 2012 Share Posted May 25, 2012 At least you don't have this..... Haha that looks difficult for sure. Quote Link to comment
+Team V3 Posted May 25, 2012 Share Posted May 25, 2012 These two puzzles look cool. What are the GC#s? Quote Link to comment
+Gustav129 Posted May 25, 2012 Share Posted May 25, 2012 The GC was already edited out of the OP, so I did'nt post the GC of my local puzzle. Quote Link to comment
+Team V3 Posted May 25, 2012 Share Posted May 25, 2012 Bummer. I like looking at different puzzle pages. Quote Link to comment
Pup Patrol Posted May 25, 2012 Share Posted May 25, 2012 These two puzzles look cool. What are the GC#s? The GC was already edited out of the OP, so I did'nt post the GC of my local puzzle. Posting the GC codes on the public forum would be considered "spoilers". I don't think sending that information via private message would be considered "bad form", maybe? I dunno. B. Quote Link to comment
+Glenn Posted May 25, 2012 Share Posted May 25, 2012 These two puzzles look cool. What are the GC#s? The GC was already edited out of the OP, so I did'nt post the GC of my local puzzle. Posting the GC codes on the public forum would be considered "spoilers". I don't think sending that information via private message would be considered "bad form", maybe? I dunno. B. You can't control what happens in private. The reason that it is considered bad form to talk about specific caches in the forums is because the forums are searchable. This means that any solution talked about here will always and forever be available to anyone who simply looks for it. The CO made it a puzzle cache so that you'd have to solve for the solution. Talking about specific puzzle caches in the forums defeats that. Quote Link to comment
7rxc Posted May 26, 2012 Share Posted May 26, 2012 Bummer. I like looking at different puzzle pages. Think of finding out which one it is as a puzzle itself... I found both of the two in a few minutes of thoughtful searching online. Solving is another thing altogether. But seeking out this information and similar is a useful skill for puzzle hounds. No problem with asking 'privately' at all. Hints best come from the CO however, but the GC and even teaming up to solve via that route is common. Doug 7rxc Quote Link to comment
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.