feeling like a complete noob but can't figure this out!

[+thesmurfinator]

Ok, so I'm going on a trip for one day and I've found a puzzle cache near my destination. I'd like to try something different so I had a look at it, and I'm stumped. There is a set of co-ords but I assume that is too obvious, then there is a logo and nothing else. No clues, no info, nothing, I honestly don't know where to start. Is is something to do with the logo?

 

Any help would be appreciated, some idea of what direction my brain should be going in would be great, the cache is:

[removed by moderator]

Edited May 20, 2012 by Keystone

[+kunarion]

That's a "5 star difficulty" cache, which means lots of tough work ahead. Be sure to look at everything provided on that page, for anything you've missed. It's not what I expected (it also looks like the kind of Puzzle Cache I avoid, but I'm choosy). I haven't tried to solve it. If there's nothing obvious or I have no idea what to do, I put it on the back burner, and try other caches instead. Some people contact the Cache Owner, which is fine. As you solve easier puzzles, you may have a better plan for the tough ones. That's why I try again some other day. Bear in mind that if you can't solve it, lots of other cachers can't either.

Edited May 20, 2012 by kunarion

[Keystone]

Hi there,

 

It's generally considered "bad form" to ask in the Forums for help on a specific puzzle with reference to a specific cache. It would be fine to have a discussion topic about a general puzzle solving technique. So, I've edited the GC Code out of the OP.

 

The reason for this forum ethic is because the puzzle would be "spoiled" if its solution were disclosed in a public forum. The website terms of use say not to do this.

 

I recommend writing to the owner of the puzzle cache to ask for help. Most puzzle cache owners WANT their caches to be found, and are happy to assist with a nudge in the right direction. In your email, describe how far along you've gotten with analyzing the puzzle.

[+T.D.M.22]

I'm just gonna throw this out there...Try going to the posted co-ords. I have a puzzle with the co-ords hidden in a bunch of text. Just to see if anyone would notice, I put the correct co-ords on the cache page, maybe that's what this person did?

[+scrapcat]

This is a post I like sharing with newer cachers. It really opened my eyes when I started working puzzle caches.

 

http://coord.info/GC25WQJ

 

Consider it Puzzle Caching Fundamentals 101

[+thesmurfinator]

Thanks for the info and ideas guys,

[+bootsycat]

Scrapcat - thank you so much for that link! When I've got a spare couple of hours that is definitely my homework before I tackle my next puzzle cache!

[+scrapcat]

Scrapcat - thank you so much for that link! When I've got a spare couple of hours that is definitely my homework before I tackle my next puzzle cache!

 

You're welcome! I have it saved and use it as a reference when I get stuck

[+niraD]

You've already received some good advice, but here are some additional tips (based in part on a puzzle-solving class event presented by The Rat a while ago) that I've posted before:

 

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