Need help with a puzzle

[+lovinangels]

Is it okay to post here for help if you just can't solve a puzzle? I've emailed a couple of people, but we are leaving in an hour to trek a pretty hard hike and I want to grab this cache at the top. The problem is, I've never solved a puzzle cache, and I can't seem to make any headway here.

 

Here's the cache, and if you'd rather not post spoilers feel free to message me. I'm totally stuck.

 

http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?wp=GC190B7

 

thanks in advance!!!!

[+Dame Deco]

It's not proper etiquette to ask for help with puzzles on the forum. Email the CO, and if you don't have it solved in time for your trip, find other caches instead.

[+lovinangels]

It's not proper etiquette to ask for help with puzzles on the forum. Email the CO, and if you don't have it solved in time for your trip, find other caches instead.

 

Thanks for the answer. I didn't notice that in the forum guidelines, is there another list of etiquette I should be aware of?

[+Kacher82]

It's not proper etiquette to ask for help with puzzles on the forum. Email the CO, and if you don't have it solved in time for your trip, find other caches instead.

 

Thanks for the answer. I didn't notice that in the forum guidelines, is there another list of etiquette I should be aware of?

Geocaching.com terms of use.

The relevant quote is line 2(D)(xxiii).

You agree not to:...Publish on our websites the solutions, hints, spoilers, or any hidden coordinates for any geocache without consent from the geocache owner.

Geocaching.com terms of use apply to all Groundspeak sites.

[+niraD]

According to section 2-D of the geocaching.com terms of use, "You agree not to: [...] xxiii. Publish on our websites the solutions, hints, spoilers, or any hidden coordinates for any geocache without consent from the geocache owner.” However, here are some 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